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line spectrum Definition

line spectrum

noun

  1. a spectrum that consists of narrow, brightly colored, parallel lines on a dark background, emitted by a low-pressurized glowing gas
  2. a spectrum that consists of narrow, dark, parallel lines on a brightly colored background, produced from a hot light source that is surrounded by cooler gases that absorb and thus remove certain wavelengths

line spectrum Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

characteristic: When a gas is heated or a large electric current is passed through it, the gas emits a characteristic line spectrum.