Question

Which of the following best describes the type of spectrum of light an asteroid would EMIT?

a) an emission spectrum with lots of lines in the visible part of the spectrum
b) an absorption spectrum with lots of lines in the infrared
c) a continuous spectrum peaking in visible light
d) a continuous spectrum with very few emission or absorption lines
e) an emission spectrum with lots of lines in the infrared part of the spectrum

Answer 1

An asteroid would emit an absorption spectrum with lots of lines in the infrared part of the spectrum, reflecting sunlight with certain wavelengths absorbed by the asteroid's minerals.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of spectrum an asteroid would emit can be best described by understanding the nature of the light emission from such bodies. Asteroids do not have their own source of light; rather, they reflect sunlight that falls onto them. When sunlight, which consists of a continuous spectrum, hits the surface of an asteroid, some of that light is absorbed and some is reflected.

The reflected light includes the sunlight spectrum with some wavelengths absorbed by the minerals on the asteroid's surface, leading to an absorption spectrum. Therefore, the correct answer to what kind of spectrum an asteroid would emit is: (b) an absorption spectrum with lots of lines in the infrared.

This is because the reflected sunlight from the asteroid would display characteristics of an absorption spectrum due to the minerals and elements present, and as asteroids are relatively cool, the absorption lines are more prominent in the infrared part of the spectrum.