Which statement is correct about an element's identifying spectrum? a) The light reflected off an element produces a unique identifying spectrum. b) The light absorbed by an element produces a unique identifying spectrum. c) The light refracted by an element produces a unique identifying spectrum. d) Light emitted by an element produces a unique identifying spectrum.

Question

Physics

Sage Cardenas

17 January, 19:35

Which statement is correct about an element's identifying spectrum? a) The light reflected off an element produces a unique identifying spectrum. b) The light absorbed by an element produces a unique identifying spectrum. c) The light refracted by an element produces a unique identifying spectrum. d) Light emitted by an element produces a unique identifying spectrum.

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Answers (2)

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Dangelo Suarez · Answer 1

correct answer is option d (Light emitted by an element produces a unique identifying spectrum.)

Explanation:

Each element has different atomic number and atoms of an element can radiate a certain amount of energy. Different elements have different atomic spectrum and it can be used to determine the composition of a material.

When atoms are excited to higher energy state after some time they came back to lower state by emitting their excess energy in the form of light. This light has certain wavelength. This emitted light can be seen as a series of different colored lines and between two colored lines there is a dark space. This series of colored lines is called a line spectra or atomic spectra.

Miguel Powers · Answer 2

d) Light emitted by an element produces a unique identifying spectrum.

Explanation:

Every atom in the existence is formed by protons, neutrons and electrons. These electrons surround the nucleus in specific arrangements called orbitals, you can imagine it like a planetary system. The fact is that each orbital has an specific amount of energy, and electrons cannot go up or down these orbitals if the energy isn't change.

In addition, when an atom absorbs energy, the electrons inside can jump to a higher orbital temporarily and then go back to its natural position. However, it happens the opposite effect if an atom ejects energy, the electrons jump to a lower orbital, expelling energy in form of electromagnetic waves, and depending on the length of those waves, a color is seen. This electron's jumps happen all the time, and each material have a specific behaviour, which gives specific electromagnetic waves, specific colors, and the formation of those colors is what is called a spectrum, that's why is unique.

Therefore, the correct answer is d.