Line Spectrum
What is Line Spectrum?
A line spectrum is an emission or absorption spectrum consisting of discrete, sharp lines at specific wavelengths, characteristic of the energy transitions between quantized electronic energy levels in atoms. Each element produces a unique line spectrum (its atomic fingerprint), which is used in atomic spectroscopy for elemental identification and analysis. The visible line spectrum of hydrogen (the Balmer series) was central to the development of the Bohr model of the atom.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
A line spectrum is an emission or absorption spectrum consisting of discrete, sharp lines at specific wavelengths, characteristic of the energy transitions between quantized electronic energy levels in atoms. Each element produces a unique line spectrum (its atomic fingerprint), which is used in atomic spectroscopy for elemental identification and analysis. The visible line spectrum of hydrogen (the Balmer series) was central to the development of the Bohr model of the atom.