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To answer this question, let's think about the excitation and relaxation processes involved. In the excitation process inside a deuterium lamp, an electrical arc between an oxide coated filament and an electrode excites D2 to D2*. Next, the D2* dissociates into individual D atoms. Let's call these D' and D''. Also, a photon of light is released. For an individual event, the total energy posssessed by D2* is apportioned between the kinetic energies of D', D'', and the photon. The sum of the kinetic energies of D' and D'' can vary from almost zero to the original energy of D2*. If the kinetic energies of D' and D'' are relatively small, the energy of the photon is large, and a shorter wavelength of light is emitted. If the kinetic energies of D' and D'' are relatively large, the energy of the photon is small, and a longer wavelenght of light is emitted. In a population of D2*, a distribution of kinetic energies of D' and D'' will result, allowing for a continuum spectrum to be emitted from the lamp.

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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.


In which case will the woman see a just a spectrum that is almost entirely black except for few bright emission lines?

The spectrum that she will be observing is called an emission spectrum, in which electrons are excited to a higher energy state and then drop back down to the ground state, during which the electrons will emit photons of specific wavelengths, which will be observed as bright lines of color on what appears to be a black background.


Is absorbance considered a continuous variable?

Yes, absorbance is considered a continuous variable because it can take on any value within a range, rather than being limited to specific discrete values.


What did the bohr model of the atom help to explain?

The Bohr model of the atom helped to explain the quantization of electron energy levels, the stability of atoms, and the line spectrum observed in hydrogen. It proposed that electrons orbit the nucleus at specific energy levels, or shells, rather than in continuous orbits.


Do potatoes produce oxygen?

Yes, potatoes do produce a small amount of oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. However, their main function is to store energy in the form of starch rather than produce oxygen.

Related Questions

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.


Why do different elements have different line spectra and not a continuous spectrum of light?

Different elements have different line spectra because each has a unique arrangement of energy levels for its electrons. When electrons transition between these energy levels, they emit or absorb specific wavelengths of light, creating distinct lines in the spectrum. This results in discrete lines rather than a continuous spectrum.


Why is the emission spectrum of hydrogen a line spectrum and not a continuous spectrum?

It's a line spectrum because of the quantization of energy- meaning you only see energy with levels n=1,2,3.... One would never see the energy level n=2.8 for instance- that would be the case if it were continuous rather than a line spectrum.


What is unique about the spectrum obtained for a fluorescent light?

The spectrum obtained for a fluorescent light is unique in that it produces a discrete line spectrum with distinct peaks at specific wavelengths, rather than a continuous spectrum. This is due to the combination of the phosphor coating in the tube and the mercury vapor emitting specific wavelengths of light when excited.


Continuous spectrum of the x-ray?

A continuous spectrum of X-rays is produced when a high-energy electron bombards a target material, causing electrons in the target to be knocked into higher energy levels and then drop back down, emitting X-ray photons across a range of energies. This results in a continuous range of X-ray wavelengths being emitted, rather than discrete lines.


When a light from a gas passed through a prism why is there only a certain number of lines rather then a continuous spectrum?

When light from a gas passes through a prism, the lines seen are caused by the specific wavelengths of light emitted or absorbed by the gas atoms. These lines correspond to the energy levels of the atoms, leading to discrete spectral lines rather than a continuous spectrum. Each line represents a transition between energy levels, resulting in distinct wavelengths being observed.


Is rose flower colour continuous or discontinuous variation?

The color of rose flowers exhibits discontinuous variation. This means that rose colors, such as red, yellow, pink, and white, fall into distinct categories rather than existing on a continuous spectrum. The variation is primarily determined by genetic factors, leading to specific color phenotypes rather than a gradual blend of colors.


What are some continuous variation in humans?

eyes, hair, fingers and toes, vertebrates... most common body parts


Can you give a sentence with the word spectrum?

The company provides a rather wide spectrum of products.The word spectrum was introduced into the field of optics during the 17th century.


Are lobed ears a discontinuous variation?

No, lobed ears are considered a continuous variation rather than a discontinuous one. Discontinuous variation refers to traits that have distinct categories with little to no intermediates, whereas lobed ears exist on a spectrum ranging from completely lobeless to fully lobed.


What is the difference between a continuous spectrum an a line spectrum?

Dispersion, the separation of visible light into a spectrum, may be accomplished by means of a prism or a diffraction grating. Each different wavelength or frequency of visible light corresponds to a different color, so that the spectrum appears as a band of colors ranging from violet at the short-wavelength (high-frequency) end of the spectrum through indigo, blue, green, yellow, and orange, to red at the long-wavelength (low-frequency) end of the spectrum. In addition to visible light, other types of electromagnetic radiation may be spread into a spectrum according to frequency or wavelength. The spectrum formed from white light contains all colors, or frequencies, and is known as a continuous spectrum. Continuous spectra are produced by all incandescent solids and liquids and by gases under high pressure. A gas under low pressure does not produce a continuous spectrum but instead produces a line spectrum, i.e., one composed of individual lines at specific frequencies characteristic of the gas, rather than a continuous band of all frequencies. If the gas is made incandescent by heat or an electric discharge, the resulting spectrum is a bright-line, or emission, spectrum, consisting of a series of bright lines against a dark background. A dark-line, or absorption, spectrum is the reverse of a bright-line spectrum; it is produced when white light containing all frequencies passes through a gas not hot enough to be incandescent. It consists of a series of dark lines superimposed on a continuous spectrum, each line corresponding to a frequency where a bright line would appear if the gas were incandescent. The Fraunhofer lines appearing in the spectrum of the sun are an example of a dark-line spectrum; they are caused by the absorption of certain frequencies of light by the cooler, outer layers of the solar atmosphere. Line spectra of either type are useful in chemical analysis, since they reveal the presence of particular elements. The instrument used for studying line spectra is the spectroscope.


In which case will the woman see a just a spectrum that is almost entirely black except for few bright emission lines?

The spectrum that she will be observing is called an emission spectrum, in which electrons are excited to a higher energy state and then drop back down to the ground state, during which the electrons will emit photons of specific wavelengths, which will be observed as bright lines of color on what appears to be a black background.