Rotation, Vibration and Synchrotron Radiation – Astronomical Interactions of Light and Matter

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Continuous Emission Absorption

produced by atoms and molecules

produced by atoms and molecules

Types of Spectra

synchrotron

thermal (blackbody)

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Thermal (Blackbody) Radiation• A hot, dense object emits

all wavelengths of light, creating a continuous spectrum

• The spectral curve for these objects is shown at right

• The object’s temperature determines the wavelength of light where the spectrum peaks

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/blackbody-spectrum

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Synchrotron (Non-thermal) Radiation

• Charged particles are accelerated as they spiral around a magnetic field

• These accelerating charged particles give off all wavelengths of light and create a type of continuous spectrum Light

Light

 

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

peak determined by temperature

provides no information about temperature

continuous spectra continuous spectra

A black hole with an accretion disk and jets

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Which of the following graphs is the best representation of the spectrum of light produced by a black hole if you include all of the light from thermal radiation and all of the light from synchrotron radiation?

B

DC

A

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Spectacular Jets in Galaxy Hercules A• A supermassive black

hole’s magnetic field creates jets that emit synchrotron radiation

• The pink represents the synchrotron radiation, as detected by Very Large Array radio telescope

• The rest of the image was taken in visible light by the Hubble Space Telescope

Dr. Jim Condon explains how the new VLA allowed astronomers to make this image for the first time http://vimeo.com/54501105

Credit: NASA, ESA, S. Baum and C. O'Dea (RIT), R. Perley and W. Cotton (NRAO/AUI/NSF), and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)."

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Molecules

• 2 or more atoms bonded together• Molecules produce emission and absorption

spectra in 3 different ways1. Electrons in atoms change energy levels2. The molecule changes how fast it’s vibrating3. The molecule changes how fast it’s rotating

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Molecular Electron Transitions and the Emission and Absorption of Visible and UV Light

• Just like atoms, molecules can emit light when an electron transitions from a high energy level to a low energy level, and they can absorb light when an electron transitions from a low energy level to a high energy level

short wavelengths long wavelengths short wavelengths long wavelengths

emission spectrum absorption spectrum

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Molecular Vibrations and the Emission of Infrared Light• When a molecule transitions from a faster vibration (higher energy

state) to a slower vibration (lower energy state), the molecule emits a photon of light with an energy equal to the energy difference between the molecule’s two vibrational energy states.

• The more arcs, the faster the molecule vibrates.• The greater the change in the number of arcs, the greater the change

in energy.

This leads to an emission spectrum.

IR photonX-ray UV Vis

IR RadioTHESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

• When a molecule transitions from a faster vibration (higher energy state) to a slower vibration (lower energy state), the molecule emits a photon of light with an energy equal to the energy difference between the molecule’s two vibrational energy states.

X-ray UV Vis IR Radio

X-ray UV Vis IR Radio

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Molecular Vibrations and the Absorption of Infrared Light• A molecule can also transition from a slower vibration to a faster

vibration when it absorbs a photon with an energy equal to the energy difference between the molecule’s two vibrational energy states.

• The more arcs, the faster the molecule vibrates.• The greater the change in the number of arcs, the greater the change

in energy.

This leads to an absorption spectrum.

IR photon

X-ray UV Vis IR Radio

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

• A molecule can also transition from a slower vibration to a faster vibration when it absorbs a photon with an energy equal to the energy difference between the molecule’s two vibrational energy states.

X-ray UV Vis IR Radio

X-ray UV Vis IR Radio

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Which of the following represents the molecule that is absorbing the lowest energy infrared photon?

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Molecular Rotations and the Emission of Radio Light• When a molecule transitions from a faster rotation (higher energy

state) to a slower rotation (lower energy state), the molecule emits a photon of light with an energy equal to the energy difference between the molecule’s two rotational energy states.

• The longer the arrow, the faster the molecule rotates.• The greater the change in the arrows’ lengths, the greater the

change in energy.

This leads to an emission spectrum.

radio photonX-ray UV Vis

IR RadioTHESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

• A molecule can also transition from a slower rotation to a faster rotation when it absorbs a photon with an energy equal to the energy difference between the molecule’s two rotational energy states.

• The longer the arrow, the faster the molecule rotates.• The greater the change in the arrows’ lengths, the greater the

change in energy.

Molecular Rotations and the Absorption of Radio Light

This leads to an absorption spectrum.

radio photon

X-ray UV Vis IR RadioTHESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA,

THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Which of the following represents the molecule that is emitting the highest energy radio photon?

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

• Changing the rotation rate of a molecule requires the emission or absorption of a(n) _____ photon.

• Changing the vibration rate of a molecule requires the emission or absorption of a(n) _____ photon.

• Moving an electron from one energy level to another requires the emission or absorption of a(n) _____ or _____ photon.

• Charged particles spiraling around a magnetic field will emit light at _____ wavelengths.

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Lecture-Tutorial: Rotation, Vibration, and Synchrotron Radiation – Astronomical Interactions of Light and Matter

• Work with a partner!• Read the instructions and questions carefully.• Discuss the concepts and your answers with one another.

Take time to understand it now. It WILL help you on the homework and exams.

• Come to a consensus on your answer before you both move on to a new question.

• If you get stuck or are not sure of your answer, ask another group.

• If you are really stuck or don’t understand what the tutorial is asking, raise your hand and ask for help.

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Which of the following telescopes would be best to use in order to observe changes in the

rotational state of the carbon monoxide (CO) molecule?

A. the Chandra X-ray ObservatoryB. the GALEX UV telescopeC. the Very Large Array radio telescopeD. the visible light Mayall TelescopeE. the infrared Spitzer Space Telescope

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Each of the drawings shows a molecule at two different times, before and after a photon has either been emitted or absorbed.

Which drawing corresponds to the absorption of a UV photon? A. AB. BC. CD. DE. None of the above

Before

A

After

Before

B

After

AfterBefore

C

AfterBefore

D

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Each of the drawings shows a molecule at two different times, before and after a photon has either been emitted or absorbed.

Which drawing corresponds to the emission of a photon with the greatest energy?A. AB. BC. CD. DE. There’s not enough information

to tell.

Before

A

After

Before

B

After

AfterBefore

C

AfterBefore

D

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

The emission spectrum shown below can be caused by:

A. charged particles accelerated by a magnetic field

B. molecules slowing down their rotation speedC. molecules slowing down their vibration rateD. molecules speeding up their rotation speedE. molecules speeding up their vibration rate

X-ray UV Vis IR Radio

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Which of the following could have produced the light indicated by the location of the arrow on the spectrum below?

A. hot gas and dust in an accretion disk around a black holeB. charged particles spiraling around a magnetic fieldC. electrons in atoms changing their energy stateD. molecules vibratingE. molecules rotating

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.

Which of the following could have produced the light indicated by the location of the arrow on the spectrum below?

A. hot gas and dust in an accretion disk around a black holeB. charged particles spiraling around a magnetic fieldC. electrons in atoms changing their energy stateD. molecules vibratingE. molecules rotating

THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERITIES INCORPORATED (AUI), AND DEVELPOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATION OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS FROM CAE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPLE HILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF OHIO, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND NRAO.