Lesson: Emission and Absorption Spectra High School Physics

Physics

In this lesson, we will learn how to determine the composition of a material from the features that appear in the spectrum of light coming from it.

Video

16:23

Sample Question Videos

02:39

Worksheet

Q1:

A scientist has a sample of an unknown gas. In order to identify it, she shines a continuous spectrum of white light through the gas and observes which wavelengths of light are absorbed by it. This is shown in the figure, as well as the absorption spectra of five pure, gaseous elements. Which of the five elements is the unknown gas?

Q2:

A scientist has a sample of an unknown gas. In order to identify the gas, he looks at the spectrum of visible light emitted from it when it is heated. This is shown in the figure. Also shown in the figure are the emission spectra of five pure, gaseous elements. Which of the five elements is the unknown gas?

Q3:

A scientist has a sample of an unknown gas. In order to identify the gas, she looks at the spectrum of visible light emitted from it when it is heated. This is shown in the figure. Also shown in the figure are the emission spectra of three pure, gaseous elements. Which of the three elements is the unknown gas?

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