continuous spectrum

types of spectrum compared: continuous, emission and absorption

A spectrum in which all wavelengths are present between certain limits; it is produced by electrons undergoing free-bound transitions in a hot gas. White light for example can be dispersed by a prism to give a continuus spectrum in the optical region of the spectrum from red to violet. Dark absorption lines crossing a continuous spectrum are caused by the absorption of radiation at specific wavelengths.

Compare with absorption spectrum and emission spectrum.

Related category

• SPECTRA AND SPECTROSCOPY

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