Explain how the spectra of a hydrogen atom are formed.

Explain how the spectra of a hydrogen atom are formed.

When a hydrogen atom in ground state is struck by light, its electron absorbs energy of certain wavelength/frequency. The absorbed frequency appears as a dark line in absorption spectrum

After absorbing energy, an electron jumps to a higher energy level. Energy absorbed is equal to the energy difference between two the energy levels.

When the excited electron drops to the orbits of a lower energy level, it emits this energy in form of radiation giving, an emission spectrum corresponding to the frequency of radiation emitted.

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