Astronomy Midterm Study Guide and Homework 1-13 Questions
What happens when a Solar Nebula contracts? A) It flattens out. B) It spins faster. C) It heats up. D) all of the above E) none of the above
D) all of the above
Stars twinkle due to: A) stellar pulsation B) stellar evolution C) atmospheric opacity D) atmospheric turbulence E) Doppler effect
D) atmospheric turbulence
Most asteroids are found: A) orbiting the jovian planets as satellite moons B) between the orbits of Venus and Earth. C) between the orbits of Earth and Mars. D) between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. E) beyond the orbit of Neptune.
D) between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
The electromagnetic spectrum is all possible: A) electrons B) protons C) neutrons D) photons E) ions
D) photons
According to Kepler's third law, the square of a planet's orbital period in years is: A) equal to its perihelion distance from the Sun in A.U. B) inversely proportional to its mass in kilograms. C) equal to the fourth power of its temperature in degrees Kelvin. D) proportional to the cube of its semimajor axis in A.U. E) equal to the square of its semimajor axis in A.U.
D) proportional to the cube of its semimajor axis in A.U.
A ________ is a collection of well tested hypotheses and high quality data that fit together to explain a wide range of natural phenomena A) scientific method B) experiment C) observation D) scientific theory E) prediction
D) scientific theory
The wavelength at which an object radiates the most light depends on the object's: A) radius. B) mass. C) magnetic fields. D) temperature. E) direction of motion.
D) temperature.
What is the main goal of comparative planetology? A) to use planetary positions to foretell the future B) to find which planets will be most suitable for future colonization C) to help plan future visits by unmanned probes, orbiters, and rovers D) to determine the origin and evolution of the Solar System E) to find out how many planets are contained in our Solar System
D) to determine the origin and evolution of the Solar System
The Universe is controlled by the force(s) of: A) gravity B) electromagnetism C) strong force D) weak force E) All of the above
E) All of the above
The tools of modern astronomy are: A) the scientific method B) physics C) mathematics D) technology E) All of the above
E) All of the above
A star's absorption lines are often referred to as the stars' "fingerprints" because: A) fingerprints also consist of individual lines that make a pattern. B) both are unique to their source. C) both can be easily categorized. D) both are characteristic of the individual that produced them. E) All of these are correct
E) All of these are correct
Summers are hotter than Winters because Summers have: A) more hours of sunlight B) more concentrated sunlight C) Earth closer to the Sun D) All of the above E) Both A and B
E) Both A and B
The terrestrial planets are: A) Mercury and Venus B) Earth and Mars C) Pluto D) All of the above E) Both A and B
E) Both A and B
The jovian planets are: A) Jupiter and Saturn B) Titan and Io C) Uranus and Neptune D) All of the above E) Both A and C
E) Both A and C
Earth's atmosphere: A) scatters blue light B) absorbs blue light C) scatters red light D) absorbs red light E) Both A and D
E) Both A and D
The chemical composition of an object can be determined by analyzing its: A) continuous spectrum B) emission line spectrum C) absorption line spectrum D) All of the above E) Both B and C
E) Both B and C
Earth's tectonic plates move due to: A) Convection B) Conduction C) Radiation D) All of the above E) Both A and B
A) Convection
_______ states that, "An object continues in a state of rest or in a state of uniform motion in a straight line unless it is compelled to change that state by a Force acting on it." A) Newton's 1st Law B) Newton's 2nd Law C) Newton's 3rd Law D) Newton's 4th law E) Newton's Law of Gravity
A) Newton's 1st Law
The region of Earth's atmosphere where weather and clouds are located is called the: A) Troposphere B) Stratosphere C) Mesosphere D) Ionosphere E) Exosphere
A) Troposphere
X-rays travel at a greater speed than radio waves. A) True B) False
A) True
An incandescent light bulb (glowing metal filament) produces: A) a continuous spectrum B) an emission spectrum C) an absorption spectrum D) All of the above E) Both B and C
A) a continuous spectrum
According to Wien's Law, as the temperature of an object increases, its color becomes: A) bluer B) redder C) brighter D) dimmer E) grayer
A) bluer
In Bohr's model of the atom, electrons: A) can only jump between orbits of specific energies. B) are not confined to specific orbits. C) are spread uniformly throughout an atom. D) can be halfway between orbits. E) spiral towards or away from an atom's nucleus.
A) can only jump between orbits of specific energies.
