Question 1

The isotope ²⁰Ne is 10th in the periodic table.The nucleus of this isotope contains _____ protons and _____ neutrons.

Accepted Answer

A)  9; 11 
B)  20; 20 
C)  11; 9 
D)  10; 10 
A)  9; 11 
B)  20; 20 
C)  11; 9 
D)  10; 10

Question 2

Our present understanding of the nature of light is that it:

Accepted Answer

A)  behaves only as a wave. 
B)  behaves only as a particle. 
C)  displays behavior of both waves and particles. 
D)  is completely different from both waves and particles. 
A)  behaves only as a wave. 
B)  behaves only as a particle. 
C)  displays behavior of both waves and particles. 
D)  is completely different from both waves and particles.

Question 3

In single-telescope astronomical systems,either optical or radio,the:

Accepted Answer

A)  longer the wavelength, the sharper the image. 
B)  smaller the main mirror or lens or radio dish aperture in general, the sharper the image. 
C)  larger the main mirror or lens or radio dish aperture in general, the sharper the image. 
D)  longer the focal length of the primary mirror or lens or radio dish, the sharper the image. 
A)  longer the wavelength, the sharper the image. 
B)  smaller the main mirror or lens or radio dish aperture in general, the sharper the image. 
C)  larger the main mirror or lens or radio dish aperture in general, the sharper the image. 
D)  longer the focal length of the primary mirror or lens or radio dish, the sharper the image.

Question 4

The atomic numbers of carbon,nitrogen,and oxygen are 6,7,and 8,respectively.If a proton and then a neutron are added to carbon,it becomes an isotope of:

Accepted Answer

A)  nitrogen and then an isotope of oxygen. 
B)  carbon and then an isotope of nitrogen. 
C)  carbon, which it remains because it started out as carbon. 
D)  nitrogen, which it remains. 
A)  nitrogen and then an isotope of oxygen. 
B)  carbon and then an isotope of nitrogen. 
C)  carbon, which it remains because it started out as carbon. 
D)  nitrogen, which it remains.

Question 5

What factor has seriously reduced the effectiveness over the last few years of the 5-m Hale telescope on Mt.Palomar,California,formerly the largest telescope in the world?

Accepted Answer

A)  light pollution from nearby cities 
B)  cracking of the mirror by the Los Angeles earthquake 
C)  distortion of the mirror surface from repeated exposure to the cold night air on the mountain 
D)  tarnishing of the mirror surface by air pollution 
A)  light pollution from nearby cities 
B)  cracking of the mirror by the Los Angeles earthquake 
C)  distortion of the mirror surface from repeated exposure to the cold night air on the mountain 
D)  tarnishing of the mirror surface by air pollution

Question 6

The dark absorption lines in the solar spectrum are caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  a cooler layer of gas overlying the hot solar surface, which contains many elements, including hydrogen, helium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. 
B)  a cooler layer overlying the hot solar surface, consisting solely of hydrogen gas, which produces all the absorption lines. 
C)  absorption by atoms and molecules in Earth's cool atmosphere. 
D)  a hotter layer of gas that overlies the cooler solar surface and produces the absorption lines. 
A)  a cooler layer of gas overlying the hot solar surface, which contains many elements, including hydrogen, helium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. 
B)  a cooler layer overlying the hot solar surface, consisting solely of hydrogen gas, which produces all the absorption lines. 
C)  absorption by atoms and molecules in Earth's cool atmosphere. 
D)  a hotter layer of gas that overlies the cooler solar surface and produces the absorption lines.

Question 7

The proton,the nucleus of the hydrogen atom,has a mass that exceeds that of the electron by approximately what factor?

Accepted Answer

A)  2000 times 
B)  2 times 
C)  100 times 
D)  10⁴ times 
A)  2000 times 
B)  2 times 
C)  100 times 
D)  10⁴ times

Question 8

Considering the oxygen isotopes ¹⁵O and ¹⁶O,which of the following properties is/are the same or almost the same for both isotopes?

Accepted Answer

A)  the number of protons in the nucleus 
B)  the mass of the nucleus 
C)  the nuclear mass and the number of neutrons in the nucleus 
D)  the number of neutrons in the nucleus 
A)  the number of protons in the nucleus 
B)  the mass of the nucleus 
C)  the nuclear mass and the number of neutrons in the nucleus 
D)  the number of neutrons in the nucleus

Question 9

Normal reflecting telescopes,with minor adjustments,can be made capable of detecting all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  infrared radiation. 
B)  visible radiation. 
C)  near-ultraviolet radiation. 
D)  X-ray radiation. 
A)  infrared radiation. 
B)  visible radiation. 
C)  near-ultraviolet radiation. 
D)  X-ray radiation.

