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Question 30781
JEE Physics · Hard

Gravitation: Advanced — Gravitational Redshift MCQ

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Advanced — Gravitational RedshiftHardQuestion 30781

Question

Light emitted from the surface of a massive star is redshifted when observed far away because:
  1. A
    The star is moving away (Doppler)
  2. B
    Photons lose energy climbing out of the gravitational potential well
    Correct
  3. C
    The photon's frequency increases
  4. D
    Light bends around the star

Correct answer

Photons lose energy climbing out of the gravitational potential well

Explanation

In general relativity, photons lose energy (Δf/f = −ΔΦ/c² where ΔΦ is the potential difference) as they climb out of a gravitational potential well → frequency decreases → red shift. This is called gravitational redshift.

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