Atomic Emission Spectra and the Bohr Model

Learning Objectives
• Develop and use Bohr models for atoms, illustrating electron energy levels
and the placement of electrons within those levels.
• Use the Bohr model to explain why elements have unique atomic emission
spectra.
• Relate the spectra of elements to the structure of their atoms, particularly
the patterns of electrons and changes in their energy.
Atomic Emission Spectra
 Properties of Light
• The Wave Description of Light
• Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that exhibits wavelike
behavior as it travels through space.

• Together, all the forms of electromagnetic radiation form the

electromagnetic spectrum.
• Wavelength (λ) is the distance between corresponding points on adjacent
waves.

• Frequency (ν) is defined as the number of waves that pass a given point in a
specific time, usually one second.
Electromagnetic
Spectrum
The Bohr Model

Continuous Energy Quantized Energy

Understanding Bohr’s Atomic Model

Ground Excited Emission

State State Spectrum Lines
Bohr Model Representations of Atoms