Astronomy 1101 LSU Final combination of test 1 and 2
We have direct evidence for the current existence of water on the surface of which terrestrial object? A Mercury B Mars C Ganymede D Venus
Mars
Mars, Venus, and the Earth are much less heavily cratered than Mercury and the Moon. This is explained by the fact that A Earth and Venus were shielded from impacts by the Moon, and Mars was protected by the asteroid belt. B the rate of cratering in the early Solar System was strongly dependent on location. C Mars, Venus, and the Earth were geologically active for a longer period of time than Mercury and the Moon. D Mars, Venus, and the Earth are much larger in size than Mercury and the Moon. E Mars, Venus, and the Earth have thicker atmospheres.
Mars, Venus, and the Earth were geologically active for a longer period of time than Mercury and the Moon.
Which terrestrial object shows the least evidence of recent volcanic activity? A the Moon B Venus C Mercury D Earth E Mars
Mercury
What have astronomers and geologists studied to arrive at the same conclusion about the Earth's origins? A- The moon B- Meteorites C- Volcanism in the Solar Sytem D- Comets E- The Oceans
Meteorites
If you are observing a partial solar eclipse, you must be standing in the A Earth's umbra. B Moon's umbra. C Earth's penumbra. D Moon's penumbra. E Sun's umbra.
Moon's penumbra.
The number of planets in our Solar System is A Twelve B Nine C six D Eight
Nine
is the idea that the simplest explanation for a phenomenon is usually the correct one. A The Copernican principle B Newton's hypothesis C The Parks principle D Occam's razor E Aristotle's test
Occam's Razor
Which of the following is not true about orbits? A Objects in orbits experience acceleration. B Orbits are always circular. C An orbit is the path of an object in free fall around another object. D Orbits are ellipses. E Orbits can be circular.
Orbits are always circular.
The time is takes a planet to complete one full orbital revolution is commonly known as its A velocity. B period. C orbital direction. D eccentricity. E frequency.
Period
Star A and Star B have the same luminosity. Star A is twice as far away from the Earth as Star B. How do the brightnesses of Stars A and B compare? A Star B appears four times as bright as Star A. B Star B appears twice as bright as Star A. C Star A appears four times as bright as Star B. D Stars A and B appear equally bright. E Star A appears twice as bright as Star B.
Star B appears four times as bright as Star A.
Question 26 Which type of meteorite is most commonly found on the Earth? A glassy B They are all equally common. C metallic D stony
Stony
Where are atmospheric vortices usually found on the giant planets? A near the poles B deep within the atmosphere, out of view from us on Earth C on the equator, where wind velocities are highest D between oppositely directed zonal winds.
between oppositely directed zonal winds.
The major di erence in the composition of the Earth's atmosphere compared to the atmospheres of Venus and Mars is a direct consequence of A differences in the greenhouse e ect. B the Earth's plate tectonics. C life on the Earth. D di ering distances from the Sun. E the presence of liquid water.
life on the Earth.
Which type of comet is the most common? A Astronomers have no way of knowing this. B short-period comets C There are approximately equal number of both. D long-period comets
long-period comets
Compare two blackbody objects, one at 200 K and one at 400 K. How much larger is the ux from the 400 K object compared to the ux from the 200 K object? A 16 times larger B 2 times larger C 8 times larger D 4 times larger E They have the same ux.
16 times larger
What is the age of our Solar System? A 4.6 million years B 13.7 billion years C 13.7 trillion years D 4.6 billion years E 13.7 million years
4.6 million years
There are constellations in the entire sky. A hundreds of B 13 C 88 D thousands of E 12
88
Approximately how much mass was there in the protoplanetary disk out of which the planets formed, compared to the mass of the Sun? A 5 percent B 50 percent C 25 percent D 10 percent E < 1 percent
< 1 percent
As opposed to the Bohr model, the quantum mechanical view of the atom depicts electrons as A a particle orbiting the nucleus. B a cloud that is centered on the nucleus. C free to orbit at any distance from the nucleus. D a particle inside the nucleus.
