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4.5: Spectra

Last updated

Nov 20, 2024
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- 4.4: The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- 4.6: Moving Objects, Spectra, and the Doppler Effect

Lumen Learning
Lumen Learning

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Spectra are very important to astronomy because they can show the component wavelengths and specific elements present.

Continuous Spectrum

Rectangular image of a continuous color spectrum from black to purple to blue to green to yellow to orange to red to black. — Public Domain | Image courtesy of Wikimedia Author: Jhausauer.

A continuous spectrum shows all wavelengths and is produced by hot, dense solid objects at high temperatures.

Emission Line Spectrum

An Emission Line spectrum produces a spectrum with bright lines. It occurs from heating an object, causing the electrons in the object’s atoms/molecules to show at a specific wavelength.

Absorption Line Spectrum

An Absorption Line spectrum produces a spectrum with dark lines. It occurs when one object absorbs specific photons given off by a second object. For example, a light behind a cloud of gas absorbs photons at the cloud’s energy level while the rest of the photons pass through the cloud.

Continuous Spectrum

Emission Line Spectrum

Absorption Line Spectrum

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