Edexcel International A Level Physics

Revision Notes

2.31 Atomic Line Spectra

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Atomic Line Spectra

  • An emission line spectrum is produced when:

An excited electron in an atom moves from a higher to a lower energy level and emits a photon with an energy corresponding to the difference between these energy levels

  • Each element produces a unique emission line spectrum due to its unique set of energy levels
    • Hot gases produce emission line spectra, such as stars
  • When the atoms of a gas are excited, electrons gain energy and move to higher energy levels

Electron-Promoted-Photon-being-emitted-

When an electron moves from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, a photon is released

  • Electrons cannot stay in a continuous state of excitation, so they will move back to lower energy levels through de-excitation
    • During de-excitation, energy must be conserved, so transitions result in an emission of photons with discrete frequencies (or wavelengths) specific to that element
    • Since there are many possible electron transitions for each atom, there are many different radiated wavelengths
    • This creates a line spectrum consisting of a series of bright lines against a dark background
    • An emission line spectrum acts as a fingerprint of the element

Hydrogen Emission Spectra

An example of the emission line spectrum of hydrogen

  • Each line of the emission spectrum corresponds to a different energy level transition within the atom
    • Electrons can transition between energy levels absorbing or emitting a discrete amount of energy
    • An excited electron can transition down to the next energy level or move to a further level closer to the ground state
  • For example, if an atom has six energy levels:
    • At low temperatures, most electrons will occupy the ground state n = 1
    • At high temperatures, electrons may be excited to the most excited state n = 6

12-1-1-photons-ib-hl

Energy and frequency of a photon are directly proportional

  • The energy of a photon is given by the equation:

E = hf

  • Using energy can be written as:

E = fraction numerator h c over denominator lambda end fraction

  • Where:
    • E = energy of the photon (J)
    • h = Planck's constant(J s)
    • c = speed of light (m s-1)
    • f = frequency (Hz)
    • λ = wavelength (m)
  • The energy required to move from one energy level to another is given by the difference of energy between the two energy levels:

ΔE = E1E2

  • Where:
    • E1 = energy associated with the level that the electron has left (eV)
    • E2 = energy associated with the level that the electron moves to (eV)
  • The difference of energy corresponds to the energy of the absorbed (or emitted) photon:

ΔE = E1E2 = hf = fraction numerator h c over denominator lambda end fraction

  • For each transition, a photon will be emitted with a specific wavelength
  • In the case of hydrogen, all wavelengths are in the visible range:
    • From n = 6 to n = 2 - violet
    • From n = 5 to n = 2 - blue
    • From n = 4 to n = 2 - light blue
    • From n = 3 to n = 2 - red

Line emission (visible) spectrum of hydrogen

If the emitted photons are in the visible range, wavelengths can be represented as lines of the respective colour against a black background

  • Emitted photons can have a range of wavelengths spanning the whole electromagnetic spectrum
    • The wavelength is inversely proportional to the energy level transition associated with the emitted photon
  • For example, the transitions for hydrogen will be as follows:
    • To n = 1 (ground level) – ultraviolet, highest energy, high frequency, short wavelength
    • To n = 2 – visible light, violet is the highest energy, red is the lowest energy
    • To n = 3 – infrared light, lowest energy, low frequency, longest wavelength

Atomic Hydrogen Levels (1)

Atomic Hydrogen Levels (2)

The larger the energy transition, the longer the wavelength of the emitted photon

Exam Tip

Although the difference in energy ΔE = E1E2 can be expressed in eV, you need to convert this value in Joules when you are asked to calculate either the frequency or wavelength of the emitted photon.

You are expected to be able to calculate the frequency or the wavelength of a photon, given a specific transition on an energy levels diagram or to identify a specific transition on a given diagram when provided with the value of frequency or wavelength.

You are not expected to know the Bohr formula as given in the worked example - this is just an example of an unfamiliar context you could be given that you have to apply your knowledge to.

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