Compare the spectra produced by incandescent and fluorescent sources?

Question

Spectroscope

Answer 1

An incandescent filament is just a hot body, and gives you a continuous spectrum.

A fluorescent source works by producing high-energy states (sometimes called "excited states") of atoms, which emit energy as light of definite wavelengths. This is because there are only definite energy levels that electrons can fit into around an atom.

If you get the chance, look at a fluorescent light through a prism or a diffraction grating. You will see separated colours with gaps in between them. Then look at an ordinary incandescent source, and you will see a continuous spectrum.

Answer 2

Incandescent Spectrum