Questions and Answers
Which of the following procedures would allow you to make a spectrum of the Sun similar to the one shown, though with less detail?
In the illustration of the solar spectrum, the upper left portion of the spectrum shows the __________ visible light.
lowest frequency
Why does the Sun's spectrum contain black lines over an underlying rainbow?
Cooler gas at the surface absorbs light at particular wavelengths.
What does the brightness of the Sun's spectrum in the yellow-green region tell us?
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How can we determine what the Sun is made of?
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What would a graph representing a portion of the Sun's visible light spectrum look like?
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For a higher temperature object, the graph of intensity of light versus wavelength peaks at __________.
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Why does the neon 'OPEN' sign appear reddish-orange?
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What type of spectrum would we see when looking at a gas cloud away from the light source?
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What type of visible light spectrum does the Sun produce?
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Study Notes
Solar Spectrum Overview
- A spectrum of the Sun can be created by passing sunlight through a prism, which disperses white light into various colors.
- Absorption features in the solar spectrum manifest as dark lines against the continuous rainbow.
Visible Light Characteristics
- The upper left portion of the solar spectrum represents the lowest frequency visible light, with red having the longest wavelength.
- Longer wavelengths correspond to lower frequencies due to the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and the speed of light.
Absorption Line Spectrum Explanation
- The Sun generates a continuous spectrum from its hot interior, while cooler surface gases absorb light at specific wavelengths, resulting in an absorption line spectrum.
Temperature Insights
- The peak brightness of the solar spectrum in the yellow-green region suggests the Sun's surface temperature is approximately 5800 K, according to Wien's law.
Chemical Composition Determination
- To ascertain the Sun's elemental composition, compare the wavelengths of spectral lines in the solar spectrum with those from chemical elements analyzed in the laboratory.
Graphical Representation of the Spectrum
- Spectral data can be represented graphically, where the smooth curve indicates the continuous background spectrum, and dips signify missing light due to absorption lines.
Thermal Radiation and Temperature Relation
- According to Wien's law, hotter objects emit photons with higher energy, and their spectra peak at shorter wavelengths as temperature increases.
Emission Spectrum Characteristics
- Neon emits more yellow and red photons than blue or violet, causing neon signs to appear reddish-orange. Colored neon lights often include other elements for varied hues.
Emission Spectrum from Gas Clouds
- Viewing a gas cloud illuminated by a hot light source from the side results in an emission spectrum, as the cloud re-emits light in multiple directions.
Sun's Visible Light Spectrum Type
- The Sun produces an absorption line spectrum, with its interior acting as a hot light source and the cooler outer layers creating absorption signatures.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of the solar spectrum through engaging flashcards. Learn how different wavelengths of light can be analyzed and understood using prisms, and delve into the effects of absorption features in sunlight. These cards will enhance your knowledge of light behavior and spectral analysis.
