| Every chemical element has a characteristic spectrum, or particular distribution of electromagnetic radiation. Because of these “signature” wavelength patterns, it is possible to identify the constituents of an unknown substance by analyzing its spectrum; this technique is called spectroscopy. Emission spectrums, such as the representative examples shown here, appear as several lines of specific wavelength separated by absolute darkness. The lines are indicative of molecular structure, occurring where atoms make transitions between states of definite energy. |
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