The Importance of Heating Gas in Studying Emission Spectrum

Why is it important to heat the gas in the discharge tube before the absorbed ray hits it when studying the emission spectrum of an element?

Why do the electrons in the gas atoms need to become excited before emitting photons?

Answer:

Heating the gas in the discharge tube before the absorbed ray hits it is important in studying the emission spectrum of an element because it causes the electrons in the gas atoms to become excited, resulting in the emission of photons when the electrons return to their ground state.

When studying the emission spectrum of an element, it is crucial to heat the gas in the discharge tube before the absorbed ray hits it. This is because heating the gas causes the electrons in the gas atoms to become excited. When the electrons absorb energy from the heat, they move to higher energy levels. As these excited electrons return to their original, lower energy levels, they release the excess energy in the form of photons. This process is what produces the emission spectrum of the element.

By heating the gas in the discharge tube, we essentially provide the electrons with the necessary energy to jump to higher energy levels. This results in a wider range of energies and wavelengths being emitted when the electrons release energy and return to their ground state. By observing the emitted light, we can determine the specific wavelengths and energies associated with the element's emission spectrum.

Overall, heating the gas in the discharge tube plays a crucial role in studying the emission spectrum of an element by stimulating the electrons to emit photons, which allows researchers to analyze and understand the unique spectral lines of the element.