Spectroscopy Flashcards
1
Q
What do some elements emit when they’re heated?
A
Distinctive coloured flames
2
Q
Give an example of this
A
Lithium compounds - Red
Sodium compounds - Yellow
Potassium compounds - Lilac
3
Q
What does the light emitted from the flames of an element produce?
A
A characteristic line spectrum
4
Q
What did scientists realised some time ago?
A
That each element has its own unique spectrum
5
Q
What has the study of spectra been increasingly used to do?
A
Analyse unknown substances and discover new elements
6
Q
Give an example of this
A
The line spectrum for helium was first seen in light from the Sun, before it was discovered on Earth
