How can a hydrogen atom, which has only one electron, have so many spectral lines?
A)The electron is able to move at various speeds.
B)The protons in the nucleus are also giving off various light frequencies.
C)Because there is more than one energy level in a hydrogen atom.
D)The atomic radius of the hydrogen atom is relatively large.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hydrogen atoms have more than one energy level, so when the electron transitions between different energy levels, it emits or absorbs electromagnetic radiation, resulting in many different spectral lines.

(A) is incorrect because the electron in a hydrogen atom only has specific energy levels, so it cannot move at just any speed. 
(B) is incorrect because only the electron, not the protons in the nucleus, is responsible for the spectral lines. 
(D) is incorrect because the size of the atomic radius does not affect the number of spectral lines.

How Can a Hydrogen Atom, Which Has Only One Electron