5.5.

2 Energy levels
By the end of this section you will be able to
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explain how spectral lines are evidence for the existence of
discrete energy levels in isolated atoms
describe the appearance of continuous, emission and absorption
line spectra;
use the relationships hf = E and hc/ λ = E

A Spectral Lines
All atoms normally have electrons bound to them. These electrons exist in shells or orbitals around the
nucleus. We depict these different levels using an energy level “ladder” approach.

RULES and LABELS

 The ground state is the level nearest the +ve nucleus. The
electron will normally be in its “ground state” = the lowest
energy state. Levels above the ground state are called
“excited states”.

 An electron can ONLY exist at these levels – not in between.

 To rise to a higher “excited state”, the electron must

ABSORB energy. The electron may absorb a photon that has
EXACTLY THE RIGHT ENERGY to take it to a higher level. This
gives rise to “absorption spectra”.

 An electron may fall to a lower level by the EMISSION of a

single photon whose energy is equal to the difference in
energy levels. This gives rise to “emission spectra”.

 An atom may be ionised by giving enough energy to take it to

the top level (energy = 0 eV). Any extra energy gives the
freed electron kinetic energy.
 Since energy is needed to jump to the zero energy point,
bound electron energy levels are negative

Energy level diagram for the hydrogen atom – it only

has one electron. Energies can be in eV or J.

Calculations using energy levels

1
When an electron moves between two levels that have energy E1 and E2, a photon may be
emitted or absorbed. The wavelength and frequency of this photon can be found using the
relationships:

hf =  E = E1 – E2 and hc/ λ =  E

Question (for these use the energy values given on the hydrogen energy level diagram).

1. What is the frequency of a photon emitted when an electron jumps down from the -1.51 eV level to
the -13.6 eV level in the hydrogen atom? ANS: 2.92 x 1015 Hz

2. What is the wavelength of a photon that must absorbed by the electron if it is to jump from
the -13.6 eV level to the -0.85 eV level? 9.75 x 10-8 m or 97.5 nm

3. Using the hydrogen atom energy level diagram on p1 determine the electron transition (starting
level to final level) that will result in emission of a photon of wavelength 654 nm?

4. What is the maximum wavelength photon that will ionise the atom from its ground state?

ANS: 9.14 x 10-8 m or 91.4 n

m

5. An electron is in the “excited” (higher than the ground state) -0.85 eV level. There are several ways
it can reach the ground state. Show them all, using arrows to show the electron movement

-0.85 eV

-13.6 eV

Exam Qs
2
(1)

(2)