Download Spectra and the Chemical Composition of Stars

Spectra and the Chemical Composition of Stars
ACTIVITY 2:
Answer the following questions:
1.
What type of spectrum is produced by sunlight (white light) when it passes
through a prism?
2.
Draw a spectroscope and its component parts.
3.
How does an absorption spectrum of a star differ from the continuous spectrum
shown in the last frame? Why does this occur?
4.
If you could place a spectroscope at a star’s surface what kind of spectrum
would be produced?
5.
What two elements make up most of the Sun’s composition?
6.
How do you confirm that a star contains a particular element?
7.
What element or elements are found in:
a) The example spectrum?
b) Sample # 1
c) Sample # 2
d) Sample # 3
e) Sample # 4
f) Sample # 5

8.
Skip the next few frames (samples # 6, 7, 8 and 9)
Will a hot star have more or less dark lines on its absorption spectra?
Conclusions:
How can you use spectral analysis to determine a star’s chemical composition and
temperature?
You can now exit the program: Spectra and the Chemical Composition of Stars
In the same folder you will find another multimedia activity titled Spectra and the
Doppler Effect. Launch this activity now.