A Cloud that is centered on the nucleus
Which of the following photons carries the smallest amount of energy? A a microwave photon B an ultraviolet photon C a red photon of the visible spectrum D a blue photon of the visible spectrum E an infrared photon
A Microwave Photon
If the wavelength of a beam of light were to double, how would that a ect its frequency? A The frequency would be two times lower. B The frequency would be four times higher. C The frequency would be four times lower. D There is no relationship between wavelength and frequency. E The frequency would be two times higher.
A The frequency would be two times lower.
Which of the following is false? A A hypothesis must always have one or more testable predictions. B Scientific observations are used to test a hypothesis. C A scientific theory is an undisputed fact. D A scientific theory may eventually be proven wrong when scientists acquire new data E If continually testing of a hypothesis shows it to be valid, it may become an accepted theory.
A scienti c theory is an undisputed fact.
A spaceship is traveling toward the Earth while giving o a constant radio signal with a wavelength of 1 meter. What will the signal look like to people on the Earth? A- A signal with a wavelength less than 1 meter B- A signal moving slower than the speed of light C- A signal moving faster than the speed of light D- A signal with a wavelength more than 1 meter E- A signal with a wavelength of 1 meter, moving the normal speed of light
A signal with a wavelength less than 1 meter
Question 38 What is the reason Mercury has so little gas in its atmosphere? A Its escape velocity if low. B It has a high temperature. C It is close to the Sun. D all of the above E Its mass is small.
All of the above
What will eventually happen to the Earth when radioactive decay in its interior cease? A Earthquakes will cease. B The Earth's core will solidify. C The strength of the Earth's magnetic eld will decrease. D Continental drift will cease. E all of the above
All of the above
Jupiter's mass is times more than the mass of all the other planets in our Solar System combined. A 100 B 1,000 C around 10 D around two
Around two
Which of the following types of Solar System debris were not discovered until the age of telescopes? A all of these ob jects B comets C asteroids D zodiacal dust E meteoroids
Asteroids
The aperture of a telescope is which of the following? A the radius of the objective lens/primary mirror B the diameter of the objective lens/primary mirror C the length of the telescope D the diameter of the telescope tube E the diameter of the secondary mirror
B the diameter of the objective lens/primary mirror
No matter where you are on Earth, stars appear to rotate about a point called the A celestial pole. B nadir. C zenith. D equinox. E meridian.
Celestial Pole
A light-year is a unit that is used to measure A wavelength. B time. C energy. D speed. E distance.
Distance
Which of the following statements is false A The Moon probably was formed by a collision between a Mars-sized body and the Earth. B Mercury has many fractures and faults on its surface that probably arose when it cooled very rapidly and shrank. C Approximately 65 million years ago, a 10-km wide asteroid struck the Earth and wiped out more than 50% of all living species. D The surface of Venus is relatively young, with an estimated age of less than 1 billion years. E During summer in the northern hemisphere of Mars, the polar ice cap melts and liquid water ows outward from it in rivers.
During summer in the northern hemisphere of Mars, the polar ice cap melts and liquid water ows outward from it in rivers.
Why do some stars in the sky appear blue, whereas other stars appear red? A The red stars are closer to us than the blue stars. B The blue stars are moving away from us, while the red stars are moving toward us. C The red stars have higher surface temperatures than the blue stars. D The blue stars are closer to us than the red stars. E The blue stars have higher surface temperatures than the red stars.
E The blue stars have higher surface temperatures than the red stars.
For a person who lives at a latitude of +40 degrees, when is the Sun directly overhead at noon? A only on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes B only on the summer solstice C only on the winter solstice D always E never
E never
Question 2 Which terrestrial planet has the strongest magnetic field? A Mars B the Moon C Mercury D Earth E Venus
Earth
Which moon gives rise to the particles that make up Saturn's E ring? A Callisto B Thethys C Triton D Titan E Enceladus
Enceladus
A superior planet is one that is A closer to the Sun than the Earth. B farther from the Sun than the Earth. C larger than the Earth. D smaller than the Earth. E made of heavier materials than Earth.
