Essential Cosmic Perspective
9th Edition
ISBN: 9780135795033
Author: Bennett
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 5, Problem 39EAP
The Changing Limitations of Science. Review the box “Extraordinary Claims: We Can Never Learn the Composition of Stars,” which gives an example of how new discoveries can change the appar-ent limitations of science. Today, other questions seem beyond the reach of science, such as the question of how life began on Earth. Do you think such questions will ever be answerable through sci-ence? Defend your opinion.
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Students have asked these similar questions
In a globular cluster, astronomers (someday) discover a star with the same mass as our Sun, but consisting entirely of hydrogen and helium. Is this star a good place to point our SETI antennas and search for radio signals from an advanced civilization?
Group of answer choices
No, because such a star (and any planets around it) would not have the heavier elements (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, etc.) that we believe are necessary to start life as we know it.
Yes, because globular clusters are among the closest star clusters to us, so that they would be easy to search for radio signals.
Yes, because we have already found radio signals from another civilization living near a star in a globular cluster.
No, because such a star would most likely not have a stable (main-sequence) stage that is long enough for a technological civilization to develop.
Yes, because such a star is probably old and a technological civilization will have had a long time to evolve and develop there.
Planetary Nebula Age.
Suppose a planetary nebula is 1 pc in radius. If the Doppler shifts in its spectrum show it is expanding at 20 km/s, how old is it? (Note that 1 pc equals 3.1x1013 km, and 1 year equals 3.2x107 seconds, to two significant figures.)
Please round your answer to two significant digits.
At =
years
You record the spectrum of a distant star using a telescope on the ground on Earth. Upon
analysing the spectrum, you discover absorption lines spaced at intervals typical of oxygen
atoms. Which of the following are possible interpretations of this evidence? Select all that
apply.
The width of the spectral lines gives the diameter of the star
The star is likely orbited by habitable planets with breathable atmospheres.
The height of the spectral lines above the star's general blackbody spectral curve tells us how much
oxygen is in the star
The atmosphere of Earth contains oxygen
The red or blueshift of the set of lines can tell us the speed of the star's motion toward or away from us
Chapter 5 Solutions
Essential Cosmic Perspective
Ch. 5 - Prob. 1VSCCh. 5 - Prob. 2VSCCh. 5 - Prob. 3VSCCh. 5 - Prob. 4VSCCh. 5 - Prob. 5VSCCh. 5 - Define wavelength, frequency, and speed for light...Ch. 5 - Prob. 2EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 3EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 4EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 5EAP
Ch. 5 - What is electrical charge? Will an electron and a...Ch. 5 - Prob. 7EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 8EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 9EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 10EAPCh. 5 - Describe the Doppler effect for light and what we...Ch. 5 - Prob. 12EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 13EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 14EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 15EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 16EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 17EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 18EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 19EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 20EAPCh. 5 - Decide whether the statement makes sense (or is...Ch. 5 - Prob. 22EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 23EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 24EAPCh. 5 - Why is a sunflower yellow? (a) It emits yellow...Ch. 5 - Compared to red light, blue light has higher...Ch. 5 - Radio waves are (a) a form of sound. (b) a form of...Ch. 5 - Prob. 28EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 29EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 30EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 31EAPCh. 5 - A spectral line that appears at a wavelength of...Ch. 5 - Prob. 33EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 34EAPCh. 5 - A Telescope Near You. For your current residence,...Ch. 5 - Prob. 38EAPCh. 5 - The Changing Limitations of Science. Review the...Ch. 5 - Prob. 40EAPCh. 5 - Group Activity: Which Telescope? You represent a...Ch. 5 - Prob. 42EAPCh. 5 - Atomic Terminology Practice II. a. What are the...Ch. 5 - Prob. 44EAPCh. 5 - Orion Nebula. Viewed through a telescope, much of...Ch. 5 - Prob. 46EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 47EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 48EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 49EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 50EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 51EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 53EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 54EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 55EAPCh. 5 - Prob. 56EAP
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