Question 1

The heaviest element produced by stars or in supernovae is silicon.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Consider the star to which the arrow points. How is it currently generating energy?

Accepted Answer

A) by hydrogen shell burning around an inert helium core 
B) by gravitational contraction 
C) by both hydrogen and helium shell burning around an inert carbon core 
D) by core hydrogen fusion 
E) by core helium fusion combined with hydrogen shell burning 
A) by hydrogen shell burning around an inert helium core 
B) by gravitational contraction 
C) by both hydrogen and helium shell burning around an inert carbon core 
D) by core hydrogen fusion 
E) by core helium fusion combined with hydrogen shell burning

Question 3

If someone somehow added a lot more hydrogen and helium to the Sun (say 50% more than it has now), what would happen to it?

Accepted Answer

A) It would cease to exist as a star because it would be too diffuse and fluffy. 
B) It would increase in size and float away. 
C) It would begin to evolve much more quickly than it is now. 
D) It would explode as a supernova. 
E) Its nuclear reactions would slow down because its heavy element abundance would be relatively less. 
A) It would cease to exist as a star because it would be too diffuse and fluffy. 
B) It would increase in size and float away. 
C) It would begin to evolve much more quickly than it is now. 
D) It would explode as a supernova. 
E) Its nuclear reactions would slow down because its heavy element abundance would be relatively less.

Question 4

This diagram represents the life track of a 1 solar mass star. Refer to the life stages labeled with roman numerals. During which stage does the star have an inert (non- burning)carbon core surrounded by shells of helium and hydrogen burning?

Accepted Answer

A) vi 
B) viii 
C) ii 
D) iv 
E) iii 
A) vi 
B) viii 
C) ii 
D) iv 
E) iii

Question 5

The figure above shows the abundance of elements in the galaxy relative to hydrogen. What is the general trend in elemental abundance?

Accepted Answer

A) Elements with an odd number of protons are less abundant than neighboring elements. 
B) Elements with more protons are less abundant. 
C) Elements with an even number of protons are less abundant than neighboring elements. 
D) both A and B 
E) both A and C 
A) Elements with an odd number of protons are less abundant than neighboring elements. 
B) Elements with more protons are less abundant. 
C) Elements with an even number of protons are less abundant than neighboring elements. 
D) both A and B 
E) both A and C

Question 6

How are elements beyond iron formed in massive- star supernovae?

Accepted Answer

A) Neutrons produced during the core collapse are slammed into atomic nuclei. 
B) Elements thrown out at high speeds fuse with hydrogen atoms in the interstellar medium. 
C) The high temperature and pressure allow iron nuclei to fuse. 
A) Neutrons produced during the core collapse are slammed into atomic nuclei. 
B) Elements thrown out at high speeds fuse with hydrogen atoms in the interstellar medium. 
C) The high temperature and pressure allow iron nuclei to fuse.

Question 7

Which star spends the longest time in the protostellar phase of life?

Accepted Answer

A) a 1 solar mass star 
B) a 2 solar mass star 
C) a 3 solar mass star 
D) a 4 solar mass star 
E) a 5 solar mass star 
A) a 1 solar mass star 
B) a 2 solar mass star 
C) a 3 solar mass star 
D) a 4 solar mass star 
E) a 5 solar mass star

Question 8

The ultimate fate of our Sun is to .

Accepted Answer

A) become a white dwarf that will slowly cool with time 
B) become a rapidly spinning neutron star 
C) explode in a supernova 
D) become a black hole 
A) become a white dwarf that will slowly cool with time 
B) become a rapidly spinning neutron star 
C) explode in a supernova 
D) become a black hole

Question 9

How many helium nuclei fuse together when making carbon?

Accepted Answer

A) 3 
B) 4 
C) 2 
D) It varies depending on the reaction. 
E) Helium cannot fuse into carbon. 
A) 3 
B) 4 
C) 2 
D) It varies depending on the reaction. 
E) Helium cannot fuse into carbon.

Question 10

What is a protostar?

Accepted Answer

A) a star in its final stage of life 
B) a star that is still in the process of forming 
C) a star that has planets 
D) an intermediate- mass star 
A) a star in its final stage of life 
B) a star that is still in the process of forming 
C) a star that has planets 
D) an intermediate- mass star

Question 11

Suppose the star Betelgeuse (the upper left shoulder of Orion)were to become a supernova tomorrow (as seen here on Earth). What would it look like to the naked eye?

