Bohr Model & Hydrogen Spectra

Initial level:

Final level:

In emission the electron falls from a higher to a lower level and releases a photon. In absorption it climbs from a lower to a higher level by absorbing a photon. The photon energy equals the difference between the two energy levels.

Bohr Model — Electron Orbits

Energy Level Diagram

Resulting Spectrum

Log scale spanning ultraviolet → visible → infrared (~90–2000 nm), covering every transition. The visible band (400–700 nm) is shown in true color; UV is shaded purple, IR shaded red. Dark ticks = absorption; light ticks = emission.

Calculation

Select levels and animate a transition.

Reference Constants

Planck's constant (h)	6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s
Speed of light (c)	3.00 × 10⁸ m/s
1 eV	1.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ J
E_photon	hf = hc / λ

Hydrogen energy levels (Regents reference table values): E_n = −13.6 / n² eV.