spectral lines
Element identification bands
Spectral lines are the distinct bright or dark bands that appear when light is spread into its component wavelengths.
Each chemical element produces a unique pattern of lines—a kind of fingerprint—allowing scientists to identify what substances are present in distant stars or laboratory samples.
Bright emission lines indicate light being given off; dark absorption lines show where light has been absorbed.
Gradations of physical vitality
- ground stateLowest possible energy configuration
- excited stateElevated energy configuration
- selection rulesStandards determining inclusion
- hyperfine structureNuclear effects on spectra
degeneracy · singlet · doublet · triplet · atomic orbitals · valence electrons · metastable states
Spatial repetition interval
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- dispersionScattering across space
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
angstroms · nanometers · detector · atlas
Wavelength stretch from recession
- blueshiftLight compressed by approach
- Doppler shiftFrequency change from movement
- nucleosynthesisAtomic core formation process
- mass lossReduction in matter
Stellar atmospheric zone
- photosphereStar's light-emitting surface
- opacityImpermeability to light
- absorptivityFraction of light taken in
- continuumUninterrupted, gradual sequence
Light emitted after absorption
- luminescenceHeatless light emission
- incandescenceLight from heated objects
- neon signsElectrified gas tube advertisements
- flame testIdentifying elements by combustion hue
Balmer series
Hydrogen's visible emission lines
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
energy levels
Gradations of physical vitality
- ground stateLowest possible energy configuration
- excited stateElevated energy configuration
- selection rulesStandards determining inclusion
hyperfine structure · degeneracy · singlet · doublet · triplet · atomic orbitals · valence electrons · metastable states
wavelength
Spatial repetition interval
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- dispersionScattering across space
calibration · angstroms · nanometers · detector · atlas
redshift
Wavelength stretch from recession
- blueshiftLight compressed by approach
- Doppler shiftFrequency change from movement
- nucleosynthesisAtomic core formation process
Doppler effect
Wave compression from motion
chromosphere
Stellar atmospheric zone
- photosphereStar's light-emitting surface
- opacityImpermeability to light
- absorptivityFraction of light taken in
fluorescence
Light emitted after absorption
- luminescenceHeatless light emission
- incandescenceLight from heated objects
- neon signsElectrified gas tube advertisements
flame test · arc lamp · corona · ionized gas · mercury vapor
- Electromagnetic Wavesvisible light, radio waves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, gamma rays
- light spectrumsunlight, visible light, white light, rainbow, wavelength
- radio astronomyradio telescopes, radio telescope, radio waves, radio signals, radio frequency
- spectroscopyspectrogram, spectrophotometer, XPS, UPS, AES
- absorption spectraBalmer series, absorbance
- MRI/NMRMRI scan, magnetic field, resonance, T1, scanner
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