Astr

1102: Astronomy II
Summer 2011 Louisiana State University

The Nature of Light Gravita1on Our Sun The Birth & Evolu1on of Stars The Deaths of Stars Our Galaxy & other galaxies Our Universe & Cosmology Astrobiology

Astr 1102

Electromagne;c Radia;on: The Nature of Light

Astronomical objects are at great distances from us, and their behavior is completely beyond our control. This is what makes astronomy dierent as a science, as compared to say, physics or biology or chemistry. In most cases, it is impossible to obtain a sample, experiment with it, study it under a controlled environment etc., when it comes to astronomical phenomena or objects. Thus, the role of experiment in astronomy is largely taken by observa1on. Astronomers observe a wide variety of phenomena in the sky and from these observa;ons, they try and infer the behavior of the various astronomical objects. Now, in order to observe an object, it must emit (or reect) light. Moreover, this light must directed towards us, so that it will enter our eyes (or telescope or any other detector, like a camera) and we can make the necessary observa;ons.

Electromagne;c Radia;on: The Nature of Light

Visible light, is not the only kind of light that objects emit. Visible light is part of a wider spectrum of what is called electromagne;c radia;on. Electromagne;c radia;on is made up of self-sustaining electric and magne;c elds that travel through space in the form of a wave. This wave travels at a speed of 3 x 108 m/s, which is commonly referred to as the speed of light.

Electromagne;c Radia;on
We have men;oned that light is a wave phenomena it represents a periodically repea;ng disturbance in space and ;me. For example, when you drop a pebble in s;ll water, you observe ripples. These are waves because the water molecules are disturbed in a periodic fashion.

Ripples in water

Electromagne;c Radia;on: The Nature of Light

There are three basic quan;;es that dene a wave:

Its speed, Its wavelength and, Its frequency.

The distance between successive crests or troughs of a wave is called the wavelength. Similarly, the ;me dura;on between two successive crests or troughs is the ;me period T. The frequency (f) of the wave is then given by: f = 1/T

Electromagne;c Radia;on: The Nature of Light

Electromagne;c Radia;on: The Nature of Light

Passing white light through a prism

The dierent colors are basically light with dierent wavelengths

Electromagne;c Radia;on: The Nature of Light

Electromagne;c Radia;on: The Nature of Light

A digression: Temperature Scales

Temperature Scales

Radia;on & Temperature

Radia;on & Temperature

Radia;on & Temperature

Electromagne;c Radia;on: Problems

1. At what wavelengths is the radia:on from the Sun the maximum? The surface temperature of the Sun is approximately 6000 K. At what wavelengths is the radia:on from the Earth the maximum? What is the frequency of the photons with this wavelength? What is the energy of the photons with this wavelength? Calculate the energy ux from the Sun? Calculate the energy ux from a star whose surface temperature is twice that of the Sun.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Atoms & Electromagne;c Radia;on

Con;nuous & Line Spectra

The Suns spectrum

Con;nuous & Line Spectra

Con;nuous & Line Spectra

Kirchhos Laws

Kirchhos Laws

Kirchhos Laws

Spectroscopy

Atoms & Electromagne;c Radia;on

Hydrogen atom

Carbon atom

The Periodic Table

Atoms & Electromagne;c Radia;on

Atoms & Electromagne;c Radia;on

Atoms & Electromagne;c Radia;on

Atoms & Electromagne;c Radia;on

Atoms & Electromagne;c Radia;on

Atoms & Electromagne;c Radia;on

Energy Level Diagrams

Energy Level Diagrams

Energy Level Diagrams

energy values n values

Ioniza;on

The Doppler Eect

The Doppler Eect

Blackbody Radia;on: Review

Blackbody + Line Absorp;on

Our Sun
Units