What type of spectrum shows dark lines against a continuous range of colors?

An absorption spectrum is characterized by dark lines appearing against a continuous range of colors. This occurs when light passes through a cooler gas or a transparent medium, where specific wavelengths of light are absorbed by the atoms or molecules in that medium. As a result, the spectrum shows gaps or dark lines at those specific wavelengths where the light has been absorbed.

Each dark line corresponds to a specific element or molecule, indicating the particular energy levels that electrons occupy. When electrons transition between these energy levels, they absorb certain wavelengths of light, which leads to the formation of these distinctive dark lines in the spectrum.

In contrast, an emission spectrum consists of bright lines on a dark background, which occurs when electrons fall from higher energy levels to lower energy levels, emitting light in the process. A continuous spectrum shows a complete range of colors without interruptions, indicating that all wavelengths are present without any absorption. The term "quantum spectrum" is less commonly used and not standard terminology in this context, making absorption spectrum the most precise answer to the question.

Therefore, seeing dark lines in a spectrum effectively signals that specific wavelengths have been absorbed, confirming the presence of certain elements in the gas through which the light has passed.