Emission Spectra

Definition

Emission spectra refer to the specific wavelengths or colors of light emitted by an atom or molecule when it transitions from an excited state to a lower energy state.

Related terms

Excited State: An electron's higher energy state compared to its ground state within an atom or molecule.

Line Spectrum: A type of emission spectrum consisting only of discrete lines corresponding to specific wavelengths.

Fluorescence: A process where certain substances absorb light at one wavelength and emit it at another longer wavelength.