Exam-style question
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Describe the relationship between a star's temperature and its peak wavelength of emitted radiation according to Wien's law.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Wien's law states that the peak wavelength of radiation emitted by a black body is inversely proportional to its temperature.
- This means that as the temperature of a star increases, the peak wavelength of its emitted radiation decreases.
- For example, a hotter star will emit radiation primarily in shorter wavelengths, such as blue or ultraviolet light, while a cooler star will emit radiation in longer wavelengths, such as red or infrared light.
Explanation
Why this works
This answer clearly outlines the relationship defined by Wien's law, showing how temperature affects the peak wavelength of radiation. It tests the student's understanding of black-body radiation and the implications of temperature changes on stellar emissions.
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