Question 1

Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation has the longest wavelength?

Accepted Answer

A)  radio waves 
B)  ultraviolet radiation 
C)  infrared radiation 
D)  microwaves 
A)  radio waves 
B)  ultraviolet radiation 
C)  infrared radiation 
D)  microwaves

Question 2

S IV is:

Accepted Answer

A)  four-times-ionized sulfur (a sulfur atom that has lost four electrons). 
B)  five-times-ionized sulfur (a sulfur atom that has lost five electrons). 
C)  a sulfur isotope with four neutrons. 
D)  three-times-ionized sulfur (a sulfur atom that has lost three electrons). 
A)  four-times-ionized sulfur (a sulfur atom that has lost four electrons). 
B)  five-times-ionized sulfur (a sulfur atom that has lost five electrons). 
C)  a sulfur isotope with four neutrons. 
D)  three-times-ionized sulfur (a sulfur atom that has lost three electrons).

Question 3

Which of the following lists of different types of electromagnetic radiation is CORRECTLY ordered by wavelength,from shortest to longest?

Accepted Answer

A)  gamma rays, ultraviolet radiation, radio waves, infrared radiation 
B)  radio waves, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, gamma rays 
C)  radio waves, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, gamma rays 
D)  gamma rays, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, radio waves 
A)  gamma rays, ultraviolet radiation, radio waves, infrared radiation 
B)  radio waves, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, gamma rays 
C)  radio waves, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, gamma rays 
D)  gamma rays, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, radio waves

Question 4

What does the word seeing mean to an astronomer using a telescope?

Accepted Answer

A)  the twinkling and blurring of the image due to turbulence in Earth's atmosphere 
B)  the combined effects of aberrations in the components of the telescope, particularly spherical and chromatic aberration 
C)  the effect of wind on the telescope that causes it to vibrate, thereby blurring the image 
D)  the haze or thin cloud in the atmosphere that reduces the brightness and sharpness of the telescope image 
A)  the twinkling and blurring of the image due to turbulence in Earth's atmosphere 
B)  the combined effects of aberrations in the components of the telescope, particularly spherical and chromatic aberration 
C)  the effect of wind on the telescope that causes it to vibrate, thereby blurring the image 
D)  the haze or thin cloud in the atmosphere that reduces the brightness and sharpness of the telescope image

Question 5

The position of an element in the periodic table is directly related to the:

Accepted Answer

A)  mass of the nucleus of the atom. 
B)  number of protons in the atomic nucleus and hence to its positive charge. 
C)  total number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus. 
D)  number of electrons in the atomic nucleus and hence to its negative charge. 
A)  mass of the nucleus of the atom. 
B)  number of protons in the atomic nucleus and hence to its positive charge. 
C)  total number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus. 
D)  number of electrons in the atomic nucleus and hence to its negative charge.

Question 6

The earliest telescope mirrors were made from:

Accepted Answer

A)  glass. 
B)  plastic. 
C)  water being spun in a bucket. 
D)  speculum metal. 
A)  glass. 
B)  plastic. 
C)  water being spun in a bucket. 
D)  speculum metal.

Question 7

The proper motion of a star or other object is measured by:

Accepted Answer

A)  measuring the intensity of the light in different regions of the blackbody curve. 
B)  observing the Doppler shift of spectral lines in the light from the object. 
C)  measuring the change in the angular diameter of the object. 
D)  watching the object move compared with the background stars. 
A)  measuring the intensity of the light in different regions of the blackbody curve. 
B)  observing the Doppler shift of spectral lines in the light from the object. 
C)  measuring the change in the angular diameter of the object. 
D)  watching the object move compared with the background stars.

Question 8

Which of the following statements describing a disadvantage of large refracting telescopes when compared with large reflecting telescopes is NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sagging of the primary optical element under its own weight is a problem with refracting telescopes but not with reflecting telescopes. 
B)  Refracting telescopes suffer from chromatic aberration, whereas reflecting telescopes do not. 
C)  Refracting telescopes can suffer from spherical aberration, whereas reflecting telescopes cannot. 
D)  Air bubbles in the glass are more of a problem in refracting telescopes than in reflecting telescopes. 
A)  Sagging of the primary optical element under its own weight is a problem with refracting telescopes but not with reflecting telescopes. 
B)  Refracting telescopes suffer from chromatic aberration, whereas reflecting telescopes do not. 
C)  Refracting telescopes can suffer from spherical aberration, whereas reflecting telescopes cannot. 
D)  Air bubbles in the glass are more of a problem in refracting telescopes than in reflecting telescopes.

Question 9

The reason that the primary mirror of an astronomical telescope is often shaped and polished to a parabolic shape is:

Accepted Answer

A)  to avoid the chromatic aberration that would be produced by an equivalent spherical mirror. 
B)  that it is lighter and easier to mount in a telescope because it requires less glass than an equivalent spherical mirror. 
C)  that it is easier to produce, even though the resulting mirror will produce more spherical aberration than an equivalent spherical mirror. 
D)  to avoid spherical aberration by bringing parallel rays to a single focus. 
A)  to avoid the chromatic aberration that would be produced by an equivalent spherical mirror. 
B)  that it is lighter and easier to mount in a telescope because it requires less glass than an equivalent spherical mirror. 
C)  that it is easier to produce, even though the resulting mirror will produce more spherical aberration than an equivalent spherical mirror. 
D)  to avoid spherical aberration by bringing parallel rays to a single focus.

