What type of light gives a continuous spectrum

Emission spectrum Discrete, non-continuous spectra are an observable result of the physics of atoms. Unlike a continuous spectrum source, which can radiate at an arbitrary frequency just change the effective temperature , the electron clouds surrounding the nuclei of atoms have very specific energies dictated by quantum mechanics.

Each element on the periodic table has its own set of possible energy levels. Electrons tend to settle to the ground state, so an excited atom with an electron in a higher energy level will emit a wave of light with that exact energy to allow the electron to fall into the ground state. The energy changes in a particular atom are impacted by the other atoms in the surrounding. Therefore, solids give rise to continuous spectra. If the light leaving the prism is focused on a screen, the different wavelengths or colors that make up white light are lined up side by side just like a rainbow [link].

When white light passes through a prism, it is dispersed and forms a continuous spectrum of all the colors. With that in mind, Murphy explains that daylight bulbs start at a higher color temperature of K and range up to K.

Soft white 2, to 3, Kelvin is warm and yellow, the typical color range you get from incandescent bulbs. Daylight 5, to 6, Kelvin has a more bluish tone. This light color will maximize contrast for colors, making it ideal for working, reading or applying makeup. The incandescent light gives a continuous spectrum, while the fluorescent light gives discrete lines typical of the mercury spectrum and the phosphor.

Skip to content What type of light gives a continuous spectrum? How are continuous spectrum and a bright line spectrum the same? Main Difference — Continuous Spectrum vs Line Spectrum Continuous spectrum and line spectrum are two types of spectra; their main difference is that continuous spectrum contains no gaps whereas line spectrum contains many gaps. Why is line spectrum not continuous? How do you know if a light is continuous or discrete? Why is natural daylight referred to as a continuous spectrum?

What light bulb is closest to natural sunlight? What LED light is closest to daylight? What is a dark line spectrum? What are the three types of spectra? Why does a bright line spectrum look different for every element? What does line spectrum mean? Some thermal spectra for objects of different temperatures are illustrated in the figure below.

Some key features of a thermal continuous spectrum are as follows: There is light from a dense object at all possible IF the object is above 0 K absolute zero. Since everything in the universe is above 0 K, all dense objects solids, liquids, thick gases will produce a thermal spectrum. The shape of a continuous spectrum depends on only the temperature of the object NOT its chemical composition.

This allows you to determine the temperature of an object from a great distance away. As the temperature of an object increases, more light is produced at all wavelengths than when it was cooler. You can see this effect with a light bulb wired to a dimmer switch. As you raise the current going to the bulb, the bulb's filament gets hotter and brighter. As the temperature of an object increases, the peak of thermal spectrum curve shifts to smaller wavelengths higher frequencies cool things appear red or orange, hotter things appear yellow or white, and very hot things blue or purple.

You can also see this effect with the light bulb wired to a dimmer switch.