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How many of the following adjectives are appropriate to describe the spectrum of radiation given off by a black body?

A) Continuous
B) Line
C) Atomic
D) Emission
E) Absorption

User Punkeel
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The spectrum of radiation given off by a blackbody is described as continuous and emission. Blackbody radiation emits energy over a continuous range of wavelengths rather than discrete lines, thus 'Line' and 'Absorption' are not applicable descriptions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The spectrum of radiation given off by a blackbody is continuous, meaning it is composed of radiation of a continuous range of wavelengths or colors. A blackbody, which is an idealized object, absorbs all electromagnetic energy that falls onto it and re-emits energy across a continuous range of wavelengths. The term 'line spectrum,' which consists of discrete wavelengths, would not describe a blackbody spectrum. Therefore, the accurate adjectives from the provided options to describe the spectrum of a black body are 'Continuous' and 'Emission.'

The term 'Atomic' is not typically used to describe a spectrum. 'Absorption' would describe a pattern where certain wavelengths have been absorbed and are missing from the spectrum, which is not characteristic of blackbody radiation. Blackbody radiation does not show the discrete lines or specific wavelengths absorbed or emitted by individual elements; hence, 'Line' is also not appropriate.

User Hitesh Israni
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