Astronomy Exam 2 prep

Approximately what is the half-life of uranium-235? 700 million years 1.25 billion years 2.8 billion years 0.5 billion years

700 million years

Which of the cars is accelerating? A car traveling on a straight uphill road at 30 miles per hour. A car traveling on a straight, flat road at 50 miles per hour. A car going around a circular track at a steady 100 miles per hour.

A car going around a circular track at a steady 100 miles per hour.

Which person is weightless? A child in the air as she plays on a trampoline. A scuba diver exploring a deep-sea wreck. An astronaut on the Moon.

A child in the air as she plays on a trampoline.

Which of the following represents a change from potential energy to kinetic energy? A kicked ball rising higher in the air and momentarily coming to rest at the top of its trajectory. A rock starting from rest on a high cliff, then moving faster and faster as it falls. A car applying its brakes on a straight road and heating up the brake pads as it slows. Sunlight melting a tray of ice.

A rock starting from rest on a high cliff, then moving faster and faster as it falls.

Which of the following scenarios involves energy that we would typically calculate with Einstein's formula E = mc^2? A small amount of the hydrogen in of a nuclear bomb becomes energy as fusion converts the hydrogen to helium. A burning piece of wood produces light and heat, therefore giving off radiative and thermal energy. An object accelerated to a great speed has a lot of kinetic energy. A mass raised to a great height has a lot of gravitational potential energy.

A small amount of the hydrogen in of a nuclear bomb becomes energy as fusion converts the hydrogen to helium.

What is the Kuiper belt? the most prominent ring of Saturn that is visible in photographs a region of the solar system beginning just beyond the orbit of Neptune that contains many icy comets a region of the solar system that extends almost a fourth of the way to the nearest stars and contains a trillion comets with orbits going in all directions around the Sun a technical name for the asteroid belt

a region of the solar system beginning just beyond the orbit of Neptune that contains many icy comets

Which terrestrial planets have had volcanic activity at some point in their histories? only Earth Earth and Mars all of them

all of them

What type of visible light spectrum does the Sun produce? a continuous spectrum an emission line spectrum an absorption line spectrum

an absorption line spectrum

Which of the following type of spectrum would you expect if you view star light that has passed through a cool cloud of interstellar gas on its way to Earth? an absorption line spectrum a continuous spectrum an emission line spectrum

an absorption line spectrum

The absorption line spectrum shows what we see when we look at a hot light source (such as a star or light bulb) directly behind a cooler cloud of gas. Suppose instead that we are looking at the gas cloud but the light source is off to the side instead of directly behind it. In that case, the spectrum would __________. still be an absorption spectrum appear as a continuous rainbow of colors appear completely dark be an emission line spectrum

be an emission line spectrum

If the Moon were closer to Earth, high tides would: be higher than they are now. be lower than they are now. occur three or more times a day rather than twice a day.

be higher than they are now

From shortest to longest wavelength, which of the following correctly orders the different categories of electromagnetic radiation? radio, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays, radio gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, radio gamma rays, x-rays, visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radio

gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, radio

Suppose you are in an elevator. As the elevator starts upward, its speed will increase. During this time when the elevator is moving upward with increasing speed, your weight will be __________. equal to your normal weight at rest greater than your normal weight at rest less than your normal weight at rest

greater than your normal weight at rest

According to our present theory of solar system formation, which of the following lists the major ingredients of the solar nebula in order from the most abundant to the least abundant? hydrogen and helium gas; rock; metal; and hydrogen compounds hydrogen and helium gas; hydrogen compounds; rock; metal hydrogen; water; methane; and helium hydrogen compounds; hydrogen and helium gas; metal; rock

hydrogen and helium gas; hydrogen compounds; rock; metal

If you had only one telescope and wanted to take both visible-light and ultraviolet pictures of stars, where should you locate your telescope? on Earth's surface on a tall mountain in an airplane in space

in space

As a giant cloud of gas collapses due to gravity, you would expect its rate of rotation to increase decrease stay unchanged

increase

Which forms of light are lower in energy and frequency than the light that our eyes can see? infrared and radio ultraviolet and x-rays visible light infrared and ultraviolet

infrared and radio

Thermal radiation gets its name because __________. its spectrum depends on the temperature of the object emitting it it makes objects warmer than they would be otherwise it is radiation that has a temperature it is hot

