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The electrons in an atom's "electron shell" all have specific energy levels. If you add energy to an atom, the atom will absorb a specific amount of energy, and the electron will jump up to a higher energy level. Each different element has its own energy levels, and it can only absorb energy in specific amounts.
(When you add a lot of energy to the atom, the atom becomes ionized, as one or more electrons absorb enough energy to break free of the atom completely, leaving the atom with an unbalanced positive electrical charge.)
When those "excited" or jumped-up electrons release the energy, the electron drops back to its previous level, and the atom (or more specifically, the electron) emits a photon, which is a particle of light. Each photon has a frequency or energy that is distinctive to the element and the energy level. Electrons cannot have intermediate energies; they absorb and release exact "packets" or "quanta" of energy.
This is how a mass spectrometer works; the operator ionizes a sample of the material that he wants to analyze, and watches the resulting spectrum. Each wavelength of light emitted by the sample corresponds to one specific element.
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What causes the apparent colors of the objects we see?
What we perceive as color is specific wavelengths of light. Objects either emit or reflect light. Again depending on which wavelengths are either emitted or reflected is the color(s) we see. In emitted colors, a given source emits light. If all wavelengths are emitted then what we see is white. The object may emit specific wavelengths of light or it may use some sort of filter that allows only specific wavelengths to pass through and blocks all others. In reflected colors. the object or pigments of or on an object absorb all light wavelengths except certain ones. Those that are not trapped and are reflected or refracted back (as in the case of rainbows) we perceive as color(s).
Is an absorption spectrum also called a bright line spectrum?
No, an absorption spectrum and a bright line spectrum are not the same. An absorption spectrum is produced when light is absorbed by atoms or molecules, showing dark lines at specific wavelengths. On the other hand, a bright line spectrum is produced when atoms or molecules emit light at specific wavelengths, creating bright lines in the spectrum.
What process makes an emission nebula glow?
Emission nebulae glow due to the ionization of their gases by energetic radiation from nearby hot stars. These stars release ultraviolet light that strips electrons from atoms in the nebula, causing the atoms to recombine and emit light at specific wavelengths, creating the colorful glow seen in these nebulae.
What objects in space produce light?
Stars, galaxies, nebulae, and other luminous celestial objects emit light in space. These objects emit different wavelengths and intensities of light based on their composition and physical characteristics.
From what do pulsars emit their light?
Pulsars emit light from their rotating magnetic fields which accelerate charged particles, generating intense beams of radiation that sweep across space as the pulsar rotates. This radiation can include various wavelengths such as visible light, X-rays, and radio waves.
Why does hydrogen emit different wavelengths of light than mercury?
Hydrogen emits different wavelengths of light than mercury because each element has a unique arrangement of electrons in its atoms. When electrons in hydrogen atoms move between energy levels, they emit specific wavelengths of light. In contrast, mercury atoms have different electron configurations, leading to the emission of different wavelengths of light.
Can gases emit radiation?
Yes, gases can emit radiation. When a gas is heated, it can emit thermal radiation in the form of light. Additionally, certain gases can absorb and emit specific wavelengths of radiation, such as in the process of fluorescence or phosphorescence.
Why can electrons only absorb and emit certain wavelengths of?
Electrons in atoms can only absorb and emit specific wavelengths of light because of the quantized energy levels they can occupy. When an electron absorbs energy, it jumps to a higher energy level, and when it emits energy, it falls back to a lower energy level, releasing a photon of a specific energy and wavelength corresponding to the energy gap between the levels. This results in the emission or absorption of discrete, specific wavelengths of light.
Why do you see objects as different colors when light is shining on them?
Objects appear to have different colors when light shines on them because they selectively absorb and reflect certain wavelengths of light. The absorbed light energy excites the object's molecules, causing them to emit specific wavelengths of light that we perceive as color. The colors we see are determined by the wavelengths of light that are reflected back to our eyes.
What spectrum are bright lines against dark background?
Bright lines against a dark background typically indicate an emission spectrum. This occurs when atoms or molecules emit light at specific wavelengths as electrons transition between energy levels, resulting in discrete colored lines. The dark background is caused by absorption of certain wavelengths by the medium between the light source and the observer.
What type of spectrum does a solid object emit?
A solid object will emit a continuous spectrum of light, containing a range of wavelengths. This is due to the object's atoms and molecules vibrating at various energy levels, resulting in a broad emission of electromagnetic radiation.
What is the spectrum of fluorescent light?
Fluorescent lights emit a spectrum of visible light that typically includes various wavelengths in the blue and green regions, with smaller amounts in the red and violet regions. They also emit ultraviolet light, which is not visible to the human eye but can cause fluorescence in certain materials.
Very low temperature molecular clouds emit most of their light in which part of the electromagnetic spectrum?
Very low temperature molecular clouds emit most of their light in the far-infrared and submillimeter parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. This is due to the low temperatures causing the atoms and molecules in the clouds to emit radiation at longer wavelengths.
Why a glowing gas gives only certain wavelengths of light?
The atoms of glowing gas emit the wavelength of radiations which lie in its spectrum. The same wavelength it can absorb because these are suitable for excitation pass through th gas
What does a white light bulb emit?
A white light bulb emits a combination of all visible wavelengths of light, which is perceived by our eyes as white light. This combination includes red, blue, and green wavelengths of light.
What causes the apparent colors of the objects we see?
What we perceive as color is specific wavelengths of light. Objects either emit or reflect light. Again depending on which wavelengths are either emitted or reflected is the color(s) we see. In emitted colors, a given source emits light. If all wavelengths are emitted then what we see is white. The object may emit specific wavelengths of light or it may use some sort of filter that allows only specific wavelengths to pass through and blocks all others. In reflected colors. the object or pigments of or on an object absorb all light wavelengths except certain ones. Those that are not trapped and are reflected or refracted back (as in the case of rainbows) we perceive as color(s).
Is an absorption spectrum also called a bright line spectrum?
No, an absorption spectrum and a bright line spectrum are not the same. An absorption spectrum is produced when light is absorbed by atoms or molecules, showing dark lines at specific wavelengths. On the other hand, a bright line spectrum is produced when atoms or molecules emit light at specific wavelengths, creating bright lines in the spectrum.
