Question 1

From shortest to longest wavelength, which of the following correctly orders the different categories of electromagnetic radiation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, radio 
B)  Infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays, radio 
C)  Radio, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays 
D)  Gamma rays, X-rays, visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radio 
A)  Gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, radio 
B)  Infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays, radio 
C)  Radio, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays 
D)  Gamma rays, X-rays, visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radio

Question 2

The Chandra X-ray Observatory must operate in space because

Accepted Answer

A)  X-rays do not penetrate Earth's atmosphere. 
B)  X-rays are too dangerous to be allowed on the ground. 
C)  X-ray telescopes require the use of grazing incidence mirrors. 
D)  It was built by NASA. 
A)  X-rays do not penetrate Earth's atmosphere. 
B)  X-rays are too dangerous to be allowed on the ground. 
C)  X-ray telescopes require the use of grazing incidence mirrors. 
D)  It was built by NASA.

Question 3

Lines of a particular element appear at the same wavelength in both emission and absorption line spectra.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Which of the following statements about thermal radiation is always true?

Accepted Answer

A)  A hot object emits more radiation per unit surface area than a cool object. 
B)  A cold object produces more total infrared and radio emission per unit surface area than a hot object. 
C)  A hot object produces more total infrared emission than a cooler object. 
D)  All the light emitted by hot object has higher energy than the light emitted by a cooler object. 
A)  A hot object emits more radiation per unit surface area than a cool object. 
B)  A cold object produces more total infrared and radio emission per unit surface area than a hot object. 
C)  A hot object produces more total infrared emission than a cooler object. 
D)  All the light emitted by hot object has higher energy than the light emitted by a cooler object.

Question 5

We can see each other in the classroom right now because we

Accepted Answer

A)  emit thermal radiation. 
B)  emit visible light. 
C)  emit infrared light. 
D)  reflect visible light. 
E)  reflect infrared light. 
A)  emit thermal radiation. 
B)  emit visible light. 
C)  emit infrared light. 
D)  reflect visible light. 
E)  reflect infrared light.

Question 6

The wavelength of a wave is

Accepted Answer

A)  how strong the wave is. 
B)  the distance between a peak of the wave and the next trough. 
C)  the distance between two adjacent peaks of the wave. 
D)  the distance between where the wave is emitted and where it is absorbed. 
E)  equal to the speed of the wave times the wave's frequency. 
A)  how strong the wave is. 
B)  the distance between a peak of the wave and the next trough. 
C)  the distance between two adjacent peaks of the wave. 
D)  the distance between where the wave is emitted and where it is absorbed. 
E)  equal to the speed of the wave times the wave's frequency.

Question 7

How many atoms fit across the period at the end of this sentence?

Accepted Answer

A)  hundreds 
B)  thousands 
C)  millions 
D)  billions 
E)  more than you could count in a lifetime 
A)  hundreds 
B)  thousands 
C)  millions 
D)  billions 
E)  more than you could count in a lifetime

Question 8

The diagram represents energy levels in a hydrogen atom. The labeled transitions (A through E) represent an electron moving between energy levels. Which labeled transition represents an electron that absorbs a photo with 10.2 eV of energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  B 
B)  A 
C)  C 
D)  D 
A)  B 
B)  A 
C)  C 
D)  D

Question 9

Explain how adaptive optics works.

Accepted Answer

Adaptive optics corrects for atmospheric

Question 10

Most astronomical objects emit light over a broad range of wavelengths.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following is not a good reason to place observatories on remote mountain tops?

Accepted Answer

A)  to reduce light pollution 
B)  to reduce light distortion 
C)  to reduce light absorption 
D)  to be able to observe at radio wavelengths 
A)  to reduce light pollution 
B)  to reduce light distortion 
C)  to reduce light absorption 
D)  to be able to observe at radio wavelengths

Question 12

Which of the following statements about thermal radiation is always true?

Accepted Answer

A)  A hot object emits photons with a longer wavelength than a cool object. 
B)  A hot object emits photons with a higher average energy than a cool object. 
C)  A hot object emits more radio waves than a cool object. 
D)  A hot object emits more X-rays than a cool object. 
A)  A hot object emits photons with a longer wavelength than a cool object. 
B)  A hot object emits photons with a higher average energy than a cool object. 
C)  A hot object emits more radio waves than a cool object. 
D)  A hot object emits more X-rays than a cool object.

Question 13

If we observe one edge of a planet to be redshifted and the opposite edge to be blueshifted, what can we conclude about the planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  The planet is actually two bodies, one moving toward us, the other away from us. 
B)  The planet is in the process of falling apart. 
C)  The planet is in the process of formation. 
D)  The planet is rotating. 
A)  The planet is actually two bodies, one moving toward us, the other away from us. 
B)  The planet is in the process of falling apart. 
C)  The planet is in the process of formation. 
D)  The planet is rotating.

Question 14

Which of the following objects is not a close approximation of a thermal emitter?

