Chemculator · Bohr Model Simulator

Atomic Emission Spectra

Follow light from a glowing gas tube, through a spectrometer, onto a screen — and discover why the pattern of lines it leaves behind forced physicists to conclude that electron energies are quantised.

Experimental setup

Flip the power switch on to begin.

Line spectrum

Switch the power on to see the spectrum.

Transition diagram

Select a spectral line to see the electron transition.

Compare to the full EM spectrum

Full electromagnetic spectrum (continuous)

Radio Microwave Infrared Visible Ultraviolet X-ray Gamma

This source’s line spectrum, on the same axis