PHYS 1303, Chap. 4 DMC Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
1. There are three general types of spectra: continu- Continuous: 1 solid rainbow
ous, emission, and absorption. Each is character- Emission: 2 mostly black
ized by a different distribution of the wavelengths w/some color
(i.e., colors) of radiation. Sort the images of the Absorption: 2 rainbows
three types of spectra into the appropriate bins. w/black lines
(Each type of spectrum is
unique in the way the wave-
lengths (colors) of light are dis-
tributed. The continuous spec-
trum shows a continuum of all
the colors, whereas the emis-
sion spectra show only spe-
cific lines of emitted color.
The absorption spectra show
only small black ranges where
specific colors have been ab-
sorbed away.)
2. A continuous spectrum shows the whole continuum A continuous spectrum is pro-
of colors without interruption. Select the appropri- duced by a luminous solid or
ate physical description of a source that would pro- liquid, or a suflciently dense
duce a continuous spectrum. gas. (A hot, high-density light
Select the correct statement. source produces a continuous
spectrum.)
3. An emission spectrum is primarily black and has An emission spectrum is pro-
only certain narrow lines of color, corresponding to duced by a low-density, hot
emitted wavelengths of light. Select the appropriate gas.
physical description of a source that would produce (An emission spectrum is pro-
an emission spectrum. duced by a hot, low-density
Select the correct statement. source.)
, PHYS 1303, Chap. 4 DMC Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
4. An absorption spectrum looks like a continuous An absorption spectrum is pro-
spectrum that has narrow black lines correspond- duced when a hot, dense
ing to absorbed wavelengths of light. Select the source shines through a cool,
appropriate physical description of a source that thin gas.
would produce an absorption spectrum. (An absorption spectrum is
Select the correct statement. produced by light from a hot,
high-density source passing
through a cool, low-density
medium.)
5. No astronomical object that produces a continuous Emission spectrum:
visible spectrum of light has ever been observed. emission nebula
However, there are many astronomical objects that planetary nebula
produce emission or absorption spectra. Read the Absorption spectrum:
following descriptions of astronomical objects, and Sun
then sort the labeled images into the appropriate atmosphere of Titan
bins according to the type of spectrum each object (Spectroscopy is an extremely
produces. valuable method of astronomi-
Emission nebula: a cloud of hot, interstellar gas cal study. Astronomers can de-
glowing as a result of one or more nearby young termine the composition, den-
stars that ionize the gas. sity, and temperature of celes-
Planetary nebula: a glowing cloud of hot, low-den- tial objects by interpreting the
sity gas that is ejected from a red-giant star. light that is either emitted or
Sun: a glowing ball of extremely dense gas powered absorbed by the objects.)
by nuclear fusion in its core, but surrounded by a
low-density, cooler atmosphere.
Atmosphere on Titan: a layer of cool, low-density
gas confined close to the surface of Titan, one of
Saturn's moons.
6. The circles in the diagrams below represent ener- As your answer correctly shows,
gy levels in an atom, and the arrows show elec- the emitted photon must have
1. There are three general types of spectra: continu- Continuous: 1 solid rainbow
ous, emission, and absorption. Each is character- Emission: 2 mostly black
ized by a different distribution of the wavelengths w/some color
(i.e., colors) of radiation. Sort the images of the Absorption: 2 rainbows
three types of spectra into the appropriate bins. w/black lines
(Each type of spectrum is
unique in the way the wave-
lengths (colors) of light are dis-
tributed. The continuous spec-
trum shows a continuum of all
the colors, whereas the emis-
sion spectra show only spe-
cific lines of emitted color.
The absorption spectra show
only small black ranges where
specific colors have been ab-
sorbed away.)
2. A continuous spectrum shows the whole continuum A continuous spectrum is pro-
of colors without interruption. Select the appropri- duced by a luminous solid or
ate physical description of a source that would pro- liquid, or a suflciently dense
duce a continuous spectrum. gas. (A hot, high-density light
Select the correct statement. source produces a continuous
spectrum.)
3. An emission spectrum is primarily black and has An emission spectrum is pro-
only certain narrow lines of color, corresponding to duced by a low-density, hot
emitted wavelengths of light. Select the appropriate gas.
physical description of a source that would produce (An emission spectrum is pro-
an emission spectrum. duced by a hot, low-density
Select the correct statement. source.)
, PHYS 1303, Chap. 4 DMC Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
4. An absorption spectrum looks like a continuous An absorption spectrum is pro-
spectrum that has narrow black lines correspond- duced when a hot, dense
ing to absorbed wavelengths of light. Select the source shines through a cool,
appropriate physical description of a source that thin gas.
would produce an absorption spectrum. (An absorption spectrum is
Select the correct statement. produced by light from a hot,
high-density source passing
through a cool, low-density
medium.)
5. No astronomical object that produces a continuous Emission spectrum:
visible spectrum of light has ever been observed. emission nebula
However, there are many astronomical objects that planetary nebula
produce emission or absorption spectra. Read the Absorption spectrum:
following descriptions of astronomical objects, and Sun
then sort the labeled images into the appropriate atmosphere of Titan
bins according to the type of spectrum each object (Spectroscopy is an extremely
produces. valuable method of astronomi-
Emission nebula: a cloud of hot, interstellar gas cal study. Astronomers can de-
glowing as a result of one or more nearby young termine the composition, den-
stars that ionize the gas. sity, and temperature of celes-
Planetary nebula: a glowing cloud of hot, low-den- tial objects by interpreting the
sity gas that is ejected from a red-giant star. light that is either emitted or
Sun: a glowing ball of extremely dense gas powered absorbed by the objects.)
by nuclear fusion in its core, but surrounded by a
low-density, cooler atmosphere.
Atmosphere on Titan: a layer of cool, low-density
gas confined close to the surface of Titan, one of
Saturn's moons.
6. The circles in the diagrams below represent ener- As your answer correctly shows,
gy levels in an atom, and the arrows show elec- the emitted photon must have
