Index

Atoms
The Elements
Electron Energy Levels
Light Photons
Atomic Absorption Spectra
Atomic Emission Spectra
Stellar Spectra

Atomic Emission Spectra

Heating atoms causes their electrons to jump to higher energy levels. When the electron fall back to lower orbitals, photons are emitted. The above emission spectrum was generated by energetic oxygen atoms. The lines correspond to the quantum jumps of electrons in oxygen atoms. Notice how they correspond to oxygen's absorption lines.