Astronomy quiz question: absorption spectrum source

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, Fall Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

[4.0 points.] An absorption spectrum is caused by:
(A) the Doppler effect.
(B) hot, agitated electrons and atoms.
(C) electrons moving to lower energy orbitals.
(D) blackbody radiation passing through diffuse, cool gas atoms.

Correct answer: (D)

The electrons in the atoms in a cool, diffuse gas will absorb select wavelengths from a continuous spectrum source.

Student responses
Section 70160
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 11 students
(C) : 6 students
(D) : 13 students

"Difficulty level": 80%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.49