Farther from the Sun and the Earth
If tonight the Moon is in the waxing gibbous phase, in 3 days what is the most likely phase of the Moon? A Third Quarter Moon B First Quarter Moon C Full Moon D Waxing Crescent Moon E New Moon
Full Moon
Who rst discovered moons around a planet in our Solar System other than the Earth? A Einstein B Kepler C Galileo D Huygens E Newton
Galileo
Which of the following is not a factor that helps explain Earth's lack of craters compared to the Moon? A liquid water on surface B larger atmosphere C higher density interior D active tectonics and volcanism E wind erosion
Higher density interior
The early universe was composed mainly of which two elements? A hydrogen and oxygen B nitrogen and oxygen C carbon and iron D carbon and oxygen E hydrogen and helium
Hydrogen and Helium
The natural tendency of an object to resist changes in motion is called A velocity. B acceleration. C mass. D inertia. E weight.
Inertia
The most massive elements such as those that make up the terrestrial planets like Earth were formed A during the formation of the Solar System. B in the early universe. C through meteor collisions. D inside stars and supernovae. E in the core of the Earth.
Inside Stars and Super Nova
What makes carbon dioxide a highly e ective greenhouse gas? A It easily reacts chemically with rock. B It easily absorbs infrared radiation. C It easily absorbs visible radiation. D It easily absorbs UV radiation. E It easily photodissociates in the upper atmosphere.
It easily absorbs infrared radiation.
How does the fraction of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere today compare to what it was 3 billion years ago? A It has significantly increased. B It has significantly decreased. C It kept increasing up to 2 billion years ago but has been declining ever since. D It hasn't changed.
It has significantly increased.
Question 4 What prevented the Moon from maintaining any atmosphere with which it originally formed? A It is not massive enough. B The solar wind blew it away. C It is tidally locked to the Earth. D It repeatedly collided with planetesimals. E It is too close to the Sun.
It is not massive enough
Which of the following e ects is not one of the predictions made by models of our Solar System that include planetary migration? A Jupiter has four large moons, with the rest being smaller asteroid sized objects. B The orbits of the inner terrestrial planets became stabilized, allowing them to reside near or in the habitable zone for life. C Scattering of planetesimals by the giant planets led to the late heavy bombardment where the inner planets were pummeled by planetesimals. D Mars stayed small during its early evolution as Jupiter scattered away any nearby planetesimals.
Jupiter has four large moons, with the rest being smaller asteroid sized objects.
When the Martian springtime arrives and the daytime temperature reaches 20 C, what occurs? A Water melts and forms large pools of liquid. B The polar ice caps disappear. C Large planet-wide dust storms. D The entire planet changes color.
Large planet-wide dust storms.
If you were to fly to Jupiter from the Earth, which of these parts of Jupiter would you come into contact with rst? A rocky materials B molecular hydrogen C metallic hydrogen D magnetosphere E stratosphere
Magnetosphere
In the scienti c method, if an observation does not support the hypothesis, what possible action should not happen next? A Question the theory from which the hypothesis is drawn. B Make more observations. C Make additional predictions. D Choose a new hypothesis or revise the current one.
Make Additional Predictions
If the Moon had active volcanoes , A the Earth might have a ring. B the Moon would have di erent phases than we see today. C the Moon would have thick hydrogen atmosphere. D life could not exist on the Earth. E the Moon's surface would have more craters than it currently does.
The Earth might have a ring
Galileo observed what the geocentric astronomers viewed as imperfections. These observations helped Galileo to show that the heliocentric model was the more accurate model. Which was not an observation of Galileo? A sunspots B the Moon has craters C the moons of Saturn D the moons of Jupiter E Venus' phases
The Moons of Saturn
The ecliptic is defined by the motion of A the Moon B Polaris C the stars D the Sun E the planets
The Sun
In the absence of air resistance, a 0.001-kg piece of paper and a 0.1-kg notebook are dropped from the same height and allowed to fall to the ground. How do their accelerations compare? A The notebook's acceleration is 100 times faster than the paper's acceleration. B The paper's acceleration is 100 times faster than the notebook's acceleration. C The paper's acceleration is 1,000 times faster than the notebook's acceleration. D The accelerations are the same. E The notebook's acceleration is 1,000 times faster than the paper's acceleration.
