Week 29 · Term Three · Spectra, elements, temperature and redshift
Split light like Newton, read the fingerprints that revealed helium in the Sun before anyone found it on Earth, take a star’s temperature from its color, measure a galaxy’s redshift, and write a star report that keeps measurement apart from conclusion.
Monday spreads white light into its colors. Tuesday matches spectral lines to elements. Wednesday turns a peak wavelength into a temperature. Thursday separates what a telescope measured from what it means. Friday writes a star report anyone can check.
25 minutes
Light · White light is every color
Describe white light as a mix of wavelengths, put the spectrum in order, and connect each color to its wavelength.
Make
A spectrum strip
Report handoff: The spectrum strip is filed. Tomorrow dark lines in the spectrum reveal what stars are made of.
25 minutes
Chemistry · Every element has a fingerprint
Match spectral lines to elements, and explain how light lets us find out what something far away is made of.
Make
A fingerprint card
Report handoff: The fingerprint card is filed. Tomorrow a star's color tells you its temperature.
25 minutes
Data · A star's color is its temperature
Use a formula to turn a measured peak wavelength into a temperature, and explain why blue stars are hotter than red ones.
Make
A temperature chart
Report handoff: The temperature chart is filed. Tomorrow the light from far galaxies shows the universe is growing.
25 minutes
Evidence · What we measure and what we conclude
Tell a measurement from the conclusion drawn from it, calculate a percent shift, and explain why scientists report both separately.
Make
A redshift report
Report handoff: The redshift report is filed. Tomorrow you write a full report on a star.
30 minutes
Exposition · A report anyone can check
Write a clear explanation that separates measurements from inferences, explains the reasoning, and is honest about what's unknown.
Make
A star report
Report handoff: The star report is filed. Your week's report is ready for the portfolio.
The report uses only work entered here. It is a family record of this week’s work, not a grade, an attendance record, or proof of mastery.
