absorption spectrum

n. The electromagnetic spectrum, broken by a specific pattern of dark lines or bands, observed when radiation traverses a particular absorbing medium and through a spectroscope. The absorption pattern of an element is unique and can be used to identify the substance of the medium.

absorption spectrum

n (General Physics) the characteristic pattern of dark lines or bands that occurs when electromagnetic radiation is passed through an absorbing medium into a spectroscope. An equivalent pattern occurs as coloured lines or bands in the emission spectrum of that medium

absorp′tion spec`trum

n. the spectrum formed by electromagnetic radiation that has passed through a medium in which radiation of certain frequencies is absorbed. [1875–80]

absorption spectrum

The pattern of dark lines and colors made when light passes through an absorbing medium, such as a gas or liquid. The dark lines represent the colors that are absorbed. Because each type of atom absorbs a unique range of colors, the absorption spectrum can be used to identify the composition of distant substances, such as the gaseous outer layers of stars.

Thesaurus

Noun

absorption spectrum - the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that has passed through a medium that absorbed radiation of certain wavelengthsspectrum - an ordered array of the components of an emission or wave

absorption spectrum

absorption spectrum:

see spectrumspectrum,
arrangement or display of light or other form of radiation separated according to wavelength, frequency, energy, or some other property. Beams of charged particles can be separated into a spectrum according to mass in a mass spectrometer (see mass spectrograph).
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absorption spectrum

A spectrum that is produced when electromagnetic radiation has been absorbed by matter. Typically, absorption spectra are produced when radiation from an incandescent source, i.e. radiation with a continuous spectrum, passes through cooler matter. Radiation is absorbed (i.e. its intensity is diminished) at selective wavelengths so that a pattern of very narrow dips or of wider troughs – i.e. absorption lines or bands – are superimposed on the continuous spectrum.

The wavelengths at which absorption occurs correspond to the energies required to cause transitions of the absorbing atoms or molecules from lower energy levels to higher levels. In the hydrogen atom, for example, absorption of a photon with the required energy results in a ‘jump’ of the electron from its normal orbit to one of higher energy (see hydrogen spectrum).

The absorption lines (or bands) of a star are produced when elements (or compounds) in the outermost layers of the star absorb radiation from a continuous distribution of wavelengths generated at a lower level in the star. Basically the same elements occur in stars. Since each element has a characteristic pattern of absorption lines for any particular temperature (and pressure) range, there are several different types of stellar spectra depending on the surface temperature of the star. See spectral types. See also emission spectrum.

Absorption Spectrum

the spectrum that results when optical or X-radiation is passed through a substance and is selectively absorbed.

absorption spectrum

[əb′sȯrp·shən ‚spek·trəm] (spectroscopy) A plot of how much radiation a sample absorbs over a range of wavelengths; the spectrum can be a plot of either absorbance or transmittance versus wavelength, frequency, or wavenumber.

absorption spectrum

spectrum

[spek´trum] (L.) 1. the series of images resulting from the refraction of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light, x-rays) and their arrangement according to frequency or wavelength.2. range of activity, as of an antibiotic, or of manifestations, as of a disease. adj., adj spec´tral.absorption spectrum one obtained by passing radiation with a continuous spectrum through a selectively absorbing medium.broad-spectrum effective against a wide range of microorganisms.visible spectrum that portion of the range of wavelengths of electromagnetic vibrations (from 770 to 390 nanometers) which is capable of stimulating specialized sense organs and is perceptible as light.

ab·sorp·tion spec·trum

the spectrum observed after light has passed through, and been partially absorbed by, a solution or translucent substance; many molecular groupings have characteristic light absorption patterns, which can be used for detection and quantitative assay.

absorption spectrum

The range of light a substance absorbs, plotted as a function of energy, frequency or wavelength.

ab·sorp·tion spec·trum

(ăb-sōrp'shŭn spek'trŭm) The spectrum observed after light has passed through, and been partially absorbed by, a solution or translucent substance. Many molecular groupings have characteristic light absorption patterns, which can be used for detection and quantitative assay.

absorption spectrum

that wavelength of the light spectrum which is absorbed by a pigment. For example, chlorophyll (see Fig. 9 absorbs red and blue light and thus appears green. See ACTION SPECTRUM.

absorption spectrum

absorption spectrum

absorption spectrum

absorp′tion spec`trum

absorption spectrum

absorption spectrum

absorption spectrum:

absorption spectrum

Absorption Spectrum

absorption spectrum

absorption spectrum

spectrum

ab·sorp·tion spec·trum

absorption spectrum

ab·sorp·tion spec·trum

absorption spectrum

absorption spectrum

Words related to absorption spectrum

noun the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that has passed through a medium that absorbed radiation of certain wavelengths

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