Concept explainers
Two students are looking at a brightly lit full Moon, illuminated by reflected light from the Sun. Consider the following discussion between the two students about what the spectrum of moonlight would look like.
Student 1: I think moonlight is just reflected sunlight, so we will see the Sun's absorption line spectrum.
Student 2: I disagree. An absorption spectrum has to come from a hot, dense object. Since the Moon is not a hot, dense object, it can't give off an absorption line spectrum.
Do you agree or disagree with either or both of the students? Explain your reasoning.
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