Question 10

Who was the first astronomer to build and use a telescope to observe the night sky?

Accepted Answer

A)  Galileo 
B)  Copernicus 
C)  Tycho Brahe 
D)  Newton 
A)  Galileo 
B)  Copernicus 
C)  Tycho Brahe 
D)  Newton

Question 11

The person who discovered the relationship between the wavelengths of the spectral lines of hydrogen was the:

Accepted Answer

A)  German optician Joseph von Fraunhofer. 
B)  Swiss mathematician Johann Balmer. 
C)  New Zealand physicist Sir Ernest Rutherford. 
D)  Danish physicist Niels Bohr. 
A)  German optician Joseph von Fraunhofer. 
B)  Swiss mathematician Johann Balmer. 
C)  New Zealand physicist Sir Ernest Rutherford. 
D)  Danish physicist Niels Bohr.

Question 12

Which combination of optics is used in the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for producing high-quality wide-angle images of the sky?

Accepted Answer

A)  a single, short-focal-length spherical mirror 
B)  a parabolic mirror of short focal length, used at prime focus 
C)  two lenses of different glass, one convex, the other concave, to reduce chromatic aberration 
D)  a spherical primary mirror with a thin correcting lens ahead of it 
A)  a single, short-focal-length spherical mirror 
B)  a parabolic mirror of short focal length, used at prime focus 
C)  two lenses of different glass, one convex, the other concave, to reduce chromatic aberration 
D)  a spherical primary mirror with a thin correcting lens ahead of it

Question 13

A small refracting "spyglass" telescope has an objective with a focal length of about 30 inches.The world's largest refracting telescope at Yerkes Observatory has an objective with a focal length of 63.5 feet.If they both use the same eyepiece,how much larger is the image with Yerkes than with the spyglass?

Accepted Answer

A)  about twice 
B)  about 16 times 
C)  about 25 times 
D)  about 625 times 
A)  about twice 
B)  about 16 times 
C)  about 25 times 
D)  about 625 times

Question 14

The charge-coupled device (CCD),now used extensively for astronomical imaging,works on what principle?

Accepted Answer

A)  Light from the image modifies the plastic material on a disk, which can then be read on a standard video compact-disk (C
D)  player. 
B)  A single optical detector generates an electrical signal as it is scanned quickly across the astronomical image. 
C)  Light generates electrical charge on a computer-readable multi-element array of detectors. 
D)  Light from the image is detected by new, high-sensitivity, fine-grain, automatically processed film. 
A)  Light from the image modifies the plastic material on a disk, which can then be read on a standard video compact-disk (C
D)  player. 
B)  A single optical detector generates an electrical signal as it is scanned quickly across the astronomical image. 
C)  Light generates electrical charge on a computer-readable multi-element array of detectors. 
D)  Light from the image is detected by new, high-sensitivity, fine-grain, automatically processed film.

Question 15

A particular reflecting telescope has an objective mirror with a focal length of 1.2 m and an eyepiece lens of focal length 6 mm.What is the magnifying power of this telescope?

Accepted Answer

A)  200 times 
B)  20 times 
C)  2000 times 
D)  5 times 
A)  200 times 
B)  20 times 
C)  2000 times 
D)  5 times

Question 16

How far apart should the objective lens and the eyepiece lens be in a refracting telescope? (See Figure 3-19,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Accepted Answer

A)  a distance equal to the focal length of the objective lens 
B)  a distance equal to the focal length of the eyepiece lens 
C)  a distance equal to the focal length of the objective lens minus the focal length of the eyepiece lens 
D)  a distance equal to the sum of the focal lengths of the two lenses 
A)  a distance equal to the focal length of the objective lens 
B)  a distance equal to the focal length of the eyepiece lens 
C)  a distance equal to the focal length of the objective lens minus the focal length of the eyepiece lens 
D)  a distance equal to the sum of the focal lengths of the two lenses

Question 17

Approximately how long does it take light to travel from the fingertips of your extended arm to your eye?

Accepted Answer

A)  zero time because light is transmitted instantaneously 
B)  2.5 trillionths of a second (2.5 × 10-¹² sec) 
C)  2.5 billionths of a second (2.5 nanoseconds) 
D)  2.5 millionths of a second (2.5 microseconds) 
A)  zero time because light is transmitted instantaneously 
B)  2.5 trillionths of a second (2.5 × 10-¹² sec) 
C)  2.5 billionths of a second (2.5 nanoseconds) 
D)  2.5 millionths of a second (2.5 microseconds)

Question 18

The atomic number of the isotope ²³⁸U of uranium is 92.The nucleus of this isotope contains:

Accepted Answer

A)  92 protons and 146 neutrons. 
B)  92 protons, 54 neutrons, and 92 electrons. 
C)  184 protons, 92 electrons, and 54 neutrons. 
D)  146 protons and 92 neutrons. 
A)  92 protons and 146 neutrons. 
B)  92 protons, 54 neutrons, and 92 electrons. 
C)  184 protons, 92 electrons, and 54 neutrons. 
D)  146 protons and 92 neutrons.

