Chemistry Ms. Pollock Atoms and Electromagnetic Spectra

Introduction ● Tungsten filament in electric light bulb emits light when heated ● Possible for any metal – tungsten chosen because emits every frequency and appears white ● Every element emits light when energized by heating or passing electric current through it

Atoms and Electromagnetic Spectra

Each Element Has a Unique Spectrum ● Anders J. Angstrom and Johann J. Balmer passed light from energized atoms through prisms – allowed individual frequencies to be seen ● Emission spectrum – pattern of frequencies obtained when element subjected to excitation

Each Element Has a Unique Spectrum ● Unique spectrum for every atom ● Can be used to identify elements ● Used to identify elements present in distant stars