If the sunlight from a star peaks at a wavelength of 0.55 µm,what temperature does this imply for the surface of that star? The constant in Wien's law is 0.00290 m ∙ K.
A)9500 K
B)5300 K
C)2500 K
D)25,000 K
E)15,000 K

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Wien's law states that the wavelength of maximum intensity emitted by a blackbody is inversely proportional to the absolute temperature of the body.

λ_max T = constant

Substituting the given values:

0.55 µm = 0.00055 m (since 1 µm = 10^-6 m) 
0.00290 m ∙ K = constant

0.55 µm = constant / T

T = constant / 0.55 µm

T = 0.00290 m ∙ K / 0.55 µm

T = 5273 K

Therefore, the temperature of the star's surface is approximately 5300 K, which is option B.

If the Sunlight from a Star Peaks at a Wavelength