In comparing the dark Fraunhofer lines with light emitted by elements in a flame, Bunsen and Kirchhoff demonstrated that ________
A)atoms emit and absorb electromagnetic radiation at characteristic wavelengths.
B)the solar spectrum has dark lines.
C)helium may be found in minerals that contain uranium.
D)electrons are responsible for the absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation.
E)the solar spectrum has bright lines.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

By comparing the dark lines observed in the solar spectrum with the spectra emitted by various elements in a flame, Bunsen and Kirchhoff discovered that each atom emits and absorbs electromagnetic radiation at characteristic wavelengths, which are unique to each element. This led to the development of spectroscopy and provided evidence for the existence of atoms as discrete entities.

In Comparing the Dark Fraunhofer Lines with Light Emitted by Elements