Astronomy Final: Homework and Tests
How far away from Earth is the nearest star? a) 1AU b) 1.3 pc c) 0.53'' d) 10 ly e) 10 pc
1 AU
Sun's radius is larger than 100 Earth's radii. How much bigger is Sun's volume compared to Earth's volume? a) 100 b) 1000 c) 100,000 d) 1,000,000
1,000,000
If the parallax of a star is measured to be 0.1 arc seconds, its distance is a) 0.1 parsec b) 1 parsec c) 10 parsec d) 0.1AU e) 10AU
10 parsec
Compared to Earth, Saturn's core is roughly A) twice as massive. B) 10 times more massive. C) the same mass. D): half the mass.
10 times more massive
Two identical stars, one 5 light-years and the second one 50 light-years away from Earth are discovered. How much fainter does the farther star appear to be? a) the farther star does not appear fainter, since they are identical. b) square root of 10. c) 10. d) 100. e) 1,000.
100
Two stars have the same surface temperature, but the radius of one is 10 times that of the other. The larger star is a) the same as luminous. b) twice as luminous. c) 10 times as luminous. d) 100 times as luminous. e) 1000 times as luminous.
100 times as luminous
A star has apparent magnitude 16.5 and absolute magnitude 0.5. How far away is it (parsecs)?
15848.9319
How far away (in lightyears) is a star whose parallax is 0.0169 "?
195.2663
From a distance of 1 parsec, the angular size of Earth's orbit would be A) 2 arc seconds. B) 2 degrees. C) 1 degree. D) 1 arc minute.
2 arc seconds
What is the wavelength of a 125-MHz radio signal?
2.4000m
The reason Earth experiences seasons is that: a) global warming and cooling b) 23.5° tilt of our planet relative to the Sun. c) Earth is closer to the Sun during part of the year. d) Moon pulls on Earth from a changing distance. e) Earth's axis of rotation wobbles.
23.5 tilt of our planet relative to the Sun
A star has apparent magnitude 10.5 and absolute magnitude 8.5. How far away is it (parsecs)?
25.1189
In the figure above, a Cepheid variable star with luminosity 1000 times that of the Sun has a pulsation period of roughly A) 50 days. B) 3 days. C) 1 day. D) 10 days.
3 days
What is the wavelength of a 90-MHz radio signal?
3.3333m
How many radians are in 1"?
4.848×10 ^-6
According to the figure above, the temperature in the solar nebula at the location now at the center of the asteroid belt is A)2000 K. B) 100 K. C) 400 K D) 900 K.
400 K
According to the figure above, the temperature in the solar nebula at the location now at the center of the asteroid belt is B): 400 K. C) 900 K. D): 2000 K.
400 K
The star Betelgeuse is 4.25x102 light years away. How long would it take for a radio signal to reach us from a civilization on a planet circling the star?
425 years
According to the figure above, Jupiter's magnetosphere extends away from the planet by about A) 20 AU. B) 10 AU C): 5 AU. D) 1 AU.
5 AU
According to the figure above, Jupiter's magnetosphere extends away from the planet by about A)1 AU. B)20 AU. C)5 AU. D) 10 AU.
5 AU
How long (s) would a radar signal take to complete the round-trip between Earth and Mars when the planets are 0.5 AU apart?
500s
How far away (in parsecs) is a star whose parallax is 0.0187 "?
53.4759
Interstellar gas is composed primarily of a) 90% hydrogen, 9% helium, and 1% heavier elements. b) molecules including water and CO2. c) 50% hydrogen, 50% helium. d) hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. e) 99% hydrogen, and 1% heavier elements.
90% hydrogen, 9% helium and 1% heavier elements
How long (s) would a radar signal take to complete the round-trip between Earth and Mars when the planets are 0.9 AU apart?
900s
(Multiple Answers)The number 4.2x10 3 can be represented in several different ways: Pick ALL which are correct: A. 4.2x10E3 B. 4,200 C. 4.2x10**3 D. 0.42X10**5
A,B,C
Astronomers use the term nebula to refer to a) outer envelopes of dying stars that drift gently into space. b) remnants of stars that die by supernova. c) clouds of gas and dust in interstellar space. d) distant galaxies seen beyond our Milky Way. e) All of the above are correct.
All of the above are correct
Radio telescopes are useful because a) observations can be made day and night. b) we can see objects that don't emit visible light. c) radio waves are not blocked by interstellar dust. d) they can be combined to form interferometers. e) All of the above are true.
All of the above are true
Astronomers wish to build large telescopes because larger telescopes a) allow to detect fainter object. b) allow to detect more detail in the image. c) produce greater magnification of the image. d) allow to study more wavelengths. e) Both (a) and (b).
Both (a) and (b)
In terms of area, the extinct Martian volcano Olympus Mons is about the size of A) North America. B) Colorado. C) Earth's Moon. D)Mt. Everest.
Colorado
In terms of area, the extinct Martian volcano Olympus Mons is about the size of A) North America. B) Earth's Moon. C) Mt. Everest. D) Colorado.
Colorado
During a lunar eclipse the a) Sun goes below the horizon. b) Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. c) Moon comes between Earth and the Sun. d) Sun comes between Earth and the Moon.
Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon
What causes a meteor shower? a) A comet and an asteroid collide. b) Earth runs into a stray swarm of asteroids. c) Earth runs into the debris of an old comet littering its orbit. d) Meteorites are ejected from the Moon. e) Debris from a supernova enters Earth's atmosphere.
Earth runs into the debris of an old comet littering its orbit
Earth is closer to the Sun in January. From this fact, Kepler's 2nd law tells us a) Earth's orbit is slower in January. b) Earth's orbit is faster in January. c) Earth's orbital speed doesn't change.
Earth's orbit is faster in January
A nova is a sudden outburst of light coming from an old main-sequence star.
False
A planetary nebula is the disk of matter around a star that will eventually form a planetary system.
False
A star of apparent magnitude +5 looks brighter than one of apparent magnitude +2.
False
Aristotle proposed that all planets revolve around the Sun.
False
Asteroids were recently formed by the collision and breakup of an object orbiting in the asteroid belt.
False
Astronomers have no theoretical explanation for the "hot Jupiters" observed orbiting some other stars.
False
Brown dwarfs take a long time to form, but will eventually become visible stars on the lower main sequence
False
Copernicus's theories gained widespread scientific acceptance during his lifetime.
False
Gamma-ray telescopes employ the same basic design that optical instruments use.
False
Globular clusters trace out the structure of the Galactic disk.
False
If we know the distance of an object from Earth, we can determine the object's size by measuring its parallax.
False
In a spectroscopic binary, the orbital motion of the component star appears as variations in the overall apparent brightness of the system
False
In a spectroscopic binary, the orbital motion of the component star appears as variations in the overall apparent brightness of the system.
False
Infrared astronomy can only be done from space.
False
Interstellar matter is quite evenly distributed throughout the Milky Way Galaxy.
False
Neutrinos have never been detected experimentally.
False
Numerous surface features on Venus can be seen in Earth-based images made in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum.
False
Red giants are very bright because they are extremely hot.
False
Star A appears brighter than star B, as seen from Earth. Therefore star A must be closer to Earth than star B.
False
Sunspots appear dark because they are hotter than the surrounding gas in the photosphere.
False
The Milky Way Galaxy is about 1 million times larger than the Earth
False
The heliocentric model of the universe holds that Earth is at the center and everything else moves around it.
False
The proton-proton chain releases energy because mass is created in the process.
False
The seasons are caused by the precession of the Earth's axis.
False
The solar system is of largely uniform composition.
False
The solid surface of Jupiter lies just below the cloud layers that are visible from Earth.
False
The speed of a planet orbiting the Sun is independent of the planet's position in the orbit.
False
The term "seeing" is used to describe how faint an object can be detected by a telescope.
False
There are many indications of plate tectonics on Mars.
False
Volcanic activity continues today on the surface of the moon.
False
We can use 21-cm radiation to study molecular clouds.
False
Which spectral classification type corresponds to a star like the Sun? a) FIII b) A1 V c) K2 Ib d) G2 V e) M5 V
G2 V
Who published the first astronomical observations made with a telescope? a) Aristotle b) Tycho Brahe c) Galileo d) Kepler e) Copernicus
Galileo
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) offers sharper image than ground-based telescopes primarily because a) HST is closer to planets and stars. b) HST uses a larger primary mirror. c) it gathers X-ray light. d) HST orbits above the atmosphere. e) it stays on the nighttime side of Earth.
HST orbits above the atmosphere
Place the statements concerning lunar formation below in chronological order from the time of formation. I. coalesced from orbiting debris II. cooling of interior III. mare formed IV. surface melting by heavy bombardment a) I, IV, III, II b) III, II, IV, I c) IV, III, II, I d) II, III, IV, I
I,IV,III,II
The best way to study young stars hidden behind interstellar dust clouds would be to use A) infrared light. B) X-rays. C) blue light. D): ultraviolet light.
Infared light
Which of these is TRUE about the seasons on Uranus? a) Its strange tilt produces extreme seasonal variations. b) With its tilt of 29°, Uranus has four seasons similar to those on Earth. c) It never shows any weather in its bland clouds. d) It spins so fast all seasons are the same.
Its strange tilt produces extreme seasonal variations
The density of the Sun is most similar to that of a) a comet. b) Jupiter. c) Earth. d) interstellar gas. e) an asteroid.
Jupiter
Which statement about the rotations of Mercury and the Moon is FALSE? a) Our Moon keeps the same side toward us. b) The rotation period of Mercury is 59 Earth days. c) Like our Moon, Mercury keeps the same side facing the Sun. d) On Mercury, three "sidereal days" equals two "years". e) On the Moon, sunlight lasts for about 15 Earth days in a row.
Like our Moon, Mercury keeps the same side facing the Sun
Which of the following inner solar system bodies has the largest volcanoes? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Mars e) Moon
Mars
Which of the following are terrestrial planets? a) only Earth b) Earth, Moon, and Mercury c) Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars d) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars, and Pluto e) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars, Phobos, and Deimos
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
What is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere? a) Oxygen b) Nitrogen c) Hydrogen d) Carbon dioxide e) Argon
Nitrogen
The main reason that professional research telescopes are built on the highest mountaintops is to A) get away from city lights. B) reduce atmospheric blurring. D) improve chromatic aberration.
