absorption spectrum

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the spectrum formed by electromagnetic radiation that has passed through a medium in which radiation of certain frequencies is absorbed.

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absorption spectrum British  

noun

1. the characteristic pattern of dark lines or bands that occurs when electromagnetic radiation is passed through an absorbing medium into a spectroscope. An equivalent pattern occurs as coloured lines or bands in the emission spectrum of that medium

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absorption spectrum Scientific  

1. The range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation readily absorbed by a substance by virtue of its chemical composition.

2. See more at atomic spectrum

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Etymology

Origin of absorption spectrum

First recorded in 1875–80

Compare meaning

How does absorption-spectrum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• emission spectrum vs. absorption spectrum

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

absorption spectrum

The shape of Venus's absorption spectrum adds another important clue.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

Instead, Naka's team cooled the diamond crystal to cryogenic temperatures, obtaining nine peaks on the deep-ultraviolet absorption spectrum, compared to the usual four using luminescence.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 27, 2024

Each type of pigment can be identified by the specific pattern of wavelengths it absorbs from visible light, which is the absorption spectrum.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

A dark line, or absorption spectrum, consists of a series or pattern of dark lines—missing colors—superimposed upon the continuous spectrum of a source.

From Textbooks ● Oct. 13, 2016

Mention may be made of the absorption spectrum of benzene.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various