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Frequently Asked Question
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What is the difference between Line spectrum and continuous spectrum?
Accepted Answer
Line spectrum:
* It consists of a series of discrete, sharp lines at specific wavelengths.
* Emission line spectrum is produced when an atom absorbs energy and jumps to an excited state, then falls back to a lower energy level, emitting a photon of light with a specific wavelength.
* Absorption line spectrum is produced when an atom absorbs a photon of light with a specific wavelength, causing an electron to jump from a lower energy level to a higher energy level.
Continuous spectrum:
* It consists of a smooth, unbroken band of colors or wavelengths.
* It is produced by a hot, glowing solid, liquid, or dense gas.
Key differences:
* Line spectra are produced by atoms and molecules, while continuous spectra are produced by hot, dense objects.
* Line spectra have sharp lines at specific wavelengths, while continuous spectra have a smooth, unbroken band of colors or wavelengths.
* Line spectra can be used to identify the elements present in a sample, while continuous spectra can be used to determine the temperature of an object.
* It consists of a series of discrete, sharp lines at specific wavelengths.
* Emission line spectrum is produced when an atom absorbs energy and jumps to an excited state, then falls back to a lower energy level, emitting a photon of light with a specific wavelength.
* Absorption line spectrum is produced when an atom absorbs a photon of light with a specific wavelength, causing an electron to jump from a lower energy level to a higher energy level.
Continuous spectrum:
* It consists of a smooth, unbroken band of colors or wavelengths.
* It is produced by a hot, glowing solid, liquid, or dense gas.
Key differences:
* Line spectra are produced by atoms and molecules, while continuous spectra are produced by hot, dense objects.
* Line spectra have sharp lines at specific wavelengths, while continuous spectra have a smooth, unbroken band of colors or wavelengths.
* Line spectra can be used to identify the elements present in a sample, while continuous spectra can be used to determine the temperature of an object.
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