Redue atmospheric blurring
How did the geocentric model account for day and night on Earth? a) The Earth rotated. b) The Sun rotated. c) The geocentric model couldn't account for day and night. d) Earth revolved around the Sun. e) The Sun orbited Earth.
The Sun orbited Earth
Choose the statement that best completes the sentence. If Earth rotated twice as fast as it currently does, but its motion around the Sun stayed the same, then A) the night would be half as long. B)the night would be twice as long. C) the year would be half as long. D)the length of the day would be unchanged.
The night would be half as long
A lunar eclipse can occur only during the full phase.
True
All of the single red-dwarf stars that ever formed are still on the main sequence today.
True
Although often referred to as a gaseous planet, Jupiter is mostly liquid in its interior.
True
An electron moves to a higher energy level in an atom after absorbing a photon of a specific energy.
True
Around northern midsummer on Uranus, an observer near the north pole would observe the Sun high and almost stationary in the sky.
True
As you drive away from a radio transmitter, the radio signal you receive from the station is shifted to longer wavelengths.
True
Asteroids, meteoroids, and comets are remnants of the early solar system.
True
Astronomers can distinguish between main-sequence and giant stars by purely spectroscopic means.
True
Because of tidal forces, the Moon is in a synchronous orbit around Earth.
True
Cepheid variables can be used to determine distances to the nearest galaxies
True
Evidence of lava flows is common on the surface of Venus.
True
Except for the layer of air closest to Earth's surface, the ozone layer is the warmest part of the atmosphere.
True
Flares are caused by magnetic disturbances in the lower atmosphere of the Sun.
True
Herschel's attempt to map the Milky Way by counting stars led to an inaccurate estimate of the Galaxy's size because he was unaware of absorption by interstellar dust.
True
Imagine an emission spectrum produced by a container of hydrogen gas. Changing the gas in the container from hydrogen to helium will change the colors of the lines in the spectrum.
True
It takes less and less time to fuse heavier and heavier elements inside a high-mass star.
True
Jupiter emits more energy than it receives from the Sun.
True
Luna maria are extensive lava-flow regions.
True
Mars has the largest volcanoes in the solar system.
True
More massive stars form more rapidly.
True
Most stars form as members of groups or clusters.
True
Motion of the crustal plates is driven by convection in Earth's upper mantle.
True
Nuclear fusion in the core of a massive star can not create elements much heavier than iron.
True
One of the primary advantages of CCD's over photographic plates is the former's high efficiency in detecting light.
True
Radio telescopes are large in part to improve their angular resolution, which is poor because of the long wavelengths at which they are used to observe the skies.
True
Stars and gas in the Galactic disk move in roughly circular orbits around the Galactic center.
True
Storms in the jovian planets' atmospheres are generally much longer lived than storms on Earth.
True
The energy of a photon is inversely proportional to the wavelength of the radiation.
True
The formation of the first high-mass stars in a collapsing cloud tend to inhibit further star formation within the cloud.
True
The most abundant element in the Sun is hydrogen.
True
The solar day is longer than the sidereal day.
True
The total mass of all the planets is much less than the mass of the Sun.
True
There are no billion-year-old main-sequence O- or B-type stars.
True
There is strong circumstantial evidence that active volcanism continues on Venus.
True
Two otherwise identical objects have temperatures of 1000 K and 1200 K respectively. The object at 1200 K emits roughly twice as much radiation as the object at 1000 K.
True
You throw a baseball to someone; before the ball is caught, it is temporarily in orbit around Earth's center.
True
The region around Earth where the magnetic field traps charged particles is the a) ozone layer. b) exosphere. c) corona. d) Van Allen radiation belts. e) aurora borealis and australis
Van Allen radiation belts
Which of the following inner solar system bodies has the densest atmosphere? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Moon e) Mars
Venus
If you were making a scale model of Earth, representing our planet by a 12 inch basketball, the inner core would be about the size of A) a 7-inch grapefruit. B) a half-inch ball bearing. C) a 4-inch tangerine. D) a 2-inch golf ball.
a 2-inch golf ball
The time between successive sunspot maxima is about A) a century. B) a month. C) a decade. D) a year.
a decade
The time between successive sunspot maxima is about A) a century. B) a month. C) a year. D) a decade.
a decade
Within 30 Mpc of the Sun, there are about A) a few thousand galaxies. B) 30 galaxies. C) 3 galaxies. D) a few million galaxies.
a few thousand galaxies
Two stars that appear equally bright, the closer star generally has a) a higher flux b) a hotter temperature c) a lower luminosity d) identical physical properties
a lower luminosity
What is a T-Tauri star? a) a collapsing cloud of gas about to become a protostar b) a dying star c) a cool main sequence star d) a star releasing a planetary nebula e) a protostar about to become a star
a prostar about to become a star
Of the following telescopes, the one best suited to observing dark dust clouds is A) an X-ray telescope. B) a large visible-light telescope. C) a radio telescope. D) an orbiting ultraviolet telescope.
a radio telescope
High-speed motion of gas and stars near the Milky Way Galaxy' center is explained by a) tidal forces from the Andromeda Galaxy. b) accretion disk around neutron stars. c) gamma-ray bursts. d) gravitation from globular clusters. e) a supermassive black hole.
