CHEM 1211 Section 3.2 (Atomic Spectra)

Light Absorption

occurs when an atom absorbs light energy from the surroundings and gains energy

Light Emission

occurs when an atom has excess energy and gives of energy by emitting light

spectral lines

Sunlight contains _______ _____ due to wavelengths of light absorbed by atoms of specific elements that exist in the outer layers of the sun

Fraunhofer Lines

Discrete lines that appear when sunlight is shone through a prism

Atomic Spectroscopy

all atoms have unique electronic levels, meaning they emit characteristic spectra, which can be used to identify them

Quantum Theory of Light

Each atom will absorb and emit characteristic wavelengths or colors of light that are unique to that element. The bright lines in emission spectra and the dark lines of absorption spectra of elements correspond to eachother.