Light’s Particle-like Properties

• Energy is quantized into discrete bundles of energy

• Absorption spectra wavelengths are related to specific energy jumps between different energy levels

• Each line on spectrum is a result of a specific energy transition

Molecular Absorption

• More complicated than atomic

E = Eelect + Evib + Erot

Much more energy levels that can absorb radiation, spectrum appears broader

Molecular Absorption

Continuous spectra result from:1. Liquids or solids packed closely therefore they

are incapable of independent behavior2. Complicated molecules involving many closely

related energy levels so energy overlap exists3. When unquantized energy bombards

molecules in presence of solvent molecules, spectra broadens b/c many closely overlapping energies

Predict the spectra for the following

3.37144e-19 J

3.37487e-19 J

Sodium

Energy Transitions

* 6.95838e-19 J

* 7.69898e-19 J

n * 8.54968e-19 J

* 9.61265e-19 J