a supermassive black hole
Our Sun is located in the Milky Way Galaxy a) about 30 Kpc from the center in the halo. b) 30,000 light-years from the center in a globular cluster. c) at the outer edge of the galactic disk, in the plane. d) about halfway from the center, in the spiral arms. e) in the bulge, near the Orion arm.
about halfway from the center, in the spiral arms
As seen from the Moon, how often does the Sun rise? a) never b) about every 24 hours c) about once per week d) about once per month e) about once per year
about once per month
All stars in a stellar cluster have roughly the same a) age. b) temperature. c) mass. d) color. e) luminosity.
age
The Moon's internal structure is similar to Earth's. but the Moon lacks a) an atmosphere. b) a hydrosphere. c) a magnetosphere. d) all of the above.
all of the above
An advantage of CCDs over photographic film is a) they don't require chemical development. b) digital data is easily stored and transferred. c) CCDs are more light sensitive than film. d) CCD image can be developed faster. e) All of the above are true.
all of the above are true
Gravity is Newton's Law of Gravity a) sometimes an attractive force and sometimes a repulsive force. b) always an attractive force. c) always a repulsive force. d) none of the above.
always an attractive force
The wavelengths of emission lines of an element a) are identical to its absorption lines. b) depend on its temperature. c) depend on its density d) depend on its intensity. e) are different than its absorption lines.
are identical to its absorption lines
A star like our Sun will spend most of its "shining" lifetime a) as a protostar. b) as a red giant. c) as a main sequence star. d) as a white dwarf. e) evolving from type O to type M
as a main sequence star
Diffraction is the tendency of light to a) bend around corners and edges. b) separate into its component colors. c) bend through a lens. d) disperse within a prism. e) reflect off a mirror.
bend around corners and edges
Most asteroids are found a) beyond the orbit of Neptune. b) between Earth and the Sun. c) between Mars and Jupiter. d) in the orbit of Jupiter, but 60 degrees ahead or behind it. e) in the Oort cloud.
between Mars and Jupiter
The weakness of the magnetic field of Mars is because a) it spins much slower than Earth does. b) its core may no longer be molten. c) its core contains less iron than our Earth. d) both (b) and (c) are true. e) all of the above.
both (b) and (c) are true
Which of the following quantities do you need in order to calculate luminosity of a star? a) apparent brightness b) Doppler shift of spectral lines c) color of the star d) distance to the star e) both a and d
both a and d
In the stellar magnitude system invented by Hipparchus, a smaller magnitude indicates a ______ star. a) brighter b) hotter c) cooler d) fainter e) more distant
brighter
Elements heavier than carbon were created a) in the Big Bang. b) within planetary nebula. c) They have always existed. d) by nucleosynthesis in massive stars. e) in the core of stars like the Sun.
by nucleosynthesis in massive stars
The mass of a star may be determined A) by studying its orbit around a binary companion. B) by determining its composition. C) by measuring its luminosity. D) by measuring its Doppler shift.
by studying its orbit around a binary companion
The figure above, showing the motion of a ball near Earth's surface, depicts how gravity A) has no effect on the ball. B)causes the ball to accelerate upward. C) causes the ball to accelerate downward. D)increases with altitude.
cassette ball to accelerate downward
Stars are often born within groups known as a) clans. b) spiral waves. c) aggregates. d) clusters. e) swarms.
clusters
Which property of a star would not change if we could observe it from twice as far away? a) angular size b) proper motion c) apparent magnitude d) parallax e) color
color
The figure above (Supernova Light Curves) indicates that a supernova whose luminosity declines steadily in time is most likely associated with a star that is A) more than eight times the mass of the Sun. B) on the main sequence. C) without a binary companion. D)comparable in mass to the Sun.
comparable in mass to the Sun
Infrared telescopes are very useful for observing a) pulsars and black holes. b) cool stars and star-forming regions. c) hot stars and intergalactic gas. d) neutron stars. e) from locations on the ground.
cool stars and star-forming regions
Most of the mass of the Milky Way exists in the form of A) gas. B) dark matter. C) dust. D)stars.
dark matter
All stars in a stellar cluster have roughly the same a) distance. b) color. c) temperature. d) mass. e) luminosity.
distance
Stellar parallax is used to measure the a) size of stars. b) distance of stars. c) temperature of stars. d) radial velocity of stars. e) brightness of stars.
distance of stars
The angle of stellar parallax for a star gets smaller as the a) size of the star increases. b) distance to the star increases. c) length of the baseline increases . d) size of the telescope increases. e) wavelength of light increases.
distance to the star increases
A total solar eclipse occurs a) during a new Moon phase. b) when Earth blocks the Moon. c) during a full Moon phase. d) always around the summer solstice.
during a new Moon phase
What is the path that the Sun, Moon and planets pass through the constellations? a) the vernal equinox b) zodiac c) the celestial equator d) polaris e) ecliptic
ecliptic
A white dwarf is supported by the pressure of tightly packed A) neutrons. B) electrons. C) photons. D) protons.
electrons
The number of sunspots and solar activity in general peaks a) every 27 days, the apparent rotation period of the Sun's surface. b) once a year. c) every 5.5 years. d) every 11 years. e) approximately every 100 years.
