Three types of Spectra Continuous Emission and Absorption
Three types of Spectra Continuous, Emission, and Absorption
The Photo-Electric Effect A Photon is created when an electron jumps from a higher to a lower energy orbit. The wavelength of the photon depends on the Energy difference between the orbits. So the unique orbit pattern of each element or compound creates certain specific wavelengths of light. It can also absorb only those wavelengths light.
Continuous Spectra and Blackbodies In a solid or a high pressure gas (like a star or gas giant) the atoms are closely packed This creates a nearly infinite number of possible electron jumps of differ amount of energy Such objects (Stars, Planets etc) emit a continuous spectrum Intensity of specific wavelengths may vary but there are no gaps.
Emission Spectra A hot gas only gives off the specific wavelengths of light that match its molecules. These spectra will appear as bright lines at specific wavelengths with gaps in between… an Emission Spectrum The pattern of bright lines in the emission spectrum from a hot, glowing gas tells us what it is made of.
Absorption Spectra When light is reflected off or passes through a cool gas it is absorbed, but only those wavelengths that the specific gas can absorb Dark lines will appear in spectra of such light, an absorption spectrum The pattern of dark lines in the absorption spectrum tells us what the cool gas is made of.
- Slides: 5