E.1.6—Spectra and composition Topic Practice
E.1.6—Spectra and composition Topic Practice
Practise explaining how astronomers use stellar spectra, especially line positions, to infer which elements are present in stars.
How this is tested
- explain that gases in a star produce absorption lines, then compare observed wavelengths with laboratory spectra
- use matching spectral lines to justify the presence of a named element such as helium in the Sun