Light Spectra Analysis Lab Report
Directions: Use this Lab Report Worksheet to record data and draw conclusions as you complete the Shifting Light Spectra activity. You will submit this worksheet for your lab portfolio assignment.
Shifting Light Spectra
Introduction
The information that scientists can gather about the early universe is in the form of light from distant galaxies. This light requires millions of light years to reach Earth. If we can see the most distant galaxies, we can observe conditions in the early universe. Scientists analyze galaxy spectra to infer how the universe began. The current prevailing theory of the origin of the universe is called the big bang theory, which states that the universe began in a massive explosion of an extremely dense, hot ball of matter approximately 13.7 billion years ago.
Collect Data
1. Open the Shifting Light Spectra activity. When prompted, use the slider to move the galaxy as directed. Describe how the galaxy’s spectrum changes as it moves away from and toward the blue planet.
2. When prompted, explore further. Select each galaxy to see its spectrum. Select blue or red to indicate if the galaxy’s spectral lines show redshift or blueshift. Then choose whether the change in spectral lines would indicate a diverging and expanding universe or a converging and shrinking universe.
3. Once you confirm you are correct, use check marks ( ✔) to record your answers for each galaxy in the data table.
Spectra Analysis of Different Galaxies
Galaxy
Redshift
Blueshift
Expanding Universe
Shrinking Universe
1
2
3
4
Analyze Data
4. What pattern do you observe in the spectra of the galaxies?
5. What can you infer about the position of the galaxies 100 million years before this telescope photo was taken? How does this relate to the big bang theory?
6. How does your analysis of the spectra relate to the big bang theory?
Draw Conclusions
In 6–8 sentences, write a summary of what you learned from this activity. Include an explanation of what causes the spectral shifts you observed. Also, explain how scientists might use spectra analysis to support the big bang theory.
From this activity, it was observed that as the galaxy moved away from the blue planet, its spectrum showed a redshift, meaning the wavelengths of light were stretched and shifted towards the red end of the spectrum. On the other hand, when the galaxy moved towards the blue planet, its spectrum showed a blueshift, indicating that the wavelengths of light were compressed and shifted towards the blue end of the spectrum.
Based on the data collected, it can be inferred that the position of the galaxies 100 million years before the telescope photo was taken would be much closer to the blue planet. This observation supports the big bang theory, as it suggests that the galaxies were once much closer together and have been gradually moving apart over time.
The analysis of the spectra relates to the big bang theory because it provides evidence for the expansion of the universe. The redshift observed in the spectra indicates that galaxies are moving away from us, supporting the idea of an expanding universe. This supports the big bang theory, which posits that the universe began in a dense, hot state and has been expanding ever since.
In conclusion, this activity showed that the spectra of galaxies exhibit either a redshift or a blueshift depending on their motion relative to the observer. This can be used to infer the position and movement of galaxies in the early universe. Spectra analysis is a valuable tool for scientists studying the big bang theory, as it provides evidence for the expanding universe and helps to understand the origins and evolution of the universe.
To complete the Shifting Light Spectra activity and answer the questions in the lab report, follow these steps:
1. Open the Shifting Light Spectra activity. This activity will provide you with simulated galaxies and their spectra.
2. Use the slider in the activity to move the galaxy as directed. As you do so, describe how the galaxy's spectrum changes when it moves away from and toward the blue planet. Note any changes in the spectral lines.
3. When prompted, explore further by selecting each galaxy to see its spectrum. Determine if the galaxy's spectral lines show redshift or blueshift. Redshift indicates that the galaxy is moving away from us, while blueshift indicates that it is moving toward us. Additionally, decide if the change in spectral lines would suggest a diverging and expanding universe or a converging and shrinking universe.
4. Once you are confident in your answers, use check marks ( ✔) to record your responses in the data table provided in the lab report.
5. Analyze the data you recorded in the table. Look for patterns in the spectra of the different galaxies. Write down your observations in question 4 of the lab report.
6. Consider the position of the galaxies 100 million years before the telescope photo was taken. Infer what this means about their distance from us and how it relates to the big bang theory. Write your inference in question 5 of the lab report.
7. Reflect on how your analysis of the spectra relates to the big bang theory. Consider the fact that redshift indicates galaxies moving away, and the suggestion of an expanding universe. Write your explanation in question 6 of the lab report.
8. To draw conclusions, write a summary of what you learned from this activity. In this summary, explain the cause of spectral shifts that you observed (redshift and blueshift). Also, describe how scientists might use spectral analysis to support the big bang theory. Ensure your summary is 6-8 sentences long and addresses all the required points in the lab report.
By following these steps and filling in the lab report worksheet, you will have completed the Shifting Light Spectra activity and be ready to submit your lab portfolio assignment.
Step 1: Open the Shifting Light Spectra activity and describe how the galaxy's spectrum changes as it moves away from and toward the blue planet.
- To complete the lab report, start by opening the Shifting Light Spectra activity. When prompted, use the slider to move the galaxy as directed. Pay attention to how the galaxy's spectra changes as it moves away from and toward the blue planet.
- Describe the changes in the galaxy's spectrum, such as whether certain spectral lines become more stretched out (indicating redshift) or compressed (indicating blueshift).
Step 2: Explore further and record your observations in the data table.
- When prompted, explore further by selecting each galaxy to see its spectrum.
- Determine whether the spectral lines in each galaxy show redshift or blueshift and indicate it in the data table.
- Then, based on the change in spectral lines, choose whether the universe is diverging and expanding or converging and shrinking.
- Once you have confirmed your answers, use check marks (✔) to record your responses in the data table.
Step 3: Analyze the data and answer the questions.
- Examine the data table to identify any patterns in the spectra of the galaxies.
- Answer question 4, which asks about the observed pattern in the spectra of the galaxies.
- Respond to question 5, which asks what can be inferred about the position of the galaxies 100 million years before the telescope photo was taken and how it relates to the big bang theory.
- Consider question 6, which asks how the analysis of the spectra relates to the big bang theory.
Step 4: Draw conclusions and write a summary.
- Write a summary of what you have learned from this activity in 6-8 sentences.
- Explain the cause of the spectral shifts observed in the activity.
- Discuss how scientists might use spectral analysis to support the big bang theory.