Lamps Used for AAS?

[Matt-Ong]

I've did quite a bit of practice exams but there's one thing that I don't quite get.

Question:
1)a. Explain why a mercury lamp is used for AAS in this analysis (the analysis is an experiment based on calculating the percentage of mercury in shellfish)

My answer: A mercury lamp should be used as it will emit the right wavelength in order to excite the mercury ions to a higher state.
Exam Answer: It will emit the right wavelength for the mercury atoms to absorb.

I was just wondering whether or not my answer was right or is it different to the answers?

[b^3]

Yeh your answer is basically the same as the exam answer, as when they absorb they will jump up the energy level. Its just saying it in a slightly different way.