Chapter 1

Stellar nucleosynthesis A. is a stream of atoms emitted from a star. B. is the process by which stars create the heavier elements. C. is a process that happens during the death of stars. D. produces elements with an atomic number greater than 26 (iron).

B. is the process by which stars create the heavier elements.

Identify the true statement. A. The center material of our Solar System's protoplanetary disk developed into the Sun, while the series of surrounding dust, gas, and ice rings became planets. B. Volatile materials are those that melt only at high temperatures. C. Planetesimals that were larger than 1 km in diameter gravitationally pulled in all surrounding dust, ice, and smaller planetesimals to become asteroids. D. A stellar wind consists of the debris that is exploded out of a star as it "dies."

A. The center material of our Solar System's protoplanetary disk developed into the Sun, while the series of surrounding dust, gas, and ice rings became planets.

The heavier elements on the Earth (those with atomic numbers greater than 5) A. are formed by stellar nucleosynthesis during the life cycles of existing stars. B. are constantly being created by fusion in our Sun and blown here by the solar wind. C. were formed immediately after the Big Bang. D. were in existence at the moment of the Big Bang.

A. are formed by stellar nucleosynthesis during the life cycles of existing stars.

Stars A. begin as protostars, which fire up when they collapse and become denser and hotter. B. create elements by splitting the nuclei of small atoms into the nuclei of larger atoms. C. have unlimited amounts of fuel and therefore exist indefinitely. D. all explode cataclysmically when they die and contribute their matter to future star generations.

A. begin as protostars, which fire up when they collapse and become denser and hotter.

Scientific cosmology A. investigates the overall structure and history of the Universe. B. proves the Big Bang theory. C. states that the two basic entities of the Universe are heat and light. D. pertains to legends and verbal history about the beginnings of the Universe.

A. investigates the overall structure and history of the Universe.

The heliocentric model A. was supported by Johannes Kepler's observation that planets follow an elliptical orbit. B. was widely accepted during the Middle Ages (about 476-1400 C.E.). C. states that the Earth is the center of the Universe, and the Moon and planets revolve around it. D. was developed by Ptolemy and supported by his mathematical equations.

A. was supported by Johannes Kepler's observation that planets follow an elliptical orbit.

If the star Alpha Centauri, 4.37 light-years distant from the Earth, were to explode this instant, when would we be aware of this event? A. 2.15 years from now B. instantly C. never D. 4.37 years from now

D. 4.37 years from now

Which statement is true about the formation of the Moon? A. The Moon is a comet that was captured by Earth's orbit. B. The Moon and Earth formed together simultaneously. C. Early in its formation, fission reactions split the Earth into two bodies, creating the Moon. D. The Moon formed from debris created when Earth suffered a catastrophic protoplanet collision.

D. The Moon formed from debris created when Earth suffered a catastrophic protoplanet collision.

The Doppler effect A. is the basic explanation for the blue shift of light in our Universe. B. can be applied only to sound waves. C. occurs when the frequency of sound waves received is lower if the wave source is moving toward you than if it's moving away. D. occurs when the pitch of a sound gets lower if the source is receding.

D. occurs when the pitch of a sound gets lower if the source is receding.

PART 1: Ceres is the largest celestial body between Mars and Jupiter. It has a diameter of about 590 miles and is made up of ice and rock. Prior to being classified as a dwarf planet, Ceres was previously considered a(n): PART 2: Why was Ceres re-classified as a dwarf planet? Choose one: A. It was found to have a planetary core. B. It was found to have newer material, including flows, pits, and cracks. C. Its shape was discovered to be spherical rather than angular. D. It was found to have evidence of volcanic activity.

PART 1: asteroid PART 2: C. Its shape was discovered to be spherical rather than angular.