Final answer:
The spectral classes O, B, A, F, G, K, and M should be placed in that exact order from highest to lowest temperature, with O being the hottest and M being the coolest.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked to place the seven stellar spectral classes in order from high temperature to low temperature. The correct sequence, starting with the hottest, is O, B, A, F, G, K, and M. This sequence is based on the temperatures of stars and the absorption lines present in their spectra, which are determined by these temperatures.
Stellar spectral classes are designated by O (the hottest), B, A, F, G (the same class as our Sun, classified as G2), K, to M (the coolest). These classes are a measure of a star's surface temperature. There are also additional classes for even cooler objects: L, T, and Y, which describe certain star-like objects such as brown dwarfs.