Question 1

Electrons in atoms:

Accepted Answer

A)  occupy levels whose energies are fixed. 
B)  can have any energy. 
C)  cannot interact with light. 
D)  can only absorb light. 
A)  occupy levels whose energies are fixed. 
B)  can have any energy. 
C)  cannot interact with light. 
D)  can only absorb light.

Question 2

Two spheres,both at the same temperature,have radii R and 2R.How do the energies radiated per unit area compare for these spheres?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are the same. 
B)  The larger sphere has twice the value of the smaller sphere. 
C)  The larger sphere has 4 times the value of the smaller sphere. 
D)  The larger sphere has 16 times the value of the smaller sphere. 
A)  They are the same. 
B)  The larger sphere has twice the value of the smaller sphere. 
C)  The larger sphere has 4 times the value of the smaller sphere. 
D)  The larger sphere has 16 times the value of the smaller sphere.

Question 3

Atoms in a low-density,hot gas (e.g.,in a fluorescent lamp or a neon tube)emit a spectrum that is:

Accepted Answer

A)  a series of emissions at specific colors whose wavelengths change in position as the gas temperature is changed. 
B)  a series of emissions at certain wavelengths that are the same for all atoms but vary with temperature. 
C)  a series of specific colors unique to the type of atom in the tube but fixed in position when the gas temperature changes. 
D)  continuous over all visible wavelengths, with maximum intensity in the red. 
A)  a series of emissions at specific colors whose wavelengths change in position as the gas temperature is changed. 
B)  a series of emissions at certain wavelengths that are the same for all atoms but vary with temperature. 
C)  a series of specific colors unique to the type of atom in the tube but fixed in position when the gas temperature changes. 
D)  continuous over all visible wavelengths, with maximum intensity in the red.

Question 4

One isotope of iron has an atomic number of 26.How many protons are there in its nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A)  The atomic number is not related to the number of protons in the nucleus, which could be any number between 1 and 26. 
B)  1 less than 26, or 25 
C)  26 
D)  56 
A)  The atomic number is not related to the number of protons in the nucleus, which could be any number between 1 and 26. 
B)  1 less than 26, or 25 
C)  26 
D)  56

Question 5

What is the MAIN reason that astronomers (and other scientists)almost always use the Kelvin (absolute)temperature scale rather than the Celsius or Fahrenheit scales?

Accepted Answer

A)  The scale has a physically meaningful absolute zero of temperature. 
B)  The temperatures of freezing and boiling water are easier to remember. 
C)  Calculations are easier on the Kelvin scale. 
D)  The size of each degree (or unit) of temperature is more convenient. 
A)  The scale has a physically meaningful absolute zero of temperature. 
B)  The temperatures of freezing and boiling water are easier to remember. 
C)  Calculations are easier on the Kelvin scale. 
D)  The size of each degree (or unit) of temperature is more convenient.

Question 6

The star P Cygni (in the constellation Cygnus,the Swan)is surrounded by an extensive low-density atmosphere.It has a bright,continuous spectrum with many narrow,dark absorption lines and a few bright emission lines.The dark absorption lines are produced by:

Accepted Answer

A)  only the part of the low-density atmosphere that is between Earth and the surface of the star. 
B)  the hot, low-density atmosphere of the star emitting light in all directions. 
C)  all parts of the star, the stellar surface, and the atmosphere, equally. 
D)  the hot, dense, opaque gas of the star's surface. 
A)  only the part of the low-density atmosphere that is between Earth and the surface of the star. 
B)  the hot, low-density atmosphere of the star emitting light in all directions. 
C)  all parts of the star, the stellar surface, and the atmosphere, equally. 
D)  the hot, dense, opaque gas of the star's surface.

Question 7

The temperature at the top of the clouds on Jupiter is about 165 K.In degrees Celsius,this temperature is:

Accepted Answer

A)  0°C. 
B)  -165°C. 
C)  -108°C. 
D)  438°C. 
A)  0°C. 
B)  -165°C. 
C)  -108°C. 
D)  438°C.

Question 8

A Cassegrain reflecting telescope is constructed using a:

Accepted Answer

A)  concave primary mirror followed by a smaller convex secondary mirror that reflects light back through a hole in the primary mirror. 
B)  curved primary mirror followed by a series of both plane and curved mirrors that channel the light to a remote location that is fixed with respect to Earth. 
C)  concave primary mirror and concave secondary mirror that reflects light back through a hole in the primary mirror. 
D)  concave primary mirror and a flat, diagonal secondary mirror mounted at a 45° angle to the telescope axis. 
A)  concave primary mirror followed by a smaller convex secondary mirror that reflects light back through a hole in the primary mirror. 
B)  curved primary mirror followed by a series of both plane and curved mirrors that channel the light to a remote location that is fixed with respect to Earth. 
C)  concave primary mirror and concave secondary mirror that reflects light back through a hole in the primary mirror. 
D)  concave primary mirror and a flat, diagonal secondary mirror mounted at a 45° angle to the telescope axis.

