Q. What is Atomic emission spectra?
Atomic emission spectra while atoms of an element in the gaseous phase are excited by an input of energy such as that from a high-voltage electrical source they emit light (A neon sign works on this principle). This emitted light is able to be broken into a spectrum consisting of discrete lines of specific frequencies or colours. This prototype of frequencies (colours) is unique to each element and is known as the element's atomic emission spectrum. Consider the fact that every discrete frequency consists of photons of a specific energy value. An element's atomic emission spectrum consequently is evidence that an atom can emit light of only certain specific energies. The description of this phenomenon unlocked the secret of the atom's electron arrangement.