Using the Doppler formula to find radial speed of a star

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the radial speed of a star using the Doppler formula. The observed H-alpha line wavelength is 656.250 nm, while the lab wavelength is 656.280 nm, resulting in a Doppler shift (Δλ) of 0.03 nm. The formula Vr = (Δλ/λ0)c is applied, with c converted to km/s for the final calculation. The radial speed of the star is determined to be 13.7 km/s, confirming that the units of Δλ and λ0 cancel out appropriately. The solution highlights the importance of unit consistency in astrophysical calculations.
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Homework Statement



High resolution spectroscopy reveals that the H line is located at a wavelength
of 656.250 nm for this star. The wavelength of H measured in the lab is 656.280 nm.
Calculate the line-of-sight velocity of the star.



Homework Equations



Here's the Doppler formula:

Vr = (Δλ/λ0)c

where Vr is the radial speed of the star, Δλ is the Doppler shift, λ0 is the rest wavelength or the wavelength measured in the lab, and c is the speed of light.



The Attempt at a Solution



I'm just having trouble with units. I need the answer (the radial speed of the star) in km/s, but i don't know what units to put the other variables (Δλ, λ0, c) in.
 
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λ= 656.28 nm
Δλ=656.28-656.25=.03 nm
c=3*108 m/s=3*105 km/s

so finally ,
v=13.7 km/s

The units of Δλ and λ cancel, so v has basically same units as c
 
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