Can a spectrum be continuous and discrete?

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 conditions produce a continuous 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.

How a continuous spectrum is formed?

Is frequency discrete or continuous?

A discrete frequency distribution lists all the observed values. A continuous frequency distribution lists ranges instead. For example, you might use a discrete frequency distribution to record the numbers of children in a sample of families: how many had zero children, how many had one child and so on.

Is photon frequency discrete?

A free particle (photon, electron etc) is not restricted to discrete energy levels. Its wavelength and therefore energy can take any value. A plane wave, with any wavelength you choose, can satisfy the Schrodinger equation for a single free particle.

What is an example of continuous spectrum?

A rainbow is an example of a continuous spectrum. Most continuous spectra are from hot, dense objects like stars, planets, or moons. The continuous spectrum from these kinds of objects is also called a thermal spectrum, because hot, dense objects will emit electromagnetic radiation at all wavelengths or colors.

What does it mean when a spectrum is continuous?

Definition of continuous spectrum : a spectrum (as of light emitted by a white-hot lamp filament) having no apparent breaks or gaps throughout its wavelength range.

How is a continuous spectrum produced quizlet?

A continuous spectrum is produced by a hot, high-density light source. An emission spectrum is produced by a hot, low-density light source. An absorption spectrum is produced by a hot, high-density light source shining through a cool, low-density medium. Dark absorption lines will appear in the spectrum.

Why are some spectra discrete?

A discrete spectrum is a series of attainable values of a physical quantity having a positive gap between each value. This is opposite to the continuous spectrum. This type of spectrum occurs due to electrons falling from some bound quantum state to a lower energy state.

What is a discrete dark line on a continuous spectrum?

SInce the energy levels are discrete, only photons of certain frequencies are absorbed. As these frequencies of light are now missing, they account for the dark lines in the absorption spectrum, which is discrete dark line on a continuous spectrum.

Why is the emission spectrum bright on a dark background?

When the atom goes back to its ground state, either directly or via the intermediate energy levels, photon of only certain frequencies are emitted due to the discrete energy levels. Hence only certain frequencies of light are observed, forming the emission spectrum, which is discrete bright coloured lines on a dark background.

What is the difference between emission spectrum and absorption spectrum?

Hence only certain frequencies of light are observed, forming the emission spectrum, which is discrete bright coloured lines on a dark background. In the case of an absorption spectrum, white light is used to excite the atoms.

Why is white light used in an absorption spectrum?

In the case of an absorption spectrum, white light is used to excite the atoms. Those incident photons whose energies are exactly equal to the difference between the atom’s energy levels are being absorbed. SInce the energy levels are discrete, only photons of certain frequencies are absorbed.