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Anything white. At least within the visible spectrum. The incident light is absorbed and re-emitted with little or no change. This is why a white wall appears red in a red light, yellow in a yellow light, etc. In contrast, a colored wall, say red, will actually appear black in blue light since all of the incident light is absorbed.

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Gaps in a continuous spectrum?

Gaps in a continuous spectrum refer to specific regions or wavelengths where no emission or absorption lines are present. These gaps occur because certain energies or wavelengths are not allowed for an atom or molecule to emit or absorb, resulting in a discontinuity in the spectrum. These gaps can provide valuable information about the energy levels and properties of the atoms or molecules being studied.


Which type of spectrum does the sun emit?

The sun emits a continuous spectrum, which includes all wavelengths of light across the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum results from the thermal radiation of the sun's surface.


What is the continuous spectrum of a star?

A continuous spectrum of a star is a broad range of electromagnetic radiation emitted across all wavelengths. It results from the thermal energy of the star's interior, causing atoms to vibrate and emit photons at various energies. Continuous spectra can be used to determine a star's temperature.


If the electron in a hydrogen atom obeyed classical mechanics instead of quantum mechanics would it emit a continuous spectrum or a line spectrum?

In some text books on physical chemistry it is stated that if an electron followed the classical laws of mechanics it would continue to emit energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation until it fell to the nucleus. It is not sensible to consider the spectrum of emitted electromagnetic radiation because its wavelength is a function of the Schrodinger equation under the influence of the Hamilton operator. So my only have desecrate values. A classical picture of the atom would not obey the Schrodinger equation so there is no way of predicting the way it would emit energy.


Why does the sun produce a continuous spectrum but the fluorescent lights produce a line spectrum?

The sun produces a (nearly) continuous spectrum (gaseous elements in the Sun's atmosphere absorb certain frequencies, making it not quite truly continuous) because it's emitting light due mainly to its temperature. This kind of radiation is called "black body" or "cavity" radiation, and it's a continuous spectrum. Fluorescent lights produce light by a phenomenon known as (hold on for the shocking revelation) fluorescence. This kind of radiation is related to transitions between specific electron energy levels, and therefore consists of discrete lines. In old or cheap fluorescent tubes, there might be only a couple of lines. Most modern ones use a mixture of phosphors that emit light at different frequencies, so you might see half a dozen or more lines in the spectrum.

Related Questions

What type of spectrum does a solid object emit?

A solid object will emit a continuous spectrum of light, containing a range of wavelengths. This is due to the object's atoms and molecules vibrating at various energy levels, resulting in a broad emission of electromagnetic radiation.


What is the significance of the fact that all macroscopic objects emit a continuous spectrum?

The significance of the fact that all macroscopic objects emit a continuous spectrum is that it provides important information about the temperature and composition of the object. This emission of continuous spectrum helps scientists understand the thermal properties and chemical makeup of the object, which can be useful in various fields such as astronomy, materials science, and environmental monitoring.


How does atomic spectrum differ from solar spectrum?

Atomic spectrum is produced when atoms emit or absorb light at specific energies, creating distinct lines or bands. Solar spectrum is the continuous spectrum of light emitted by the Sun, containing all wavelengths of light. Solar spectrum is produced by many elements and compounds in the Sun's atmosphere, creating a broad, continuous range of colors.


Gaps in a continuous spectrum?

Gaps in a continuous spectrum refer to specific regions or wavelengths where no emission or absorption lines are present. These gaps occur because certain energies or wavelengths are not allowed for an atom or molecule to emit or absorb, resulting in a discontinuity in the spectrum. These gaps can provide valuable information about the energy levels and properties of the atoms or molecules being studied.


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.


Which type of spectrum does the sun emit?

The sun emits a continuous spectrum, which includes all wavelengths of light across the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum results from the thermal radiation of the sun's surface.


Do all object equally conduct absorb of or emit heat?

No, not all objects conduct, absorb, or emit heat equally. Materials such as metals are good conductors of heat, while materials like wood are insulators. The ability of an object to conduct, absorb, or emit heat depends on its composition and physical properties.


Is a continuous spectrum produce a heated ionic compound?

Yes, a continuous spectrum can be produced by a heated ionic compound. When an ionic compound is heated, electrons can be excited to higher energy levels, and as they return to their ground state, they emit light across a wide range of wavelengths, resulting in a continuous spectrum.


Why are the colors of the spectrum different in each gas?

A spectrum is a function of the light source. A gas will absorb / emit light based on its molecular bonds, and different gases have different bonds.


What is the continuous spectrum of a star?

A continuous spectrum of a star is a broad range of electromagnetic radiation emitted across all wavelengths. It results from the thermal energy of the star's interior, causing atoms to vibrate and emit photons at various energies. Continuous spectra can be used to determine a star's temperature.


Why does a large object absorb and emit radiation faster than a small object?

A large object has a greater surface area, allowing it to absorb and emit radiation at a faster rate compared to a smaller object. This is because the larger surface area provides more contact points for radiation to be absorbed and emitted.


What is the color of black?

Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light.