Question 19

If the ground state of the hydrogen atom is taken to be zero energy,then the first three excited states are at energies of 10.2,12.1,and 12.8 eV.The energy corresponding to n = infinity is 13.6 eV.If the atom is in its second excited state,it will be unstable and might emit photons with each of the following energies EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  0.7 eV 
B)  1.9 eV 
C)  10.2 eV 
D)  12.1 eV 
A)  0.7 eV 
B)  1.9 eV 
C)  10.2 eV 
D)  12.1 eV

Question 20

The parameter of an atom that defines its unique position in the periodic table is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the number of protons in the nucleus. 
B)  the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. 
C)  its temperature. 
D)  its size. 
A)  the number of protons in the nucleus. 
B)  the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. 
C)  its temperature. 
D)  its size.

The isotope ²⁰Ne is 10th in the periodic table.The nucleus of this isotope contains _ protons and _ neutrons.

Our present understanding of the nature of light is that it:

In single-telescope astronomical systems,either optical or radio,the:

The atomic numbers of carbon,nitrogen,and oxygen are 6,7,and 8,respectively.If a proton and then a neutron are added to carbon,it becomes an isotope of:

What factor has seriously reduced the effectiveness over the last few years of the 5-m Hale telescope on Mt.Palomar,California,formerly the largest telescope in the world?

The dark absorption lines in the solar spectrum are caused by:

The proton,the nucleus of the hydrogen atom,has a mass that exceeds that of the electron by approximately what factor?

Considering the oxygen isotopes ¹⁵O and ¹⁶O,which of the following properties is/are the same or almost the same for both isotopes?

Normal reflecting telescopes,with minor adjustments,can be made capable of detecting all of the following EXCEPT:

Who was the first astronomer to build and use a telescope to observe the night sky?

The person who discovered the relationship between the wavelengths of the spectral lines of hydrogen was the:

Which combination of optics is used in the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for producing high-quality wide-angle images of the sky?

The charge-coupled device (CCD),now used extensively for astronomical imaging,works on what principle?

A particular reflecting telescope has an objective mirror with a focal length of 1.2 m and an eyepiece lens of focal length 6 mm.What is the magnifying power of this telescope?

How far apart should the objective lens and the eyepiece lens be in a refracting telescope? (See Figure 3-19,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Approximately how long does it take light to travel from the fingertips of your extended arm to your eye?

The atomic number of the isotope ²³⁸U of uranium is 92.The nucleus of this isotope contains:

The parameter of an atom that defines its unique position in the periodic table is:

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

The isotope ²⁰Ne is 10th in the periodic table.The nucleus of this isotope contains _____ protons and _____ neutrons.

Our present understanding of the nature of light is that it:

In single-telescope astronomical systems,either optical or radio,the:

The atomic numbers of carbon,nitrogen,and oxygen are 6,7,and 8,respectively.If a proton and then a neutron are added to carbon,it becomes an isotope of:

What factor has seriously reduced the effectiveness over the last few years of the 5-m Hale telescope on Mt.Palomar,California,formerly the largest telescope in the world?

The dark absorption lines in the solar spectrum are caused by:

The proton,the nucleus of the hydrogen atom,has a mass that exceeds that of the electron by approximately what factor?

Considering the oxygen isotopes ¹⁵O and ¹⁶O,which of the following properties is/are the same or almost the same for both isotopes?

Normal reflecting telescopes,with minor adjustments,can be made capable of detecting all of the following EXCEPT:

Who was the first astronomer to build and use a telescope to observe the night sky?

The person who discovered the relationship between the wavelengths of the spectral lines of hydrogen was the:

Which combination of optics is used in the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for producing high-quality wide-angle images of the sky?

The charge-coupled device (CCD),now used extensively for astronomical imaging,works on what principle?

A particular reflecting telescope has an objective mirror with a focal length of 1.2 m and an eyepiece lens of focal length 6 mm.What is the magnifying power of this telescope?

How far apart should the objective lens and the eyepiece lens be in a refracting telescope? (See Figure 3-19,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Approximately how long does it take light to travel from the fingertips of your extended arm to your eye?

The atomic number of the isotope ²³⁸U of uranium is 92.The nucleus of this isotope contains:

The parameter of an atom that defines its unique position in the periodic table is:

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

The isotope ²⁰Ne is 10th in the periodic table.The nucleus of this isotope contains _ protons and _ neutrons.