Table of Contents
What is the continuum of a spectrum?
A spectral continuum occurs when the interactions of a large number of atoms, ions or molecules spread out all of the discrete emission lines of an object, so they can no longer be distinguished.
What is the difference between a continuous and discrete spectrum?
Typically one can observe two distinctive classes of spectra: continous and discrete. For a continuous spectrum, the light is composed of a wide, continuous range of colors (energies). With discrete spectra, one sees only bright or dark lines at very distinct and sharply-defined colors (energies).
What is the definition of spectrum in biology?
The spectrum definition may be that the totality of behaviour, structure, cell feature, and the cellular and molecular composition of a living organism. It gives information about the amount of complexity of this system at every single degree.
How is a continuum spectrum formed?
Continuum spectrum Continuous spectra (also called thermal or blackbody spectra) arise from dense gases or solid objects which radiate heat. They emit radiation over a broad range of wavelengths, thus the spectra appear smooth and continuous.
What are the 2 types of spectra?
The spectra can be divided into two types viz., emission and absorption spectra.
What is the spectrum line?
A spectral line is like a fingerprint that can be used to identify the atoms, elements or molecules present in a star, galaxy or cloud of interstellar gas. If we separate the incoming light from a celestial source using a prism, we will often see a spectrum of colours crossed with discrete lines.
How many types of spectrum are there?
When electromagnetic radiation is passed through a prism or grating it is split up and forms a collection of lines representing different wavelengths. This is called spectrum. The spectra can be divided into two types viz., emission and absorption spectra.
What is the difference between a “continuum” and a “spectrum”?
You will only find differences in context. Spectrum in general use applies only to visible light, whereas the continuum of light includes all of gamma rays through radio waves. Specific elements produce “spectral lines” or (nearly) discrete light emissions at allowed orbital energies.
What do spectral lines tell us?
From spectral lines astronomers can determine not only the element, but the temperature and density of that element in the star. The spectral line also can tell us about any magnetic field of the star. The width of the line can tell us how fast the material is moving. We can learn about winds in stars from this.
What is the continuous spectrum?
A continuous spectrum is a spectrum in which all the wavelengths of the selected region have intensities. The perfect white light is a continuous spectrum over the visible region. It must be noted that, in practice, it is virtually impossible to obtain a perfect continuous spectrum.