Exam-style question
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How does the temperature of a star affect its absorption spectrum?.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The temperature of a star influences the energy levels of the atoms in its atmosphere, which in turn affects the wavelengths of light that are absorbed.
- As the temperature increases, higher energy transitions become possible, leading to changes in the absorption lines observed in the spectrum.
- This allows astronomers to infer the star's temperature based on the spectrum.
Explanation
Why this works
This answer effectively explains the cause (star temperature) and its mechanism (influence on atomic energy levels) leading to the effect (changes in absorption lines). The consequence is the ability to infer the star's temperature from its spectrum, which is a key aspect of stellar classification.
Common mistake
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