Which of the following best describes a continuous spectrum?

• A. A spectrum that consists of only a few specific wavelengths separated by dark regions.
• B. A spectrum produced by the emission of light from excited atoms in a gas.
• C. A spectrum that contains all wavelengths of visible light without any gaps.
• D. A spectrum that shows only the absorption of certain wavelengths by a substance.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a continuous spectrum is one that shows an unbroken sequence of wavelengths, meaning it contains all wavelengths within a certain range without any gaps or missing parts.
2. Recall that a continuous spectrum is typically produced by a dense, hot object like a solid, liquid, or a dense gas that emits light across a broad range of wavelengths.
3. Contrast this with an emission spectrum, which consists of specific bright lines at particular wavelengths emitted by excited atoms in a gas, and an absorption spectrum, which shows dark lines where certain wavelengths are absorbed by a substance.
4. Recognize that a spectrum with only a few specific wavelengths separated by dark regions corresponds to an emission or line spectrum, not a continuous spectrum.
5. Therefore, the best description of a continuous spectrum is one that contains all wavelengths of visible light without any gaps.