Atomic line spectra

Atomic line spectra are another example of quantization. When an element or ion is heated by a flame or excited by electric current, the excited atoms emit light of a characteristic color. The emitted light can be refracted by a prism, producing spectra with a distinctive striped appearance due to the emission of certain wavelengths of light.

For the relatively simple case of the hydrogen atom, the wavelengths of some emission lines could even be fitted to mathematical equations. The equations did not explain why the hydrogen atom emitted those particular wavelengths of light, however. Prior to Bohr's model of the hydrogen atom, scientists were unclear of the reason behind the quantization Light emitted or absorbed by single atoms contributes only very little to the colours of our surroundings. Neon signs (or other gas discharge tubes) as used for advertising, sodium or mercury vapour lamps show atomic emission; the colours of fireworks are due to it. The aurora borealis (northern light) is very rare at our latitudes, and to appreciate the colours of cosmic objects, powerful telescopes are necessary. Neon, which gives red colour in a gas discharge, is a colourless gas. If the light of the sun is spread out into different colours by a simple glass prism, the narrow absorption lines cannot be seen.
of atomic emission spectra.