Definition of atomic energy levels

The energy levels of atoms are quantized and have definite, discrete energies. The energies are measured relative to the energy required to remove an electron, which is called the ionization potential of the atom. The figure shows the energy levels for the H atom. Transitions between energy levels that involve the absorption or emission of light is the field of spectroscopy.

H atom energy levels Top of Page     Copyright © 2000 by Brian M. Tissue, all rights reserved.


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