The accelerations are the same.
Tidal forces are caused by A the strength of the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on the Earth. B the di erence between the weight of the water on the ocean oor at high and low tides. C The di erence between the strength of the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on either side of the Earth. D the strength of the gravitational pull of the Moon on the Earth. E the weight of the water in the oceans on the ocean oor.
The difference between the strength of the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on either side of the Earth.
Question 44 Which of the following is not a characteristic of the early Solar System, based on current observations? A Temperatures decreased with increasing distance from the Sun. B The early solar nebula must have been attened. C The initial composition of the solar nebula varied between its inner and outer regions. D The material from which the planets formed was swirling about the Sun in the same average rotational direction. E The rst objects to form started out small and grew in size over time.
The initial composition of the solar nebula varied between its inner and outer regions.
How is the atmosphere of Saturn similar to the atmosphere of the Earth? A They both rotate in less than 11 hours. B They both create magnetic ends. C They are both made of mostly hydrogen and helium. D They both have jet streams and periods of stormy and calm weather. E They both have a seamless transition between gas and liquid.
They both have jet streams and periods of stormy and calm weather.
When two galaxies collide long streams of stars can be observed. These â tailsâ are caused by A magnetic forces. B dark energy. C pressure. D tidal forces. E Roche forces.
Tidal Forces
NASAâ s Kuiper Airborne Observatory and the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) are two examples of telescopes placed in high- ying aircraft. Why would astronomers put telescopes in airplanes? A To get the telescopes away from the light pollution of cities. B To get the telescopes above the majority of the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere. C To be able to observe one object for more than 24 hours without stopping. D To allow the telescopes to observe the full spectrum of light. E To get the telescopes closer to the stars.
To get the telescopes above the majority of the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere.
How many high tides occur at any given location during the course of one day. A two B three C four D one E eight
Two
Why are some of Saturn's rings diffuse ? A The diffuse rings are comprised of charged particles, which spread out due to the magnetic forces from Saturn's magnetic eld. B The particles in di use rings are especially small compared to other rings, causing them to look less well defined. C The diffuse rings are made of tiny particles of methane, while the particles in other rings are made primarily of water ice. D Unlike other things, the particles in diffuse rings collide infrequently, allowing them to maintain highly elliptical and/or inclined orbits and spread out.
Unlike other things, the particles in diffuse rings collide infrequently, allowing them to maintain highly elliptical and/or inclined orbits and spread out.
All of the following statements are true. Which one follows directly from Kepler's third law? A Venus has a thicker atmosphere than Mercury. B Venus orbits the Sun at a slower average speed than Mercury. C Venus is larger than Mercury. D Venus is more massive than Mercury.
Venus orbits the Sun at a slower average speed than Mercury.
Given the thickness and chemical composition of Venus' atmosphere, by how would you expect its average surface temperature to change between day and night? A by hundreds of K (like Mercury) B The answer depends on where Venus is in its orbit around the Sun. C There should be almost no change in temperature. D by tens of K (like the Earth)
Volcanic Activity
Question 24 The presence of gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor in a planet's atmosphere is direct evidence of in a planet's history. A volcanic activity B the greenhouse e ect C cometary impacts D high surface temperatures E a lack of asteroid impacts
Volcanic Activity
Which of the following is your address in the correct order? A You, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Supercluster, Local Group B You, Earth, Local Group, Local Supercluster, Solar System, Milky Way C You, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Group, Local Supercluster D You, Earth, Solar System, Local Group, Local Supercluster, Milky Way E You, Earth, Solar System, Local Group, Milky Way, Local Supercluster
You, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Group, Local Supercluster
A spectrograph is A a radio telescope. B a device used to measure the intensity of light at each wavelength. C typically made from glass with many closely spaced lines engraved in it. D a visible light telescope. E a device used for imaging.
a device used to measure the intensity of light at each wavelength.