its spectrum depends on the temperature of the object emitting it

Suppose you are in an elevator that is moving upward. As the elevator nears the floor at which you will get off, its speed slows down. During this time when the elevator is moving upward with decreasing speed, your weight will be __________. less than your normal weight at rest equal to your normal weight at rest greater than your normal weight at rest

less than your normal weight at rest

Red light has a _____ wavelength and a _____ frequency than does blue light. longer, lower longer, higher shorter, higher shorter, lower

longer, lower

What are the units of acceleration? m⋅s m/s^3 m/s m/s^2 m⋅s^2

m/s^2

Newton's Second Law of Motion tells us that the net force applied to an object equals its __________. mass multiplied by energy mass multiplied by velocity momentum multiplied by velocity mass multiplied by acceleration

mass multiplied by acceleration

A net force acting on an object will always cause a change in the object's _________. mass speed momentum direction

momentum

The twinkling of stars is caused by: variations in stellar brightness with time. light pollution. motion of air in our atmosphere.

motion of air in our atmosphere.

Newton showed that Kepler's laws are _________. the key to proving that Earth orbits our Sun seriously in error actually only three of seven distinct laws of planetary motion natural consequences of the law of universal gravitation

natural consequences of the law of universal gravitation

When you are standing on a scale in an elevator, what exactly does the scale measure? your mass the force you exert on the scale the gravitational force exerted on you by Earth

the force you exert on the scale

Observations show that interstellar clouds can have almost any shape and, if they are rotating at all, their rotation is not perceptible. However, the nebular theory predicts that a cloud will rotate rapidly once it shrinks to a relatively small size. What physical law explains why a collapsed cloud will rotate rapidly? Newton's third law of motion the law of conservation of angular momentum the universal law of gravitation the law of conservation of energy Kepler's second law

the law of conservation of angular momentum

Compared to its angular momentum when it is farthest from the Sun, Earth's angular momentum when it is nearest to the Sun is: less greater the same

the same

Suppose that two objects collide. Which of the following things is not necessarily the same both before and after the collision? (In other words, which quantity is not conserved according to the laws of physics?) the total momentum of the objects the total temperature of the objects the total angular momentum of the objects the total energy of the objects

the total temperature of the objects

Any particular location on Earth experiences __________. one high tide and one low tide each month two sets of high and low tides in the ocean, but only one set on land one high tide and one low tide each day two high tides and two low tides each day two high tides and two low tides each month

two high tides and two low tides each day

What is the difference between energy and power? Power is the rate at which energy is used, so its units are a unit of energy divided by a unit of time. Power is used to describe energy of light, whereas the term energy has a broader meaning. There's no difference; energy and power are different names for the same thing. Power is measured in joules and energy is measured in watts.

Power is the rate at which energy is used, so its units are a unit of energy divided by a unit of time.

What is the primary reason that astronomers suspect that some jovian moons were captured into their current orbits? Astronomers have observed moons being captured. Some moons have a composition that differs from the composition of the planets. Some moons are surprisingly large in size. Some moons have orbits that are backward (compared to their planet's rotation) or highly inclined to their planet's equator.

Some moons have orbits that are backward (compared to their planet's rotation) or highly inclined to their planet's equator.

The terrestrial planets are made almost entirely of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. According to modern science, where did the elements heavier than hydrogen and helium come from? They were made by chemical reactions in interstellar gas. They have been present in the universe since its birth. They were produced by stars that lived and died before our solar system was born. They were produced by gravity in the solar nebula as it collapsed.

They were produced by stars that lived and died before our solar system was born.

For an object producing a thermal spectrum, a higher temperature causes the spectrum to have ___________. a peak intensity located at shorter wavelength more prominent absorption lines a peak intensity located at longer wavelength more prominent emission lines

a peak intensity located at shorter wavelength

The acceleration of gravity on Earth is approximately 10 m/s2 (more precisely, 9.8 m/s2). If you drop a rock from a tall building, about how fast will it be falling after 3 seconds? 10 m/s 30 m/s2 10 m/s2 20 m/s 30 m/s

30 m/s

Suppose you have a rock that, when it solidifies, contains 1 microgram of a radioactive isotope. How much of this isotope remains after five half-lives? 1/8 microgram 1/16 microgram none 1/32 microgram Cannot be determined without knowing the daughter isotope.

