
This means that line spectra can be used to identify elements.Ĭontinuous spectra are produced by electrons being shared between many atoms, giving a huge range of possible frequencies, as shown below. The neon light manufacturers use different gases in their. As a result each produces photons with different energy and so the line spectra for different elements will be different. The electrons excite the gas atoms, causing them to emit light, forming a line emission spectrum. This is not a continuous spectrum as only light of specific frequencies and specific colours are produced.ĭifferent types of atoms have different energy levels. This causes line emission spectra to be produced, as shown below. This means that each electron transition will produce a photon of a different frequency and hence a different colour. significant reduction of neon emission spectrum, virtually at one single line. \(f\) is the frequency of light producedĪs the energy levels have different values, each of the possible electron transitions within an atom will produce a photon with a different energy. namely the energy mediator in metastable atom state and the reaction.The spectroscopic data may be selected and displayed according to wavelengths or energy levels by choosing one of the following options: Spectral lines and associated energy levels displayed in wavelength order with all selected spectra intermixed or in multiplet. If an electron moves from level \(E_\) the energy of the photon can be worked out using the following: Welcome to the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, NIST Standard Reference Database 78. Observe how electrons create colored light in hydrogen gas discharge tube. The energy of the photon can be worked out using the equation Neon lights are a type of discharge tube. The amount of energy it loses will be equal to the difference in the energy levels it moves between.

With sodium, however, we observe a yellow color because the most intense lines in its spectrum are in the yellow portion of the spectrum, at about 589 nm. show the emission spectra of several elements including hydrogen, oxygen, neon and nitrogen. If an electron is in an excited state it can return to a lower energy level. The light emitted by hydrogen atoms is red because, of its four characteristic lines, the most intense line in its spectrum is in the red portion of the visible spectrum, at 656 nm. Each element has its own unique atomic emission spectrum.