An atmospheric window is A a region of the electromagnetic spectrum that can reach the ground. B ultraviolet. C a region of the electromagnetic spectrum that cannot reach the ground. D x-rays. E a giant glass dome.
a region of the electromagnetic spectrum that can reach the ground.
As a car drives around a corner at constant speed, the car is A accelerating because the speed is decreasing. B not accelerating. C accelerating because the direction is changing. D accelerating because the speed is increasing.
accelerating because the direction is changing.
Aside from Jupiter, which giant planets have atmospheric bands and storms? A Uranus B Saturn C Neptune D all of the above
all of the above
Which of the following can be used as an indicator of the age of a moon's surface? A color of the surface B radioactive dating C crater density D all of the these methods E volcanic activity
all of the these methods
The nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere primary came from A photosythesis done by algae and planets. B ammonia delivered by comet impacts. C its primary atmosphere. D oxidation of silicate-rich minerals. E rock delivered by asteroid impacts.
ammonia delivered by comet impacts.
If you observe an isolated hot cloud of gas, you will see A a rainbow spectrum. B a dark spectrum. C a continuous spectrum. D an absorption spectrum. E an emission spectrum.
an emission spectrum.
What is the best description of a moon? A any small rocky body in the Solar System B a captured comet C a captured asteroid D any natural satellite of a planet or asteroid E any small icy body in the Solar System
any natural satellite of a planet or asteroid
When we determine the angular resolution of an interferometric array of radio telescopes using the formula θ â θ/D, the variable D stands for the A coronal loop B streamer C solar prominence D coronal mass ejection
coronal mass ejection
If we wanted to increase the Hubble Space Telescopeâ s altitude above the Earth and keep it in a stable orbit, we also would need to A decrease its weight. B increase its orbital speed. C increase its mass. D increase its weight. E decrease its orbital speed.
decrease its orbital speed.
Cameras that use adaptive optics provide higher spatial resolution images primarily because A they capture infrared light, which has a longer wavelength than visible light. B composite lenses correct for chromatic aberration. C deformable mirrors are used to correct the blurring due to the Earth's atmosphere. D they operate above the Earth's atmosphere. E they simulate a much larger telescope.
deformable mirrors are used to correct the blurring due to the Earth's atmosphere
Meteorites are A fragments of planetesimals between Mars and Jupiter. B ob jects ejected from Saturn's rings. C comets that formed close enough to the Sun to have lost all their volatiles. D remnants of a single object near Pluto that never coalesced to form a planet.
fragments of planetesimals between Mars and Jupiter.
2nd Test Question 1 What could have caused the planets to migrate through the Solar System? A accreting gas from the solar nebula B interaction with the solar wind C gravitational pull from the Sun D gravitational pull from other planets E di erentiation of their interiors
gravitational pull from the Sun
How do regular moons rotate in comparison to their planets? A Unlike the planets, moon don't rotate at all. B in the opposite direction C sometimes in the same direction and sometimes in the opposite direction D in the same direction
in the same direction
What happens to the kinetic energy of gas as it falls toward and eventually hits the accretion disk surrounding a protostar? A It disappears into interstellar space. B It is converted into potential energy as the gas plows through the disk and comes out the other side. C It becomes kinetic energy of the orbit of the gas in the accretion disk around the protostar. D It is converted into thermal energy, heating the disk. E It is immediately converted into photons, giving o a ash of light on impact.
it is converted into thermal energy, heating the disk.
