What are spectral lines?
spectral lines are gaps in a commonly continuous distribution of frequency in light. The result is when the emitted light is partially absorbed by the mass, usually gas. One type of spectral line is the absorption line that is caused when some light frequencies are absorbed by emitted radiation. On the other hand, the emission line can be seen in the light that has been absorbed and then re -emitted. Spectral lines can provide traces of astronomers about the composition and speed of astronomical objects.
The first of the two types of spectral lines are absorbent lines. The absorption lines occur when light is emitted from an object like a star, and then passes through the gas before the observer. In this case, the hot star light will be strongly emitted over a wide range of frequencies; In other words, it will have a continuous spectrum of radiation. However, if it passes through cold gas, the gas can be absorbed with some frequencies. When observes analyzes the light that originally comesElo from the star, shows the absorbent line - irresistible gaps at certain frequencies of radiation.
The second type of spectral line is an emission line. Star light cannot be constantly absorbed by gas because the light contains energy. Rather, it is absorbed by gas and then reappears. When it is re -emitted, the light contains only frequencies that have been absorbed by the gas. The frequency of emission lines should therefore coincide with the frequencies of the corresponding absorption lines. In fact, it was verified by astronomers observing the re -emitted light; Two types of spectral lines are essentially inversion.
spectral lines exist because light emitted elements and chemicals have a continuous spectrum of frequencies. Rather than being a homogeneous entity, light facts are visible to electromagnetic radiation in a certain frequency range. The radiation that is invisible to the naked eye also has a continuous differenceFrequency lining, although concentrated outside the visible range. A scientific tool known as a spectrometer can be used to analyze the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.
The study of these lines can give astronomers two important information. First, with knowledge that gases produce which absorption lines, spectral lines can help identify the composition of the planetary atmosphere. Astronomers used this technique to characterize the atmosphere of planets outside the solar system. Second, recognizable spectral lines formulas may indicate the speed of astronomical objects - the speed of the object shifts its radiation frequency, including spectral lines.