Continuous Spectra

A pattern of light when white light is broken up into its component frequencies

Atomic emission spectra

 Explain the source of atomic emission spectra (of discharge
tubes) and their unique relationship to each element

Energy levels of an electron - QUANTUM THEORY

Electrons can only exist in certain areas around the nucleus called shells or energy levels. (Quantum theory).
Each shell corresponds to a specific energy level which is designated by a quantum number n. Since electrons
cannot exist between energy levels, the quantum number n is always an integer value (n=1,2,3,4…). The electron
with the lowest energy level (n=1) is the closest to the nucleus. An electron occupying its lowest energy level is
said to be in the ground state.
Relate the lines on the atomic spectrum to electron transitions between energy
levels
• When heated or when light is shone on an atom, its electrons absorb
photons which cause them to gain energy and jump to higher energy levels.
• The higher the energy of the photon absorbed, the higher the energy level
the electron jumps to.
• The electrons become unstable and return back to original E level and emit a
photon energy that corresponds to a specific ƒ and colour of light. E = hc/λ
• Since an electron can only exist at certain energy levels, they can only emit
photons of certain frequencies. These specific frequencies of light are then
observed as spectral lines.

 Calculate the energy of the emitted photn and the corresponding wavelength or
frequency using E = hf

When an excited electron falls to a lower energy level it emits a photon. The
energy of the emitted photon (E = hƒ) depends on the difference in energy
between the two energy levels:
hƒ = E2 – E1
Worked example
Consider the an electron transition from energy level 6 to energy level 2.
a) Calculate the energy of the photon emitted
b) Calculate the wavelength of the light emitted (in nm)
c) Which colour of light is emitted when the electron makes this transition?

Solution