General Chemistry (4th Edition)

Published by University Science Books
ISBN 10: 1891389602
ISBN 13: 978-1-89138-960-3

Chapter 4 Early Quantum Theory - Problems - Page 134: 53

Answer

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Work Step by Step

Atomic absorption is the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by atoms while atomic emission is the emission of electromagnetic radiation from atoms. So, the key difference between atomic absorption and atomic emission is that atomic absorption describes how atoms absorb certain wavelengths from the electromagnetic radiation whereas atomic emission describes how atoms emit certain wavelengths. Furthermore, atomic absorption requires a source that can emit radiation while atomic emission occurs even in the absence of a source that emits radiation. Moreover, by absorbing, the electrons in an atom are excited to a higher energy level. By emission, excited electrons are coming back to a lower level. Therefore, this is another significant difference between atomic absorption and atomic emission.
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