Accepted Answer

A) Betelgeuse would remain a dot of light but would suddenly become so bright that, for a few weeks, we'd be able to see this dot in the daytime. 
B) Betelgeuse would suddenly appear to grow larger in size, soon reaching the size of the full moon. It would also be about as bright as the full moon. 
C) Because the supernova event destroys the star, Betelgeuse would suddenly disappear from view. 
D) We'd see a cloud of gas expanding away from the position where Betelgeuse used to be. Over a period of a few weeks, this cloud would fill our entire sky. 
A) Betelgeuse would remain a dot of light but would suddenly become so bright that, for a few weeks, we'd be able to see this dot in the daytime. 
B) Betelgeuse would suddenly appear to grow larger in size, soon reaching the size of the full moon. It would also be about as bright as the full moon. 
C) Because the supernova event destroys the star, Betelgeuse would suddenly disappear from view. 
D) We'd see a cloud of gas expanding away from the position where Betelgeuse used to be. Over a period of a few weeks, this cloud would fill our entire sky.

Question 12

What is the source of luminosity for protostars that have not yet become hot enough for fusion in their cores?

Accepted Answer

A) fusion in their low- density outer layers 
B) light absorbed from nearby stars 
C) energy released by infalling matter 
D) fission from concentrated radioactive elements 
A) fusion in their low- density outer layers 
B) light absorbed from nearby stars 
C) energy released by infalling matter 
D) fission from concentrated radioactive elements

Question 13

In order to predict whether a star will eventually fuse oxygen into a heavier element, you mainly want to know what fact about the star?

Accepted Answer

A) its luminosity 
B) how much oxygen it now has in its core 
C) its mass 
D) its overall abundance of elements heavier than helium 
A) its luminosity 
B) how much oxygen it now has in its core 
C) its mass 
D) its overall abundance of elements heavier than helium

Question 14

Which statement about this cluster is not true?

Accepted Answer

A) It is likely to be spherical in shape. 
B) It is likely to be located in the halo of the galaxy. 
C) It contains some stars that are burning helium in their cores. 
D) It is the type of cluster known as an open cluster of stars. 
E) It probably contains no young stars at all. 
A) It is likely to be spherical in shape. 
B) It is likely to be located in the halo of the galaxy. 
C) It contains some stars that are burning helium in their cores. 
D) It is the type of cluster known as an open cluster of stars. 
E) It probably contains no young stars at all.

Question 15

There is no limit to the mass with which a star can be born.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

What is the lifetime of a star of 0.1 solar masses and a luminosity of 0.01 that of the Sun? Assume the lifetime of the Sun is 10 billion years.

Accepted Answer

A) 100 billion years 
B) 10 trillion years 
C) 10 billion years 
D) 10 million years 
E) This star will never start hydrogen fusion reactions because it is not massive enough. 
A) 100 billion years 
B) 10 trillion years 
C) 10 billion years 
D) 10 million years 
E) This star will never start hydrogen fusion reactions because it is not massive enough.

Question 17

Identify the correct sequence of life events for a high mass star.

Accepted Answer

A) red supergiant, main sequence, neutron star, supernova 
B) red supergiant, main sequence, supernova, neutron star 
C) main sequence, red supergiant, neutron star, supernova 
D) main sequence, red supergiant, supernova, neutron star 
A) red supergiant, main sequence, neutron star, supernova 
B) red supergiant, main sequence, supernova, neutron star 
C) main sequence, red supergiant, neutron star, supernova 
D) main sequence, red supergiant, supernova, neutron star

Question 18

What is a planetary nebula?

Accepted Answer

A) the expanding shell of gas that is no longer gravitationally bound to the remnant of a low- mass star 
B) the expanding shell of gas that is left when a white dwarf explodes as a supernova 
C) the molecular cloud from which protostars form 
D) a disk of gas surrounding a protostar that may form into planets 
E) what is left of its planets after a low- mass star has ended its life 
A) the expanding shell of gas that is no longer gravitationally bound to the remnant of a low- mass star 
B) the expanding shell of gas that is left when a white dwarf explodes as a supernova 
C) the molecular cloud from which protostars form 
D) a disk of gas surrounding a protostar that may form into planets 
E) what is left of its planets after a low- mass star has ended its life

Question 19

Why is iron significant to understanding how a supernova occurs?

