Question 1

A continuous blackbody spectrum can be produced:

Accepted Answer

A)  only by a hot solid. 
B)  only by a hot liquid. 
C)  only by a hot, dense gas. 
D)  by a hot solid, liquid, or dense gas. 
A)  only by a hot solid. 
B)  only by a hot liquid. 
C)  only by a hot, dense gas. 
D)  by a hot solid, liquid, or dense gas.

Question 2

Many amateur astronomers have telescopes with mirrors 20 cm (1/5 m)in diameter.In comparison,one of the largest astronomical telescopes in the world is the Keck telescope,with a diameter of 10 m.How much greater is the light-gathering power of the Keck telescope than the power of a 20-cm telescope?

Accepted Answer

A)  50 times greater 
B)  7 times greater 
C)  125,000 times greater 
D)  2500 times greater 
A)  50 times greater 
B)  7 times greater 
C)  125,000 times greater 
D)  2500 times greater

Question 3

Suppose an astronomical satellite observes the Crab Nebula at a wavelength of 0.85 nm.In what wavelength range is this satellite observing?

Accepted Answer

A)  X-rays 
B)  ultraviolet radiation 
C)  infrared radiation 
D)  gamma rays 
A)  X-rays 
B)  ultraviolet radiation 
C)  infrared radiation 
D)  gamma rays

Question 4

In a simple atom,the electrons making transitions between the outermost energy levels and the innermost energy levels give rise to photons with the:

Accepted Answer

A)  reddest colors. 
B)  highest speeds. 
C)  longest wavelengths. 
D)  highest energies. 
A)  reddest colors. 
B)  highest speeds. 
C)  longest wavelengths. 
D)  highest energies.

Question 5

Visible light occupies what position in the electromagnetic spectrum?

Accepted Answer

A)  between radio waves and infrared radiation 
B)  between infrared and ultraviolet radiation 
C)  between infrared and microwave radiation 
D)  between ultraviolet radiation and X-rays 
A)  between radio waves and infrared radiation 
B)  between infrared and ultraviolet radiation 
C)  between infrared and microwave radiation 
D)  between ultraviolet radiation and X-rays

Question 6

The gas in the interstellar space between stars is very tenuous (thin)but can be heated to a very high temperature in the vicinity of a hot star.This hot,tenuous gas will emit:

Accepted Answer

A)  light at certain wavelengths only (spectral lines), the wavelength of a given spectral line depending on the gas temperature. 
B)  light at certain wavelengths only (spectral lines), the wavelength of the lines being independent of gas temperature. 
C)  light at all wavelengths, the continuous spectrum peaking at a certain wavelength or color depending on temperature. 
D)  no light at any wavelength because hot thin gases do not emit light. 
A)  light at certain wavelengths only (spectral lines), the wavelength of a given spectral line depending on the gas temperature. 
B)  light at certain wavelengths only (spectral lines), the wavelength of the lines being independent of gas temperature. 
C)  light at all wavelengths, the continuous spectrum peaking at a certain wavelength or color depending on temperature. 
D)  no light at any wavelength because hot thin gases do not emit light.

Question 7

The proper motion of a star is:

Accepted Answer

A)  generally measured in kilometers/second. 
B)  measured from the Doppler shift. 
C)  calculated from the radial velocity. 
D)  generally larger for closer stars. 
A)  generally measured in kilometers/second. 
B)  measured from the Doppler shift. 
C)  calculated from the radial velocity. 
D)  generally larger for closer stars.

Question 8

The spectrum of sunlight,when spread out by a spectrograph,has which characteristic appearance?

Accepted Answer

A)  a continuous band of color, crossed by innumerable emission lines 
B)  a continuous band of color, crossed by innumerable dark absorption lines 
C)  a series of separate emission lines, characteristic of many elements, that overlap in certain regions of the spectrum to produce short continuum segments 
D)  a continuous and uniform band of color from violet to deep red 
A)  a continuous band of color, crossed by innumerable emission lines 
B)  a continuous band of color, crossed by innumerable dark absorption lines 
C)  a series of separate emission lines, characteristic of many elements, that overlap in certain regions of the spectrum to produce short continuum segments 
D)  a continuous and uniform band of color from violet to deep red

Question 9

The sequence of ultraviolet emission lines emitted by hot hydrogen gas is known as the _____ series.

