Why do different types of atoms (elements) give off or absorb different spectral lines?
A) all elements have the same lines, but they are Doppler shifted by different amounts
B) in some elements, electrons can only move to odd numbered levels, in others only to even numbered ones
C) in heavier elements, diffraction spreads out the lines that the atom produces, making the colors different
D) because the spacing of the energy levels is different in different atoms
E) because some atoms do not have a ground state, while others have three or four

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The spectral lines produced or absorbed by an atom are determined by the energy differences between its atomic energy levels. Different atoms have different energy level spacings, leading to different spectral lines.

Why Do Different Types of Atoms (Elements) Give Off or Absorb