The sun's spectrum consists of a bright background crossed by dark lines. This suggests that the sun
A) is a hot object surrounded by a hot atmosphere.
B) is a hot object surrounded by a cool temperature.
C) is a cool object surrounded by a hot temperature.
D) is a cool object surrounded by a cool atmosphere.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dark lines in the sun's spectrum, known as absorption lines, are created when the sun's light passes through cooler gases in its atmosphere, causing those gases to absorb specific wavelengths of light. This indicates that the sun is a hot object (as evidenced by the bright background) surrounded by a cooler atmosphere (as evidenced by the absorption lines).

The Sun's Spectrum Consists of a Bright Background Crossed by Dark