Star Spectra - Practice

Front

What is a star spectrum?

Back

A star spectrum is a representation of the light emitted or absorbed by a star, showing the different wavelengths of light and the elements present in the star.

Front

What gases primarily make up the sun?

Back

The sun is primarily made up of helium and hydrogen.

Front

What element is indicated by the presence of strontium in a star's spectrum?

Back

The presence of strontium indicates that the star contains this specific element, which can be identified through spectral analysis.

Front

How can we determine if a star is moving towards or away from us?

Back

We can determine a star's motion by observing the Doppler effect in its spectrum; a shift towards the blue end indicates it is moving towards us, while a shift towards the red end indicates it is moving away.

Front

What is the significance of light in a spectrum?

Back

Light in a spectrum reveals the composition, temperature, density, and motion of a star.

Front

What is the Doppler effect?

Back

The Doppler effect is the change in frequency or wavelength of light (or sound) from a source moving relative to an observer.

Front

What can we learn from the absorption lines in a star's spectrum?

Back

Absorption lines in a star's spectrum indicate the presence of specific elements and compounds in the star's atmosphere.

Front

What is the difference between emission and absorption spectra?

Back

Emission spectra show bright lines at specific wavelengths emitted by elements, while absorption spectra show dark lines where light has been absorbed by elements.

Front

What role does temperature play in a star's spectrum?

Back

A star's temperature affects the color and intensity of its spectrum; hotter stars emit more light at shorter wavelengths.

Front

What is the relationship between a star's color and its temperature?

Back

A star's color is an indicator of its temperature; blue stars are hotter, while red stars are cooler.