Gustav Kirchhoff Flashcards
What are the 3 types of spectra Kirchhoff observed ?
- Continuous spectra
- Emission spectra (bright line spectra)
- Absorption spectra (dark line spectra)
What are the bright lines in the emission spectrum caused by?
The electron emitting light at certain wavelengths as it goes back down energy levels
Continuous spectra are produced by an object that gives off light at what wave lengths ?
All wavelengths (all colors)
The hotter an object the brighter it becomes
And the higher energy photons it will emit
How to determine temperature of object from spectra lines?
The peak or brightest color of the spectrum is the temp
Does continuous spectra reveal the composition of a gas?
No
Does contentious spectra reveal the temperature (approximately) of the object?
Yes
Absorption spectra occurs when
A cold gas is between an observer and a continuous source of light
What does the gas in the absorption spectra do ?
Absorbs light that has correct energies to boost electrons to various energy levels
All other light passes through
What are the dark gaps in the emission spectrum ?
The energy absorbed by the cold gas
What spectra are stars ?
Absorption
The dark lines determine what
What the object is made of and how much of each element it contains
