CH 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 28: Photon, Louis De Broglie, Diffraction
24 Mar 2016
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Document Summary
When atoms or molecules absorb energy, that energy is often released as light energy. When that emitted light is passed through a prism, a pattern of particular wavelengths of light is seen that is unique to that type of atom or molecule- the pattern is called an emission spectrum. The atom contains a tiny dense center called a nucleus. According to classical physics, moving charged particles give off energy. Therefore electrons should constantly be giving off energy. The electrons should lost energy, crash into the nucleus, and the atom should collapse. The nuclear model of the atom does not explain what structural changes occur when the atom gains or loses energy. The electrons travel in orbits that are at a fixed distance from the nucleus. Therefore the energy of the electron was proportional to the distance the orbit was from the nucleus.
