emission spectrum

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the spectrum formed by electromagnetic radiations emitted by a given source, characteristic of the source and the type of excitation inducing the radiations.

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emission spectrum British  

noun

1. the continuous spectrum or pattern of bright lines or bands seen when the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a substance is passed into a spectrometer. The spectrum is characteristic of the emitting substance and the type of excitation to which it is subjected Compare absorption spectrum

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emission spectrum Scientific  

1. The distribution of electromagnetic radiation released by a substance whose atoms have been excited by heat or radiation. A spectroscope can be used to determine which frequencies have been emitted by a substance. The emission spectrum is a combination of the atomic spectra of the various kinds of atoms making up the substance and can be analyzed to determine the substance's chemical or atomic composition.

2. See more at atomic spectrum

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Etymology

Origin of emission spectrum

First recorded in 1885–90

Compare meaning

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

• emission spectrum vs. absorption spectrum

Example Sentences

During their examination of Pa 30, Ritter and his colleagues noted that the remnant’s emission spectrum contained a particular line associated with the element sulfur.

From Scientific American • Feb. 1, 2023

A bright violet line occurs at 435.8 nm in the emission spectrum of mercury vapor.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

In both cases, this is an example of an emission spectrum as discussed in the chapter on electronic structure.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

At 100 K, a structuring of the emission spectrum is observed compared to the one at room temperature.

From Nature • Mar. 28, 2017

This time, the orchestra was the emission spectrum of electrons jumping to different orbits from the hydrogen.

From Forbes • Jul. 12, 2011