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girlinphysics
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We were looking at the spectral lines of sodium in class and I was wondering, why do we see lines, and not any other shape like circles?
vanhees71 said:We can't answer your question very well, if you don't give us some details. Without the exeprimental setup, we can not figure out about the shape of the spectra you observe.
bhillyard said:Was the light beam passed through a straight line slit? It usually is so the straight lines are effectively images of the slit.
ehild said:The spectrograph maps the image of the slit onto a screen.
The spectral lines we see in a spectrum are a result of the absorption or emission of specific wavelengths of light by atoms or molecules. These atoms and molecules have specific energy levels, and when they absorb or emit light, it is in the form of discrete energy packets, resulting in spectral lines. Other shapes, such as circles or triangles, do not have this discrete energy level structure and therefore do not produce spectral lines.
The spectral lines in a spectrum are caused by the absorption or emission of specific wavelengths of light by atoms or molecules. This occurs when an electron in an atom or molecule jumps from one energy level to another, releasing or absorbing energy in the form of light. The specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed or emitted correspond to the energy difference between the two energy levels.
The different colors of spectral lines correspond to different wavelengths of light. Each element has a unique set of energy levels, and therefore, it absorbs or emits specific wavelengths of light. The color of the spectral line is determined by the wavelength of light that is absorbed or emitted by the element.
While we cannot see individual spectral lines with the naked eye, we can see the overall pattern of spectral lines in a spectrum. This pattern is a result of the combination of all the individual spectral lines produced by different elements in the source of light.
Spectral lines are important in science because they provide valuable information about the composition and properties of different substances. By studying the specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed or emitted by elements, scientists can identify the elements present in a substance and determine other properties such as temperature and density. Spectral lines are also used in fields such as astronomy to study the composition of stars and galaxies.