Which color of star indicates the highest surface temperature?

• A. Yellow
• B. White
• C. Red
• D. Blue

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the color of a star is related to its surface temperature due to blackbody radiation, where hotter objects emit light at shorter wavelengths (bluer colors) and cooler objects emit light at longer wavelengths (redder colors).
2. Recall the general order of star colors from coolest to hottest: Red stars are the coolest, followed by Yellow stars, then White stars, and finally Blue stars are the hottest.
3. Recognize that the problem lists Yellow, White, and Red stars, but the correct answer is Blue, which is not listed among the options, indicating Blue stars have the highest surface temperature.
4. Use the concept of Wien's Law, which states that the wavelength of maximum emission (\(\lambda_{max}\)) is inversely proportional to temperature (\(T\)): \(\lambda_{max} = \frac{b}{T}\), where \(b\) is Wien's constant. Blue stars have shorter \(\lambda_{max}\), meaning higher \(T\).
5. Conclude that among the given colors, Blue stars indicate the highest surface temperature, even though Blue was not one of the options listed in the question.