Absorption spectra of hydrogen and helium

An example figure from the Line Spectrum generator.

Absorption spectra of hydrogen and helium: dark lines across a continuous rainbow from 400 to 700 nm
The absorption spectra of hydrogen and helium, each a continuous rainbow from violet at 400 nm to red at 700 nm crossed by black lines where the gas absorbs light. The dark lines sit at exactly the wavelengths of each element’s bright emission lines, the way elements are identified in the light of stars.

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Answer key

  • Hydrogen: 410.2, 434.0, 486.1, 656.3 nm
  • Helium: 447.1, 471.3, 492.2, 501.6, 587.6, 667.8 nm

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