College Physics (4th Edition)

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073512141
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-214-3

Chapter 27 - Conceptual Questions - Page 1039: 4

Answer

Hotter stars emit more blue light because these photons are high-energy with a shorter wavelength. Cooler stars emit more red light because these photons are lower energy with longer wavelengths. Stars with temperatures in the middle, like our sun, emit more yellow light.

Work Step by Step

A star emits radiation which approximates the radiation emitted from a blackbody. According to Wien's law, objects with higher temperatures emit more high energy photons with shorter wavelengths, while objects with lower temperatures emit lower energy photons with longer wavelengths. Hotter stars emit more blue light because these photons are high-energy with a shorter wavelength. Cooler stars emit more red light because these photons are lower energy with longer wavelengths. Stars with temperatures in the middle, like our sun, emit more yellow light.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.