Kirchoff's Laws of Spectroscopy

• Every element has a finger print
  • They interact with light in their own way
• Either in absorption or emission, finger print or spectral lines are in the same place
  • Have the same wavelengths

1. A luminous solid, liquid, or dense gas emits light of all wavelengths
2. A low density, hot gas seen against a cooler background emits an emission spectrum
   • Looks all black, except for light being emitted
3. A low density, cool gas in front of a hotter source of a continuous spectrum creates an absorption spectrum
   • Full rainbow but stuff is being absorbed (certain wavelengths --> black)

Spectroscopy Physics