Accepted Answer

A) Iron is the heaviest of all atomic nuclei, and thus no heavier elements can be made. 
B) The fusion of iron into uranium is the reaction that drives a supernova explosion. 
C) Iron cannot release energy either by fission or fusion. 
D) Supernovae often leave behind neutron stars, which are made mostly of iron. 
A) Iron is the heaviest of all atomic nuclei, and thus no heavier elements can be made. 
B) The fusion of iron into uranium is the reaction that drives a supernova explosion. 
C) Iron cannot release energy either by fission or fusion. 
D) Supernovae often leave behind neutron stars, which are made mostly of iron.

Question 20

How will an isolated, one solar- mass star die?

Accepted Answer

A) as a black hole 
B) as a neutron star 
C) as a white dwarf supernova 
D) as a white dwarf 
E) uncertain, since stars can die in any number of ways 
A) as a black hole 
B) as a neutron star 
C) as a white dwarf supernova 
D) as a white dwarf 
E) uncertain, since stars can die in any number of ways

The heaviest element produced by stars or in supernovae is silicon.

Consider the star to which the arrow points. How is it currently generating energy?

If someone somehow added a lot more hydrogen and helium to the Sun (say 50% more than it has now), what would happen to it?

This diagram represents the life track of a 1 solar mass star. Refer to the life stages labeled with roman numerals. During which stage does the star have an inert (non- burning)carbon core surrounded by shells of helium and hydrogen burning?

The figure above shows the abundance of elements in the galaxy relative to hydrogen. What is the general trend in elemental abundance?

How are elements beyond iron formed in massive- star supernovae?

Which star spends the longest time in the protostellar phase of life?

The ultimate fate of our Sun is to .

How many helium nuclei fuse together when making carbon?

What is a protostar?

Suppose the star Betelgeuse (the upper left shoulder of Orion)were to become a supernova tomorrow (as seen here on Earth). What would it look like to the naked eye?

What is the source of luminosity for protostars that have not yet become hot enough for fusion in their cores?

In order to predict whether a star will eventually fuse oxygen into a heavier element, you mainly want to know what fact about the star?

Which statement about this cluster is not true?

There is no limit to the mass with which a star can be born.

What is the lifetime of a star of 0.1 solar masses and a luminosity of 0.01 that of the Sun? Assume the lifetime of the Sun is 10 billion years.

Identify the correct sequence of life events for a high mass star.

What is a planetary nebula?

Why is iron significant to understanding how a supernova occurs?

How will an isolated, one solar- mass star die?

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

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

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

Life in the Universe

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Exam 13: Star Stuff

The heaviest element produced by stars or in supernovae is silicon.

Consider the star to which the arrow points. How is it currently generating energy?

If someone somehow added a lot more hydrogen and helium to the Sun (say 50% more than it has now), what would happen to it?

This diagram represents the life track of a 1 solar mass star. Refer to the life stages labeled with roman numerals. During which stage does the star have an inert (non- burning)carbon core surrounded by shells of helium and hydrogen burning?

The figure above shows the abundance of elements in the galaxy relative to hydrogen. What is the general trend in elemental abundance?

How are elements beyond iron formed in massive- star supernovae?

Which star spends the longest time in the protostellar phase of life?

The ultimate fate of our Sun is to .

How many helium nuclei fuse together when making carbon?

What is a protostar?

Suppose the star Betelgeuse (the upper left shoulder of Orion)were to become a supernova tomorrow (as seen here on Earth). What would it look like to the naked eye?

What is the source of luminosity for protostars that have not yet become hot enough for fusion in their cores?

In order to predict whether a star will eventually fuse oxygen into a heavier element, you mainly want to know what fact about the star?

Which statement about this cluster is not true?

There is no limit to the mass with which a star can be born.

What is the lifetime of a star of 0.1 solar masses and a luminosity of 0.01 that of the Sun? Assume the lifetime of the Sun is 10 billion years.

Identify the correct sequence of life events for a high mass star.

What is a planetary nebula?

Why is iron significant to understanding how a supernova occurs?

How will an isolated, one solar- mass star die?

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

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

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

Life in the Universe

Filters