Why only certain colors in emission spectrum are visible?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the visibility of certain colors in the emission spectrum of hydrogen, exploring both the limitations of human vision and the nature of hydrogen's emission spectrum. Participants address questions regarding why only specific frequencies are visible and the underlying reasons for this phenomenon.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the human retina's ability to detect light is limited to a specific range of wavelengths, which corresponds to the electronic transition energies of pigment molecules in the rod and cone cells.
  • Others argue that the emission spectrum of hydrogen is not complete, suggesting that it is indeed the hydrogen atom's characteristics that limit the visible spectrum, rather than the limitations of human vision alone.
  • A clarification is sought regarding whether the question pertains to why hydrogen emits only certain frequencies or why those frequencies are visible to the human eye.
  • Participants express confusion about the clarity of previous answers and seek further elaboration on the points made.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is disagreement among participants regarding the primary reason for the visibility of certain colors in hydrogen's emission spectrum, with some attributing it to evolutionary factors related to human vision and others attributing it to the nature of hydrogen's emission properties.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific aspects of the emission spectrum and human vision, but there are unresolved questions about the definitions and assumptions underlying their claims.

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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