every 11 years
Compared with a star of absolute magnitude -2 at a distance of 100 pc, a star of absolute magnitude 5 at a distance of 10 pc will appear A) to have the same brightness. B) brighter. C) fainter. D) bluer.
fainter
The figure above tells us that A) there is no matter beyond about 15 kpc from the Galactic center. B) far from the center, the Galaxy rotates more slowly that we would expect based on the light that we see. C)far from the center, the Galaxy rotates more rapidly than we would expect based on the light that we see. D) the Galaxy rotates like a solid body.
far from the center, the Galaxy rotates more rapidly than we would expect based on the light that we see
The most likely theory of the formation of the Moon is that it A) formed from a collision of Earth with a Mars-sized object. B) was formed by the gravitational capture of a large asteroid. C) was created from a collision scooping out the Pacific Ocean. D) formed simultaneously with Earth's formation.
formed from a collision of Earth with a Mars-sized object
The most likely theory of the formation of the Moon is that it A)gravitational capture of a large asteroid. B)formed from a collision of Earth with a Mars-sized object. C) formed simultaneously with Earth's formation. D) was created from a collision scooping out the Pacific Ocean.
formed from a collision of Earth with a Mars-sized object
In the leading theory of solar system formation, the planets A) are much older than the Sun. B) are much younger than the sun C) were ejected from the Sun following a close encounter with another star. D)formed from the same flattened, swirling gas cloud that formed the Sun.
formed from the same flattened swirling gas cloud that formed the Sun
In the leading theory of solar system formation, the planets A) are much younger than the Sun. B) were ejected from the Sun following a close encounter with another star. C) are much older than the Sun. D) formed from the same flattened, swirling gas cloud that formed the Sun.
formed from the same flattened, swirling gas cloud that formed the Sun
Solar energy is produced by A) solar magnetism B) fusion of light nuclei into heaver ones. C) the release of heat leftover from the Sun's formation. D) fission of heavier nuclei into lighter ones.
fusion of light nuclei into heaver ones
Solar energy is produced by A) fusion of light nuclei into heaver ones. B) solar magnetism. C) the release of heat leftover from the Sun's formation. D): fission of heavier nuclei into lighter ones.
fusion of light nuclei into heavier ones
The primary source of the Sun's energy is a) solar magnetism. b) oxidation of carbon in the core. c) fission of heavier nuclei into lighter ones. d) fusion of light nuclei into heavier ones. e) gravitational collapse of the helium toward the core.
fusion of light nuclei into heavier ones
The Sun is stable as a star because a) gravity balances the force from pressure. b) the rate of fusion equals the rate of fission. c) radiation and convection balance. d) mass is converted into energy. e) fusion does not depend on temperature.
gravity balances the force from pressure
Mercury's large overall density suggests that the planet A)is younger than the Moon. B) has a weaker magnetic field that the Moon. C) has a dense metal core. D) has an interior structure similar to that of Earth's moon.
has a dense metal core
The Sun will evolve away from the main sequence when a) its core begins fusing iron. b) its supply of hydrogen is used up. c) the carbon core detonates, it explodes as a TypeI supernova. d) helium builds up in the core, while the hydrogen-burning shell expands. e) the core loses all of its neutrinos, so all fusion ceases.
helium builds up in the core, while the hydrogen-burning shell expands.
Saturn radiates even more excess energy than Jupiter because a) Saturn is still radiating heat left over from its formation. b) Saturn's thick cloud layer contributes to a larger greenhouse effect. c) helium rain give off heat as it falls toward Saturn's center. d) Saturn's atmosphere contains methane. e) Saturn can fuse hydrogen into helium in its core, like the Sun.
helium rain give off heat as it falls toward Saturn's center
In the figure above (Newborn Star on the H-R Diagram), as the star moves from stage 6 to stage 7 it becomes A) redder and brighter. B) hotter and smaller. C) cooler and fainter. D): larger and cooler.
hotter and smaller
Rigel appears as a bright bluish star, whereas Betelgeuse appears as a bright reddish star. Rigel is ____________ Betelgeuse. a) older than b) cooler than c) the same temperature as d) hotter than e) more massive than
hotter than
The main constituent of Jupiter's atmosphere is A) helium. B) carbon dioxide. C) hydrogen. D) ammonia.
hydrogen
The main constituent of Jupiter's atmosphere is A) hydrogen. B) carbon dioxide. C) ammonia. D) helium.
hydrogen
The proton-proton cycle involves what kind of fusion process? a) carbon (C) into oxygen (O) b) helium (He) into carbon (C) c) hydrogen (H) into helium (He) d) neon (Ne) into silicon (Si) e) oxygen (O) into iron (Fe)
hydrogen (H) into helium (He)
Two most abundant elements in the Sun are a) sulfur and iron b) carbon and hydrogen c) carbon and nitrogen d) hydrogen and oxygen e) hydrogen and helium
hydrogen and helium
The reddish color of emission nebulae indicates that a) gas and dust is moving away from Earth. b) dying stars have recently exploded. c) cool red stars are hidden inside. d) hydrogen gas is present. e) dust is present.
hydrogen gas is present
The helium flash occurs a) when T-Tauri bipolar jets shoot out. b) in the red giant stage. c) in the planetary nebula stage. d) in the middle of the main sequence stage. e) during the formation of a neutron star.