1/32 microgram

What is the correct composition of a neutral atom of helium-4? 4 protons, 4 neutrons, 4 electrons 2 protons, 2 neutrons, 1 electron 2 protons, 2 neutrons, 0 electrons 2 protons, 1 neutron, 1 electron 2 protons, 1 neutron, 2 electrons 2 protons, 1 neutron, 0 electrons 2 protons, 2 neutrons, 2 electrons

2 protons, 2 neutrons, 2 electrons

Suppose you find a rock and measure that 12.5% of the original uranium-235 still remains it, while the other 87.5% has decayed into lead-207. About how old is the rock? 4.5 billion years 1.25 billion years 2.1 billion years 2.8 billion years

2.1 billion years

Which of the following describes a velocity (as opposed to a speed)? 5 light-years 300,000 kilometers per second 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s2) 20 kilometers per hour, headed north 15 newtons

20 kilometers per hour, headed north

Which of the following are forms of light (electromagnetic radiation)? Select all that apply. ultraviolet radio waves microwaves X rays visible light gamma rays infrared

All are

Which of the following transitions within an atom is not possible? An electron begins in an excited state and then gains enough energy to become ionized. An electron begins in the ground state and then gains enough energy to jump to an excited state. An electron begins in the ground state and then gains enough energy to become ionized. An electron begins in an excited state and then gains enough energy to jump to the ground state.

An electron begins in an excited state and then gains enough energy to jump to the ground state.

What is the difference between a bound orbit and an unbound orbit around the Sun? An object on a bound orbit follows the same path around the Sun over and over, while an object on an unbound orbit approaches the Sun just once and then never returns. A bound orbit is an orbit allowed by the universal law of gravitation, and an unbound orbit is not. A bound orbit is circular, while an unbound orbit is elliptical. An object on a bound orbit has a gravitational attraction to the Sun, while an object on an unbound orbit does not.

An object on a bound orbit follows the same path around the Sun over and over, while an object on an unbound orbit approaches the Sun just once and then never returns.

Most continuous spectra are examples of what we also call thermal radiation spectra. Why do we call them "thermal" spectra? Because these spectra can be produced only by very hot objects with temperatures of thousands of degrees or more. Because these spectra have shapes that resemble those of traditional thermometers. Because the peak wavelength of the spectrum depends on the temperature of the object producing the spectrum. Because thermal comes from a Greek root meaning "continuous."

Because the peak wavelength of the spectrum depends on the temperature of the object producing the spectrum.

Most interstellar clouds are made mostly of hydrogen (because hydrogen is the most common element in the universe). Why are these clouds usually dominated by the color red? Because the strongest visible emission lines from hydrogen are red. Because red light passes more easily through space than other colors of light. Because hydrogen gas clouds produce a continuous, red spectrum. Because hydrogen emits only red light, and no light of other colors.

Because the strongest visible emission lines from hydrogen are red.

Suppose you drop a 10-pound weight and a 5-pound weight on the Moon, both from the same height at the same time. What will happen? Both will hit the ground at the same time. Both weights will float freely because everything is weightless on the Moon. The 10-pound weight will hit the ground before the 5-pound weight. The 5-pound weight will hit the ground before the 10-pound weight.

Both will hit the ground at the same time.

The nebular theory also predicts that the cloud will flatten into a disk as it shrinks in size. Which of the following best explains why the collapsing cloud should form a disk? As a star forms near the cloud center, its wind blows away material that is not aligned with its equator, thereby leaving an equatorial disk of material. All collapsing objects tend to flatten into a disk, regardless of their rotation. Gravity pulls more strongly on material along the rotation axis than perpendicular to it, bringing this material downward into a disk. Colliding cloud particles exchange angular momentum and, on average, end up with the rotation pattern for the cloud as a whole.

Colliding cloud particles exchange angular momentum and, on average, end up with the rotation pattern for the cloud as a whole.

Which of the following represents a case in which you are not accelerating? Driving in a straight line at 100 kilometers per hour. Driving 100 kilometers per hour around a curve. Slamming on the brakes to come to a stop at a stop sign. Going from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 10 seconds.

Driving in a straight line at 100 kilometers per hour.

Suppose that the Sun shrank in size but that its mass remained the same. What would happen to the orbit of the Earth? Earth's orbit would be unaffected. Earth would change from a bound orbit to an unbound orbit and fly off into interstellar space. The size of Earth's orbit would shrink, and it would take less than one year to orbit the Sun. Earth's orbit would expand, and it would take more than one year to orbit the Sun.

Earth's orbit would be unaffected.

