The Absorption & Emission of EM Radiation

• The Absorption & Emission of EM Radiation

  Absorption of Electromagnetic Radiation

  • Electrons in an atom are arranged in energy levels
  • Lower energy levels are closer to the nucleus, whilst higher energy levels are further away from the nucleus of the atom
  • These electrons can absorb energy
  • This happens when waves of electromagnetic radiation (such as light and heat) hit them
  • When electrons absorb electromagnetic radiation, they move to a higher energy level
• The electron absorbs electromagnetic radiation which causes it to move up an energy level

  
• • Dark coloured objects are good absorbers of radiation
  • They appear dark because they do not reflect the energy that hits them
• Emission of Electromagnetic Radiation

  • When an electron has moved up an energy level, it will be unstable
  • Eventually, it will move back down to its original energy level, which will be closer to the nucleus
  • As it moves back down, It emits a wave of electromagnetic radiation
• The electron emits a wave of electromagnetic radiation and moves down an energy level

  
• • All of the colours in the visible spectrum are produced in this way
  • The light waves come from electrons moving down energy levels and emitting electromagnetic radiation