Studying a Spectrum from a Star Can Tell Us a Lot

question 21

Multiple Choice

Studying a spectrum from a star can tell us a lot. All of the following statements are true except one. Which statement is not true?

• A)The total amount of light in the spectrum tells us the star's radius.
• B)We can identify chemical elements present in the star by recognizing patterns of spectral lines that correspond to particular chemicals.
• C)The peak of the star's thermal emission tells us its temperature: hotter stars peak at shorter (bluer)wavelengths.
• D)Shifts in the wavelengths of spectral lines compared to the wavelengths of those same lines measured in a laboratory on Earth can tell us the star's speed toward or away from us.

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