Understanding Light Emission: The Case of Rigel
What is the surface temperature of Rigel and at what wavelength does it emit the most light?
Rigel is a relatively blue supergiant star with a surface temperature of approximately 11,000 K. Using Wien's Displacement Law, what is the wavelength at which Rigel emits the most light?
Answer:
Using Wien's Displacement Law, the blue supergiant star, Rigel, with a surface temperature of 11,000 K, emits the most light at a wavelength of approximately 264 nanometres.
Explanation:
To determine at what wavelength Rigel emits the most light, we can utilize Wien's Displacement Law in physics. This law states that the peak wavelength at which a black body radiates most intensely is inversely proportional to its temperature. The law is mathematically expressed as:
&lambda max = b / T
Where &lambda max is the peak wavelength, b is Wien's constant (approximately 2.9x10^-3 m.K), and T is the temperature in Kelvin.
Substituting Rigel's surface temperature of 11,000 K into the formula, we find that Rigel emits the most light at a wavelength of about 264 nanometres.
Therefore, Rigel emits the most light at a wavelength of approximately 264 nanometres due to its surface temperature of 11,000 K.