Electromagnetic Radiation and Atomic Spectra

What are electromagnetic waves?

An oscillation in the electric and magnetic field able to carry energy at the highest speeds known in the universe

What features of waves can you change/ measure

Frequency
Wavelength
Speed
Amplitude
Period

What is wavelength

The length of one wave, the distance from one position on wave to the next identical position on the following wave

What is frequency

the number of waves that are formed or pass a point in a second

What can electromagnetic radiation be described as

Dual Natured

what does the amount of energy carried by a photon depend on

the frequency of radiation

What happens when energy is transferred to atoms

Electrons may be promoted energy levels

What happens when an electron drops down energy levels

The atoms emits a photon of light energy

What is produced when the light energy is emitted

A spectrum that is made up of a series of lines at discrete energy levels

What is the difference between emission and absorption spectra

Emission shows lines of colour on a blank spectra whereas absorption shows a continuous spectrum with blank lines

In atomic spectroscopy what is related

The concentration of the element within a sample to the intensity of light emitted or absorbed