Question

Which of the following can be determined by studying the spectrum of a star?



the chemicals in the atmosphere of the star

the motion of the star

the temperature of the atmosphere of the star

all of the above

Answer 1

@theEric

Answer 2

Hi! What have you been learning in class that might be useful?

Answer 3

@Nahstya

Answer 4

i didnt study anything on this as i have a few days left and im trying to catch up

Answer 5

What class is this for?

Answer 6

Integrated physics chem

Answer 7

Okay! Here's what I can tell you:

Different gasses will emit specific wavelengths of light (a.k.a. electromagnetic radiation). By looking at the spectrum, you can tell which gasses might be present.

Also, there is a relativistic phenomena where planets traveling very quickly toward or away from us will seem to be a different color. It's a difference in frequency. When a planet approaches us quickly, the frequency gets greater. We call it a blue shift.
Two good ways to remember the blue shift are that
1. Blue light is the high frequency end of the visible light spectrum
2. If a planet was green and coming at us, it could look more blue.

If something is traveling away from us fast enough, it will have a lower frequency. For similar reasons as above, this is called a red shift.

Answer 8

Did that help?

Answer 9

very much, thanks.

Answer 10

Also, I think that higher chemical energies are associated with both more numerous wavelengths emitted from atoms and also higher temperature.

Answer 11

Awesome! :)

Answer 12

thank you very much

Answer 13

You're welcome!