Spectrum

Description

A distribution of frequencies seen as a rainbow of colors over the visible range. A spectrum is also a plot measuring the intensity of radiation at each wavelength over the range of frequencies. For example, an infrared (IR) spectrum shows the variations in radiation intensity over the infrared region.

Synonyms and Related Terms

spectra (pl.); Spektrum (Deut.); espectro (Port.);

Resources and Citations

• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• Walter C. McCrone, John Gustave Delly, The Particle Atlas, W. McCrone Associates, Chicago, IV, 1972

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrum (accessed Mar 2006)