Question

drag each tile to the correct location.
a scientist is studying the light emitted by several celestial objects. he records the shifts in
each objects spectral lines (in nm). based on these measurements, determine whether each
object is moving toward or away from earth.
use the diagram of the visible light spectrum to help you.
400 nm shifted to 430 nm 610 nm shifted to 580 nm 512 nm shifted to 480 nm
670 nm shifted to 690 nm

Explanation:

• When an object is moving toward Earth, its spectral lines shift to shorter wavelengths (blue - shift).
• When an object is moving away from Earth, its spectral lines shift to longer wavelengths (red - shift).
• For \(400\ nm\) shifted to \(430\ nm\): \(430>400\), so it is a red - shift (moving away).
• For \(610\ nm\) shifted to \(580\ nm\): \(580 < 610\), so it is a blue - shift (moving toward).
• For \(512\ nm\) shifted to \(480\ nm\): \(480<512\), so it is a blue - shift (moving toward).
• For \(670\ nm\) shifted to \(690\ nm\): \(690>670\), so it is a red - shift (moving away).

Answer:

• Toward: \(610\ nm\ shifted\ to\ 580\ nm\), \(512\ nm\ shifted\ to\ 480\ nm\)
• Away: \(400\ nm\ shifted\ to\ 430\ nm\), \(670\ nm\ shifted\ to\ 690\ nm\)