Is the element americium a metal, metalloid, or a nonmetal?

Prism - A material that splits light into its frequencies

Absorption spectrum - The frequencies of energy absorbed by an element

Emission spectrum - The frequencies of photons a sample emits

Flame test - Heating a sample to identify it by its spectrum

Spectrum - A continuous range of wavelengths or frequencies

Line spectrum - The specific frequencies of energy transitions in a substance

Explanation:

When light passes through a prism, light separates into its component wavelengths. This is known as diffraction of light.

When a substance is exposed to heat, it absorbs energy. The absorption spectrum is the frequencies of energy absorbed by an element.

Substances at a higher energy let go of energy and return to ground state (the lowest energy state). The emission spectrum consists of the frequencies of photons a sample emits.

It is normal to heat substances in order to identify them. Flame test has to do with heating a sample to identify it by its spectrum.

The spectrum of a substance consists of a continuous range of wavelengths or frequencies absorbed or emitted by an object.

The line spectrum refers to the specific frequencies of energy transitions in a substance