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There are a couple of things that cause specific lines to appear in a line spectrum. Two of these things are density and wavelength.

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10y ago
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Sierra Murtha

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3y ago
Density and wavelengths of absorbed or emitted protons are two things that cause specific lines to appear in a line spectrum.
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AnswerBot

7mo ago

Specific lines appear in a line spectrum due to the unique energy levels of electrons in an atom. When an electron moves from a higher energy level to a lower one, it emits a photon of specific energy, producing distinct lines in the spectrum. The energy difference between the levels determines the wavelength of the emitted light, creating the characteristic lines.

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12y ago

you get line spectra when an excited atom (gained extra energy) releases this energy. The energy is gained by electrons moving from one energy level to one of a higher energy level. The atom is not happy (too much energy) so it gets rid of it. The electrons jump back to their original level releasing the energy gained as light of a fixed frequency, hence a fine line.

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Sierra Murtha

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3y ago

Density and wavelengths of absorbed or emitted protons are two things that cause specific lines to appear in a line spectrum.

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11y ago

wavelengths of absorbed or released radioactivity by metals

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anon

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3y ago

Wavelengths of absorbed or emitted photons

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Sierra Murtha

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3y ago
awesome answer! Density and wavelengths of absorbed or emitted protons are two things that cause specific lines to appear in a line spectrum.

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Q: What causes specific lines to appear in a line spectrum?
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Continue Learning about Chemistry

What is an atoms spectrum?

An atom's spectrum is the unique pattern of light emitted or absorbed by the atom when it gains or loses energy. Each element has a characteristic spectrum that can be used to identify it. The spectrum is composed of specific lines corresponding to the energy levels of the atom.


How might the spectrum of an atom appear if its electrons were not restricted to particular energy levels?

If an atom's electrons were not restricted to particular energy levels, its spectrum would likely appear as a continuous spectrum rather than discrete lines. This is because the energy levels of the electrons in the atom contribute to the specific wavelengths of light emitted or absorbed, and without these restrictions, the energy transitions would be continuous, resulting in a continuous spectrum.


Is the spacing between the lines in the spectrum of an element constant or does it vary?

The spacing between the lines in the spectrum of an element is constant. Each line corresponds to a specific energy transition within the atom, and the spacing between the lines is determined by the energy difference between the specific electronic states involved in the transition.


What causes lines in a line spectrum?

Wavelengths of absorbed or emitted photons Every line in a line spectrum is caused by a transition, from one quantum state to another quantum state, involving electrons.


Why can the bright-line spectrum of an element be used to identify an element?

The bright-line spectrum of an element is unique because it consists of specific wavelengths corresponding to the energy levels of electrons transitioning in that element's atoms. Since each element has a distinct arrangement of electrons, the pattern of lines in its spectrum is like a fingerprint, allowing scientists to identify the element based on the specific wavelengths present in the spectrum.

Related questions

Dark lines in an absorption spectrum are called?

Dark lines in an absorption spectrum are called absorption lines. These lines correspond to wavelengths of light that have been absorbed by specific elements or molecules in the sample being analyzed. They appear as dips or gaps in the spectrum where less light is detected.


What are the Dark lines that appear in a spectrum of light from a star called?

The dark lines that appear in a spectrum of light from a star are called absorption lines. These lines are caused by the absorption of specific wavelengths of light by elements in the outer atmosphere of the star. Absorption lines help astronomers identify the chemical composition of stars and other celestial objects.


How can you tell the absorption lines in the photographic spectrum?

Absorption lines in a photographic spectrum appear as dark lines where specific wavelengths of light are absorbed by elements in a celestial object. These lines indicate the presence of elements in the object's atmosphere and can be identified by comparing their positions with known spectral lines of elements on Earth.


Can you describe an astronomical spectrum?

'Astronomical spectrum' is not a specific term. I suspect you are thinking of the emission spectrum of a star, which can tell us a great deal about the composition of the star. Light and other radiations from the object are spread out into constituent wavelengths and dark lines appear across the spectrum at certain specific wavelengths which are characteristic of elements present.


What part of the star is responsible for the dark lines in its spectrum?

The dark lines in a star's spectrum are caused by absorption of specific wavelengths of light by the elements in the star's outer atmosphere. This absorption occurs when the elements in the atmosphere absorb photons of specific energies, leading to the creation of dark absorption lines in the spectrum.


How does the color of the flame correspond to the distinct lines in its spectrum?

The color in the flame is the representation of a specific line in the spectrum.


Is an absorption spectrum also called a bright line spectrum?

No, an absorption spectrum and a bright line spectrum are not the same. An absorption spectrum is produced when light is absorbed by atoms or molecules, showing dark lines at specific wavelengths. On the other hand, a bright line spectrum is produced when atoms or molecules emit light at specific wavelengths, creating bright lines in the spectrum.


In what ways is the pattern of lines in a stars absorption spectrum unique?

because all of the different lines of a star's elements appear together i its spectrum, making the pattern different everytime


What are some comparisons with a absorption spectrum and a continuous spectrum?

An absorption spectrum shows dark lines at specific wavelengths where light has been absorbed by a substance. A continuous spectrum shows all colors/wavelengths with no gaps, like the rainbow. The main difference is that the absorption spectrum has specific dark lines while the continuous spectrum is smooth and uninterrupted.


What appears when colors are absorbed into a stars spectrum?

When colors are absorbed into a star's spectrum, they appear as dark lines or bands called absorption lines. These lines are caused by the specific elements present in the star's atmosphere absorbing certain wavelengths of light, which are then missing from the overall spectrum observed.


Does an atomic spectrum have a distinct set of lines or a full spectrum of light?

An atomic spectrum typically has a distinct set of lines, which correspond to specific energy levels within the atom. Each line represents a specific transition of an electron between energy levels.


Why would the absorption spectrum of each element have lines in the same places as in its emission spectrum?

The absorption spectrum of an element have lines in the same places as in its emission spectrum because each line in the emission spectrum corresponds to a specific transition of electrons between energy levels. When light is absorbed by the element, electrons move from lower energy levels to higher ones, creating the same lines in the absorption spectrum as the emission spectrum. The frequencies of light absorbed and emitted are the same for a specific element, resulting in matching lines.