Under what circumstances can energy level transitions occur? Electrons can make a transition from one level to another by taking in or emitting a specific amount of energy. If too little energy is offered, the electron can make the transition, however if too much energy is offered the transition cannot occur. Electrons can make a transition from one level to another by taking in or emitting a specific amount of energy. If too much or too little energy is offered, the electron cannot make the transition. Electrons can make a transition from one level to another by taking in or emitting a specific amount of energy. If too much energy is offered, the electron can make the transition, however if too little energy is offered the transition cannot occur.

Electrons can make a transition from one level to another by taking in or emitting a specific amount of energy. If too much or too little energy is offered, the electron cannot make the transition.

If you want to make a rocket turn left, you need to: Fire an engine that shoots out gas to the left. Fire an engine that shoots out gas to the right. Spin the rocket clockwise.

Fire an engine that shoots out gas to the right.

Incandescent light bulbs emit thermal radiation because their filaments are heated to about 2500 Kelvin. LED light bulbs emit only at particular visible wavelengths. Why do incandescent bulbs require more energy to shine with the same amount of visible light as LED bulbs? The filaments of incandescent light bulbs are much smaller than LED bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are larger than LED bulbs. Incandescent bulbs emit most of their energy as infrared light. Incandescent bulbs emit most of their energy as ultraviolet light.

Incandescent bulbs emit most of their energy as infrared light.

Which of the following statements is true of green grass? It absorbs red light and reflects green light. It transmits all colors of light except green. It absorbs red light and emits green light. It means the lawn is healthy.

It absorbs red light and reflects green light.

What do we mean by the diffraction limit of a telescope? It is the angular resolution the telescope could achieve if nothing besides the size of its light-collecting area affected the quality of its images. It is the maximum size to which any telescope can be built. It describes the maximum exposure time for images captured with the telescope. It describes the farthest distance to which the telescope can see.

It is the angular resolution the telescope could achieve if nothing besides the size of its light-collecting area affected the quality of its images.

Why is a sunflower yellow? It emits yellow light. It absorbs yellow light. It reflects yellow light.

It reflects yellow light.

What is the Oort cloud? It is a giant storm in the atmosphere of Saturn. It is a great cloud of gas that resides far beyond the orbit of Pluto. It's not really a cloud at all, but rather refers to the trillion or so comets thought to orbit the Sun at great distances. It is another name for the cloud of gas from which our solar system was born.

It's not really a cloud at all, but rather refers to the trillion or so comets thought to orbit the Sun at great distances.

Choose the correct definition and two examples of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its motion. A car resting on the top of a hill or molecules of hot, raising up air have kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its motion. A car driving down the highway or molecules of hot, raising up air have kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its position. A car driving down the highway or molecules of hot, raising up air have kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its position. A car resting on the top of a hill or molecules of hot, raising up air have kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its motion. A car driving down the highway or molecules of hot, raising up air have kinetic energy.

As shown in the video, Earth has two tidal bulges at all times. Approximately where are these bulges located? One faces the Moon and one faces opposite the Moon. Both are on lines perpendicular to the Earth-Moon line. One faces the Moon and one faces the Sun. One is over the Atlantic Ocean, and one is over the Pacific Ocean.

One faces the Moon and one faces opposite the Moon.

Choose the correct definition and two examples of potential energy. Potential energy is energy of close molecules' interaction. Two examples are chemical energy in a breakfast cereal and mechanical energy in a compressed spring. Potential energy is energy that is stored. Two examples are mechanical energy in a compressed spring and gravitational energy in a rock on the top of a hill. Potential energy is energy of close molecules' interaction. Two examples are thermal energy of molecules of hot air and mechanical energy of a rock on the top of a hill. Potential energy is energy that is stored. Two examples are mechanical energy of a car driving down the highway and thermal energy of molecules of hot air.

Potential energy is energy that is stored. Two examples are mechanical energy in a compressed spring and gravitational energy in a rock on the top of a hill.

Choose the correct definition and two examples of radiative energy. Radiative energy represent energy of many individual particles. Sunlight and molecules of liquid in a cup of hot coffee carry this form of energy. Radiative energy represent energy of many individual particles. Sunlight and molecules of hot, raising up air carry this form of energy. Radiative energy is energy in the form of light. Sunlight and acoustic waves carry this form of energy. Radiative energy is energy in the form of light. Sunlight and radio waves carry this form of energy.

Radiative energy is energy in the form of light. Sunlight and radio waves carry this form of energy.