in the red giant stage
Sunlight absorbed by Earth's surface is reemitted in the form of A) ultraviolet radiation. B) microwave radiation. C) infrared radiation. D) visible radiation.
infarared radiation
According to the figure above, an object having a temperature of A)ultraviolet light. C) X-rays. D) infrared light.
infrared light
Sunlight absorbed by Earth's surface is reemitted in the form of A) microwave radiation. B) visible radiation. C) ultraviolet radiation. D) infrared radiation.
infrared radiation
When a star's visible light passes through interstellar dust, the light we see a) appears to twinkle. b) is dimmed and reddened. c) is Doppler shifted. d) turn bluish in color. e) ionizes the dust and creates emission lines.
is dimmed and reddened
The red glow of an emission nebula A) is emitted by warm gas falling onto the stars at the center. B) is a reflection of light from stars near the nebula. C) is produced by hydrogen gas heated to high temperatures by massive stars within the nebula. D) is the unresolved light of many faint red stars within the nebula.
is produced by hydrogen gas heated to high temperatures by massive stars within the nebula
The red glow of an emission nebula A) is a reflection of light from stars near the nebula. B) is emitted by warm gas falling onto the stars at the center. C) is produced by hydrogen gas heated to high temperatures by massive stars within the nebula. D) is the unresolved light of many faint red stars within the nebula.
is produced by hydrogen gas heated to high to temperatures by massive stars within the nebula
Mercury has extreme high and low temperatures between night and day because a) it is so close to the Sun. b) its surface rocks don't retain heat. c) it spins too fast to cool down. d) its axis has no tilt; its equator receives direct sunlight. e) it has no atmosphere to moderate temperatures over the globe.
it has no atmosphere to moderate temperatures over the globe
Mercury is very hard to observe from Earth because a) it always appears only half lit. b) its elliptical orbit causes it to change speed unpredictably. c) its surface reflects too little sunlight. d) its surface does not allow radar to bounce back to Earth. e) it is never more than 28° from the Sun.
it is never more than 28 degrees from the Sun
A white dwarf can explode when a) its electron pressure increases enormously. b) its mass exceeds the Chandrasekhar limit. c) fusion reactions increase in its core. d) the planetary nebula stage ends. e) iron in its core collapses.
its mass exceeds the Chandrasekhar limit
21-centimeter radiation is important because a) its radio waves pass unaffected through clouds of interstellar dust. b) it arises from cool helium gas present throughout space. c) it can be detected with optical telescopes. d) it is produced by protostars. e) it reveals the structure of new stars
its radio waves pass unaffected through clouds of interstellar dust
If a light source is approaching you, you will observe a) its spectral lines are redshifted. b) its spectral lines are shorter in wavelengths. c) the light is much brighter. d) the amplitude of its wave has increased. e) its photons have increased in speed
its spectral lines are shorter in wavelengths
Cool stars can be very luminous if they are very A) hot. B) large. C) small. D) close to our solar system.
large
Cool stars can be very luminous if they are very A) small. B) large. C) hot. D) close to our solar system.
large
The main reason that professional research telescopes are reflectors is that A) large mirrors are easier to build than large lenses. B) their images are inverted. C) mirrors produce sharper images than lenses do. D) they do not suffer from the effects of seeing.
large mirrors are easier to build than large lenses
Few Earth-size extrasolar planets have been detected with current techniques because a) the large planets nearby have swept them up. b) large planets orbiting near to their stars are more easily detected. c) small planets probably don't exist. d) Earth-like planets take time to form. e) small planets can only be seen if they cross in front of their star.
large planets orbiting near to their stars are more easily detected
According to the figure, compared to Proxima Centauri, Barnard's Star must be A) bluer. B) larger. C) hotter. D) closer to us.
larger
One Astronomical Unit (1 AU) is a unit of a) time, equal to one billion years b) length, distance traveled by light in a certain time c) length, the average distance between the Sun and Earth d) mass, equal to one solar mass
length, the average distance between the Sun and Earth
What are the two most important intrinsic properties for classifying stars? a) distance and surface temperature b) luminosity and surface temperature c) distance and luminosity d) mass and age e) distance and color
luminosity ad surface temperature
Venus' surface shows all of the following EXCEPT a) many impact craters of all sizes. b) shield volcanoes. c) a continent-sized plateau. d) huge circular volcanic coronae. e) lava domes.
many impact craters of all sizes
The major difference(s) between the terrestrial and jovian planets involve(s) a) mass. b) density. c) rotation speed. d) density and rotation speed. e) mass and density.
mass and density
Which of the following defines density? a) mass times surface gravity b) mass times surface area c) weight divided by size d) mass divided by volume e) size divided by weight
mass divided by volume
A nova involves a) the explosion of a low-mass star. b) the birth of a massive star in new cluster. c) repeated helium fusion flashes in red giants. d) rapid collapse of a protostar into a massive O star. e) mass transfer onto a white dwarf in a binary star system.
mass transfer onto a white dwarf in a binary star system
The period — luminosity relationship is a crucial component of a) measuring distances with Cepheid variable stars. b) identifying the mass of the Galaxy's central black hole. c) determining the masses of stars in an eclipsing binary system. d) using spectroscopic parallax to measure distances to stars.
