For Educators

Pulling It Together

spectrum of Cas A

Let's look at the SNR spectrum again - note the emission lines. Using a periodic table, can you identify which elements are present in this supernova remnant?

How many photons per second are being emitted by the element iron? What energy are the photons (in eV)?

Why is it hard to tell exactly what energy the photons being emitted by magnesium are?