Emission from hydrogen discharge tube

[utkarshakash]

Homework Statement

In a lab experiment on emission from atomic hydrogen in a discharge tube only a small number of lines are observed whereas a large number of lines are present in the hydrogen spectrum of a star. Why?

The Attempt at a Solution

I think it is related to temperatue but I don't know why.

 

[Simon Bridge]

The lines come from atomic transitions.
What determines which transitions can happen and which get observed?

 

[utkarshakash]

The lines come from atomic transitions.
What determines which transitions can happen and which get observed?

The photons

 

[Simon Bridge]

The photons come from the transitions - what determines which transitions can happen and which get observed?
Do you know how a gas-discharge tube makes light? Why it is a particular color?

 

[HalfLostAndSearching]

It is indeed related to temperature, but there are several factors at play here. In a discharge tube experiment, the hydrogen gas is excited by an electrical current, causing the electrons to jump to higher energy levels and then emit light as they return to their ground state. This results in a limited number of emission lines, as only certain energy transitions are possible in this controlled environment.

In contrast, in the atmosphere of a star, the temperature is much higher and the hydrogen atoms are constantly colliding with each other. This results in a broader range of energy transitions, leading to a larger number of emission lines in the spectrum. Additionally, the presence of other elements and their interactions with hydrogen can also contribute to the complexity of the spectrum.

In summary, the difference in temperature and environmental conditions between a discharge tube and a star's atmosphere can greatly affect the number and complexity of emission lines observed.