Using infra-red imaging in a laboratory
setting, scientists measured the reflectance (the
percent of light that is reflected by a surface) of
each of 3 isotopes (chemical forms) of carbon
(carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14) and of a
carbon compound (Cyanide).Reflectance was
measured, in each case, at light wavelengths
between 500 and 800 nanometers (nm). Figure 1
shows the data for the 3 carbon isotopes and
Cyanide.
Scientists used the Hubble Space Tele-
scope’s infra-red imaging technology to measure
the average reflectance (the average reflectance of
an entire visible surface at a given point in time) of
Jupiter. Scientists measured Jupiter’s average
reflectance at two different points in time. Figure 2
shows these data as well as reflectance data
generated by a computer model.If the reflectance of each of the 3 isotopes of
carbon and of Cyanide were measured at a
wavelength of 850 nm, it is reasonable to
conclude that which of the following would
have the highest reflectance?
F.
Carbon-12
G.
Carbon-13
H.
Carbon-14
J.
Cyanide
H. Carbon-14
This is because Carbon-14 has the highest reflectance among the 3 isotopes of carbon and Cyanide as shown in Figure 1. So, it is reasonable to conclude that Carbon-14 would have the highest reflectance at a wavelength of 850 nm.