The lithosphere of a planet is A its frozen surface. B its solid surface C the molten layer under the crust. D the upper layer of its atmosphere. E the layer of the atmosphere in which clouds form.
its solid surface
Which is not a reason for the large size of volcanoes on Mars as compared to the Earth's smaller volcanoes? A many repeated eruptions B absence of plate tectonics C less gravity than other terrestrial planets D lack of atmosphere, therefore no erosion
lack of atmosphere, therefore no erosion
The giant planets are made primarily by A water and carbon dioxide. B molecular hydrogen and helium. C oxygen and nitrogen. D methane.
molecular hydrogen and helium.
Before charge-coupled devices (CCDs) were invented, what was the device most commonly used for imaging with optical telescopes? A high-speed lm B photographic glass plates C video cameras D 35-mm lm E polaroid cameras
photographic glass plates
The fact that Keplerâ s heliocentric model of the Solar System predicted more easily and accurately than the geocentric model is an illustration of how scienti c theories evolve by the scienti c method. A solar eclipses B prograde motion of planets C retrograde motion of planets D lunar eclipses E the duration of the seasons
retrograde motion of planets
Where do Uranus's and Neptune's strong magnetic elds originate? A molten rocky cores B methane clouds C large magnetospheres D metallic hydrogen layers E salty oceans
salty oceans
A scienti c theory can be shown to be wrong if A scientists gather new data that contradict its predictions. B it was rst proposed as a conjecture. C cultural beliefs evolve to contradict it. D it cannot explain all phenomenon E a majority of people do not accept it
scientists gather new data that contradict its predictions.
According to the conservation of angular momentum, if an ice-skater who is spinning with her arms out wide slowly pulls them close to her body, this will cause her to A maintain a constant rate of spin. B fall down. C spin slower. D spin faster.
spin faster.
Newtonâ s rst law states that objects in motion A eventually come to rest. B must be subject to zero friction. C experience a nonzero acceleration. D experience an unbalanced force. E stay in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
stay in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
A large meteor shower will often occur once a year because A Jupiter routinely disturbs the orbits of asteroids in the Jovian belt. B the Earth passes through the debris left behind by a speci c comet. C the Earth typically has one volcanic eruption every year. D the Sun goes through a yearly solar cycle. E the Earth's orbit passes through the Apollo asteroid belt.
the Earth passes through the debris left behind by a speci c comet.
The Local Group is the environment around A the Earth-Moon system. B the Sun that contains about a dozen stars. C the Milky Way that contains a few thousand galaxies. D the Sun that contains about a million stars. E the Milky Way that contains a few dozen galaxies.
the Milky Way that contains a few dozen galaxies.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when A the Moon passes through part of the Earth's shadow. B The Moon passes through part of the Sun's shadow. C the Earth passes through part of the Moon's shadow. D the Sun appears to go behind the Moon. E the Moon shadows part of the Sun.
the Moon passes through part of the Earth's shadow.
What is a secondary atmosphere? A the gas captured during the planet's formation B the atmosphere that escapes C the gas closest to the planet surface D the atmosphere that remains after the planet has formed E the gas farthest from the surface
the atmosphere that remains after the planet has formed
The amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere has been increasing over the last 50 years because of A the growth of the ozone hole. B increased energy output from the Sun. C global warming. D increased magnetic activity in the Sun. E the burning of fossil fuels.
the burning of fossil fuels.
Global temperature variations on the Earth driven by the Milankovich cycle di er from those driven by the anthropogenic greenhouse e ect in that A they occur over much longer time scale (thousands of years). B they are driven by emissions of methane gas rather than carbon dioxide. C they are driven by volcanic activity. D they are very small in magnitude, less than 1 C. E they occur at irregular time intervals.
they occur over much longer time scale (thousands of years).
The Moon always keeps the same face toward the Earth because of A tidal forces from the Earth and the Sun. B all sides of the Moon face the Earth at one time or another. C tidal forces from the Sun. D tidal locking.
tidal locking.
Earth-sized planets have been found using the method(s). A Doppler shift B microlensing C transit and Doppler shift D transit E direct imaging
transit and Doppler shift
Which of the following properties of an astronaut changes when he or she is standing on the Moon, relative to when the astronaut is standing on Earth? A weight B inertia C nothing changes D mass
weight
