Spectroscopy and Light: Wavelengths, Spectral Lines, and Stellar Analysis

What is wavelength in the context of waves?

The distance between wave crests.

How does wavelength relate to frequency?

Shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies, while longer wavelengths correspond to lower frequencies.

What effect does a prism have on visible light?

Different wavelengths cause colors to behave differently, with shorter wavelengths bending more.

What is a spectroscope?

An instrument used to observe certain spectrums of light.

What are spectral lines?

Unique patterns produced by light from a star, influenced by layers of the star and electron absorption.

What is a continuous spectrum?

An unbroken band of colors that comes from glowing solids or hot compressed gases.

What characterizes an emission spectrum?

It displays unevenly spaced colors on a dark background, produced by glowing gas emitting certain wavelengths.

What is an absorption spectrum?

It shows unevenly spaced dark lines on a colored background, occurring when hot gas passes through cooler layers of a star.

How can elements in a star be identified?

By analyzing the parts of the absorption spectrum that are missing.

What happens to light from a star as it travels through its layers?

Electrons in the star block some light by absorbing it, affecting the spectrum observed.

What is the relationship between a star's size and the light it emits?

Larger and older stars block out more light, altering their spectral signature.

What is the significance of each star's unique spectral pattern?

It serves as a signature that helps identify the star's composition and properties.