Astronomy quiz question: light passing through a dark nebula

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, spring semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

__________ light can be seen from stars behind a dark nebula.
(A) Infrared.
(B) Ultraviolet.
(C) Blue.
(D) Doppler shifted.

Correct answer: (B)

Dust particles will scatter shorter wavelength light more than longer wavelengths. Infrared light, which is the longest wavelength light listed here, should be least affected by passing through a dark nebula.

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz05s0F7
(A) : 19 students
(B) : 8 students
(C) : 8 students
(D) : 3 students
(No response): 1 student

"Success level": 53% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.68