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Title: How are we able to determine the chemical composition and temperature of any vis Post by: barry on Jul 27, 2013 How are we able to determine the chemical composition and temperature of any visible object?
Title: Re: How are we able to determine the chemical composition and temperature of any vis Post by: nite_n_day on Jul 28, 2013 When an electron moves from one energy level to another (makes a transition) in an atom of a given element, it produces a photon of light at a wavelength that is unique to that transition for that element. If this spectral line with this wavelength is observed then, we know that it must have been produced by that element. Which transitions occur are determined largely by the temperature of the gas; for instance, hydrogen shows up best at 10,000 K, while helium lines require even higher temperatures.
Title: Re: How are we able to determine the chemical composition and temperature of any vis Post by: barry on Jul 28, 2013 Content hidden
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