Question 10

The diameter of the nucleus of an atom,compared with the overall diameter of the atom,is:

Accepted Answer

A)  about 99%. 
B)  1/10,000. 
C)  1/10. 
D)  1/2,000. 
A)  about 99%. 
B)  1/10,000. 
C)  1/10. 
D)  1/2,000.

Question 11

The isotope ¹⁵N has an atomic number of 7.The nucleus of this isotope contains:

Accepted Answer

A)  7 protons and 8 neutrons. 
B)  7 neutrons and 15 protons. 
C)  7 protons and 15 neutrons. 
D)  7 neutrons and 8 protons. 
A)  7 protons and 8 neutrons. 
B)  7 neutrons and 15 protons. 
C)  7 protons and 15 neutrons. 
D)  7 neutrons and 8 protons.

Question 12

A ray of light enters a spherical lens.The effective focal length of the lens is determined by each of the following EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  the curvature of the lens 
B)  the distance from the center line at which the ray enters the lens 
C)  the placement of the eyepiece 
D)  the wavelength of the light 
A)  the curvature of the lens 
B)  the distance from the center line at which the ray enters the lens 
C)  the placement of the eyepiece 
D)  the wavelength of the light

Question 13

Suppose Ole Rømer had been able to make accurate speed-of-light measurements from the eclipses of Saturn's satellites as well as Jupiter's.How would these measurements have compared?

Accepted Answer

A)  Calculations from the Saturn data should produce a larger value for the speed of light. 
B)  Calculations from the Saturn data should produce a smaller value for the speed of light. 
C)  The times for the Saturn eclipses should show larger discrepancies from the predicted values, but the calculated speed of light should be the same. 
D)  The times for the Saturn eclipses should show smaller discrepancies from the predicted values, but the calculated speed of light should be the same. 
A)  Calculations from the Saturn data should produce a larger value for the speed of light. 
B)  Calculations from the Saturn data should produce a smaller value for the speed of light. 
C)  The times for the Saturn eclipses should show larger discrepancies from the predicted values, but the calculated speed of light should be the same. 
D)  The times for the Saturn eclipses should show smaller discrepancies from the predicted values, but the calculated speed of light should be the same.

Question 14

Who first proved that light is a wave?

Accepted Answer

A)  Albert Einstein 
B)  Thomas Young 
C)  Isaac Newton 
D)  James Clerk Maxwell 
A)  Albert Einstein 
B)  Thomas Young 
C)  Isaac Newton 
D)  James Clerk Maxwell

Question 15

The neutron is the electrically neutral particle that,along with the proton,makes up the atomic nucleus.The mass of the neutron,compared with that of the proton,is:

Accepted Answer

A)  1/2000 as great. 
B)  2000 times greater. 
C)  about 1/10 as great. 
D)  about the same. 
A)  1/2000 as great. 
B)  2000 times greater. 
C)  about 1/10 as great. 
D)  about the same.

Question 16

If one neutron is added to a nucleus of an isotope of carbon,¹²C,in a particular nuclear reaction,the result will be:

Accepted Answer

A)  ¹¹C. 
B)  ¹³C. 
C)  ¹²O. 
D)  ¹³O. 
A)  ¹¹C. 
B)  ¹³C. 
C)  ¹²O. 
D)  ¹³O.

Question 17

A lens with spherical surfaces suffers from spherical aberration because:

Accepted Answer

A)  the lens sags under its own weight, distorting the image. 
B)  the starlight is distorted by turbulence in Earth's atmosphere. 
C)  different colors are focused at different distances from the lens. 
D)  different parts of the lens focus the light at different distances from the lens. 
A)  the lens sags under its own weight, distorting the image. 
B)  the starlight is distorted by turbulence in Earth's atmosphere. 
C)  different colors are focused at different distances from the lens. 
D)  different parts of the lens focus the light at different distances from the lens.

Question 18

What technique is necessary to produce a telescope for focusing X-rays from astronomical sources?

Accepted Answer

A)  The telescope must be placed at high-altitude mountain sites because the X-rays penetrate only this far into the atmosphere. 
B)  The main mirror must be cooled to prevent the highly energetic X-ray photons from heating and distorting it, thereby producing poor images. 
C)  The X-rays must be reflected at grazing incidence to the mirror surface; otherwise, they will simply pass straight through the mirror. 
D)  The mirror surface has to have a thick aluminum coating in order to reflect the highly penetrating X-rays. 
A)  The telescope must be placed at high-altitude mountain sites because the X-rays penetrate only this far into the atmosphere. 
B)  The main mirror must be cooled to prevent the highly energetic X-ray photons from heating and distorting it, thereby producing poor images. 
C)  The X-rays must be reflected at grazing incidence to the mirror surface; otherwise, they will simply pass straight through the mirror. 
D)  The mirror surface has to have a thick aluminum coating in order to reflect the highly penetrating X-rays.

