Why do atoms have more than one color in thier bright line spectrum? Please Help Me.?

Question

Please help, I am doing my own homework. It's just that one question that I can't seem to find the answer to.

Also
is only possible use of spectral analysis to be able to distinguish elements from one another?

Answer 1

Bright line spectrum is defined by the energy levels of the electrons orbiting the nucleus. As most atoms have electrons at varying energy levels, they produce multiple frequencies of light.

As chemical bonding involves the electrons, different bonds modify the electron energy levels differently. Spectral analysis can be used to identify different compounds, such as in deep space.

Answer 2

Greg is half right.

Even hydrogen has more than one line in its spectrum. that is because there are lots of different energy levels that the one electron can jump between.

If you stick with visible line spectra, you are pretty well confined to elements. But if you use spectral bands,and the whole electromagnetic spectrum, spectral analysis becomes enormously wide-ranging.