Question

Notice that the window with the light curve also has a box that tells you the apparent brightness of the Cepheid, which shows a value of 1.3×104. (The units are shown in the box, but you only need to focus on the numerical value.) Based on this apparent brightness and the luminosity you found in Part D, what is the approximate distance to this Cepheid?

Answer 1

To calculate the approximate distance to the Cepheid, use the inverse square law for light and compare the apparent brightness with the luminosity. Rearrange the equation to solve for the distance and substitute the given values to find the approximate distance to the Cepheid.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the approximate distance to the Cepheid, we can use the inverse square law for light. The apparent brightness of the Cepheid is given as 1.3×10^4 units. We can compare this with the luminosity found in Part D to estimate the distance. The apparent brightness is related to the luminosity by the inverse square law: Apparent Brightness = Luminosity / (4π × distance²).

Since we are given the apparent brightness and luminosity, we can rearrange the equation to solve for the distance. Distance = √(Luminosity / (4π × Apparent Brightness)). Substituting the given values, we can find the approximate distance to the Cepheid.