Does atomic excitation occur in solids as well as in gases? Yes or No and Why?

YES.

Atomic excitation occurs in solids, liquids, and gases. Because atoms in a solid are close packed, radiation from them (and liquids) is smeared into a broad distribution to produce a continuous spectrum, whereas radiation from widely-spaced atoms in a gas is in separate bunches that produce discrete “lines” when diffracted by a grating.

Yes, atomic excitation can occur in both solids and gases. Atomic excitation refers to the process where an electron in an atom absorbs energy and jumps to a higher energy level. This can happen when the atom interacts with an external source of energy, such as electromagnetic radiation or collisions with other particles.

In gases, atomic excitation is more common because the atoms are typically free to move and collide with each other. When a gas atom collides with another atom or with an electron, it can transfer energy and cause atomic excitation.

In solids, atomic excitation can also occur, but it is generally less frequent and more complex. In a solid, the atoms are tightly packed and have less freedom to move compared to a gas. However, atomic excitation can still happen in solids through various mechanisms such as thermal excitation, where the atoms gain energy from increased temperature, or through interaction with external energy sources like light.

Overall, while atomic excitation is more common in gases due to their higher degree of freedom and greater likelihood of collisions, it can still occur in solids under certain conditions.