As a new star evolves from COOL dust and gas to a HOT star, the peak wavelength of its spectrum of emitted electromagnetic radiation could
A) change from the infrared to the visible wavelengths.
B) change from the ultraviolet to the visible range.
C) increase from the visible to infrared wavelengths.
D) remain the same.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As a star evolves from cool dust and gas to a hot star, its temperature increases. According to Wien's displacement law, as the temperature of a black body increases, the peak wavelength of its emitted radiation shifts to shorter wavelengths. Therefore, the peak wavelength would shift from the infrared (associated with cooler objects) to the visible range (associated with hotter objects).

As a New Star Evolves from COOL Dust and Gas