PCS 181 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Electromagnetic Spectrum, Radial Velocity, Wavelength
15 Dec 2017
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Reproducibility ability to do same thing anywhere using similar tools resulting in same results. Astronomical information is transmitted by light- specially star light. Star light can show us : stars surface temperature, chemical composition (what elements or chemical compounds can be found on star), motion, and (not covered in course ) : pressure and magnetic fields. Most dominant wave length for humans is yellow with greenish tinge. Light- mutually perpendicular oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Also moves in wavelike pattern at a speed of c=3x10^8 m/s. Wave/particle duality - light acts in different ways under different circumstances. Wavelength = color (different wave lengths, different color) 1 nanometer =1 nm = 1x10^-9m=1/1x10^9 ( 1 billionth of a metre) Wave legth of red light- 700nm = 700x10^-9m = 7x10^-7 m. Wave length of violet 400nm = 400x10^-9m = 4x10^-7 m. Middle of wave length spectrum (greenish yellow) is 550nm (must know these for test)
