Question

The spectra can be broadly classified into two categories. They are __________

(a) Atomic and molecular spectra

(b) Atomic and electronic spectra

(c) Molecular and electronic spectra

(d) None of the mentioned

The question was posed to me by my college director while I was bunking the class.

This intriguing question originated from Origin of spectrum in section Absorption Spectroscopy of Engineering Chemistry I

Answer 1

Right option is (a) Atomic and molecular spectra

To explain I would say: The spectra can be broadly classified into two categories: atomic and molecular spectra. Atomic spectra are the spectrum of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed during transitions of electrons between energy levels within an atom. Molecular spectra arises from the transition of an electron between the molecular energy levels.