Solution to Exercise

1. By the Wien Law,

Wavelength = 3 x 107 / T
= 3 x 107 / 3
= 107 Angstroms ~ 0.1 cm

which is in the microwave region of the spectrum. Thus, the 3 K background radiation is also called the cosmic microwave background.

2. By the Wien Law,

Wavelength = 3 x 107 / T
= 3 x 107 / 5800
= 5172 Angstroms

This is in the yellow-green portion of the visible spectrum.