The Atom & Light
What is a photon?
A bundle or packet of light
What does the electromagnetic spectrum show?
The range of frequencies, wavelengths, and energies of electromagnetic waves.
What is nuclear fusion?
The process where two nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy.
What color are the hottest stars?
Blue
What is a nebula?
A cloud of gas and dust where stars form.
What makes each element’s spectrum unique?
Each element has different amounts of energy given off in the form of light.
Which color of visible light has the shortest wavelength and highest energy?
Blue or Violet
What element is formed when hydrogen atoms fuse in the Sun?
Helium
What does the Hertzsprung–Russell (H–R) diagram show?
The relationship between a star’s brightness and temperature.
What is the first stage of a star’s life cycle?
Nebula → Protostar.
What does the atomic number of an element represent?
What does a spectrograph do?
Breaks light into different wavelengths to analyze the composition of distant objects.
Where does fusion occur in the Sun?
In the core
What is luminosity?
The total amount of energy or brightness a star emits.
What are the stages of an average star’s life?
Main sequence → Red giant → Planetary nebula → White dwarf.
What is the process of identifying elements based on their light spectrum called?
Spectroscopy
What can spectra tell scientists about a star?
Its composition, temperature, and motion.
What type of energy travels through the Sun’s radiative zone?
Electromagnetic energy.
Arrange star colors from hottest to coolest.
Blue, White, Yellow, Orange, Red (BWYOR).
What are the final stages of a massive star’s life?
Red supergiant → Supernova → Neutron star or black hole.
How can scientists determine what elements a star is made of?
By analyzing the emission or absorption lines in its spectrum.
Why must instruments that detect gamma rays or x-rays be placed in space?
Earth’s atmosphere absorbs these high-energy rays.
Why can fusion only occur in stars?
Extremely high temperatures and pressures are required to overcome repulsion between atomic nuclei.
What type of stars are the largest and brightest?
Supergiants
What causes a supernova explosion?
When a massive star’s core collapses after fusing iron, producing a shock wave.