Question

What is the atomic spectrum indicating color and assigning wavelengths to each line that appears in the spectrum for overhead light, lamplight, hydrogen, neon, argon, xenon, krypton, nitrogen?

Align spectroscope to maximize light entering through slit. 500nm 650nm slit 560nm wavelength scale 400 550 blue-green green 650 700 450 500 600 indigo blue yellow dark red orange orange wavelength in nanometers Figure 2

Answer 1

In atomic spectra, atom is excited to next energy level when energy is supplied to it. The excited atom fall back to ground state by emitting energy which having characteristic wavelength for each atom. This wavelength is in the visible range so it appears as coloured lines. The series of coloured lines is called atomic spectrum. Each element gives a unique set of spectral lines and this helps in identifying the element because no two elements emit the same spectral lines.