line spectra; line emission spectrum. Compare with band spectrum and continuous spectrum. emission spectrum that contains very sharp peaks, corresponding to transitions between states in free atoms. For example, the line spectrum of hydrogen contains 4 sharp lines in the visible part of the spectrum.

The pattern of colored lines emitted by an element.

the specific wavelengths of light absorbed and emitted by a gas. The line spectrum is different for each type of gas.

a spectrum showing only certain discrete wavelengths

a spectrum in which energy is concentrated at particular wavelengths; produced by excited atoms and ions as they fall back to a lower energy level

An atomic emission or absorption spectrum.

A spectrum that consists of a few discrete lines.