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Why do astronomers say that the spectral lines produced by an element are like fingerprints?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The energy levels of an atom are the distinctive property of that atom. The difference in energy levels determine the amount of light that could be emitted or absorbed. There is no same energy level difference from one atom to another, therefore spectral lines are referred to as an "atom's fingerprint". The spectral lines make atoms unique, just as fingerprints make people unique, no two humans have the same fingerprints.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoeach atom radiates light according its electronic configuration and as atoms have varying numbers of electrons and they occupy different energy states any spectra obtaining would reflect this
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoFingerprints are a visual pattern used to identify a person, and spectral lines are a visual pattern used to identify an element. So the similarity is clear.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agobecause it is dude! get a life!
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How does the intensity of a spectral line yield information about the source of the light?
Intensity of spectral line show the abundance of different elements in the light source. Every element has its own "fingerprint" which can indicate its presence.
If a star's spectrum does not contain spectral lines characteristic of a certain element can we conclude that the star do not contain that element Why or Why not?
It merely means that the amount of this element in the visible part of a star - the part that emits the spectrum - is too small to be detected by this method.
What element is produced in abundance on the sun?
Helium
How do Spectra from neutral atoms compared with spectra from ionized atoms of the same element?
have different sets of spectral lines. :) u got to love astronomy
How the presence of certain element is confirmed in distant stars?
spectral analysis of light of stars help us
How are elements like fingerprints?
Each element has an unique set of attributes, just like fingerprints. One of the most common attributes of elements used is its spectral signature. When an element is excited, it emits photons on specific frequencies. These frequencies can then be used to map things such as the chemical composition of distant exo-planet atmospheres or moons, such as Titan.
What is an atomic fingerprint?
An atomic fingerprint is a unique set of lines that identifies each element. The lines act much as DNA in a human, they are exclusive to the particular element, and caused by the energy level of the element.
What evidence do you have the sun contains the element iron?
The spectral lines. Each element has a characteristic "fingerprint" in a spectrum.
What evidence do you have that the sun contains the element iron?
The spectral lines. Each element has a characteristic "fingerprint" in a spectrum.
What compound and element is produced after photosynthesis?
Oxygen is the element produced after photosynthesis.
Does Every element and compound in nature have a unique set of spectral lines?
Elements have several spectral lines and although some lines may be the same between different elements most lines are not and the whole spectrum for each element is indeed unique.
What can a stars spectrum can tell astronomers?
What makes up the star or element.
Why a spectrum of an element is called fingerprint?
That's because it can be used to clearly identify an element; just as fingerprints can be used to identify a person.
How can emission spectrocopy be used to identify metal salts?
Each spectra is unique to each element as fingerprints are to humans because they each have their own spectral pattern and by comparing the spectra of a known element to the unknown element or ion you can identify them.
What year was europium discovered?
It sort of depends on what you mean by "discovered". It was known in the late 1800s that certain mineral samples produced spectral lines that could not be accounted for by any known element. However, Europium was first isolated in 1901 by Demarcay.
MERCURY IS so dense astronomers believe its has a high concentration of what element?
iron
What is a single wavelength of light that can be seen when the light from an excited element is passed through a prism?
A spectral line