measuring distances with Cepheid variable stars
Stars are formed from cold interstellar clouds made up of a) atomic gas of mostly hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. b) molecular hydrogen gas and dust grains. c) some hydrogen gas, comets, and asteroids. d) stars are formed from very HOT gas.
molecular hydrogen gas and dust grains
The Sun spins on its axis roughly once each A) day. B): hour. C) month. D) year.
month
Hubble's law is based on a) more distant galaxies showing greater blueshifts. b) distant quasars appearing proportionally dimmer. c) more distant galaxies showing greater redshifts. d) slowly varying Cepheid variables appearing brighter. e) more distant galaxies appearing younger.
more distant galaxies showing greater redshifts
A protostar that will eventually turn into a star like the Sun is significantly A) smaller than the Sun. B) more luminous than the Sun. C) fainter than the Sun. D) less massive than the Sun.
more luminous than the Sun
Lunar maria are found a) mostly on the side facing Earth. b) mostly on the far side of the Moon. c) uniformly all over the Moon. d) only in the dark areas, out of sunlight. e) in the highlands, among mountains.
mostly on the side facing Earth
Objects more massive than our Sun form into stars a) much slower, over billions of years. b) in about the same time. c) much faster, over tens of thousands of years. d) not at all — they are unstable.
much faster, over tens of thousands of years
The solar system is differentiated because A) the light elements in the inner solar system fell into the Sun. B) The light elements in the inner solar system were carried off as comets. C) only rocky and metallic particles could form close to the Sun. D) the heavy elements in the outer solar system sank to the center.
only rocky and metallic particles could for close to the Sun
Venus's surface is permanently obscured by clouds. As a result, the surface has been studied primarily by A) radar signals from Earth. B) robotic laders C) spectroscopy. D) orbiting satellites using radar.
oribiting satellites using radar
The visible light we see from our Sun comes from which part? a) core b) corona c) photosphere d) chromosphere e) convection zone
photosphere
Stars gradually lose mass as they become white dwarfs during the a) T-Tauri stage. b) emission nebula stage. c) supernova stage. d) nova stage. e) planetary nebula stage.
planetary nebula stage
Which of the following is one of Kepler's Laws of planetary motion a) an object in motion remains in motion. b) planets move on elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus. c) inner planets orbit in a different direction than outer ones. d) gravitational force between two objects decreases as the distance increases.
planets move on elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus
Radio telescopes have poor resolving power because a) their diameters are so large. b) the energy they receive is not electromagnetic radiation. c) they are very sensitive to imperfections. d) radio waves have long wavelengths. e) All of the above.
radio waves have kong wavelengths
A star much cooler than the Sun A)red. B) blue. C): smaller. D) larger.
red
A star much cooler than the Sun would appear A) blue. B) larger. C) red. D) smaller.
red
The location of the galactic center was identified using a) supernova remnants. b) white dwarf stars in the spiral arms. c) red giant variable stars in globular clusters. d) bright O and B stars in open clusters. e) X-ray sources.
red giant variable stars in globular clusters
Granulation is caused by a) rising gas below the photosphere b) heating in the chromosphere c) shock waves in the corona d) solar wind flowing away from corona e) sunspots
rising gas below the photosphere
The terrestrial planets are characterized by a) large size b) rocky composition d) low density e) rapid rotation
rocky composition
Apparent motion of the stars in the night sky is produced by the a) motion of the stars with respect to each other b) motion of the planets around the sun c) rotation of the Earth on its axis d) revolution of Earths around the sun e) revolution of the Moon around the Earth
rotation of the Earth on its axis
Sunspots appear dark because they are a) slightly cooler than surroundings. b) regions where material is rising from below photosphere. c) holes in the photosphere through which you can see deeply into the solar interior. d) result of convection. e) generally found near poles during sunspot maximum
slightly cooler than suroundings
Which of the following is NOT a form of electromagnetic radiation? a) gamma rays b) infrared c) sound d) visible light e) radio
sound
Some regions of the Milky Way's disk appear dark because a) there are no stars there. b) stars in that direction are so hot, they don't emit visible light. c) stars in that direction are obscured by interstellar dust. d) numerous black holes capture all the starlight behind them.
stars in that direction are obscured by interstellar dust
Choose the statement that best completes the sentence. If the Moon orbited the Earth twice as fast but in the same orbit, the frequency of solar eclipses would A) double. B) be cut in half. C) stay the same.
stay the same
The color of a star is most closely related to its a) composition b) radius c) temperature d) mass e) age
temperature
What physical property of a star does the spectral class measure? a) density b) luminosity c) temperature d) mass e) composition
temperature
The absolute magnitude of a star is its brightness as seen from a distance of a) one million km. b) one Astronomical Unit. c) ten parsecs. d) one light-year. e) ten light-years.
ten parsecs
The condensation sequence theory explains why a) our planet Earth has water and rain. b) terrestrial planets are different from jovian planets. c) the Moon formed near to Earth. d) stars are more likely to form large planets orbiting very near. e) Pluto has such a circular orbit.
