Spectroscopy

Ground state

the lowest energy state of an atom, electrons are at their ‘normal’ energy level

Excited state

a state of high potential energy, electrons have moved to outer energy levels (not stable)

photons

energy in the form of light

Photons are released when electrons fall from an excited state back to ground state (from an outer energy level back to ‘normal’ level

when are photons released 

each element contains a different number of electrons

Why does each element have its own distinctive set of colors?

Each element has its own unique “spectral fingerprint” (colors) because each element has a different number of electrons. Therefore, an unknown element pattern of colors can be compared to known elements and identified.

Explain how spectroscopy can be used to identify an unknown element.