Suppose the Sun were suddenly to shrink in size but that its mass remained the same. According to the law of conservation of angular momentum, what would happen? The Sun would rotate faster than it does now. The Sun's rate of rotation would slow. The Sun's angular size in our sky would stay the same. This could never happen because it is impossible for an object to shrink in size without an outside torque.

The Sun would rotate faster than it does now.

What is the acceleration of gravity? The acceleration of an object because of the Earth's rotation. It is 9.8 m/s2 and is constant anywhere beneath the orbit of the Moon. The acceleration of an object because of the Earth's rotation. It is 9.8 m/s2 near the surface of Earth and varies at different places. The acceleration of an object in free-fall. It is 9.8 m/s2 near the surface of Earth and varies from place to place. The acceleration of an object in free-fall. It is 9.8 m/s2 and is constant anywhere beneath the orbit of the Moon.

The acceleration of an object in free-fall. It is 9.8 m/s2 near the surface of Earth and varies from place to place.

Why does the Sun's image look distorted in shape at sunset? Air scatters different colors of light by different amounts. The distortion arises because of the way air affects the paths of light. The distortion is an illusion that you notice by eye but does not show up in photographs. The distortion is an artifact of the photographic process that your eyes would not actually see.

The distortion arises because of the way air affects the paths of light.

In Part A, you found that your weight will be greater than normal when the elevator is moving upward with increasing speed. For which of the following other motions would your weight also be greater than your normal weight? The elevator moves downward with constant velocity. The elevator moves downward while slowing in speed. The elevator moves upward while slowing in speed. The elevator moves downward while increasing in speed. The elevator moves upward with constant velocity.

The elevator moves downward while slowing in speed.

Suppose that two stars are separated in the sky by 0.01 arcsecond, and you observe them with a telescope that has an angular resolution of 1 arcsecond. What will you see? The light from the two stars will be blended together so that they look like one star. The stars will not be visible to the telescope at all. The two stars will each be distinctly visible. The light of the two stars will overlap in a way that makes them look like an oval or small line segment in the sky.

The light from the two stars will be blended together so that they look like one star.

What do we mean when we say that a nucleus undergoes radioactive decay? The number of protons or neutrons (or both) in the nucleus changes. The nucleus splits into two equal size pieces. The nucleus emits radio waves. The mass of the nucleus is converted into high-energy X rays and gamma rays.

The number of protons or neutrons (or both) in the nucleus changes.

Suppose you were to let go of an object at the top of such elevator. How would the object move? Assume that you do not give it any kind of push relative to the top of the elevator. The object would fall directly toward Earth. The object would slowly lose its speed and eventually fall to Earth. The object would slowly drift to the outer space because it's not connected to Earth anymore. The object would remain in orbit just next to the elevator top.

The object would remain in orbit just next to the elevator top.

Imagine another solar system, with a star more massive than the Sun. Suppose a planet with the same mass as Earth orbits at a distance of 1 AU from the star. How would the planet's year (orbital period) compare to Earth's year? The planet's year would be shorter than Earth's. The planet's year would be longer than Earth's. An orbit at a distance of 1 AU would not be possible around a star more massive than the Sun. The planet's year would be the same as Earth's.

The planet's year would be shorter than Earth's.

One tidal bulge faces toward the Moon because that is where the gravitational attraction between Earth and the Moon is strongest. Which of the following best explains why there is also a second tidal bulge? The second tidal bulge is created by the centrifugal force caused by Earth's rapid rotation. The second tidal bulge is a rebound effect, created when water on the side facing the Moon falls back down and thereby pushes up the water on the opposite side of Earth. The second tidal bulge is created by the Sun's gravity. The second tidal bulge arises because gravity weakens with distance, essentially stretching Earth along the Earth-Moon line.

The second tidal bulge arises because gravity weakens with distance, essentially stretching Earth along the Earth-Moon line.

All of the following statements about the Sun's corona are true. Which one explains why it is a source of X-rays? The corona's gas consists mostly of hydrogen and helium. The temperature of the corona's gas is some 1 to 2 million Kelvin. The corona lies above the visible surface of the Sun. The corona's structure is largely shaped by magnetic fields.

The temperature of the corona's gas is some 1 to 2 million Kelvin.