terrestrial planets are different from jovian planets
Without the greenhouse effect in our atmosphere a) we would not have to worry about ecological problems. b) the Earth's oceans would be frozen c) the amount of nitrogen & oxygen would be much less. d) the icecaps would have melted. e) global warming would still occur.
the Earth's oceans would be frozen
What is probably responsible for the increase in temperature of the corona far from the Sun's surface? a) the higher rate of fusion b) the Sun's magnetism c) higher radiation pressures d) absorption of X rays e) convection currents
the Sun's magnetism
Most of the carbon in our bodies originated in A) a nearby galaxy. B) a supernova. C) the core of the Sun. D) the core of a red giant star.
the core of a giant star
Most of the carbon in our bodies originated in A)the core of a red giant star. B) the core of the Sun. C) a supernova. D) a nearby galaxy.
the core of a red giant star
In the standard solar model of the Sun's interior (see Figures above) as the distance from the center increases, A) the density decreases faster than the temperature. B) the density and temperature decrease at about the same rate. C) the density decreases more slowly than the temperature. D) the density decreases but the temperature increases.
the density decreases faster than the temperature
In the formation of our Galaxy a) the spiral arms formed first. b) the globular clusters formed first. c) the disk component started out thin and grew. d) spiral density waves formed first. e) the bar in the bulge formed first.
the globular clusters formed first
Hubble's law states that A) the greater the distance to a galaxy, the fainter a galaxy appears. B) more distant galaxies are younger. C) most galaxies are found in clusters. D) the greater the distance to a galaxy, the greater is the galaxy's redshift.
the greater the distance to a galaxy, the greater is the galaxy's redshift
Astronomers determine the age of star clusters by observing a) the number of main sequence stars. b) the ratio of giants to supergiants. c) the luminosity of stars at the turnoff point. d) the number of white dwarfs. e) supernova explosions
the luminosity of stars at the turnoff point
What two observations allow us to estimate the Galaxy's mass? a) the Sun's mass and velocity in orbit around the galactic center b) the orbital period and distance from the galactic center of objects near the edge of the Galaxy c) the rotation of the bulge and disk components d) the motion of spiral arms and the mass of the central black hole e) the Sun's age and age of the globular cluster stars
the orbital period and distance from the galactic center of objects near the edge of the Galaxy
What suggests that the mass of our Galaxy extends farther than its visible disk? a) 21-cm maps of the spiral arms b) orbits of open clusters in the disk c) X-ray images of other galaxies d) infrared observations of new star-forming regions e) the rotation curve of the outer edges of the Galaxy
the rotation curve of the outer edges of the Galaxy
Considering the Moon phases, everyone on Earth sees a) the same phase in 24 hours. b) different phases in 24 hours. c) a lunar eclipse once a month. d) different sides of the Moon.
the same phase in 24 hours
According to the figure above, commercial jet airplanes flying at 10 km are in A) the mesosphere. B) the stratosphere. C) the troposphere D) the ozone.
the troposphere
In the figure above (planetary radar for a rotating planet), the highest-frequency reflected radiation is received from A)the upper part of the planet. B) the center of the planet. C) the lower part of the planet.
the upper part of the planet
Stars of spectral class M do not show strong lines of hydrogen in their spectra because A) their surfaces are so hot that most hydrogen is ionized. B) the hydrogen lines are swamped by even stronger lines of other elements. C) their surfaces are so cool that most hydrogen is in the ground state. D) they contain very little hydrogen.
their surfaces are so cool that most hydrogen is in the ground state
The Jovian planets have retained most of their atmosphere because a) they are farther from the Sun's gravitational pull than the terrestrial planets. b) they are very warm and massive. c) they are very cold and massive. d) the planet's rings "fence in" the planetary atmosphere.
they are cold and massive
Venus and Mars probably evolved differently from Earth because a) they formed sooner than Earth. b) they are slightly bigger than Earth. c) they orbit at different distances from the Sun. d) they are more massive than Earth. e) they have thicker atmosphere than Earth
they orbit at different distances from the Sun
The blackbody curve of a star moving toward Earth would have its peak shifted A) toward higher energies. B) toward lower energies. C) toward longer wavelengths. D) to lower intensity.
toward higher energies
A planetary atmosphere with ozone could protect surface dwellers from a) ultraviolet radiation. b) charged particles in the solar wind. c) meteor impacts. d) optical radiation. e) radar waves.
ultraviolet radiation
Pluto's apparent magnitude is approximately 14. According to the figure, Pluto can be seen A) using a 1-meter telescope. B) using binoculars. C) only with the Hubble Space Telescope. D) with the naked eye on a dark night.
using a 1-meter telescope
What types of electromagnetic radiation from space can reach the Earth's surface? a) infrared & gamma rays b) radio & microwaves c) X rays & ultraviolet light d) visible light & radio waves e) visible & ultraviolet light
visible light & radio waves
The principal greenhouse gasses in our present atmosphere are: a) hydrogen and helium b) oxygen and nitrogen c) water vapor and carbon dioxide d) methane and ammonia e) sulfuric acid vapor and CO2
water vapor and carbon dioxide
The distance between two adjacent identical points along the wave is called a) wavelength b) frequency c) speed d) amplitude e) energy
wavelength
A star like the Sun will end up as a A) white dwarf. B) blue giant. C) binary star. D) red dwarf.
white dwarf