Products
Technologies
Applications
Services
Resources
Selection Guides
About
What are the differences between emission spectrum and absorption spectrum?
Posted September 1, 2022
Answer
| Basis of differentiation | Emission spectrum | Absorption spectrum |
| Definition | Is a spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a substance | Is a spectrum obtained by transmitting electromagnetic radiation through a substance |
| Production conditions/ Energy consumption | Produced when excited atoms release energy and obtain a lower energy level | Produced when atoms absorb energy and obtain a higher energy level |
| Result | Shows different colored lines in the spectrum | Shows dark lines or gaps in the spectrum |
| Emission/Absorption of wavelengths | Account for wavelengths emitted by a substance | Account for wavelengths absorbed by a substance |
| Application | Is used to determine the composition of a certain substance as every element in the substance has a different emission level and radiates different amounts of energy | Is used to determine the number of substances in a sample and also to determine ability of a certain object to retain heat and its absorption level |