What is the resolution of a telescope? A) its ability to distinguish two adjacent objects close together in the sky B) its ability to make distant objects appear much closer to us C) its ability to separate light into its component colors for analysis D) its ability to observe more than just the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum E) its ability to see very faint objects
A) its ability to distinguish two adjacent objects close together in the sky
The Moon's old lava fields that fill-in large circular basins are called: A) maria B) highlands C) craters D) lava basins E) ejecta
A) maria
A solar eclipse can only happen during a: A) new moon. B) solstice. C) first quarter moon. D) full moon. E) perihelion.
A) new moon.
Atmospheric _______ prevents most Gamma ray, X-ray, Ultraviolet, and Infrared light from reaching the surface of Earth. A) opacity B) turbulence C) weather D) temperature E) None of the above
A) opacity
The energy of a photon increases as its: A) wavelength decreases and frequency increases B) wavelength decreases and frequency decreases C) wavelength increases and frequency increases D) wavelength increases and frequency decreases E) None of the above
A) wavelength decreases and frequency increases
If the distance between two asteroids is doubled, the gravitational force they exert on each other will be: A) doubled. B) 1/2 as great. C) 1/4 as great. D) 1/16 as great. E) 4 times greater.
B) 1/2 as great.
______ produced an atomic model that explains emission and absorption line spectra. A) Kirchhoff. B) Bohr. C) Fraunhofer. D) Newton. E) Mendeleev.
B) Bohr.
Earth loses internal heat from: A) Convection B) Conduction C) Radiation D) All of the above E) Both A and C
B) Conduction
_______ is the variation in the density and composition of a body, where high density materials fall to the center of the body and low density materials float to the top A) Accretion B) Differentiation C) Filtration D) Infiltration E) Dissolution
B) Differentiation
A red star has a higher surface temperature than a blue star. A) True B) False
B) False
One characteristic of the Terrestrial planets is their extensive moon systems. A) True B) False
B) False
The larger the red shift a star has, the faster the star is rushing towards us. A) True B) False
B) False
The terms "electromagnetic wave," "light," and "photon" are all different names for the same thing. A) True B) False
B) False
What was the primary role of dust and ice grains in the formation of the Solar System? A) They formed the rings around Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. B) They veiled the process by which our Solar System formed. C) They acted as nuclei on which other particles could attach and form larger particles of matter. D) The Sun formed from a vast spinning cloud consisting only of dust and ice. E) They provided the radioactive elements that initially heated the Sun.
C) They acted as nuclei on which other particles could attach and form larger particles of matter.
If you are in the Moon's umbra, then you will witness: A) a total solar eclipse B) some kind of lunar eclipse C) a total lunar eclipse D) a partial solar eclipse E) nighttime
C) a total lunar eclipse
According to Stefan's Law, as the temperature of an object increases, its brightness becomes: A) bluer B) redder C) brighter D) dimmer E) grayer
C) brighter
The light gathering ability of a refracting telescope is most dependent on the: A) focal length of its objective lens B) focal length of its eyepiece C) diameter of its objective lens D) diameter of its eyepiece E) Both C and D
C) diameter of its objective lens
The light gathering ability of a reflecting telescope is most dependent on the: A) focal length of its primary mirror B) focal length of its eyepiece C) diameter of its primary mirror D) diameter of its eyepiece E) Both C and D
C) diameter of its primary mirror
Colors appear different to us because of their photons' different: A) speeds. B) amplitudes. C) energies. D) magnetic fields. E) electric fields.
C) energies.
The rate at which wave peaks pass an observer every second is the wave's: A) wavelength B) amplitude C) frequency D) period E) energy
C) frequency
The magnification ability of a reflecting telescope increases when the focal lengths of its: A) primary mirror decreases and eyepiece decreases B) primary mirror decreases and eyepiece increases C) primary mirror increases and eyepiece decreases D) primary mirror increases and eyepiece increases E) None of the above
C) primary mirror increases and eyepiece decreases
The process that occurs when photons bounce off a polished surface is called: A) diffraction. B) refraction. C) reflection. D) dispersion. E) interference.
C) reflection.
In order for a hypothesis to be considered a scientific hypothesis, it must be: A) correct B) incorrect C) testable D) untestable E) complicated
C) testable
The Doppler Effect is a phenomenon that allows an observer to measure an object's: A) temperature. B) mass. C) velocity towards or away from the observer. D) velocity horizontal to the observer. E) chemical composition.
