Star Spectra - Practice

Front

What is a star spectrum?

Back

A star spectrum is the range of light emitted or absorbed by a star, which can be analyzed to determine its composition, temperature, and motion.

Front

What does red shift indicate about a star's movement?

Back

Red shift indicates that a star is moving away from the observer, as the light waves are stretched, resulting in a longer wavelength.

Front

What does blue shift indicate about a star's movement?

Back

Blue shift indicates that a star is moving toward the observer, as the light waves are compressed, resulting in a shorter wavelength.

Front

What is a spectroscope used for?

Back

A spectroscope is an instrument used to analyze the light spectrum of stars to determine their composition and other properties.

Front

What is the difference between emission and absorption spectra?

Back

Emission spectra show the specific wavelengths of light emitted by a hot gas, while absorption spectra show the wavelengths absorbed by a cooler gas in front of a light source.

Front

What can scientists determine from a star's spectrum?

Back

Scientists can determine a star's composition, temperature, density, mass, luminosity, and relative motion.

Front

What is the significance of the Doppler effect in astronomy?

Back

The Doppler effect helps astronomers determine whether a star or galaxy is moving toward or away from Earth based on the shift in its spectral lines.

Front

What is the primary use of absorption spectra in astronomy?

Back

Absorption spectra are primarily used to identify the chemical elements present in a star.

Front

How does temperature affect a star's spectrum?

Back

A star's temperature affects the color and intensity of its spectrum; hotter stars emit more blue light, while cooler stars emit more red light.

Front

What is luminosity in the context of stars?

Back

Luminosity is the total amount of energy emitted by a star per unit of time, often measured in watts.