Emission SpectrumH (Z=1)

Atomic Model

The Planetary Model (1913)Electrons orbit the nucleus in distinct, quantized energy levels. They jump between shells by absorbing or emitting photons.

INTERACTIVE DEMO

Click anywhere on the screen to bombard the atom with energy. Watch the electron get excited to a higher shell, then relax back down, emitting light.

Quantization

Energy comes in packets.

En=−13.6eVn2E_n = -\frac{13.6 \text{eV}}{n^2}

Spectroscopy

Light fingerprints.

ΔE=hf=hcλ\Delta E = hf = \frac{hc}{\lambda}

Fine Structure

Spin-orbit coupling.

α≈1137\alpha \approx \frac{1}{137}