Lesson 2 Quiz

According to our best modern day evidence, how long ago was the Big Bang?

About 14 billion years ago

How are elements heavier than iron produced?

During a supernova explosion Only elements up to iron are made within stars. All heavier elements are created during the intense event of a supernova.

Put the following stages in the evolution of a medium-sized star in the correct time order, placing the first stage on the top and the last stage on the bottom. Don't use those that don't apply to a medium-sized star.

Gas & Dust Protostar Main Sequence Star Red Giant Planetary Nebula Medium stars condense into a protostar out of cosmic gas and dust. As the protostar gathers more debris it becomes a main sequence star. Near the end of its life the star will grow into a red giant, and finally the outer layers will be shed, creating a planetary nebula. Supernovas and black holes only form from large stars.

Which kind of stars have the longest lifetimes (~10 billion years)?

Medium-sized stars like our Sun The larger the star, the faster the star uses its fuel.

Which of the following are correct about red giant stars? (Select all that apply.)

They form as a star expands and the surface cools. They evolve from medium-sized stars. Red giants form by expansion and cooling of the surface of a medium sized star.

How will the Sun's life probably end?

With the formation of a planetary nebula. Our Sun is too small to go out in a giant explosion or form a block hole. Instead it will die a gentle death of its outer layers floating into space to create a planetary nebula.

Many supernovas are the result of _____________________.

collapse of a star with multiple burning shells Supernovas occur in nuclear fusion slows down tremendously in large stars. The star then collapses in on itself and ignites any unburned fuel causing a large explosion.

The T-Tauri phase of a star's history ______________________.

is typified by extreme fluctuations in energy and a strong magnetic field The T-tauri stage occurs near the end of a stars formation. During the T-tauri stage, the star gives up huge amounts of energy and has a strong magnetic field. The energy may clear away some of the loose debris surrounding the star, but it is not strong enough to strip away the atmosphere of formed planets

What is the principal method of light element (up to iron, atomic number 26) production?

nuclear fusion Elements up to iron are constructed by nuclear fusion within stars.

The most basic subatomic particles include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

protons, neutrons, electrons Protons, neutrons, and electrons are the basic subatomic particles that compose the elements. Ions are elements that has a positive or negative charge (lost or gained electrons). Isotopes are elements with varying number of neutrons.