Star Spectra - Practice

Front

What is a star spectrum?

Back

A star spectrum is the range of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a star, which can be analyzed to determine its composition, temperature, density, and motion.

Front

What is an absorption spectrum?

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An absorption spectrum is a spectrum that shows dark lines or bands, indicating the absorption of specific wavelengths of light by elements in a star's atmosphere.

Front

What is an emission spectrum?

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An emission spectrum is a spectrum that shows bright lines or bands, indicating the wavelengths of light emitted by excited atoms in a star.

Front

What is a continuous spectrum?

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A continuous spectrum is a spectrum that shows a complete range of colors without any gaps, produced by hot, dense objects like stars.

Front

What elements are commonly found in stars?

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Common elements found in stars include hydrogen, helium, carbon, oxygen, and heavier elements like iron and strontium.

Front

How can we determine the distance of a star from Earth?

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The distance of a star can be determined using methods such as parallax, standard candles, or redshift measurements.

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What does redshift indicate about a star's movement?

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Redshift indicates that a star is moving away from Earth, as the wavelengths of light are stretched to longer (redder) wavelengths.

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What does blueshift indicate about a star's movement?

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Blueshift indicates that a star is moving towards Earth, as the wavelengths of light are compressed to shorter (bluer) wavelengths.

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What is the significance of the Doppler effect in astronomy?

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The Doppler effect helps astronomers determine the motion of stars and galaxies by observing changes in the frequency of light they emit.

Front

What is the role of spectroscopy in studying stars?

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Spectroscopy allows scientists to analyze the light from stars to determine their composition, temperature, and motion.