Astronomy Spectral Lines

Can an atom emit light if the electrons are all in the ground state?

• yes

• no

What type of spectrum is produced by a hot low density gas, such as a neon sign?

• Continuous Spectrum

• Emission Spectrum

• Absorption Spectrum

What type of spectrum is produced by white light passing through a cold dark cloud?

• Continuous spectrum

• Emission Spectrum

• Absorption Spectrum

What types of spectra are produced by stars?

• Continuous Spectrum

• Emission Spectrum

• Absorption Spectrum

The spectral curve on the graph below illustrates the energy output versus wavelength of an unknown star. Assume that the left end of each spectrum corresponds to shorter blue wavelengths. Which absorption spectra belongs to this unknown star?

• a

• b

• c

• d

Tags

CCSS.HSA.REI.D.10

CCSS.HSS.ID.A.1

The three spectral curves shown below illustrate the energy output versus wavelength for three unknown stars A, B, and C. Which of the stars has the highest temperature? Look carefully at the peaks!

• A

• B

• C

Tags

CCSS.HSF.IF.B.4

CCSS.HSA.REI.D.10

CCSS.HSF.IF.C.7

If star P is hotter than Star Q, which of the following statements is true about the dark line absorption spectra for two stars?

• There will be more absorption lines at the blue end of the spectrum for the hotter star.

• There will be more absorption lines at the red end of the spectrum for the hotter star.

• There will be more lines in the absorption spectrum for the hotter star.

• There will be fewer lines in the absorption spectrum of the hotter star.

• None of the above can be concluded.

Consider the two spectral curves for Star V and Star Y shown in the graph. What can you determine about the relative temperatures of the two stars?

• Star V is at a higher temperature.

• Star Y is at the higher temperature.

• Both stars are the same temperature

• The relative temperatures of the stars cannot be determined.

Tags

CCSS.HSF.IF.B.4

Consider the dark line absorption spectra for Star A and Star B shown. Assume that the left end of each spectrum corresponds to shorter wavelengths (blue light) and that the right end of each spectrum corresponds with longer wavelengths (red light). What can you determine about the relative temperatures of the two stars?

• Star A is at the higher temperature

• Star B is at the higher temperature

• Both stars have the same temperature

• The relative temperatures of the stars cannot be determined.

Tags

CCSS.HSF.IF.B.4

CCSS.HSF.IF.C.7

Which star is the hottest?

• A start that looks red

• A star that looks orange

• A star that looks green

• A star that looks blue.