Exam-style question
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What can be inferred about the temperature of a star if its spectrum shows strong absorption lines for hydrogen?.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The presence of strong hydrogen absorption lines indicates that the star's surface temperature is relatively high, as hydrogen is ionized at elevated temperatures.
- This suggests that the star is likely a main-sequence star, where hydrogen fusion occurs in its core.
Explanation
Why this works
This answer is strong because it connects the evidence of hydrogen absorption lines to the temperature of the star, demonstrating an understanding of stellar spectra. It implies that the temperature affects the ionization of elements, leading to observable spectral features.
The conclusion links the spectral evidence directly to the classification of the star.
Common mistake
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