line spectrums and continuous spectrums?

Question

what is the source of a continuous spectrum? what is the source of a line spectrum? What kind of info does each give?

Answer 1

With few exceptions (bremsstrahlung, etc) radiation is due to the transition of electrons between atomic or molecular states which produces discrete line or band spectra. Under some conditions this discrete spectrum is transformed into the continuous spectrum of thermal radiation by repeated absorption and emission of photons which broadens spectral lines until they merge into the continuous spectrum seen in black body radiation.

Answer 2

A continuous spectrum is put out by a solid, warm object. (black body radiation.)
A bright line spectrum is put out by a hot gas.
A dark line spectrum (continuous with dark lines where the bright lines would normally be) is created by having a cold gas in front of a hot object. The object makes the continuous spectrum, and the gas absorbs the colours it would have put out had it been hot.

Answer 3

the source of line spectrum is hydrogen spectrum
the source of band spectrum is mercury vapour lamp.