Why do different elements have different emission spectra?
Quora User, Loves physics. Each elements emission spectrum is distinct because each element has a different set of electron energy levels. The emission lines correspond to the differences between various pairs of the many energy levels. The lines (photons) are emitted as electrons fall from higher energy orbitals to lower energies.
What are atomic emission spectra?
Atomic emission spectra are unique spectra of light emitted by an element when electricity is run through it or when it is viewed through a prism. Because they are unique, they can act as an element s fingerprint. It’s a set of frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by excited elements of an atom.
Why is each element’s line spectrum unique?
Hence the available energy transitions are unique, and so each element’s line spectrum is unique. Because there are only a special amount of electrons, and they are ordered in a unique way in the electron layers for each unique element.
What is the difference between the emission spectrum and emission shell?
The differenc Each element has a series of 'shells' that contain the the electrons. These shells are all approximately in the same place. The emission spectrum is when an electron moves from a higher orbital to a lower one and in doing so releases a quanta of energy.
