Very low temperature molecular clouds emit most of their light in which part of the electromagnetic spectrum?
a) the visible
b) the x-ray
c)the ultraviolet
d)the radio
e)the infrared
To determine in which part of the electromagnetic spectrum very low-temperature molecular clouds emit most of their light, we can rely on the principles of blackbody radiation. Blackbody radiation is the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a perfect absorber or emitter of radiation, such as an idealized object.
The intensity of blackbody radiation depends on the temperature of the object. At lower temperatures, the peak wavelength of radiation emitted shifts towards longer wavelengths.
In the case of very low-temperature molecular clouds, the temperatures are typically in the range of a few tens of degrees Kelvin. At these temperatures, most of the light emitted by the molecular clouds falls within the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Therefore, the answer is e) the infrared.