Astronomers study the visible light spectrum from a distant star with the same d

Question

Astronomers study the visible light spectrum from a distant star with the same diameter, temperature, and age as our Sun. While they notice three strong and prominent lines associated with hydrogen, they notice 90 or so fine spectral lines that can be traced to iron. What is the likely cause for the discrepancy between the number of hydrogen to iron spectral lines?

The spectrum was insufficient and hydrogen’s hundreds of spectral lines were too thin to see

This is a special type of star which is composed of approximately 30 times as many iron atoms as hydrogen atoms

The iron atoms are heated to a higher temperature than the hydrogen atoms

Hydrogen’s small number of electrons limit the number of possible transitions whereas irons dozens of electrons allow for a multitude of transitions

There is a low density of hydrogen atoms but a very high density of iron atoms present in the photosphere of this particular star

The spectrum was insufficient and hydrogen’s hundreds of spectral lines were too thin to see

This is a special type of star which is composed of approximately 30 times as many iron atoms as hydrogen atoms

The iron atoms are heated to a higher temperature than the hydrogen atoms

Hydrogen’s small number of electrons limit the number of possible transitions whereas irons dozens of electrons allow for a multitude of transitions

There is a low density of hydrogen atoms but a very high density of iron atoms present in the photosphere of this particular star

Explanation / Answer

QUESTION:

Astronomers study the visible light spectrum from a distant star with the same diameter, temperature, and age as our Sun. While they notice three strong and prominent lines associated with hydrogen, they notice 90 or so fine spectral lines that can be traced to iron. What is the likely cause for the discrepancy between the number of hydrogen to iron spectral lines?

The spectrum was insufficient and hydrogen’s hundreds of spectral lines were too thin to see

This is a special type of star which is composed of approximately 30 times as many iron atoms as hydrogen atoms

The iron atoms are heated to a higher temperature than the hydrogen atoms

Hydrogen’s small number of electrons limit the number of possible transitions whereas irons dozens of electrons allow for a multitude of transitions

There is a low density of hydrogen atoms but a very high density of iron atoms present in the photosphere of this particular star

ANSWER:

The spectrum was insufficient and hydrogen’s hundreds of spectral lines were too thin to see. Therefore the 1st option is correct answer.

EXPLANATION:

Astronomers study the visible light spectrum from a distant star with the same diameter, temperature, and age as our Sun. While they notice three strong and prominent lines associated with hydrogen, they notice 90 or so fine spectral lines that can be traced to iron. This discrepancy between the number of hydrogen to iron spectral lines is due to the spectrum that was insufficient and hydrogen’s hundreds of spectral lines were too thin to see

The spectrum was insufficient and hydrogen’s hundreds of spectral lines were too thin to see

This is a special type of star which is composed of approximately 30 times as many iron atoms as hydrogen atoms

The iron atoms are heated to a higher temperature than the hydrogen atoms

Hydrogen’s small number of electrons limit the number of possible transitions whereas irons dozens of electrons allow for a multitude of transitions

There is a low density of hydrogen atoms but a very high density of iron atoms present in the photosphere of this particular star

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