Why only certain colors in emission spectrum are visible?

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SUMMARY

The visibility of certain colors in the emission spectrum of Hydrogen is primarily due to the limitations of the human retina, which can only detect specific wavelengths of light corresponding to electronic transition energies in rod and cone cells. While Hydrogen emits a range of frequencies, not all are visible to the human eye. This phenomenon is attributed to evolutionary adaptations rather than the properties of the Hydrogen atom itself. The discussion highlights the need for clarity regarding the distinction between the emission characteristics of Hydrogen and human visual perception.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electronic transitions in atoms
  • Knowledge of the human visual system and its limitations
  • Familiarity with the concept of emission spectra
  • Basic principles of spectroscopy
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the electronic transition energies of Hydrogen and their corresponding wavelengths
  • Explore the differences in visual perception among various animal species
  • Study the principles of spectroscopy, particularly regarding spectral lines
  • Investigate the evolutionary factors influencing human vision
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Students of physics, educators in optics, biologists studying evolution, and anyone interested in the properties of light and vision.

Toleisnon
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Why are only certain colors of the emission spectrum in Hydrogen visible?
 
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The human retina can detect only a certain range of wavelengths of light, corresponding to electronic transition energies of the pigment molecules in the rod and cone cells. Some other animals may have a vision that can detect wavelengths outside that range. The main point: it's not the hydrogen atom's fault that we don't see its whole emission spectrum, you have to blame evolution for that.
 
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@Toleisnon Have you done any research on this?
 
hilbert2 said:
The human retina can detect only a certain range of wavelengths of light, corresponding to electronic transition energies of the pigment molecules in the rod and cone cells. Some other animals may have a vision that can detect wavelengths outside that range. The main point: it's not the hydrogen atom's fault that we don't see its whole emission spectrum, you have to blame evolution for that.
I don't think that is correct. It IS the hydrogen atom's fault ... it doesn't emit a full spectrum, which is what the OP would have found if he had done any research.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_spectral_series
 
Toleisnon said:
Why are only certain colors of the emission spectrum in Hydrogen visible?

It looks like we need clarification on what question you are asking. Are you asking why hydrogen only emits certain frequencies instead of all of them, or are you asking why we only see (with our eyes) certain frequencies among those that hydrogen does emit?
 
*Why hydrogen only emits certain frequencies when viewing it under a high school spectroscope instead of all of the frequencies (spectral lines)*
 
Toleisnon said:
*Why hydrogen only emits certain frequencies when viewing it under a high school spectroscope instead of all of the frequencies (spectral lines)*
Sounds like you want the answer to both questions that Peter pointed out. I have answered one of them in post #4 and Hilbert answered the other in post #2. What about these answers is not clear to you?
 

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