1.3.3
Absorption & Emission Spectra
Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is a continuous spectrum of waves with different energies.


The electromagnetic spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum
- As the energy of waves changes across the electromagnetic spectrum so do both the frequency (π) and wavelength (Ξ»).
- Visible light makes up a small part of this spectrum.


Frequency and wavelength
Frequency and wavelength
- The frequency (π) and wavelength (Ξ»).of a wave are related by the following formula:
- c = πΞ»
- c is the speed of light.


Wave energy
Wave energy
- Frequency (π) is multiplied by Planckβs constant (h) to give the energy (E) of the wave:
- E = hπ
- h = 6.63 Γ 10β34 Js
Absorption Spectra
Absorption Spectra
Each element has a characteristic absorption spectrum depending on its electronic configuration.


Electron excitation
Electron excitation
- When electromagnetic radiation is passed through a sample of gaseous atoms, specific energies of radiation are absorbed and cause electrons to be promoted (excited) to higher energy levels.


Absorption spectrum
Absorption spectrum
- This produces an absorption spectrum and the frequencies of radiation that correspond to the energy gap for electrons to be excited are missing from the continuous spectrum.


Absorption spectra are unique
Absorption spectra are unique
- The energy of an absorbed photon is the same as the energy gap for the electron excitation and this can be calculated from its frequency by using the following formula:
- ΞEelectron = hπ
- Each element has its own characteristic absorption spectrum as each element has a unique electron configuration.
Emission Spectra
Emission Spectra
Each element has a characteristic emission spectrum depending on its electron configuration.


Emission spectra
Emission spectra
- After excitation, electrons can then relax back to lower energy levels to produce an emission spectrum.
- The emission lines occur at the same frequencies as the absorption lines in the absorption spectrum as the energy gaps for electrons to move are the same.


Balmer series
Balmer series
- Electrons that fall back to n = 2 correspond to transitions that release visible light and make up the Balmer series.


Significance
Significance
- The line emission spectrum gives us evidence for the Bohr model of an atom.
- The emission spectrum of hydrogen provides evidence for the existence of electrons in discrete energy levels.
- At high energy, lines start to become closer together and are said to converge. Energy levels converge at n = β and when an electron reaches this level the atom has been ionised.
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le ChΓ’telierβs Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Jump to other topics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le ChΓ’telierβs Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
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