Spektrijooned

Spektrijooned, also known as spectral lines, are specific wavelengths of light or other electromagnetic radiation that are either absorbed or emitted by a substance. These lines appear as dark or bright bands in a spectrum, which is a visual representation of the intensity of radiation as a function of wavelength.

Atoms and molecules have unique energy levels. When an electron transitions between these energy levels, it either absorbs a photon of a specific energy (and thus a specific wavelength) to move to a higher level, or it emits a photon of a specific energy when it drops to a lower level. These transitions result in characteristic absorption or emission lines.

The pattern of spectral lines is unique to each element, similar to a fingerprint. This property makes spectroscopy, the study of spectra, an invaluable tool in various scientific fields. Astronomers use spectral lines to determine the chemical composition, temperature, and motion of stars and galaxies. Chemists use them to identify unknown substances and study molecular structures. Physicists employ spectral analysis to understand atomic and nuclear processes.

Absorption spectra occur when light passes through a substance, and certain wavelengths are absorbed by the atoms or molecules. This results in dark lines at those specific wavelengths in the otherwise continuous spectrum of the light source. Emission spectra are produced when a substance is heated or excited, causing its atoms or molecules to emit light at specific wavelengths, appearing as bright lines against a dark background.