Why Do We See Black Lines in an Absorption Spectrum

question 12

Essay

Why do we see black lines in an absorption spectrum if the absorbed photons are (almost) instantaneously reemitted by the atoms in the cloud?

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Definitions:

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with an unconditioned stimulus, eventually comes to trigger a conditioned response in a subject.

Operant Stimulus

A stimulus that follows a behavior and increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

Unconditioned Stimulus

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any need for learning.

Cognitive Perspective

An approach in psychology that emphasizes internal mental processes as the key to understanding human behavior.