Suppose that you take the spectra of several stars to identify the 434-nm line of hydrogen (color = indigo), but you find the lines are shifted due to the Doppler effect. Of the following shifted locations of this line, which one is that of a star that is moving away from us at the highest speed?

Question

Chemistry

Gilbert Reeves

22 August, 18:43

Suppose that you take the spectra of several stars to identify the 434-nm line of hydrogen (color = indigo), but you find the lines are shifted due to the Doppler effect. Of the following shifted locations of this line, which one is that of a star that is moving away from us at the highest speed?

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Ronan Francis · Answer 1

Answer:if the wavelength increases, it is that of a star moving away from us. If the wavelength decreases, it is that of a star moving away from us.

Explanation: Doppler effect is caused by a motion towards or away from the observer (this motion is called a radial velocity). The greater the Doppler effect, the greater the motion towards or away from us. Sideways motion does nor cause Doppler effect.

The formula for calculation of Doppler effect = (wavelength emitted by the source) - (wavelength observed by the observer) / wavelength emitted by the source

Which also equals to; V/c

Where v = speed and c = speed of light.

The amount the pattern is shifted can enable us to determine the speed of the objects in our line of sight.