C) velocity towards or away from the observer.
The presence of a magnetic field is a good indication that: A) the Earth's interior is similar to Mercury's, as both have fields. B) a huge iron meteorite lies somewhere high up in the mantle, not in the core. C) we have a liquid metal outer core, spinning rapidly as we rotate. D) the Earth's interior must be completely molten to the center. E) the Earth's interior has had time to solidify, with a rigid bar magnet created in the center.
C) we have a liquid metal outer core, spinning rapidly as we rotate.
Modern astronomy has measured the age of the Universe to be: A) 13.7 thousand years old B) 13.7 hundred thousand years old C) 13.7 million years old D) 13.7 billion years old E) 13.7 trillion years old
D) 13.7 billion years old
Kepler's second law implies what about planetary motion? A) A planet moves at a constant speed during its orbit around the Sun. B) A planet moves faster when it is farther from the Sun. C) A planet moves slower when it is closer to the Sun. D) A planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun. E) This law implies nothing about a planet's motion.
D) A planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun.
1) Electromagnetic waves include: A) radio waves B) visible light C) x-rays D) All of the above E) Both A and B
D) All of the above
Earth's internal heat is from: A) Accretion B) Differentiation C) Radioactivity D) All of the above E) Both A and C
D) All of the above
Photons have: A) energy B) wavelength C) frequency D) All of the above E) Both B and C
D) All of the above
When two tectonic plates collide they can create: A) mountains B) volcanoes C) earthquakes D) All of the above E) Both A and C
D) All of the above
The three laws dealing with the creation of various spectra are due to: A) Newton. B) Fraunhofer. C) Kirchhoff. D) Bohr. E) Einstein.
D) Bohr.
In everyday terms, a force is a: A) Push B) Pull C) Acceleration D) Both A and B E) Both A and C
D) Both A and B
What are two advantages of large telescopes over smaller ones? A) Large telescopes have a larger field of view and sharper focus. B) Large telescopes are not subject to atmospheric turbulence and opacity like smaller ones. C) Large telescopes are easier to mount and control than small ones. D) Large telescopes gather more light and have better resolution. E) Large telescopes give higher magnification and are easier to build.
D) Large telescopes gather more light and have better resolution.
Which of the following was NOT a contribution of Galileo to astronomy? A) The Sun rotates on its axis and has sunspots B) Jupiter has four moons that orbit around Jupiter like a miniature Solar System C) The phases of Venus prove it orbits completely around the Sun. D) The changing appearance of Saturn's rings corresponds to our seasons. E) The Moon has craters
D) The changing appearance of Saturn's rings corresponds to our seasons.
What conditions are necessary for a partial solar eclipse? A) new moon, with us in the Moon's umbra shadow B) new moon, with us in the Moon's penumbra shadow C) full moon, with us in the Moon's umbra shadow D) full moon, with us in the Moon's penumbra shadow E) first or third quarter moon at a node
B) new moon, with us in the Moon's penumbra shadow
The tendency of a wave to bend as it passes from one transparent medium to another is called: A) diffraction. B) refraction. C) reflection. D) dispersion. E) interference.
B) refraction.
Rank the colors of visible light in order of increasing wavelength, where 1 is the smallest and 6 is the longest. Blue _____ Red _____ Green _____ Violet _____ Yellow _____ Orange _____
Blue 2 Red 6 Green 3 Violet 1 Yellow 4 Orange 5
Rank the colors of visible light in order of increasing frequency, where 1 is the smallest and 6 is the largest. Blue _____ Red _____ Green _____ Violet _____ Yellow _____ Orange _____
Blue 5 Red 1 Green 4 Violet 6 Yellow 3 Orange 2
Rank the colors of visible light in order of increasing energy, where 1 is the smallest and 6 is the largest. Blue _____ Red _____ Green _____ Violet _____ Yellow _____ Orange _____
Blue 5 Red 1 Green 4 Violet 6 Yellow 3 Orange 2
If the mass of an object were doubled, its gravitational force would become: A) 0.5 times weaker B) stay the same C) 2 times stronger D) 4 times stronger E) 8 times stronger
C) 2 times stronger
The Solar System has: A) 6 planets B) 7 planets C) 8 planets D) 9 planets E) 10 planets
C) 8 planets
How do the densities of the jovian and terrestrial planets compare? A) They are all similar. B) The more massive jovians all have high densities, compared to the tiny terrestrials. C) All terrestrials are denser than any of the jovians. D) The closer a planet is to the Sun, the less dense it is. E) No real pattern here; densities vary greatly and are very unique to each world.
