Multiple Choice
The emission spectrum of helium is shown below. Which emission spectrum line has the highest energy?
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9. Electrons in Atoms and the Periodic Table
Emission Spectrum (Simplified)
Multiple Choice
In an emission spectrum (simplified), the photons emitted from an excited atom appear as which of the following?
A
Discrete bright lines at specific wavelengths (a line spectrum)
B
A continuous rainbow of all wavelengths with no gaps (a continuous spectrum)
C
A single wavelength that is the same for all elements
D
Dark absorption lines superimposed on a continuous spectrum
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that an emission spectrum is produced when electrons in an atom drop from higher energy levels to lower energy levels, releasing energy in the form of photons.
Recognize that each transition corresponds to a specific energy difference, which means the emitted photons have specific wavelengths unique to those transitions.
Recall that because these energy differences are quantized, the emitted light appears as discrete lines rather than a continuous range of wavelengths.
Contrast this with a continuous spectrum, which contains all wavelengths without gaps, and an absorption spectrum, which shows dark lines where light is absorbed.
Conclude that the emission spectrum of an excited atom consists of discrete bright lines at specific wavelengths, known as a line spectrum.
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