Atomic spectroscopy is used in police forensic labs for the identification of sa

Question

Atomic spectroscopy is used in police forensic labs for the identification of sample collected at crime scenes - i.e. Bullet fragments. A bullet typically might consist of an alloy of several metals (copper, zinc, lead). How would you expect the atomic spectrum of a mixture of elements to compare to the individual spectra of the constituent elements in the sample? Would you expect the spectrum of a mixture to be a superimposition of the individual spectra, or would you expect emission of one influence the spectrum of another atom? EXPLAIN!

Explanation / Answer

The spectrum of the mixture of elements will actually be the result of superimposition of individual spectra because when light is passed the atoms of each elelment absorb the required wavelength of light so the atomic spectra will show the wavelengths of light absorbed and emiited. The absorbed wavelength does not affect another wavelenght absorbed by sample of atoms of a particular element . At the end the superimposition of the individual spectra will give the actual spectra of mixture of elements.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.