Emission and absorption spectra

Emission and absorption spectra describe how substances interact with light. When atoms or molecules absorb specific energies, electrons jump to higher energy levels, creating dark lines or areas called absorption spectra. Conversely, when electrons fall back to lower levels, they release energy as light at particular wavelengths, producing bright lines called emission spectra. These spectra act like fingerprints, revealing a substance’s composition and properties. They are fundamental in fields like astronomy, chemistry, and physics for identifying elements and understanding the behavior of matter in different environments.