Emission Spectra

About This Experiment

When electrons in excited atoms drop to lower energy levels, they emit photons with energy E = hf equal to the energy difference between levels. This creates characteristic spectral lines unique to each element, like atomic fingerprints. The Bohr model explains hydrogen's spectrum with quantized energy levels.

Each element has a unique electron configuration and energy level structure, producing its own distinctive emission spectrum. This principle is used in spectroscopy to identify elements in stars, laboratory samples, and even trace amounts in forensic analysis.