Question

Explain how the understanding of atomic emission spectrum led to the development of the atomic theory.

Answer 1

@JFraser

Answer 2

have you got a sample emission spectrum (or perhaps 2 different ones) to compare?

Answer 3

no, this is the whole question. @JFraser I think it has something to do with the gold foil experiment. Do you know what that is? it was a foil circle with a small section that the light went into. It showed how the different rays deflected in all different directions.

Answer 4

http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch6/bohr.html
I didn't read much of this site but, see if this will help.

Answer 5

Thanks @austine736

Answer 6

@emilynicole no problem

Answer 7

the gold foil experiment doesn't, by itself, help explain atomic emission spectra.

Answer 8

ok, I'm still confused. can you help? @JFraser

Answer 9

the gold foil experiment helped prove that the atom is mostly empty, with a small, dense nucleus at the center, and the electrons "somewhere" around the outside, right?

Answer 10

oh yeah that's right @JFraser

Answer 11

does this help? @JFraser

Answer 12

it will definitely help you

Answer 13

I don't understand how it relates though, and that is what the question is asking. @JFraser

Answer 14

the gold foil experiment puts the electrons "somewhere" around the atom, with no real place

Answer 15

atomic emission tests (those bright lines of color) are unique to each type of element

Answer 16

the idea was that the electrons were "responsible" for the bright colored lines, but no one knew why some atoms made certain colors, and other atoms made different colors