Hydrogen Emission Spectrum On heating small sample of hydrogen gas, its molecule break down into atoms. The electrons in different hydrogen atoms absorb different amount of energy therefore jump to different higher energy state (Excited state). The time period for excited state is only 10 -6 to 10 -8 second .So electrons come back to their ground state in one or more jumps by emitting radiation (energy) of different wavelengths. Radiations of different wavelength are obtained as lines. .[Collection of these lines (obtain when electron jump to same energy level) is called series. All series are named after the name of their discoverer. These series are collectively called spectrum.] Fig. Generation of spectral lines in hydrogen spectrum