C) All terrestrials are denser than any of the jovians.
Which one of the following statements is correct? A) P waves travel through solids; S waves do not. B) P and S waves travel through liquids, but P waves do not travel through solids. C) P waves travel through liquids, S waves do not. D) P and S waves travel through liquids, but S waves do not travel through solids.
C) P waves travel through liquids, S waves do not.
Rank the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency, where 1 is the smallest and 6 is the largest. X-ray _____ Visible _____ Radio _____ Gamma-ray _____ Infrared _____ Ultraviolet _____
X-ray 2 Visible 4 Radio 6 Gamma-ray 1 Infrared 5 Ultraviolet 3
Rank the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing wavelength, where 1 is the smallest and 6 is the longest. X-ray _____ Visible _____ Radio _____ Gamma-ray _____ Infrared _____ Ultraviolet _____
X-ray 2 Visible 4 Radio 6 Gamma-ray 1 Infrared 5 Ultraviolet 3
Rank the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing energy, where 1 is the smallest and 6 is the largest. X-ray _____ Visible _____ Radio _____ Gamma-ray _____ Infrared _____ Ultraviolet _____
X-ray 5 Visible 3 Radio 1 Gamma-ray 6 Infrared 2 Ultraviolet 4
Rank the planets in order of increasing radius, where 1 is the smallest radius and 8 is the largest radius. Mars _____ Jupiter _____ Earth _____ Mercury _____ Saturn _____ Uranus _____ Venus _____ Neptune _____
Mars 2 Jupiter 8 Earth 4 Mercury 1 Saturn 7 Uranus 6 Venus 3 Neptune 5
Rank the planets in order of increasing mass, where 1 is the smallest mass and 8 is the largest mass. Mars _____ Jupiter _____ Earth _____ Mercury _____ Saturn _____ Uranus _____ Venus _____ Neptune _____
Mars 2 Jupiter 8 Earth 4 Mercury 1 Saturn 7 Uranus 5 Venus 3 Neptune 6
Rank the planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun, where 1 is the smallest distance and 8 is the largest distance. Mars _____ Jupiter _____ Earth _____ Mercury _____ Saturn _____ Uranus _____ Venus _____ Neptune _____
Mars 3 Jupiter 8 Earth 4 Mercury 1 Saturn 7 Uranus 6 Venus 2 Neptune 2
Rank the steps in the formation of the Solar System, where 1 is first and 5 is last. Solar Nebula begins to collapse _____ Spinning disk forms _____ Metal, rock, and ice grains form _____ Planetesimals form _____ Protosun becomes a real star _____
Solar Nebula begins to collapse 1 Spinning disk forms 2 Metal, rock, and ice grains form 3 Planetesimals form 4 Protosun becomes a real star 5
Rank the telescopes by how much light they can collect, where 1 is the smallest amount and 4 is the largest amount. 0.1 meter diameter _____ 1 meter diameter _____ 10 meter diameter _____ 100 meter diameter _____
0.1 meter diameter 1 1 meter diameter 2 10 meter diameter 3 100 meter diameter 4
Consider this diagram. Which statement is true? A) The wavelength is 4. B) The wavelength is 6. C) The frequency is 4. D) The frequency is 6. E) The distance traveled is 24
.
