Hydrogen Absorption Spectrography
We've seen the hydrogen atom gain energy from our external source, then emit certain colors of energy.
We've also seen the hydrogen atom lose electrons all together in ionization. Now, lets do another
activity that is fairly similiar to emission. Lets think of what happens to the spectra if the
hydrogen atom simply gains the energy.
Lets expose some light on the hydrogen atoms.
To explore the Hydrogen Spectra using Energy levels, follow these instructions.
The absorption program only uses the visible spectra. Notice that the light from the light
bulb shows the entire spectra. The spectrum that is passing through the hydrogen gas has
black lines.
Which picture of absorption did you use? (Click on either picture for the accepted answer)
Choice 1
Choice 2
absorption we do not see the electron losing energy from excited states,
rather, we see electrons gaining energy to excited states. This has been indicated in
the program with the upwords arrows. The electrons are gaining the energy
from the light bulb light shining into the Hydrogen gas tube.
