Question

A spectral analysis of the Sun was done. The absorption spectrum revealed that lines corresponding to the following elements were missing: iron, calcium, and sodium. Which conclusion is supported by the data?

a) The sun does not contain these elements.
b) Clouds of these elements orbit around the sun.
c) These elements are present on the sun’s surface.
d) These elements are present in Earth’s upper atmosphere.

Please Help!

Answer 1

your answer would most likely be (c) or the third answer given.

Answer 2

Answer: (c) These elements are present on the sun’s surface.

Explanation:

The absorption spectrum contains lines which are caused by impurities such as magnesium, calcium, iron etc. Since hydrogen is the primary element present in the sun, these impurities absorb the light coming from the inner portion of the sun, resulting in countless dark features.

Therefore, it is clear that the sun in fact contains these elements which are present on its surface. Therefore, the sun does not consist of only hydrogen but contains other elements such as iron, calcium, sodium etc in minuscule quantities.