Spectroscopy: analysis of light emitted or absorbed by substances. An atomic spectrum is formed when electromagnetic radiation is absorbed or emitted by an element.

. Light travels in packets or quanta of electromagnetic energy. Electromagnetic radiation can be viewed as a stream of photons, which are particles with no mass each travelling in a wave-like pattern and moving at the speed of light. Each photon contains a certain quantum of energy.

 In the light the greater number of photons, the greater the intensity. Planks equation indicates that the energy contained in a photon is directly proportional to the frequency of the radiation. A quantum of energy absorbed or emitted by an atom can be detected by measuring the frequency or wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation absorbed or emitted. The whole range of frequencies of the electromagnetic radiation is called the electromagnetic spectrum.

 The absorption or emission of energy by an element corresponds to specific points on the electromagnetic spectrum and produces a unique spectrum which may be used to identify the element. The quantum theory explains the properties of emission absorption process. Atoms, ions and molecules exist in a discrete state characterized by definite amounts of energy. When a species changes state it absorbs or emits energy exactly equal to the energy difference between the two states.

 When a species absorbs or emits energy in making a transition from one energy state to another, the frequency or wavelength of radiation is released to the energy difference between the two states. Electrons moving in an orbit can only have certain amounts of energy, this energy is quantized. The energy needed for an electron to move in a particular orbit depends on the radius of the orbit. An electron moving in an orbit does not emit energy.

A continuous spectrum If a beam of white light is passed through a prism on to a serene, a spectrum of colours made up of all wavelengths of visible light is seen like in a rainbow. This is called a continuous spectrum. There are no distinct division between the colours as they blend in from one to another.

An absorption spectrum If white light passes through a substance, the atoms can absorb light of certain wavelength and dark lines appear in the spectrum. A line spectrum is formed which appears as distinct lines and not bands of colours. It is called a discontinuous spectrum. The wavelengths of the dark lines in the spectrum are the wavelengths of the light absorbed by the atoms. This line spectrum is an absorption spectrum.

 This absorption spectrum of energy by an element corresponds to specific wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum and produces a unique spectrum.

An emission spectrum If atoms are supplied with heat or electrical energy to high enough temperatures, they emit energies of certain wavelengths as the excited atoms return to their ground state (stable orbit). An emission spectrum is produced which shows coloured lines on a dark background. The emission of energy by an element also corresponds to specific wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum and produces a unique spectrum.