What type of spectrum is produced when photons are absorbed by hydrogen atoms that match specific energy differences?

When photons are absorbed by hydrogen atoms, they cause transitions between specific energy levels within the atoms. This process results in a line absorption spectrum, which is characterized by the absorption of particular wavelengths of light corresponding to the energy needed to elevate electrons from one energy level to another.

In a line absorption spectrum, distinct dark lines appear against a continuous background of light. Each line represents a specific wavelength that has been absorbed by hydrogen atoms as they interact with photons. The width and position of these lines are indicative of the energy differences between the quantized energy levels in hydrogen. This phenomenon can be observed in laboratory settings where hydrogen gas is subjected to a continuous light source such as a white light bulb; the resulting spectrum can be analyzed to identify these specific absorbed frequencies.

This is distinct from other spectrum types. For example, an emission spectrum would show bright lines rather than dark ones, and a reflection spectrum involves light being reflected rather than absorbed. A discontinuous spectrum typically refers to a spectrum that does not present a smooth variation and is not specifically related to the absorption process of individual atoms such as in the case of hydrogen. Thus, the line absorption spectrum is the most appropriate choice when discussing the absorption of photons by hydrogen atoms at specific energy differences.