Hydrogen has a spectral line at 122 nm in the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. What are the

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Hydrogen has a spectral line at 122 nm in the ultraviolet...

Hydrogen has a spectral line at $122 \mathrm{nm}$ in the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. What are the largest and smallest redshifts a quasar could have for this line to be seen in the visible portion of the spectrum (400 to 700 $\mathrm{nm}$ )?

Key Concepts

Cosmological Redshift

Cosmological redshift refers to the increase in wavelength (or shift toward the red end of the spectrum) of electromagnetic radiation when it travels through an expanding universe. This shift is quantified by the parameter z, where the observed wavelength is equal to the emitted wavelength multiplied by (1 + z). It is central to understanding how light from distant objects such as quasars is displaced into different spectral regions.

Wavelength Conversion Formula

The conversion from the emitted to the observed wavelength is given by the formula ?_obs = (1 + z) × ?_emit. This relation allows us to determine the redshift needed to shift a spectral line from its original wavelength into another region, such as from ultraviolet to visible light. It is a fundamental equation in spectroscopy and astrophysics used to analyze light from distant celestial sources.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all wavelengths of light, from gamma rays to radio waves. Understanding the distinctions between different regions such as ultraviolet, visible, and infrared is essential in astrophysics, as the detection and analysis of light in these regions provide insights into the properties and distances of celestial objects.

Spectral Lines

Spectral lines are specific wavelengths of light that are either absorbed or emitted by elements and molecules due to electronic transitions. They serve as fingerprints for identifying the composition of astronomical objects. The shift of these lines due to redshift provides a useful tool for estimating the velocities and distances of sources like quasars in the expanding universe.

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