The spectrum of Star A has an absorption line of hydrogen at 660.0 nm. The spectrum of Star B has an absorption line at 666 nm. The wavelength of this transition in the laboratory is 656.2 nm. What can I say about Star A and B?

Question

Chad Bryant

Physics

29 November, 08:39

The spectrum of Star A has an absorption line of hydrogen at 660.0 nm. The spectrum of Star B has an absorption line at 666 nm. The wavelength of this transition in the laboratory is 656.2 nm. What can I say about Star A and B?

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Answers (1)

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Danielle Travis · Answer 1

The stars are moving away from us.

Explanation:

The observed wavelengths of hydrogen transition for stars A and B (660.0 nm and 666 nm respectively) are greater than that observed in the laboratory (656.2 nm). The observed long wavelengths for the stars means that the light from the stars is red-shifted.

According to the Doppler effect, red-shifted light means that the source is moving a way from the observer; therefore, we arrive at the conclusion that the stars A and B are moving away from us.