Spectral lines are highly atom-specific, and can be used to identify the chemical composition of any medium. The intensity of light, over a narrow frequency range, is increased due to emission by the hot material. By contrast, a bright emission line is produced when photons from a hot material are detected, perhaps in the presence of a broad spectrum from a cooler source. The intensity of light, over a narrow frequency range, is reduced due to absorption by the material and re-emission in random directions. An absorption line is produced when photons from a hot, broad spectrum source pass through a cooler material. Which type of line is observed depends on the type of material and its temperature relative to another emission source. Then the energy will be spontaneously re-emitted, either as one photon at the same frequency as the original one or in a cascade, where the sum of the energies of the photons emitted will be equal to the energy of the one absorbed (assuming the system returns to its original state).Ī spectral line may be observed either as an emission line or an absorption line. When a photon has about the right amount of energy (which is connected to its frequency) to allow a change in the energy state of the system (in the case of an atom this is usually an electron changing orbitals), the photon is absorbed. Spectral lines are the result of interaction between a quantum system (usually atoms, but sometimes molecules or atomic nuclei) and a single photon. Types of line spectra Continuous spectrum of an incandescent lamp (mid) and discrete spectrum lines of a fluorescent lamp (bottom) These 'fingerprints' can be compared to the previously collected ones of atoms and molecules, and are thus used to identify the atomic and molecular components of stars and planets, which would otherwise be impossible.

Spectral lines are often used to identify atoms and molecules. Here, Fraunhofer lines in sunlight and Rayleigh scattering of this sunlight is the 'source.' This is the spectrum of a blue sky somewhat close to the horizon, looking east with the sun to the west at around 3–4 pm on a clear day.Ī spectral line is a weaker or stronger region in an otherwise uniform and continuous spectrum, resulting from emission or absorption of light in a narrow frequency range, compared with the nearby frequencies. Absorption spectrum with Absorption lines (discrete spectrum) Absorption lines for air, under indirect illumination, with the direct light source not visible, so that the gas is not there directly between source and detector.

Sodium spectral lines