33 leey Blackbody Radiation t Part |: Spectral Curves White light is made up of all colors of light. We can see the individual colors when we shine white light through @ prism or look at a rainbow. The composition of light—called a spectrum-—can be represented by a spectral curve, which shows the brightness of each color (or wavelenath). Figure 1 shows a spectral curve for a source emitting more red and orange than indigo and violet. Notice that the red end of the curve is higher than the violet end 80 the object will appear slightly reddish in color. For a specific color on the horizontal axis, an object's brightness (or, more correctly, intensity) is represented by the height of the ‘curve at that point. 4) Which color of light is most intense in Figure 1? hed | ree 2) Imagine that the blue light and orange light from the source is now blocked. What color(s) are now presentinthe = light? 1 YR vrs ¢ vy oR Violet Indigo Blue Green Yelow Orange Red VI 3) Which of the following is the most accurate spectral curve for the spectrum Figure 1 described in question 2? -) ¢ x Intensity (Brightness) \ Intensity (Brightness) Intensity (Brightness) vVIBGYOR ViBGYOR ViIBpGyYoOR 4) What colors.of light are present in Sb above? Check your answer by discussing with another group. = [?) ma Blue Orang Hh bd x < wa 5) What colors are present in 3c above? Would D appear reddish or bluish? pug thrg biel ped “@CAPER TEAM LECTURE-TUTORIALS FOR INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY PRELIMINARY EDITION, 2002Blackbody Radiation al ‘ Part Il: Blackbody Curves é Different colors of light are manifestations of the same phenomenon but have different wavelengths, For example, red light has a wavelength between 650nm and 750nm, while violet ight has a wavelength between 350nm and 450nm. Stars also radiate light at wavelengths outside the visible range as seen in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c. The two most important features of a star's blackbody radiation curve are its maximum height—an indication of the star's energy ouput—and the wavelength at which this occurs— called the peak wavelength. For example, if Star A and Star.B are the same size and temperature, they will have identical blackbody curves. If Star B remains the same size but gets cooler, its output is reduced at all wavelenaths and the peak occurs ata longer wavelength, This is shown in Figure 2a. ents ile, rey Ouyur per seed ney Oupaperseond ron ome Verda" ween Tarcvan” wide Figure 2a Figure 2b Figure 2e { x Use Figure 2a to answer questions 6-9. Assume Stars A and B are the same size. 8) Which spectral curve has more redlight? <4 7) Which spectre: curve has more blue light? Star Al 8) Which star looks redder? Sy 6 ar 9) Two students are discussing their answers to question 8. Student 1: Star A looks redder because itis giving off more red light than Star B. Student 2: But you're ignoring how much blue light Star A gives off. Star A gives off ‘more blue light than red light 50 it looks bluish. Star B has more red than blue so it looks reddish, Star B is redder than Star A. Do you agree with Student 1, Student 2, both, or neither? Why? NA Seedent : | ks red because ct qivs met? A ligt ‘LECTURE-TUTORIALS FOR INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY v ‘@CAPER TEAM PRELIMINARY EDION, 2002 4 han Gs. You can enl Compa w bA or & wren35 Blackbody Radiation 10)Using the blackbody curves forthe stars shown in Figure 2, cicle the correct answer for each characteristic of the curves below. Longer peak wavelength Lower surface temperature Looks red Looks blue Greater energy output StarC Game_) StarA StarC (Same ) StarA StarG “Both it Star (Both) Neither StarC 41) How must Star C be diferent from Star A to account forthe difference in eneray output? SlacC must be smaller - samt temp, less enegy 42) Two students are discussing thelr answers to question 11 Student 1: The peaks are at the same place so they must be at the same temperature. If Star C were as big as Star A, It would have the same output. Since the ‘output is lower, Star C must be smaller. Student 2: No. ifits output is lower, it must be cooler. It's stil the same size. Do you agree with Student 1, Student 2, both, or neither? Why? as Dak wave og , 4. f 7 fp top Consider the blackbody curves for the stars shown in Figure 2c. 49) For each st. describe its color as either reddish or bluish. 7 Star A: Sidi) | Bluis KRedaisn 44) Which star has the greater surface temperature? Explain your reasoning, Star 4+ Sirol Peak wave length 46) Which staris larger? Explain your reasoning. (Hint: one line of reasoning uses the ‘act that Stars A and B are the same size and Stars B and D are the same temperature.) Ts +o pote Sore arog y vt mush ‘CAPER TEAM TECTURE-TUTORIALS FOR INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY PRELIMINARY EDITION, 2002