Question

Stars emit radiation whose spectrum is very similar to that of a blackbody. Imagine two stars...

Stars emit radiation whose spectrum is very similar to that of a blackbody. Imagine two stars identical in size, each of which is at the same distance from us. One of the stars appears reddish in color, while the other one looks distinctly bluish. Based on this information, what can you say about the relative temperatures of the two stars? Which is the hotter?

The relative temperature of a star that is red in color is higher than that of a star that is blue in color.

The relative temperature of a star that is red in color is lower than that of a star that is blue in color.    

The appearance of a star is independent of its relative temperature; therefore, more information is needed to compare the stars.

There is no difference. Both stars are approximately the same temperature.


How do you know?

The bluish star emits radiation at a higher frequency and, therefore, a higher energy (temperature).

The reddish star emits radiation at a higher frequency and, therefore, a higher energy (temperature).    

A star's temperature is not uniform due to its internal and surface temperatures; therefore, knowing only its relative temperature is insufficient.

A star's temperature is not uniform due to its internal and surface temperatures; therefore, both stars will have approximately equal average temperatures.

Homework Answers

Answer #1

two stars identical in size, each of which is at the same distance from us. One of the stars appears reddish in color, while the other one looks distinctly bluish, mainly due to the wavelength of the radiation emitted by the starts .

so the answer is

The relative temperature of a star that is red in color is higher than that of a star that is blue in color.

for second part

The bluish star emits radiation at a higher frequency and, therefore, a higher energy (temperature).

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