Astronomy
Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
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Chapter 20, Problem 5E

Describe how the 21-cm line of hydrogen is formed. Why is this line such an important tool for understanding the interstellar medium?

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What evidence can you cite that the interstellar medium contains both gas and dust? (Select all that apply.) (1)The dust of the interstellar medium can be detected from the emission lines of elements heavier than iron. (2)The dust of the interstellar medium can be detected by the extinction of light from distant stars. (3)The dust of the interstellar medium can be detected by the scattering of blue light from distant or embedded objects. (4)The gas of the interstellar medium can be detected from the radiation of ultraviolet photons. (5)The gas of the interstellar medium can be detected from the radiation of photons of wavelength 21 cm. (6)The gas of the interstellar medium can be detected from the absorption lines present in the light from distant stars, which must be caused by a medium of a density and temperature other than that of the stars emitting the light.
Explain why interstellar molecules are best observed at radio wavelengths.
Based on what you know about observations of the interstellar medium at wavelengths other than for visible light, select all of the correct statements from the following list. -The 21-cm radio observations are of neutral hydrogen. -Much interstellar dust between stars is not visible. -The source of hot gas observed at X-ray wavelengths is not known. -All interstellar material is cool. -Interstellar dust is observed at ultraviolet wavelengths. -Giant molecular clouds consist mostly of CO molecules. -Material observed at wavelengths longer than that of visible light is usually cool.

Chapter 20 Solutions

Astronomy

Ch. 20 - The mass of the interstellar medium is determined...Ch. 20 - Where does interstellar dust come from? How does...Ch. 20 - Figure 20.2 shows a reddish glow around the star...Ch. 20 - If the red glow around Antares is indeed produced...Ch. 20 - Even though neutral hydrogen is the most abundant...Ch. 20 - The terms H II and H2 are both pronounced “H two.”...Ch. 20 - Suppose someone told you that she had discovered H...Ch. 20 - Describe the spectrum of each of the following: A....Ch. 20 - According to the text, a star must be hotter than...Ch. 20 - From the comments in the text about which kinds of...Ch. 20 - One way to calculate the size and shape of the...Ch. 20 - New stars form in regions where the density of gas...Ch. 20 - Thinking about the topics in this chapter, here is...Ch. 20 - Stars form in the Milky Way at a rate of about 1...Ch. 20 - The 21-cm line can be used not just to find out...Ch. 20 - Astronomers recently detected light emitted by a...Ch. 20 - We can detect 21-cm emission from other galaxies...Ch. 20 - We have said repeatedly that blue light undergoes...Ch. 20 - Suppose that, instead of being inside the Local...Ch. 20 - Suppose that, instead of being inside the Local...Ch. 20 - A molecular cloud is about 1000 times denser than...Ch. 20 - Would you expect to be able to detect an H II...Ch. 20 - Suppose that you gathered a ball of interstellar...Ch. 20 - At the average density of the interstellar medium,...Ch. 20 - Consider a grain of sand that contains 1 mg of...Ch. 20 - H II regions can exist only if there is a nearby...Ch. 20 - In the text, we said that the five-times ionized...Ch. 20 - Dust was originally discovered because the stars...Ch. 20 - How would the density inside a cold cloud (T=10K)...Ch. 20 - The text says that the Local Fluff, which...
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