Practice question · Multiple choice
Electrons occupy discrete energy levels rather than a continuum. What observation forces that conclusion?
Hints
- Ask what a heated gas actually emits when you put it through a prism.
- What would a continuum of energies look like on that screen?
Show the answer
D. Emission spectra are sharp lines, not a continuous band
Why
The line spectrum is the direct evidence. Each line is one allowed transition, and the gaps between lines are the gaps between levels made visible.
Practise Atomic structure and quantized description
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