Photo AI
High energy sparks discharged through hydrogen produce hydrogen atoms in an excited state - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2002 - Paper 1
Question 7
High energy sparks discharged through hydrogen produce hydrogen atoms in an excited state. Light is then emitted. If the light is viewed through a spectroscope, line... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:High energy sparks discharged through hydrogen produce hydrogen atoms in an excited state - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2002 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain why the spectrum is made up of discrete lines.
Answer
The spectrum of hydrogen is composed of discrete lines due to the quantized nature of electron energy levels in the hydrogen atom. When electrons are energized, they can move to higher energy levels. As they return to lower energy levels, they emit photons of specific wavelengths corresponding to the energy difference between these levels. This results in the emission spectrum being a series of distinct lines rather than a continuous spectrum.
Step 2
Explain why the wavelengths of these dark lines correspond to those of the emission spectrum.
Answer
The dark lines appear due to the absorption spectrum, where electrons in hydrogen atoms absorb specific wavelengths of light from the continuous spectrum of the sun. These absorbed wavelengths correspond to the energy required for electrons to jump from lower to higher energy levels. Consequently, the wavelengths of the dark lines match the lines of the emission spectrum of hydrogen, indicating that the same energy transitions are involved.
The type of spectrum that produces the dark lines is known as an absorption spectrum. The dark lines are produced when the hydrogen atoms in the sun's outer layers absorb specific wavelengths of the incoming white light, resulting in the absence of light at those wavelengths in the observed spectrum.
Step 3
Write an equation for the nuclear fusion of hydrogen to form helium in the sun.
Answer
The equation for the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium in the sun is given by:
ightarrow ext{He}^4 + 2 ext{e}^-$$ This represents two hydrogen nuclei fusing to form one helium nucleus, along with the release of energy.