What is the name of the theory that is currently used to describe the formation of the solar system? A) Perturbation Theory B) Solar Nebula theory C) Differentiation Theory D) Close-encounter theory E) Conduction theory
B) Solar Nebula theory
A neon light (thin hot neon gas in a sealed tube) produces: A) a continuous spectrum B) an emission spectrum C) an absorption spectrum D) All of the above E) Both B and C
B) an emission spectrum
All of the following are possible steps of the scientific method except for A) the collection of scientific data through experimentation B) assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation C) the development of one or more working hypotheses to explain observations D) development of experiments to test the hypotheses E) question some aspect of nature that you observe
B) assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation
When Earth's magnetic fields trap and funnel solar wind particles into Earth's North and South polar regions, we get: A) meteor showers B) auroras C) lightning D) sunspots E) hurricanes
B) auroras
A star's continuous spectrum and absorption spectrum can reveal the star's: A) temperature B) chemical composition C) Doppler velocity D) All of the above E) Both A and B
B) chemical composition
Kepler found that the orbits of planets are: A) circular B) elliptical C) spiral D) parabolic E) hyperbolic
B) elliptical
Astronomy is the branch of science that studies: A) stars B) everything in the Universe that lies above Earth's atmosphere C) the future D) galaxies E) planets
B) everything in the Universe that lies above Earth's atmosphere
A lunar eclipse can only happen during a: A) equinox B) full moon C) solstice D) first quarter moon E) new moon
B) full moon
If your experimental data agrees with your hypothesis then your hypothesis is: A) absolutely correct and no longer needs to be tested B) may be correct and needs to be continuously tested C) may be correct and no longer needs to be continuously tested D) absolutely incorrect and no longer needs to be tested E) not enough information is given to know
B) may be correct and needs to be continuously tested
The terrestrial planets are mostly made of: A) metal and helium B) metal and rock C) hydrogen and helium D) hydrogen and metal E) rock and helium
B) metal and rock
When Earth's Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it is: A) Spring in the Northern hemisphere and Fall in the Southern hemisphere B) Fall in the Northern hemisphere and Spring in the Southern hemisphere C) Winter in the Northern hemisphere and Summer in the Southern hemisphere D) Summer in the Northern hemisphere and Summer in the Southern hemisphere E) Summer in the Northern hemisphere and Winter in the Southern hemisphere
E) Summer in the Northern hemisphere and Winter in the Southern hemisphere
In which region of the electromagnetic spectrum have astronomers been unable to get any information? A) gamma rays B) X-rays C) ultraviolet D) microwaves E) We now can access information in all spectral regions.
E) We now can access information in all spectral regions.
The force of gravity varies with the: A) the inverse square of the distance separating the two bodies. B) the product of the two masses. C) the inverse of the distance separating the two bodies. D) both product of the two masses and inverse of the distance separating the two bodies. E) both product of the two masses and inverse square of the distance separating the two bodies.
E) both product of the two masses and inverse square of the distance separating the two bodies.
When the Moon is directly opposite the Sun in the sky, its phase is: A) new. B) waxing or waning crescent C) first or third quarter. D) waxing or waning gibbous. E) full.
E) full.
Of all the forms of electromagnetic waves, the one with the lowest frequency is: A) gamma rays. B) ultraviolet light. C) visible light. D) microwaves. E) radio waves.
E) radio waves.
The structure of Earth's interior is determined using: A) radar B) sonar C) deep mine shafts D) satellite imaging E) seismic wave data
E) seismic wave data
Visible light with the shortest wavelengths appears: A) red. B) orange. C) green. D) blue. E) violet.
E) violet.
The average density of each planet in the Solar System is determined by taking its mass and dividing that by its: A) radius B) diameter C) surface area D) radius cubed E) volume
E) volume
Rank the lunar phases below in order starting from the New Moon phase. First Quarter _____ Full Moon _____ New Moon __1__ Waning Gibbous _____ Waning Crescent _____ Waxing Gibbous _____ Waxing Crescent _____ Third Quarter _____
First Quarter 3 Full Moon 5 New Moon 1 Waning Gibbous 6 Waning Crescent 8 Waxing Gibbous 4 Waxing Crescent 2 Third Quarter 7
Rank the objects below in order from smallest to largest, where 1 is the smallest and 5 is the largest. Local Group of Galaxies _____ Solar System _____ Milky Way Galaxy _____ Universe _____ Earth _____
Local Group of Galaxies 4 Solar System 2 Milky Way Galaxy 3 Universe 5 Earth 1
Rank the layers of the Earth's interior in order of distance from the center, where 1 is the smallest distance and 4 is the largest distance. Outer Core _____ Crust _____ Inner Core _____ Mantle ____
Outer Core 2 Crust 4 Inner Core 1 Mantle 3
Rank the layers of the Earth's interior in order of increasing density, where 1 is the least dense and 4 is the most dense. Outer Core _____ Crust _____ Inner Core _____ Mantle _____
Outer Core 3 Crust 1 Inner Core 4 Mantle 2
Rank the layers of the Earth's interior in order of increasing temperature, where 1 is the coolest and 4 is the hottest. Outer Core _____ Crust _____ Inner Core _____ Mantle _____
Outer Core 3 Crust 1 Inner Core 4 Mantle 2
