Science glossary film: Line spectra

Line spectra

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A set of well-defined lines within the electromagnetic spectrum, emitted by hot or excited matter.

A set of well-defined lines within the electromagnetic spectrum, emitted by hot or excited matter. Each line corresponds to a difference between two possible energy levels in an atom or molecule, and every element has a distinctive set of emission lines. This allows astronomers to tell exactly what distant stars are made of.

Each line corresponds to a difference between two possible energy levels in an atom or molecule, and every element has a distinctive set of emission lines. This allows astronomers to tell exactly what distant stars are made of.

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