Line Spectra Flashcards
1
Q
What is the ground state?
A
n = 1
The lowest energy level electrons can exist in
2
Q
If an electron is in an energy level above n = 1 it is _______
A
excited
3
Q
n = ∞
A
Ionised
4
Q
What is emitted when electron de-excite?
A
A photon is emitted each time an electrons moves downwards
5
Q
What determines the energy of photons emitted in electron transitions
A
The difference between the initial and final energy levels (the photon conserves energy)
6
Q
Why are line spectra specific to elements?
A
- Each element has different discrete energy levels
- Electrons drop specific distances between these levels
- Discrete photons are emitted by each different drop
- So the frequencies of the photons correspond to a certain element
7
Q
Ionisation energy (physics)
A
The minimum energy needed to to remove an electron from the ground state to be completely free of the atom.
n=1 → n=∞
