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Why are spectral lines narrow?
Because the emitted photon must carry away the energy lost by the radiator. Except for tiny "recoil energy" this is the difference between the upper and lower energy levels of the well isolated emitting atom, for narrow lines.
If the atom is not part of a very rarefied gas, then other "near by" atoms interacting even weakly with it cause, especially the upper level of an outer shell excited electron, to have slightly different energy levels, so measurements of the wave lengths, which require many photons, have an observed spread or line width.
Even if the source is a very rarefied gas so the energy levels are not slightly shifted by other atoms, there is still a finite "natural width" to the line. This is caused by the uncertainty principle. I. e. unless the period in which the emission occurs is large, the photon energy can not be precise. - Billy T.
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∙ 11y ago
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The spectral lines from distant galaxies do not match spectral lines on Earth due to?
wavelength shift
Quasars have what kind of spectral lines?
Quasars have all kinds of spectral lines namely more energetic ones which makes them the brightest objects in the night sky.
Does Every element and compound in nature have a unique set of spectral lines?
Elements have several spectral lines and although some lines may be the same between different elements most lines are not and the whole spectrum for each element is indeed unique.
Can the spectral lines for two different elements be identical?
no, it is impossible
Is spectral interference more common in atomic emission spectroscopy or atomic absorption spectroscopy?
Spectral interference is more common in atomic emission spectroscopy due to overlapping spectral lines.
The spectral lines from distant galaxies do not match spectral lines on Earth due to?
wavelength shift
Spectral lines are of particular importance in astronomy because?
For one reason, astronomers can figure out what stars are composed of by looking at their spectral lines.
What is the splitting of spectral lines called?
Spectroscopy.
Quasars have what kind of spectral lines?
Quasars have all kinds of spectral lines namely more energetic ones which makes them the brightest objects in the night sky.
Why would the star Sirius find that its spectral lines are blue shifted?
The spectral lines of Sirius are blueshifted because the star is moving more or less toward us.
Does Every element and compound in nature have a unique set of spectral lines?
Elements have several spectral lines and although some lines may be the same between different elements most lines are not and the whole spectrum for each element is indeed unique.
Can the spectral lines for two different elements be identical?
no, it is impossible
Does the velocity of a star toward or away from earth determine measuring the shift of its spectral lines?
Yes. If the star is moving away from the Earth, its spectral lines will shift towards the red end of the spectrum. If it is moving towards the Earth, its spectral lines will shift towards the violet end of the spectrum. This is due to Doppler effect.
How do spectrometers work?
spectrometers split light, then the spectral lines show , and you can use spectral analysis to find out what elements are making the light.
Is spectral interference more common in atomic emission spectroscopy or atomic absorption spectroscopy?
Spectral interference is more common in atomic emission spectroscopy due to overlapping spectral lines.
How do you use spectral lines to determine if a galaxy is moving towards earth or away from earth?
The spectral lines move towards one direction, or towards the other direction, depending on the relative speed.
What is the casue of spectral lines?
Firstly spectral lines means the spectrum the band of 7 colors. The spectral lines are formed because when the light passes through tough medium it passes through the medium but the white light gets disintegrated into seven colors . The band includes the colors violet, indigo, blue, green ,yellow orange , red.
