The NASA Curiosity rover exploring Mars carries a number of scientific instruments, including a spectrograph (a device for recording a spectrum), and a high intensity laser. On several occasions, Curiosity has fired its laser at the surface of a rock sample, while observing the process with a spectroscope. The laser is intense enough to vaporize the atoms on the surface of the sample into a hot,
excited gas. Why is this a useful technique for the rover to employ?
What will be an ideal response?
The vaporized material will contain the elements present in the surface of the rock. Since it is a hot, excited gas, it will radiate an emission spectrum that can be recorded by the spectroscope. The emission lines can be analyzed to determine what chemical elements are present in the rock.
The technique is especially useful since it does not involve any physical contact with the rock. Only two simple tools are needed, and the rover may be able to use the technique to study samples that could not be reached by physical parts of the rover.
You might also like to view...
A change in the apparent frequency of waves caused by the motion of either the observer or the source of the waves
A) ultrasonography B) photosonography C) doppler effect
If the accuracy in measuring the velocity of a particle increases, the accuracy in measuring its position will
A) increase. B) decrease. C) remain the same. D) It is impossible to say since the two measurements are independent and do not affect each other.
If an electron is released from rest in a uniform electric field, the electric potential energy of the charge-field system
1.increases. 2.decreases. 3.remains the same.
The mass of 1 m3 of fresh water is 1,000 kg. At the top of a hydroelectric dam the potential energy of the water is
a. 1,000 N. b. 9,800 N. c. 500 N. d. There is not enough information to calculate the potential energy.