Electromagnetic Spectrum Astronomy

What can scientists learn about stars by looking at the electromagnetic radiation they give off?

• it's name

• it's chemical composition (what gases are in it)

• it's distance from Earth

• it's distance from the Sun

Tags

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A ___ is is a device used in astronomy to break down light like a prism.

• telescope

• spectroscope

• stethoscope

• microscope

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Quasars are extremely distant celestial bodies. Investigators using a special telescope determined that a certain quasar was emitting waves with a FREQUENCY of 1.41 x 10⁹ Hz. Using the electromagnetic spectrum provided, investigators were most likely using a telescope that detects -

• microwaves

• visible light

• x-rays

• gamma rays

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Black holes emit tremendous amounts of energy which result in astronomers using many different means of technology to gather information. Instruments such as the GALEX satellite and Spitzer Space Telescope use different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to gather data about these strange celestial objects. To view black holes, the GALEX typically operates at a FREQUENCY of about 1.3 X 10¹⁵ Hz while the Spitzer Space Telescope operates at 2.2 X 10¹² Hz. Which two portions of the electromagnetic spectrum are astronomers using to detect information about black holes?

• Ultraviolet and X-Ray

• Gamma Ray and X-Ray

• Ultraviolet and Infrared

• Infrared and Radio

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

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What kind of telescope would be needed to see an object that emits light in the 10^-9 m range?

• Ultraviolet

• Infrared

• visible

• X-ray

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

The electromagnetic spectrum consists of

• the distance between the crest of one wave and the crest of the next wave

• all of the colors of light you can see with your eyes

• all of the different types of electromagnetic waves

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

A student drew a diagram shown to model an electromagnetic wave from the sun.

Scientists have shown that ultraviolet light from the sun that has a wavelength of 315 to 400 nanometers can damage the retina.

Use the drop-down menus to create the BEST question for the student to ask to determine whether the electromagnetic wave modeled will cause damage to the retina.

What is the ​ (a)   distance between point ​ (b)   on the model?

• horizontal

• W and point Z

• vertical

• Y and point Z

• X and point Y

• W and point Y

Answer explanation

“Horizontal” is the correct response for the first drop-down menu because the wavelength is the horizontal

distance between the same relative locations on two successive wave oscillations. “W and point Z” is the

correct response for the second drop-down menu because these are the same relative locations, the peaks

on two successive wave oscillations.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

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Avery is working on a science project and needs to observe an object that emits light in the 10^-9 m range. What kind of telescope should Avery use?

• Ultraviolet

• Infrared

• visible

• X-ray

Answer explanation

To see an object emitting light in the 10^-9 m range, which corresponds to ultraviolet light, a telescope designed for ultraviolet wavelengths is needed. Other options like infrared and X-ray are not suitable for this range.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What kind of telescope would be needed to see an object that emits light in the 10^-2 m range?

• Infrared

• Microwave

• Visible

• Ultraviolet

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

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Scientists observed a celestial object emitting a WAVELENGTH of 3 x 10^-10m. What type of telescope did the scientists have to use to view this?

• Radio wave

• Infrared ray

• X-ray

• Gamma Ray

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1