Question

What is the purpose of a spectroscope?

1) To analyze the colors in a light beam
2) To measure the intensity of light
3) To determine the wavelength of light
4) To calculate the speed of light

Answer 1

The purpose of a spectroscope is to analyze the colors in a light beam by dispersing light into its component wavelengths to create a spectrum, used primarily for identifying substances and studying astronomical objects. The correct answer is option 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of a spectroscope is to analyze the colors in a light beam, which corresponds to option 1 of the question posed. Spectroscopes operate by dispersing light into its component wavelengths and creating a spectrum. Light first enters the equipment through a narrow aperture and is collimated by a lens. It then passes through a prism or diffraction grating, which spreads the light into a spectrum.

Each wavelength is bent differently, separating them. A second lens focuses these separated beams onto a detector, like a CCD, capturing the spectrum for analysis. Spectroscopes are vital for identifying chemicals based on their emission or absorption spectra and for studying astronomical objects to ascertain properties such as composition and temperature.