Physics:Quantum atoms/spectral line

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Short description: Discrete frequency of light emitted or absorbed by an atom


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A spectral line is a discrete frequency or wavelength of light emitted or absorbed by an atom. It arises from a transition of an electron between different energy levels.

File:Atomic spectrum lines.png

Spectral lines produced by electron transitions between discrete energy levels in an atom.

Description

Each spectral line corresponds to a specific difference in energy between two energy levels. When an electron transitions to a lower level, a photon is emitted; when it moves to a higher level, a photon is absorbed.

The set of spectral lines forms an atomic spectrum, which is characteristic of each element.

Properties

See also

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Author: Harold Foppele