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

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

From Nature

Manipulating its emission spectrum is a clever idea.

From Economist

A layer of graphene is used to control the emission spectrum of a laser.

From Science Magazine

In such a case, “it's okay to have the emission spectrum overlap because you are imaging individual molecules”, says Hess.

From Nature