What is the difference between a continuous spectrum, an emission line spectrum, & an absorption line spectrum?
Continuous spectrum: All possible frequencies are emitted over a broad range. An incandescent bulb and sunlight are two specific examples of black-body radiation. The incandescent bulb and the sun both emit a continuous range of frequencies = colors, as seen in a rainbow = red-violet, red, red-orange, etc. Emission-line spectrum: A few discrete frequencies (colors) are emitted. There is no emission of frequencies intermediate between these discrete frequencies. Absorption-line spectrum: When a continuous-spectrum source is viewed through a gas, for example, the gas will absorb discrete lines i.e. frequencies. Different gases absorb different sets of frequencies, so the specific gas may be identified by its “signature” absorption spectrum.
