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Chapter 6: Problem 2

Which of the following can be observed from Earth's surface? (Choose all that apply.) a. radio waves b. gamma radiation c. far UV light d. X-ray light e. visible light

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. radio waves, e. visible light

Step by step solution

01

- Identify the Characteristics of Different Radiation Types

First, understand the characteristics of each type of radiation listed. Radio waves, visible light, gamma radiation, far UV light, and X-ray light all belong to different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Some of these radiations can penetrate Earth's atmosphere, whereas others cannot.
02

- Know the Penetration Ability of Each Radiation

Radio waves and visible light can penetrate Earth's atmosphere and can be observed from Earth's surface. Gamma radiation, far UV light, and X-ray light are mostly absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and do not reach the Earth's surface in substantial amounts.
03

- Select the Radiations Observable from Earth's Surface

Based on the knowledge from the previous steps, determine which types of radiation can be observed from Earth's surface. These are primarily radio waves and visible light.
04

- Choose the Correct Options

Now, choose the options that can be observed from Earth's surface: a. radio waves e. visible light

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

radio waves
Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than infrared light.
They have frequencies between about 30 Hz and 300 GHz.
Here's why radio waves are important and can be observed from Earth's surface:
  • Radio waves have the ability to penetrate the Earth's atmosphere effectively, which allows them to be received on Earth's surface.
  • This characteristic makes radio waves crucial for communication technologies, including television, mobile phones, and satellite transmissions.
  • Radio telescopes use radio waves to observe astronomical objects, enabling us to study cosmic phenomena that are otherwise invisible in other spectra.

Radio waves facilitate our daily communications and help scientists explore the universe.
visible light
Visible light is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes can detect.
It ranges from about 380 nm to 750 nm in wavelength.
Here's what you need to know about visible light and Earth's surface:
  • Visible light penetrates the Earth's atmosphere effectively, allowing us to see the world around us.
  • The atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of visible light (blue and violet), giving the sky its blue appearance during the day.
  • Visible light is essential for photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
  • It plays a significant role in various technologies such as cameras, projectors, and optical instruments.

The ability of visible light to reach Earth's surface is fundamental for life's visual experiences and many scientific observations.
Earth's atmosphere
The Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet and is crucial for sustaining life.
It acts as a shield, protecting us from harmful types of electromagnetic radiation.
Here are key aspects of the Earth's atmosphere related to observing electromagnetic radiation:
  • It consists of several layers, including the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
  • The atmosphere absorbs and scatters various types of electromagnetic radiation such as gamma rays, X-rays, and most UV light, thus preventing them from reaching the Earth's surface and causing harm.
  • Certain wavelengths, like radio waves and visible light, pass through the atmosphere, allowing us to observe and interpret them from the surface.
  • The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere, specifically absorbs the majority of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

The Earth's atmosphere not only supports life by regulating temperature and providing breathable air but also by filtering and allowing safe radiation to reach the surface.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The advantage of an interferometer is that a. the resolution is dramatically improved. b. the focal length is dramatically increased. c. the light-gathering power is dramatically increased. d. diffraction effects are dramatically decreased. e. chromatic aberration is dramatically decreased.

Gravitational waves travel at the speed of light. Their speed, wavelength, and frequency are related as \(c=\lambda \times f\). If we were to observe a gravitational wave from a distant cosmic event with a frequency of 10 hertz \((\mathrm{Hz}),\) what would be the wavelength of the gravitational wave?

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) flies at an average altitude of \(280 \mathrm{km}\) above the martian surface. If its cameras have an angular resolution of 0.2 arcsec, what is the size of the smallest objects that the \(M R O\) can detect on the martian surface?

Assume that the maximum aperture of the human eye, \(D\), is approximately \(8 \mathrm{mm}\) and the average wavelength of visible light, \(\lambda,\) is \(5.5 \times 10^{-4} \mathrm{mm}\). a. Calculate the diffraction limit of the human eye in visible light. b. How does the diffraction limit compare with the actual resolution of \(1-2\) arcmin \((60-120 \text { arcsec }) ?\) c. To what do you attribute the difference?

If we could increase the quantum efficiency of the human eye, it would a. allow humans to see a larger range of wavelengths. b. allow humans to see better at night or in other low-light conditions. c. increase the resolution of the human eye. d. decrease the resolution of the human eye.
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