Question

9cw1
the light given off by an electric discharge through sodium vapor is ___.
o a continuous spectrum
o of a single wavelength
o an emission spectrum
o white light

Explanation:

When an electric discharge passes through sodium vapor, electrons in sodium atoms get excited to higher energy levels. As they return to lower energy levels, they emit light at specific wavelengths. This is characteristic of an emission spectrum. A continuous spectrum has all wavelengths without gaps (like white light which is a combination of many wavelengths). Sodium vapor doesn't emit a single wavelength (it has a few prominent lines in its emission spectrum).

Answer:

an emission spectrum