The spectrum of the sodium atom is detected in the light from a distant galaxy. If the -nm line is redshifted to nm, at what speed is the galaxy receding from the earth?
Ch 44: Particle Physics and Cosmology
Young & Freedman Calc14th EditionUniversity PhysicsISBN: 9780321973610Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 44, Problem 31b
The spectrum of the sodium atom is detected in the light from a distant galaxy. Use the Hubble law to calculate the distance of the galaxy from the earth.
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Identify the redshift (z) of the sodium spectrum by comparing the observed wavelength (λ_observed) of the sodium spectral line to its rest wavelength (λ_rest). Use the formula: .
Relate the redshift (z) to the recessional velocity (v) of the galaxy using the formula: , where is the speed of light (approximately 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s).
Apply Hubble's law to find the distance (d) of the galaxy from Earth. Hubble's law is given by: , where is the Hubble constant (approximately 70 km/s/Mpc). Rearrange the formula to solve for : .
Convert the units of the Hubble constant to match the units of velocity (v) and ensure consistency. For example, if is given in km/s/Mpc, convert it to m/s/Mpc if necessary.
Substitute the values of the recessional velocity (v) and the Hubble constant () into the formula for distance () to calculate the galaxy's distance from Earth.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Hubble's Law
Hubble's Law states that the velocity at which a galaxy is receding from an observer is directly proportional to its distance from that observer. This relationship is expressed mathematically as v = H₀d, where v is the recessional velocity, H₀ is the Hubble constant, and d is the distance. This law is fundamental in cosmology for determining distances to faraway galaxies based on their redshift.
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Gauss' Law
Redshift
Redshift refers to the phenomenon where light from an object is shifted to longer wavelengths as it moves away from an observer. In the context of galaxies, this shift can be measured in the spectrum of light emitted by elements like sodium. The amount of redshift provides information about the velocity of the galaxy's recession, which is crucial for applying Hubble's Law.
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between light and matter, allowing scientists to analyze the composition and properties of celestial objects. By examining the spectrum of light emitted or absorbed by elements, such as sodium, astronomers can identify specific wavelengths and determine redshift. This technique is essential for understanding the physical conditions of distant galaxies and their movement relative to Earth.
Related Practice
Textbook Question
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What is the total kinetic energy of the decay products when an upsilon particle at rest decays to ?
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Textbook Question
In which of the following reactions or decays is strangeness conserved? In each case, explain your reasoning.
(a)
(b)
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Textbook Question
In an experiment done in a laboratory on the earth, the wavelength of light emitted by a hydrogen atom in the to transition is nm. In the light emitted by the quasar 3C273 (see Problem ), this spectral line is redshifted to nm. Assume the redshift is described by Eq. () and use the Hubble law to calculate the distance in light-years of this quasar from the earth.
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