The planet Neptune is blue in color. How would you expect the spectrum of visible light from Neptune to be different from the visible-light spectrum of the Sun? Neptune's spectrum would peak at a much longer wavelength than the Sun's spectrum. There is no way to predict the answer to this question because planets and stars are made of such different things. The two spectra would have similar shapes, except Neptune's spectrum would be missing a big chunk of the blue light that is present in the Sun's spectrum. The two spectra would have similar shapes, except Neptune's spectrum would be missing a big chunk of the red light that is present in the Sun's spectrum.

The two spectra would have similar shapes, except Neptune's spectrum would be missing a big chunk of the red light that is present in the Sun's spectrum.

About 2% of our solar nebula consisted of elements besides hydrogen and helium. However, the first generation of star systems in the universe probably consisted only of hydrogen and helium. Which of the following statements is most likely to have been true about these first-generation star systems? There were no comets or asteroids in these first-generation star systems. Jovian planets in these first-generation star systems had clouds made of water and other hydrogen compounds. These first-generation star systems typically had several terrestrial planets in addition to jovian planets. Like the jovian planets in our solar system, the jovian planets in these first-generation systems were orbited by rings.

There were no comets or asteroids in these first-generation star systems.

What do we mean when we say that energy levels are quantized in atoms? We mean that the electrons can have only discrete values of electrical potential energy in atoms. We mean that the photons can have only continuous values of electrical potential energy in atoms. We mean that the electrons can have only continuous electrical potential energy in atoms. We mean that the photons can have only discrete values of electrical potential energy in atoms.

We mean that the electrons can have only discrete values of electrical potential energy in atoms.

Suppose the Moon's orbit were unchanged, but it rotated faster (meaning it did not have synchronous rotation). Which of the following would be true? The Moon would go through its cycle of phases (from one new moon to the next) in less time than it does now. High tides would occur more frequently than they do now. Tides would be stronger; that is, higher high tides and lower low tides. We would no longer always see nearly the same face of the Moon. All of the listed choices are true.

We would no longer always see nearly the same face of the Moon.

Which of the following statements is not one of Newton's Laws of Motion? For any force, there always is an equal and opposite reaction force. What goes up must come down. The rate of change of momentum of an object is equal to the net force applied to the object. In the absence of a net force acting on it, an object moves with constant velocity.

What goes up must come down.

What is the primary reason that we launch X-ray telescopes into space rather than building them on the ground? Atmospheric turbulence blurs X-ray images too much. It is less expensive to launch them into space. X-rays from space do not reach the ground. On the ground, there would be too much light pollution from nearby cities.

X-rays from space do not reach the ground.

Would (not counting the huge costs for construction) such elevator make it cheaper and easier to put satellites in orbit or to launch spacecraft into deep space? No, even launched from the top of the elevator a spaceship still needs to overcome Earth's gravitational pull, so there is no difference in cost or resources. No, because the elevator would require the same amount of fuel to operate as a rocket launch and fuel makes up around 90% of the launch cost. Yes, it would be possible to deliver spaceships to the top of the elevator for a much lesser cost. Also, much less fuel will be required to launch a spaceship from there. Yes, because the elevator could be repeatedly used for spaceship launches. Cost and resources required for each launch, however, would remain the same due to the same energy difference a spaceship must overcome.

Yes, it would be possible to deliver spaceships to the top of the elevator for a much lesser cost. Also, much less fuel will be required to launch a spaceship from there.

Most people are familiar with the rise and fall of ocean tides. Do tides also affect land? No, tides can only affect liquids and gases, not solids. Yes, land rises and falls with tides equally as high (and low) as the oceans. No, tides only affect the oceans. Yes, though land rises and falls by a much smaller amount than the oceans.

Yes, though land rises and falls by a much smaller amount than the oceans.

Suppose you are in an elevator car when the elevator cable breaks. Which of the following correctly describes what happens and why. You float weightlessly within the elevator car because you and the elevator both begin to accelerate downward at the same rate. You will crash your head into the elevator car ceiling because Earth's gravity will be pulling the car down faster than it pulls you down. You will crash your head into the elevator car ceiling because the car will be falling rapidly away from you. You float weightlessly within the elevator car because Earth's gravity is no longer tugging on you. You will remain stuck to the elevator floor as you and the elevator plunge downward toward a horrific crash.

You float weightlessly within the elevator car because you and the elevator both begin to accelerate downward at the same rate.

