Question

the emission spectrum of hydrogen shows discrete, bright, colored lines. which characteristic of the bohr model is best supported by this observation?
energy is released when an electron moves to a higher energy level.
smaller atoms have fewer spectral lines than larger atoms.
the energy of an electron increases with distance from the nucleus.
electrons cannot exist in locations other than in specific orbits.

Explanation:

• Option 1: Energy is absorbed when an electron moves to a higher energy level, not released. So this option is incorrect.
• Option 2: The number of spectral lines is related to the energy levels of electrons in an atom, not directly to the size of the atom. This option is not relevant to the key characteristic shown by the hydrogen emission spectrum.
• Option 3: While it is true that the energy of an electron increases with distance from the nucleus in the Bohr model, this does not directly explain the discrete spectral lines.
• Option 4: In the Bohr model, electrons can only exist in specific orbits (energy levels). When electrons transition between these specific orbits, they emit or absorb energy in discrete amounts. This discrete energy emission corresponds to the discrete, bright, colored lines in the emission spectrum.

Answer:

Electrons cannot exist in locations other than in specific orbits.