line spectrum
- noun
- /laɪn ˈspɛktrəm/
- Specialized
:
espectro de líneas
- The scientist observed the line spectrum of the gas, identifying different elements based on their unique wavelengths.
Examples
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In studying the emission-line spectrum of an ionized region, one aims to determine the temperature, the density, and the abundances of the elements that compose the emitting gas.
Academic text (1991) -
A single dish can obtain an emission-line spectrum in 15 to 30 minutes, whereas an interferometer would take hours—not to mention the time required for data analysis.
Academic text (1996) -
Spectrum is just lines, line spectrum, energy, you know, just their transitions between energy levels.
-
So he he measured the line Spectra, line Spectra of atomic hydrogen.
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GRAPH: Atomic-hydrogen line spectrum of the galaxy MCG-4-2-3.
Academic text (1996) -
During the experiment, the researchers recorded the line spectrum emitted by the ionized atoms after they absorbed energy.
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Analyzing the line spectrum allows astronomers to determine the composition of distant stars by examining the light they emit.
Synonyms
1
7.1
Pattern of dark lines that show which parts of light a substance removes when light passes through it
1
6.0
A pattern of lines in light made when atoms take in or give off energy, showing which element it is
A set of bright lines or bands of light given off by something hot like a gas
How Discrete
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound simply combines 'line' (a discrete mark or spectral line) with 'spectrum' (an ordered range of wavelengths), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a spectrum made up of distinct lines rather than a continuous band. While the detailed physical mechanism (emission/absorption at specific energies) is technical, the core meaning is compositional and parallels formulations in other languages.
Etymology
The term line spectrum comes from what scientists saw when they split light: instead of a smooth rainbow, the image shows thin bright lines at certain colours across the spectrum. So a line spectrum means a spectrum made of separate lines at particular 'wavelengths'.