# Excitation of electron in Niels Bohr's atomic model

Professor taught us that an electron gains or looses only those energies which are equal to difference in two energy levels. That is $$E_1 + \Delta E = E_2$$ or $$E_1 + \Delta E = E_3.$$

What if we give, say, $$\pu{11.3 eV}$$ and the remainder is $$\pu{-2.2 eV},$$ so the electron jumps to $$n = 2$$ where the energy is $$\pu{-3.4 eV}$$ and the remainder $$\pu{-1.2 eV}$$ is released?

I'm really confused with the working here.

• Have you thought about why atomic absorption spectra contain just narrow lines and not wide bands ? Apr 21 at 8:01
• Yes, that's because we have specific 'energy levels' and not continuous i.e. only for n=1,2,3.... and not n=1,1.1,1.2..... and because the energy levels aren't continuous the spectra isn't continuous but discrete? Am I right? Apr 21 at 9:17
• Yes, and also atoms absorb photons of just specific energy levels, equal to differences between atom discrete allowed energy levels. Apr 21 at 9:20
• It can't reject the excess energy because it can't absorb it in the first place. You need to understand that photons can provide all energy they have or none. There's no absorb half reject other half. Apr 21 at 14:35
• @NisargBhavsar So let me get this straight. So it's just like how Bohr explained it. We have a ladder that the electron can climb up to. It can either make its way up by stepping on the next or can go down by stepping down, but only on the steps and not in between. So either give me the required amount of energy or don't. Right?! Apr 24 at 6:24