Question 1

Spiral galaxies have more gas, dust, and young stars than elliptical galaxies.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Which of the following is not a strong argument for the theory that some large elliptical galaxies formed as the result of galaxy collisions?

Accepted Answer

A) Computer simulations predict that the product of a galaxy collision is generally an elliptical galaxy. 
B) Elliptical galaxies dominate the population in dense galaxy clusters. 
C) Galaxy collisions are common and most galaxies in the universe are elliptical. 
D) Some elliptical galaxies are surrounded by shells of stars. 
E) Some ellipticals have stars and gas that rotate opposite to the rest of the galaxy. 
A) Computer simulations predict that the product of a galaxy collision is generally an elliptical galaxy. 
B) Elliptical galaxies dominate the population in dense galaxy clusters. 
C) Galaxy collisions are common and most galaxies in the universe are elliptical. 
D) Some elliptical galaxies are surrounded by shells of stars. 
E) Some ellipticals have stars and gas that rotate opposite to the rest of the galaxy.

Question 3

Which of these statements about Hubble's classification scheme for galaxies is false?

Accepted Answer

A) Sc galaxies have smaller bulges and more dusty gas than Sa galaxies. 
B) It includes two broad types of spiral galaxies. 
C) Low numbered elliptical galaxies are rounder than high numbered elliptical galaxies. 
D) It represents an evolutionary sequence for galaxies (e.g., type SBa galaxies slowly turn into type SBb). 
A) Sc galaxies have smaller bulges and more dusty gas than Sa galaxies. 
B) It includes two broad types of spiral galaxies. 
C) Low numbered elliptical galaxies are rounder than high numbered elliptical galaxies. 
D) It represents an evolutionary sequence for galaxies (e.g., type SBa galaxies slowly turn into type SBb).

Question 4

If we represent the Milky Way Galaxy as the size of a grapefruit, the distance to the Andromeda Galaxy would be about

Accepted Answer

A) 3 km. 
B) 300 km. 
C) 3 cm. 
D) 30 m. 
E) 3 m. 
A) 3 km. 
B) 300 km. 
C) 3 cm. 
D) 30 m. 
E) 3 m.

Question 5

How is the energy that powers radio galaxies, quasars, and other active galactic nuclei produced?

Accepted Answer

A) by matter that has been converted to pure energy by interacting with the jets shot out by a central black hole 
B) by matter- antimatter annihilation near a central black hole 
C) by nuclear fusion near a central black hole 
D) by magnetic fields that trap and accelerate charged particles, which then radiate large amounts of energy 
E) by gravity, which converts the potential energy of matter falling toward a central black hole into kinetic energy, which is then converted to thermal energy by collisions among the particles of matter 
A) by matter that has been converted to pure energy by interacting with the jets shot out by a central black hole 
B) by matter- antimatter annihilation near a central black hole 
C) by nuclear fusion near a central black hole 
D) by magnetic fields that trap and accelerate charged particles, which then radiate large amounts of energy 
E) by gravity, which converts the potential energy of matter falling toward a central black hole into kinetic energy, which is then converted to thermal energy by collisions among the particles of matter

Question 6

What does Hubble's law tell us?

Accepted Answer

A) For every force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force. 
B) The faster a spiral galaxy's rotation speed, the more luminous it is. 
C) The more distant a galaxy, the faster it is moving away from us. 
D) The longer the period of a Cepheid variable, the greater its luminosity. 
A) For every force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force. 
B) The faster a spiral galaxy's rotation speed, the more luminous it is. 
C) The more distant a galaxy, the faster it is moving away from us. 
D) The longer the period of a Cepheid variable, the greater its luminosity.

Question 7

Which statement below correctly describes the relationship between expansion rate and age for the universe?

Accepted Answer

A) The faster the rate of expansion, the older the age of the universe. 
B) The faster the rate of expansion, the younger the age of the universe. 
C) Age is independent of the expansion rate. 
A) The faster the rate of expansion, the older the age of the universe. 
B) The faster the rate of expansion, the younger the age of the universe. 
C) Age is independent of the expansion rate.

Question 8

Quasars radiate most of their energy as radio emission.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

If we say that a galaxy has a lookback time of 1 billion years, we mean that .

Accepted Answer

A) its light traveled through space for 1 billion years to reach us 
B) it was 1 billion light- years away when the light left the galaxy 
C) it is now 1 billion light- years away 
D) it is 400 million years old 
A) its light traveled through space for 1 billion years to reach us 
B) it was 1 billion light- years away when the light left the galaxy 
C) it is now 1 billion light- years away 
D) it is 400 million years old

Question 10

Why are collisions between galaxies more likely than collisions between stars within a galaxy?