Question 9

When visible light passes through a prism of glass,as shown in Figure 3-1 of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.,which wavelengths of light are deflected MOST by the glass?

Accepted Answer

A)  longer wavelengths 
B)  intermediate wavelengths, the green color 
C)  All wavelengths are deviated by the same amount. 
D)  shorter wavelengths 
A)  longer wavelengths 
B)  intermediate wavelengths, the green color 
C)  All wavelengths are deviated by the same amount. 
D)  shorter wavelengths

Question 10

A particular reflecting telescope has a primary mirror 0.4 m in diameter and 4.0-m focal length and an eyepiece lens 1.0 cm in diameter and 2.0-cm focal length.What is the magnifying power of this telescope?

Accepted Answer

A)  20 times 
B)  200 times 
C)  40 times 
D)  400 times 
A)  20 times 
B)  200 times 
C)  40 times 
D)  400 times

Question 11

The Lyman-alpha spectral line of hydrogen has a wavelength of 121.6 nm.In which wavelength band does this line occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  ultraviolet 
B)  visible light 
C)  infrared 
D)  X-ray 
A)  ultraviolet 
B)  visible light 
C)  infrared 
D)  X-ray

Question 12

What causes chromatic aberration in the objective lens of a telescope?

Accepted Answer

A)  Reflection of light back and forth inside the lens produces multiple images, and the overall combination of the images will be distorted. 
B)  Different colors are refracted through different angles at each surface of the lens. 
C)  Different colors suffer different amounts of absorption by the glass in the lens. 
D)  The shape of the lens surface distorts the image. 
A)  Reflection of light back and forth inside the lens produces multiple images, and the overall combination of the images will be distorted. 
B)  Different colors are refracted through different angles at each surface of the lens. 
C)  Different colors suffer different amounts of absorption by the glass in the lens. 
D)  The shape of the lens surface distorts the image.

Question 13

The specific sequence of spectral line series emitted by excited hydrogen atoms,in order of DECREASING energy of the lowest energy transition,is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Balmer, Lyman, Paschen. 
B)  Lyman, Paschen, Balmer. 
C)  Lyman, Balmer, Paschen. 
D)  Paschen, Balmer, Lyman. 
A)  Balmer, Lyman, Paschen. 
B)  Lyman, Paschen, Balmer. 
C)  Lyman, Balmer, Paschen. 
D)  Paschen, Balmer, Lyman.

Question 14

The specific colors of light emitted by an atom in a hot,thin gas (e.g.,in a neon tube,a fluorescent bulb,or a gas cloud in space)are caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  an electron dropping into the nucleus, producing small nuclear changes. 
B)  electrons jumping to lower energy levels, losing energy as they do so. 
C)  protons jumping from level to level. 
D)  vibrations of the electrons within the atom. 
A)  an electron dropping into the nucleus, producing small nuclear changes. 
B)  electrons jumping to lower energy levels, losing energy as they do so. 
C)  protons jumping from level to level. 
D)  vibrations of the electrons within the atom.

Question 15

What percentage of the light falling on a piece of photographic film is typically wasted (does NOT contribute to the formation of the image)?

Accepted Answer

A)  2% 
B)  18% 
C)  45% 
D)  98% 
A)  2% 
B)  18% 
C)  45% 
D)  98%

Question 16

Which was the FIRST satellite to be dedicated to ultraviolet astronomy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hubble Space Telescope 
B)  IRAS 
C)  EUVE 
D)  IUE 
A)  Hubble Space Telescope 
B)  IRAS 
C)  EUVE 
D)  IUE

Question 17

The normal temperature of the melting point of water ice is:

Accepted Answer

A)  293 K. 
B)  273 K. 
C)  0 K. 
D)  100 K. 
A)  293 K. 
B)  273 K. 
C)  0 K. 
D)  100 K.

Question 18

Light that originates in hydrogen atoms in which electrons have jumped from high levels to the level n = 2 will be part of which series of spectral lines?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lyman 
B)  Balmer 
C)  There would be a continuum of light, not a series of lines. 
D)  Paschen 
A)  Lyman 
B)  Balmer 
C)  There would be a continuum of light, not a series of lines. 
D)  Paschen

Question 19

Atoms in a thin,hot gas (such as a neon advertising sign),according to Kirchhoff's laws,emit light at:

Accepted Answer

A)  specific wavelengths or colors in a pattern that depends on the element. 
B)  only visible wavelengths. 
C)  all wavelengths, the shape of the continuum spectrum depending on the temperature of the gas. 
D)  only one specific wavelength or color. 
A)  specific wavelengths or colors in a pattern that depends on the element. 
B)  only visible wavelengths. 
C)  all wavelengths, the shape of the continuum spectrum depending on the temperature of the gas. 
D)  only one specific wavelength or color.