Suppose you lived on the Moon. Which of the following would be true? Both your weight and your mass would be less than they are on Earth. Your mass would be less than your mass on Earth, but your weight would be the same as it is on Earth. Your weight would be less than your weight on Earth, but your mass would be the same as it is on Earth. Both your weight and your mass would be the same as they are on Earth.

Your weight would be less than your weight on Earth, but your mass would be the same as it is on Earth.

The planets never travel in a straight line as they orbit the Sun. According to Newton's second law of motion, this must mean that _________. a force is acting on the planets the planets will eventually fall into the Sun the planets are always accelerating the planets have angular momentum

a force is acting on the planets

Radio waves are: a form of sound. a form of light. a type of spectrum.

a form of light.

You have found that tides on Earth are determined primarily by the position of the Moon, with the Sun playing only a secondary role. Why does the Moon play a greater role in causing tides than the Sun? because the Moon orbits Earth faster than Earth orbits the Sun because the gravitational attraction between Earth and the Moon varies more across Earth than does the gravitational attraction between Earth and the Sun because the gravitational force between Earth and the Moon is stronger than the gravitational force between Earth and the Sun

because the gravitational attraction between Earth and the Moon varies more across Earth than does the gravitational attraction between Earth and the Sun

When we say that jovian planets contain significant amounts of hydrogen compounds except, we mean all the following chemicals except _____. carbon dioxide water ammonia methane

carbon dioxide

The set of spectral lines that we see in a star's spectrum depends on the star's: atomic structure. chemical composition. rotation rate.

chemical composition.

If our eyes were sensitive only to X rays, the world would appear __________. gray, black, and white like a medical X ray brighter than normal because X rays carry more energy than visible light photons dark because X-ray light does not reach Earth's surface green, yellow, and orange, because those are the colors of X rays

dark because X-ray light does not reach Earth's surfac

Suppose two objects are attracting each other gravitationally. If you double the distance between them, the strength of their gravitational attraction __________. increases by a factor of 2 decreases by a factor of 2 increases by a factor of 4 decreases by a factor of 4 increases by a factor of 9 decreases by a factor of 9

decreases by a factor of 4

According to the universal law of gravitation, if you triple the distance between two objects, then the gravitational force between them __________. decreases by a factor of 3 decreases by a factor of 9 increases by a factor of 3 increases by a factor of 9

decreases by a factor of 9

How much greater is the light-collecting area of a 6-meter telescope than a 3-meter telescope? two times four times six times

four times

What substances existed as solid flakes within the innermost regions (within about the inner 0.3 AU) of the solar system before planets began to form? none only rocks and metals only hydrogen compounds only hydrogen and helium gases

none

Suppose that you had "X-ray vision" that allowed you to see X rays. What would you notice when you looked at a friend standing near you that you could not notice with your visible light vision alone? you could see your friend's internal muscles but not bones nothing you could see your friend's internal bone structure

nothing

If Earth were twice as far from the Sun, the force of gravity attracting Earth to the Sun would be: twice as strong. half as strong. one-quarter as strong.

one-quarter as strong.

When considering light as made up of individual "pieces," each characterized by a particular amount of energy, the pieces are called __________. wavicles photons gamma rays frequencies

photons

Thermal radiation is defined as __________. radiation with a spectrum whose shape depends only on the temperature of the emitting object radiation that is felt as heat radiation in the form of emission lines from an object radiation produced by an extremely hot object

radiation with a spectrum whose shape depends only on the temperature of the emitting object

If you have a telescope that is observing light with wavelengths of a few meters, you are observing __________. infrared light gamma rays radio waves ultraviolet light X rays visible light

radio waves

A red shirt is red because it __________. reflects red light but absorbs other colors transmits red light absorbs red light but reflects other colors emits red light only

reflects red light but absorbs other colors

When your eye forms an image, the _____ plays a role analogous to the detector in a camera. optic nerve lens pupil retina

retina

The jovian planets are thought to have formed as gravity drew hydrogen and helium gas around planetesimals made of __________. only rocks and metals only ices rocks, metals, and ices rocks, metals, ices, and hydrogen and helium gases

rocks, metals, and ices

X ray photons have a _____ wavelength, _____ frequency, and _____ energy than do ultraviolet photons. longer, lower, lower shorter, higher, higher longer, higher, higher shorter, higher, lower shorter, lower, higher longer, lower, higher

shorter, higher, higher

Compared to a cold object, a hotter object of the same size emits most of its light at __________ wavelengths and emits _____ light overall. the same, more shorter, more longer, more shorter, less

shorter, more