Accepted Answer

A)  hot, thin gas 
B)  a star 
C)  a filament in a light bulb 
D)  you 
E)  a planet 
A)  hot, thin gas 
B)  a star 
C)  a filament in a light bulb 
D)  you 
E)  a planet

Question 15

Compare the energy and speed of infrared and visible light. Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Visible light has higher energy, but the same speed. 
B)  Infrared light has higher energy, but the same speed. 
C)  Visible light has higher energy, and moves faster. 
D)  Infrared light has higher energy, and moves faster. 
A)  Visible light has higher energy, but the same speed. 
B)  Infrared light has higher energy, but the same speed. 
C)  Visible light has higher energy, and moves faster. 
D)  Infrared light has higher energy, and moves faster.

Question 16

Visible light from a distant star can be spread into a spectrum by using a glass prism or ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a diffraction grating 
B)  adaptive optics 
C)  a telescope 
D)  a flat glass mirror 
A)  a diffraction grating 
B)  adaptive optics 
C)  a telescope 
D)  a flat glass mirror

Question 17

Why do astronomers need different telescope designs to observe across the electromagnetic spectrum?

Accepted Answer

A)  New telescopes incorporate new technology to increase their efficiency. 
B)  Telescopes have to adapt to the greater distortion of the atmosphere at shorter wavelengths. 
C)  Photons of different energy behave differently and require different collection strategies. 
D)  because light pollution is worse at radio wavelengths than visible wavelengths 
E)  Astronomers and engineers enjoy the challenge of making new telescope designs. 
A)  New telescopes incorporate new technology to increase their efficiency. 
B)  Telescopes have to adapt to the greater distortion of the atmosphere at shorter wavelengths. 
C)  Photons of different energy behave differently and require different collection strategies. 
D)  because light pollution is worse at radio wavelengths than visible wavelengths 
E)  Astronomers and engineers enjoy the challenge of making new telescope designs.

Question 18

In what part of the electromagnetic spectrum do the biggest telescopes on Earth operate?

Accepted Answer

A)  radio 
B)  infrared 
C)  visible 
D)  ultraviolet 
E)  X-ray 
A)  radio 
B)  infrared 
C)  visible 
D)  ultraviolet 
E)  X-ray

Question 19

X-rays are more intense than radio waves.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The most common isotope of gold has atomic number 79 and atomic mass number 197. How many protons and neutrons does the gold nucleus contain? Assuming the gold is electrically neutral, how many electrons does it have?

Accepted Answer

The most common isotope of gol

From shortest to longest wavelength, which of the following correctly orders the different categories of electromagnetic radiation?

The Chandra X-ray Observatory must operate in space because

Lines of a particular element appear at the same wavelength in both emission and absorption line spectra.

Which of the following statements about thermal radiation is always true?

We can see each other in the classroom right now because we

The wavelength of a wave is

How many atoms fit across the period at the end of this sentence?

The diagram represents energy levels in a hydrogen atom. The labeled transitions (A through E) represent an electron moving between energy levels. Which labeled transition represents an electron that absorbs a photo with 10.2 eV of energy?

Explain how adaptive optics works.

Most astronomical objects emit light over a broad range of wavelengths.

Which of the following is not a good reason to place observatories on remote mountain tops?

Which of the following statements about thermal radiation is always true?

If we observe one edge of a planet to be redshifted and the opposite edge to be blueshifted, what can we conclude about the planet?

Which of the following objects is not a close approximation of a thermal emitter?

Compare the energy and speed of infrared and visible light. Which of the following statements is true?

Visible light from a distant star can be spread into a spectrum by using a glass prism or ________.

Why do astronomers need different telescope designs to observe across the electromagnetic spectrum?

In what part of the electromagnetic spectrum do the biggest telescopes on Earth operate?

X-rays are more intense than radio waves.

The most common isotope of gold has atomic number 79 and atomic mass number 197. How many protons and neutrons does the gold nucleus contain? Assuming the gold is electrically neutral, how many electrons does it have?

Our Place in the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

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

Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

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

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

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

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

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Exam 5: Light: the Cosmic Messenger

From shortest to longest wavelength, which of the following correctly orders the different categories of electromagnetic radiation?

The Chandra X-ray Observatory must operate in space because

Lines of a particular element appear at the same wavelength in both emission and absorption line spectra.

Which of the following statements about thermal radiation is always true?

We can see each other in the classroom right now because we

The wavelength of a wave is

How many atoms fit across the period at the end of this sentence?

The diagram represents energy levels in a hydrogen atom. The labeled transitions (A through E) represent an electron moving between energy levels. Which labeled transition represents an electron that absorbs a photo with 10.2 eV of energy?

Explain how adaptive optics works.

Most astronomical objects emit light over a broad range of wavelengths.

Which of the following is not a good reason to place observatories on remote mountain tops?

Which of the following statements about thermal radiation is always true?

If we observe one edge of a planet to be redshifted and the opposite edge to be blueshifted, what can we conclude about the planet?

Which of the following objects is not a close approximation of a thermal emitter?

Compare the energy and speed of infrared and visible light. Which of the following statements is true?

Visible light from a distant star can be spread into a spectrum by using a glass prism or ________.

Why do astronomers need different telescope designs to observe across the electromagnetic spectrum?

In what part of the electromagnetic spectrum do the biggest telescopes on Earth operate?

X-rays are more intense than radio waves.

The most common isotope of gold has atomic number 79 and atomic mass number 197. How many protons and neutrons does the gold nucleus contain? Assuming the gold is electrically neutral, how many electrons does it have?

Our Place in the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

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

Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

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

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

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

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

Filters