Question 20

The primary mirror in the 10-m Keck telescope consists of:

Accepted Answer

A)  one large hollow honeycomb of glass-lightweight but relatively thick to prevent sagging. 
B)  one large, thin slab of glass whose surface is continuously adjusted by computer-controlled motors. 
C)  six individual mirrors, mounted so that they all bring the light to the same focus. 
D)  36 individual mirrors, mounted so that they all bring the light to the same focus. 
A)  one large hollow honeycomb of glass-lightweight but relatively thick to prevent sagging. 
B)  one large, thin slab of glass whose surface is continuously adjusted by computer-controlled motors. 
C)  six individual mirrors, mounted so that they all bring the light to the same focus. 
D)  36 individual mirrors, mounted so that they all bring the light to the same focus.

Electrons in atoms:

Two spheres,both at the same temperature,have radii R and 2R.How do the energies radiated per unit area compare for these spheres?

Atoms in a low-density,hot gas (e.g.,in a fluorescent lamp or a neon tube)emit a spectrum that is:

One isotope of iron has an atomic number of 26.How many protons are there in its nucleus?

What is the MAIN reason that astronomers (and other scientists)almost always use the Kelvin (absolute)temperature scale rather than the Celsius or Fahrenheit scales?

The star P Cygni (in the constellation Cygnus,the Swan)is surrounded by an extensive low-density atmosphere.It has a bright,continuous spectrum with many narrow,dark absorption lines and a few bright emission lines.The dark absorption lines are produced by:

The temperature at the top of the clouds on Jupiter is about 165 K.In degrees Celsius,this temperature is:

A Cassegrain reflecting telescope is constructed using a:

When visible light passes through a prism of glass,as shown in Figure 3-1 of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.,which wavelengths of light are deflected MOST by the glass?

A particular reflecting telescope has a primary mirror 0.4 m in diameter and 4.0-m focal length and an eyepiece lens 1.0 cm in diameter and 2.0-cm focal length.What is the magnifying power of this telescope?

The Lyman-alpha spectral line of hydrogen has a wavelength of 121.6 nm.In which wavelength band does this line occur?

What causes chromatic aberration in the objective lens of a telescope?

The specific sequence of spectral line series emitted by excited hydrogen atoms,in order of DECREASING energy of the lowest energy transition,is:

The specific colors of light emitted by an atom in a hot,thin gas (e.g.,in a neon tube,a fluorescent bulb,or a gas cloud in space)are caused by:

What percentage of the light falling on a piece of photographic film is typically wasted (does NOT contribute to the formation of the image)?

Which was the FIRST satellite to be dedicated to ultraviolet astronomy?

The normal temperature of the melting point of water ice is:

Light that originates in hydrogen atoms in which electrons have jumped from high levels to the level n = 2 will be part of which series of spectral lines?

Atoms in a thin,hot gas (such as a neon advertising sign),according to Kirchhoff's laws,emit light at:

The primary mirror in the 10-m Keck telescope consists of:

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

Exam 3: Light and Telescopes

Electrons in atoms:

Two spheres,both at the same temperature,have radii R and 2R.How do the energies radiated per unit area compare for these spheres?

Atoms in a low-density,hot gas (e.g.,in a fluorescent lamp or a neon tube)emit a spectrum that is:

One isotope of iron has an atomic number of 26.How many protons are there in its nucleus?

What is the MAIN reason that astronomers (and other scientists)almost always use the Kelvin (absolute)temperature scale rather than the Celsius or Fahrenheit scales?

The star P Cygni (in the constellation Cygnus,the Swan)is surrounded by an extensive low-density atmosphere.It has a bright,continuous spectrum with many narrow,dark absorption lines and a few bright emission lines.The dark absorption lines are produced by:

The temperature at the top of the clouds on Jupiter is about 165 K.In degrees Celsius,this temperature is:

A Cassegrain reflecting telescope is constructed using a:

When visible light passes through a prism of glass,as shown in Figure 3-1 of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.,which wavelengths of light are deflected MOST by the glass?

A particular reflecting telescope has a primary mirror 0.4 m in diameter and 4.0-m focal length and an eyepiece lens 1.0 cm in diameter and 2.0-cm focal length.What is the magnifying power of this telescope?

The Lyman-alpha spectral line of hydrogen has a wavelength of 121.6 nm.In which wavelength band does this line occur?

What causes chromatic aberration in the objective lens of a telescope?

The specific sequence of spectral line series emitted by excited hydrogen atoms,in order of DECREASING energy of the lowest energy transition,is:

The specific colors of light emitted by an atom in a hot,thin gas (e.g.,in a neon tube,a fluorescent bulb,or a gas cloud in space)are caused by:

What percentage of the light falling on a piece of photographic film is typically wasted (does NOT contribute to the formation of the image)?

Which was the FIRST satellite to be dedicated to ultraviolet astronomy?

The normal temperature of the melting point of water ice is:

Light that originates in hydrogen atoms in which electrons have jumped from high levels to the level n = 2 will be part of which series of spectral lines?

Atoms in a thin,hot gas (such as a neon advertising sign),according to Kirchhoff's laws,emit light at:

The primary mirror in the 10-m Keck telescope consists of:

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