Question
Electromagnetic Spectrum Lab Report
Student Name: Jayden Catalan
Directions: In this experiment, you will analyze the spectrometric patterns of three newly discovered astronomical objects. You will then determine the elements present in those objects based on the patterns.
Question
How can we determine the composition of astronomical objects using the electromagnetic spectrum?
Research
Use the lesson to answer the questions.
Pre-lab Questions Place your answers below.
1. How does the EM spectrum help us find out what stars are made of? The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum helps us determine the composition of stars and other astronomical objects by analyzing the light they emit. When light from a star passes through a prism or is observed through a spectrometer, it creates a spectrum that shows various wavelengths of light. Each element emits or absorbs light at characteristic wavelengths, resulting in unique patterns of lines (spectral lines) within the spectrum. By comparing the observed spectral lines to known wavelengths associated with specific elements, scientists can identify the elements present in the star's atmosphere, allowing us to infer its composition, temperature, density, mass, distance, luminosity, and relative motion.
2. Why do you think it is important to use different types of technology when studying space? Using different types of technology is essential when studying space because each technology can observe different aspects of celestial objects across various wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. For example, optical telescopes capture visible light, while radio telescopes detect radio waves, and infrared telescopes observe heat emitted by objects. This multi-wavelength approach allows astronomers to gather a more comprehensive understanding of the physical properties and behaviors of astronomical phenomena. Different technologies can also penetrate different types of cosmic dust and gas, revealing hidden structures and the composition of objects that might be obscured in one wavelength but visible in another. This diversity in technology enhances our overall observations and leads to richer scientific insights.
Hypothesis
Create your hypotheses using the sentence starters and word bank.
Word bank of elements: hydrogen, helium, lithium, sodium, carbon, and nitrogen
Moon One contains the elements hydrogen and helium.
Moon Two contains the elements carbon and nitrogen.
Planet One contains the elements lithiumand sodium.
Planet Two contains the elements carbon and hydrogen.
Directions: Follow the procedures in the Electromagnetic Spectrum Virtual Lab.
Data Collection
Record the elements present in each unknown astronomical object. Be sure to indicate yes or no for each element.
Helium Hydrogen Lithium Sodium Carbon Nitrogen
Moon One yes no no no no no
Moon Two no yes no yes no no
Planet One yes yes yes no yes no
Planet Two no no no yes yes yes
Conclusion
Include each part of your conclusion statement below.
Parts of the Conclusion Statement Place your answers below.
Describe the important findings of your experiment.
Briefly explain why your hypothesis was correct or incorrect based on the test results.
Student Name: Jayden Catalan
Directions: In this experiment, you will analyze the spectrometric patterns of three newly discovered astronomical objects. You will then determine the elements present in those objects based on the patterns.
Question
How can we determine the composition of astronomical objects using the electromagnetic spectrum?
Research
Use the lesson to answer the questions.
Pre-lab Questions Place your answers below.
1. How does the EM spectrum help us find out what stars are made of? The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum helps us determine the composition of stars and other astronomical objects by analyzing the light they emit. When light from a star passes through a prism or is observed through a spectrometer, it creates a spectrum that shows various wavelengths of light. Each element emits or absorbs light at characteristic wavelengths, resulting in unique patterns of lines (spectral lines) within the spectrum. By comparing the observed spectral lines to known wavelengths associated with specific elements, scientists can identify the elements present in the star's atmosphere, allowing us to infer its composition, temperature, density, mass, distance, luminosity, and relative motion.
2. Why do you think it is important to use different types of technology when studying space? Using different types of technology is essential when studying space because each technology can observe different aspects of celestial objects across various wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. For example, optical telescopes capture visible light, while radio telescopes detect radio waves, and infrared telescopes observe heat emitted by objects. This multi-wavelength approach allows astronomers to gather a more comprehensive understanding of the physical properties and behaviors of astronomical phenomena. Different technologies can also penetrate different types of cosmic dust and gas, revealing hidden structures and the composition of objects that might be obscured in one wavelength but visible in another. This diversity in technology enhances our overall observations and leads to richer scientific insights.
Hypothesis
Create your hypotheses using the sentence starters and word bank.
Word bank of elements: hydrogen, helium, lithium, sodium, carbon, and nitrogen
Moon One contains the elements hydrogen and helium.
Moon Two contains the elements carbon and nitrogen.
Planet One contains the elements lithiumand sodium.
Planet Two contains the elements carbon and hydrogen.
Directions: Follow the procedures in the Electromagnetic Spectrum Virtual Lab.
Data Collection
Record the elements present in each unknown astronomical object. Be sure to indicate yes or no for each element.
Helium Hydrogen Lithium Sodium Carbon Nitrogen
Moon One yes no no no no no
Moon Two no yes no yes no no
Planet One yes yes yes no yes no
Planet Two no no no yes yes yes
Conclusion
Include each part of your conclusion statement below.
Parts of the Conclusion Statement Place your answers below.
Describe the important findings of your experiment.
Briefly explain why your hypothesis was correct or incorrect based on the test results.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Conclusion Statement
**Describe the important findings of your experiment:**
In this experiment, we analyzed the spectrometric patterns of three newly discovered astronomical objects: two moons and two planets. By examining their spectra for specific elements, we determined that Moon One contains helium, Moon Two contains hydrogen and sodium, Planet One contains lithium and carbon, and Planet Two contains sodium, carbon, and nitrogen. The findings demonstrate that each celestial object has a distinct elemental composition, which can be identified using spectrometric analysis through the electromagnetic spectrum.
**Briefly explain why your hypothesis was correct or incorrect based on the test results:**
My hypotheses were partially correct based on the test results. For Moon One, I hypothesized that it contained hydrogen and helium, which was confirmed as it contained helium but not hydrogen. For Moon Two, my hypothesis stating it contained carbon and nitrogen was incorrect, as it actually contained hydrogen and sodium. For Planet One, I predicted it would have lithium and sodium; however, it was confirmed to have lithium and carbon. My final hypothesis for Planet Two was that it contained carbon and hydrogen, which was partially correct since it contained carbon but not hydrogen; it actually contained sodium and nitrogen. Overall, while some elements matched my hypotheses, the actual compositions revealed additional unexpected elements. This highlights the importance of relying on experimental results rather than assumptions when analyzing celestial bodies.
**Describe the important findings of your experiment:**
In this experiment, we analyzed the spectrometric patterns of three newly discovered astronomical objects: two moons and two planets. By examining their spectra for specific elements, we determined that Moon One contains helium, Moon Two contains hydrogen and sodium, Planet One contains lithium and carbon, and Planet Two contains sodium, carbon, and nitrogen. The findings demonstrate that each celestial object has a distinct elemental composition, which can be identified using spectrometric analysis through the electromagnetic spectrum.
**Briefly explain why your hypothesis was correct or incorrect based on the test results:**
My hypotheses were partially correct based on the test results. For Moon One, I hypothesized that it contained hydrogen and helium, which was confirmed as it contained helium but not hydrogen. For Moon Two, my hypothesis stating it contained carbon and nitrogen was incorrect, as it actually contained hydrogen and sodium. For Planet One, I predicted it would have lithium and sodium; however, it was confirmed to have lithium and carbon. My final hypothesis for Planet Two was that it contained carbon and hydrogen, which was partially correct since it contained carbon but not hydrogen; it actually contained sodium and nitrogen. Overall, while some elements matched my hypotheses, the actual compositions revealed additional unexpected elements. This highlights the importance of relying on experimental results rather than assumptions when analyzing celestial bodies.