Accepted Answer

A) Relative to their sizes, galaxies are closer together than stars. 
B) Galaxies are much larger than stars. 
C) Galaxies have higher redshifts than stars. 
D) Galaxies travel through space much faster than stars. 
A) Relative to their sizes, galaxies are closer together than stars. 
B) Galaxies are much larger than stars. 
C) Galaxies have higher redshifts than stars. 
D) Galaxies travel through space much faster than stars.

Question 11

In a photo like the Hubble Deep Field (Figure 16.1 in your textbook), we see galaxies in many different stages of their lives. In general, which galaxies are seen in the earliest (youngest)stages of their lives?

Accepted Answer

A) the galaxies that have the most hot, young O and B stars 
B) the galaxies that are nearest to us 
C) the galaxies that are farthest away 
D) the galaxies that are the reddest in color 
A) the galaxies that have the most hot, young O and B stars 
B) the galaxies that are nearest to us 
C) the galaxies that are farthest away 
D) the galaxies that are the reddest in color

Question 12

What two observable properties of a Cepheid variable are directly related to one another?

Accepted Answer

A) its mass and its distance 
B) the period between its peaks of brightness and its distance 
C) the period between its peaks of brightness and its luminosity 
D) its luminosity and its mass 
A) its mass and its distance 
B) the period between its peaks of brightness and its distance 
C) the period between its peaks of brightness and its luminosity 
D) its luminosity and its mass

Question 13

Interactions among galaxies also are thought to influence a galaxy's type in at least some cases. Which of the following does not support the idea that interactions can shape galaxies?

Accepted Answer

A) the fact that more distant galaxies have larger redshifts 
B) the fact that galaxies with distorted appearances are more common at great distances than nearby 
C) computer modeling of collisions between galaxies 
D) the presence of features, such as "tails" extending out of galaxies, bridges between galaxies, and rings of stars around galaxies 
A) the fact that more distant galaxies have larger redshifts 
B) the fact that galaxies with distorted appearances are more common at great distances than nearby 
C) computer modeling of collisions between galaxies 
D) the presence of features, such as "tails" extending out of galaxies, bridges between galaxies, and rings of stars around galaxies

Question 14

Most large galaxies in the universe are

Accepted Answer

A) spiral or lenticular. 
B) irregular. 
C) elliptical. 
D) abnormal. 
A) spiral or lenticular. 
B) irregular. 
C) elliptical. 
D) abnormal.

Question 15

Why do we believe that starburst galaxies represent a temporary stage in galaxy evolution?

Accepted Answer

A) We don't see any nearby starburst galaxies. 
B) We observe starbursts to last only a few years at a time. 
C) Such galaxies form stars at such a high rate that they would have consumed all their gas long ago if they had always been forming stars at this high rate. 
D) All starburst galaxies look like normal spiral galaxies, aside from the starbursts. 
A) We don't see any nearby starburst galaxies. 
B) We observe starbursts to last only a few years at a time. 
C) Such galaxies form stars at such a high rate that they would have consumed all their gas long ago if they had always been forming stars at this high rate. 
D) All starburst galaxies look like normal spiral galaxies, aside from the starbursts.

Question 16

Current understanding holds that a galaxy's type (spiral, elliptical, or irregular).

Accepted Answer

A) may either be a result of the mass of the protogalactic cloud that formed it or the result of the heavy element abundance in that cloud 
B) is always determined by the angular momentum of the protogalactic cloud that formed it 
C) may either be the result of conditions in the protogalactic cloud that formed it or the result of later interactions with other galaxies 
D) is determined by whether the galaxy is located in a cluster where collisions are likely or outside a cluster where collisions are less likely 
A) may either be a result of the mass of the protogalactic cloud that formed it or the result of the heavy element abundance in that cloud 
B) is always determined by the angular momentum of the protogalactic cloud that formed it 
C) may either be the result of conditions in the protogalactic cloud that formed it or the result of later interactions with other galaxies 
D) is determined by whether the galaxy is located in a cluster where collisions are likely or outside a cluster where collisions are less likely

Question 17

Which types of galaxies have a clearly defined spheroidal component?

Accepted Answer

A) lenticulars only 
B) irregulars only 
C) ellipticals only 
D) spirals only 
E) all but irregulars 
A) lenticulars only 
B) irregulars only 
C) ellipticals only 
D) spirals only 
E) all but irregulars

Question 18

Supermassive Black Holes: A Scientific Theory? Summarize all of the available evidence that active galaxies are powered by supermassive black holes. Do your best to assemble enough evidence that this explanation should be considered a scientific theory in the sense outlined at the end of Section 3.4 (The Nature of Science)of Chapter 3. Do you think astronomers have met this challenge?