Question 19

Thomas Young demonstrated that light behaves as a wave by showing that:

Accepted Answer

A)  light striking a metal surface releases electrons from the metal, with violet light producing more energetic electrons than red light. 
B)  light passing through two narrow, closely spaced slits produces a pattern of light and dark bands on a screen by wave interference. 
C)  the speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers. 
D)  the speed of light decreases when it enters a denser, transparent medium. 
A)  light striking a metal surface releases electrons from the metal, with violet light producing more energetic electrons than red light. 
B)  light passing through two narrow, closely spaced slits produces a pattern of light and dark bands on a screen by wave interference. 
C)  the speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers. 
D)  the speed of light decreases when it enters a denser, transparent medium.

Question 20

If you create a spectrum with a prism as Newton did and then probe the temperature with thermometers that you have kept in the dark,you will find that the thermometer will show a temperature rise when placed:

Accepted Answer

A)  in the visible part of the spectrum but nowhere else. 
B)  in the visible part of the spectrum and in the invisible region just beyond the red but nowhere else. 
C)  in the visible part of the spectrum and in the invisible region just beyond the violet but nowhere else. 
D)  anywhere from the invisible region beyond the red, through the visible, through the invisible region beyond the violet. 
A)  in the visible part of the spectrum but nowhere else. 
B)  in the visible part of the spectrum and in the invisible region just beyond the red but nowhere else. 
C)  in the visible part of the spectrum and in the invisible region just beyond the violet but nowhere else. 
D)  anywhere from the invisible region beyond the red, through the visible, through the invisible region beyond the violet.

Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation has the longest wavelength?

S IV is:

Which of the following lists of different types of electromagnetic radiation is CORRECTLY ordered by wavelength,from shortest to longest?

What does the word seeing mean to an astronomer using a telescope?

The position of an element in the periodic table is directly related to the:

The earliest telescope mirrors were made from:

The proper motion of a star or other object is measured by:

Which of the following statements describing a disadvantage of large refracting telescopes when compared with large reflecting telescopes is NOT correct?

The reason that the primary mirror of an astronomical telescope is often shaped and polished to a parabolic shape is:

The diameter of the nucleus of an atom,compared with the overall diameter of the atom,is:

The isotope ¹⁵N has an atomic number of 7.The nucleus of this isotope contains:

A ray of light enters a spherical lens.The effective focal length of the lens is determined by each of the following EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Suppose Ole Rømer had been able to make accurate speed-of-light measurements from the eclipses of Saturn's satellites as well as Jupiter's.How would these measurements have compared?

Who first proved that light is a wave?

The neutron is the electrically neutral particle that,along with the proton,makes up the atomic nucleus.The mass of the neutron,compared with that of the proton,is:

If one neutron is added to a nucleus of an isotope of carbon,¹²C,in a particular nuclear reaction,the result will be:

A lens with spherical surfaces suffers from spherical aberration because:

What technique is necessary to produce a telescope for focusing X-rays from astronomical sources?

Thomas Young demonstrated that light behaves as a wave by showing that:

If you create a spectrum with a prism as Newton did and then probe the temperature with thermometers that you have kept in the dark,you will find that the thermometer will show a temperature rise when placed:

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

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Exam 3: Light and Telescopes

Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation has the longest wavelength?

S IV is:

Which of the following lists of different types of electromagnetic radiation is CORRECTLY ordered by wavelength,from shortest to longest?

What does the word seeing mean to an astronomer using a telescope?

The position of an element in the periodic table is directly related to the:

The earliest telescope mirrors were made from:

The proper motion of a star or other object is measured by:

Which of the following statements describing a disadvantage of large refracting telescopes when compared with large reflecting telescopes is NOT correct?

The reason that the primary mirror of an astronomical telescope is often shaped and polished to a parabolic shape is:

The diameter of the nucleus of an atom,compared with the overall diameter of the atom,is:

The isotope ¹⁵N has an atomic number of 7.The nucleus of this isotope contains:

A ray of light enters a spherical lens.The effective focal length of the lens is determined by each of the following EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Suppose Ole Rømer had been able to make accurate speed-of-light measurements from the eclipses of Saturn's satellites as well as Jupiter's.How would these measurements have compared?

Who first proved that light is a wave?

The neutron is the electrically neutral particle that,along with the proton,makes up the atomic nucleus.The mass of the neutron,compared with that of the proton,is:

If one neutron is added to a nucleus of an isotope of carbon,¹²C,in a particular nuclear reaction,the result will be:

A lens with spherical surfaces suffers from spherical aberration because:

What technique is necessary to produce a telescope for focusing X-rays from astronomical sources?

Thomas Young demonstrated that light behaves as a wave by showing that:

If you create a spectrum with a prism as Newton did and then probe the temperature with thermometers that you have kept in the dark,you will find that the thermometer will show a temperature rise when placed:

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters