What does a continuous spectrum look like?

A continuous spectrum is characterized by a smooth transition of colors, where all wavelengths of visible light are present without any gaps. This means that as you observe the spectrum, you will see a gradual blending between colors, such as from red to orange to yellow to green, blue, indigo, and violet.

This phenomenon occurs when light is emitted or reflected in such a way that all colors combine to create a full range of hues. A common example would be the light from an incandescent bulb or sunlight, which produces this continuous range of colors when passed through a prism.

In contrast, the other options represent different types of spectra. Bright lines against a dark background suggest an emission spectrum, where specific wavelengths of light are emitted by an excited gas, resulting in distinct lines rather than a continuous range. Discreet lines of color also indicate an emission or absorption spectrum, highlighting specific wavelengths of light rather than a full spectrum. Black and white patterns do not represent light in the visible spectrum and indicate a lack of color, so they do not describe a continuous spectrum either.

Thus, the characteristics that define a continuous spectrum are best captured by the merging colors, making the correct choice clear.