Accepted Answer

The evidence supporting the idea that ac

Question 19

Which characteristic is not generally true of a starburst galaxy?

Accepted Answer

A) Its rate of star formation is many times higher than the rate of star formation in the Milky Way. 
B) Supernovae occur so frequently that their effects combine to drive a galactic wind that blows material into intergalactic space. 
C) The observed features that cause us to classify it as a "starburst" must be only temporary phenomena in the galaxy's history. 
D) The observed features of the starburst are thought to be caused by the presence of a supermassive black hole in the galaxy's center. 
A) Its rate of star formation is many times higher than the rate of star formation in the Milky Way. 
B) Supernovae occur so frequently that their effects combine to drive a galactic wind that blows material into intergalactic space. 
C) The observed features that cause us to classify it as a "starburst" must be only temporary phenomena in the galaxy's history. 
D) The observed features of the starburst are thought to be caused by the presence of a supermassive black hole in the galaxy's center.

Question 20

Which types of galaxies have a clearly defined disk component?

Accepted Answer

A) spirals and lenticulars 
B) ellipticals only 
C) irregulars only 
D) spirals only 
E) lenticulars only 
A) spirals and lenticulars 
B) ellipticals only 
C) irregulars only 
D) spirals only 
E) lenticulars only

Spiral galaxies have more gas, dust, and young stars than elliptical galaxies.

Which of the following is not a strong argument for the theory that some large elliptical galaxies formed as the result of galaxy collisions?

Which of these statements about Hubble's classification scheme for galaxies is false?

If we represent the Milky Way Galaxy as the size of a grapefruit, the distance to the Andromeda Galaxy would be about

How is the energy that powers radio galaxies, quasars, and other active galactic nuclei produced?

What does Hubble's law tell us?

Which statement below correctly describes the relationship between expansion rate and age for the universe?

Quasars radiate most of their energy as radio emission.

If we say that a galaxy has a lookback time of 1 billion years, we mean that .

Why are collisions between galaxies more likely than collisions between stars within a galaxy?

In a photo like the Hubble Deep Field (Figure 16.1 in your textbook), we see galaxies in many different stages of their lives. In general, which galaxies are seen in the earliest (youngest)stages of their lives?

What two observable properties of a Cepheid variable are directly related to one another?

Interactions among galaxies also are thought to influence a galaxy's type in at least some cases. Which of the following does not support the idea that interactions can shape galaxies?

Most large galaxies in the universe are

Why do we believe that starburst galaxies represent a temporary stage in galaxy evolution?

Current understanding holds that a galaxy's type (spiral, elliptical, or irregular).

Which types of galaxies have a clearly defined spheroidal component?

Which characteristic is not generally true of a starburst galaxy?

Which types of galaxies have a clearly defined disk component?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters

Exam 16: A Universe of Galaxies

Spiral galaxies have more gas, dust, and young stars than elliptical galaxies.

Which of the following is not a strong argument for the theory that some large elliptical galaxies formed as the result of galaxy collisions?

Which of these statements about Hubble's classification scheme for galaxies is false?

If we represent the Milky Way Galaxy as the size of a grapefruit, the distance to the Andromeda Galaxy would be about

How is the energy that powers radio galaxies, quasars, and other active galactic nuclei produced?

What does Hubble's law tell us?

Which statement below correctly describes the relationship between expansion rate and age for the universe?

Quasars radiate most of their energy as radio emission.

If we say that a galaxy has a lookback time of 1 billion years, we mean that .

Why are collisions between galaxies more likely than collisions between stars within a galaxy?

In a photo like the Hubble Deep Field (Figure 16.1 in your textbook), we see galaxies in many different stages of their lives. In general, which galaxies are seen in the earliest (youngest)stages of their lives?

What two observable properties of a Cepheid variable are directly related to one another?

Interactions among galaxies also are thought to influence a galaxy's type in at least some cases. Which of the following does not support the idea that interactions can shape galaxies?

Most large galaxies in the universe are

Why do we believe that starburst galaxies represent a temporary stage in galaxy evolution?

Current understanding holds that a galaxy's type (spiral, elliptical, or irregular).

Which types of galaxies have a clearly defined spheroidal component?

Which characteristic is not generally true of a starburst galaxy?

Which types of galaxies have a clearly defined disk component?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters