emission spectrum
Element's light signature
An emission spectrum is the range of light wavelengths given off by a substance when its atoms or molecules release energy.
Each element produces a unique pattern of bright lines or bands, serving as a kind of fingerprint: Astronomers use emission spectra to identify elements in distant stars.
Contrasts with absorption spectrum, which shows wavelengths absorbed rather than emitted.
Light emitted after absorption
- phosphorescenceHeatless delayed light emission
- chemiluminescenceLight from molecular reactions
- bioluminescenceOrganism-generated light emission
- photoluminescenceLight emission after absorption
electroluminescence · incandescence · glow · radiance · luminous intensity · neon glow · aurora
Gradations of physical vitality
- excited stateElevated energy configuration
- ground stateLowest possible energy configuration
- atomic orbitalsRegions of electron probability
- quantizedDivided into minimum units
discrete · excitation · energy gap · ionization · Balmer series · selection rules · hyperfine structure
Discrete wavelength emission patterns
- nanometerMetric unit, billion-fold smaller
- angstromSubatomic length unit
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
frequency · redshift · blueshift · Doppler shift · line width · broadening
Measures electromagnetic radiation properties
- spectral linesDiscrete wavelength emission patterns
- spectrographWavelength-separating recording instrument
- photodetectorLight-to-electricity conversion device
- spectrophotometerLight-measuring analytical instrument
Scientific examination for legal proceedings
- trace elementsSubstances required minimally
- environmental monitoringObserving natural systems systematically
- flame testIdentifying elements by combustion hue
Maintaining production standards
- art authenticationDetermining if works are genuine
- water qualityCondition of H2O supply
- soil testingExamining ground composition
- fusion researchPursuit of stellar-style energy
fluorescence
Light emitted after absorption
- phosphorescenceHeatless delayed light emission
- chemiluminescenceLight from molecular reactions
- bioluminescenceOrganism-generated light emission
photoluminescence · electroluminescence · incandescence · glow · radiance · luminous intensity · neon glow · aurora
energy levels
Gradations of physical vitality
- excited stateElevated energy configuration
- ground stateLowest possible energy configuration
- atomic orbitalsRegions of electron probability
quantized · discrete · excitation · energy gap · ionization · Balmer series · selection rules · hyperfine structure
spectral lines
Discrete wavelength emission patterns
- nanometerMetric unit, billion-fold smaller
- angstromSubatomic length unit
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
infrared · frequency · redshift · blueshift · Doppler shift · line width · broadening
spectrometer
Measures electromagnetic radiation properties
- spectral linesDiscrete wavelength emission patterns
- spectrographWavelength-separating recording instrument
- photodetectorLight-to-electricity conversion device
forensic analysis
Scientific examination for legal proceedings
- trace elementsSubstances required minimally
- environmental monitoringObserving natural systems systematically
- flame testIdentifying elements by combustion hue
quality control
Maintaining production standards
- art authenticationDetermining if works are genuine
- water qualityCondition of H2O supply
- soil testingExamining ground composition