Which term is used interchangeably with absorption spectrum?

The term that is used interchangeably with absorption spectrum is the dark line spectrum. An absorption spectrum occurs when light interacts with a medium that absorbs specific wavelengths, resulting in a spectrum that shows dark lines or bands where light has been absorbed. These dark lines correspond to the particular wavelengths of light that have been absorbed by atoms or molecules in the medium, allowing you to identify the elements present.

An absorption spectrum displays a continuous spectrum of colors with specific dark lines, making it visually distinct from other types of spectra. This contrasts with emission spectra, which display bright lines on a dark background. Therefore, a dark line spectrum is a fitting synonym for an absorption spectrum, as it describes the same concept of light absorption leading to the appearance of dark lines in the spectrum.