Accepted Answer

A)  Paschen 
B)  Planck 
C)  Lyman 
D)  Balmer 
A)  Paschen 
B)  Planck 
C)  Lyman 
D)  Balmer

Question 10

In his double-slit experiment,Thomas Young used just a single color of light.Suppose he had used a mixture of two colors.What result would he have obtained?

Accepted Answer

A)  The two waves would have canceled each other out, and he would have seen nothing. This is why he used only one color. 
B)  Two patterns would have formed, one on each color, exactly on top of each other. 
C)  Two similar patterns would have formed, with the light of the shorter wavelength forming the more closely spaced pattern. 
D)  Two similar patterns would have formed, with the light of the longer wavelength forming the more closely spaced pattern. 
A)  The two waves would have canceled each other out, and he would have seen nothing. This is why he used only one color. 
B)  Two patterns would have formed, one on each color, exactly on top of each other. 
C)  Two similar patterns would have formed, with the light of the shorter wavelength forming the more closely spaced pattern. 
D)  Two similar patterns would have formed, with the light of the longer wavelength forming the more closely spaced pattern.

Question 11

In angstroms (Ǻ),the visible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation have a range of:

Accepted Answer

A)  40 to 70. 
B)  400 to 700. 
C)  4000 to 7000. 
D)  40,000 to 70,000. 
A)  40 to 70. 
B)  400 to 700. 
C)  4000 to 7000. 
D)  40,000 to 70,000.

Question 12

Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a planet has a wavelength of 10 micrometers (1 µm = 10-⁶ m).What name is given to this type of electromagnetic radiation?

Accepted Answer

A)  gamma rays 
B)  infrared radiation 
C)  radio waves 
D)  visible light 
A)  gamma rays 
B)  infrared radiation 
C)  radio waves 
D)  visible light

Question 13

The two ranges of electromagnetic radiation for which Earth's atmosphere is reasonably transparent are:

Accepted Answer

A)  X-rays and visible light. 
B)  visible light and radio waves. 
C)  visible light and far-infrared radiation. 
D)  ultraviolet radiation and radio waves. 
A)  X-rays and visible light. 
B)  visible light and radio waves. 
C)  visible light and far-infrared radiation. 
D)  ultraviolet radiation and radio waves.

Question 14

The Lyman series of ultraviolet spectral emission lines from hydrogen gas is produced by electrons jumping:

Accepted Answer

A)  to the first excited level from all higher levels. 
B)  to the ground state from all other energy levels. 
C)  between adjacent energy levels, n = 2 to n = 1, n = 3 to n = 2, n = 4 to n = 3, and so on. 
D)  from the continuum level to all other levels. 
A)  to the first excited level from all higher levels. 
B)  to the ground state from all other energy levels. 
C)  between adjacent energy levels, n = 2 to n = 1, n = 3 to n = 2, n = 4 to n = 3, and so on. 
D)  from the continuum level to all other levels.

Question 15

On the absolute Kelvin temperature scale,the temperature of freezing water is about:

Accepted Answer

A)  -273 K. 
B)  273 K. 
C)  373 K. 
D)  0 K. 
A)  -273 K. 
B)  273 K. 
C)  373 K. 
D)  0 K.

Question 16

Which of the following wavelength regions MUST be observed from space because almost no energy in this region reaches the ground?

Accepted Answer

A)  radio waves 
B)  infrared radiation 
C)  X-rays 
D)  visible light 
A)  radio waves 
B)  infrared radiation 
C)  X-rays 
D)  visible light

Question 17

What is the MAIN optical element of a refracting telescope?

Accepted Answer

A)  a plane (flat) mirror 
B)  a curved mirror 
C)  a prism 
D)  a lens 
A)  a plane (flat) mirror 
B)  a curved mirror 
C)  a prism 
D)  a lens

Question 18

Cepheid variable stars pulsate regularly in size.During the contraction part of the cycle,when the star's temperature is increasing,the peak wavelength of the emitted radiation will:

Accepted Answer

A)  shift from the visible to the UV part of the spectrum. 
B)  shift from the UV to the visible part of the spectrum. 
C)  remain unchanged. 
D)  shift toward longer or shorter wavelengths at random as the temperature changes. 
A)  shift from the visible to the UV part of the spectrum. 
B)  shift from the UV to the visible part of the spectrum. 
C)  remain unchanged. 
D)  shift toward longer or shorter wavelengths at random as the temperature changes.

Question 19

The Hubble Space Telescope,placed in orbit by the space shuttle in 1990,has a primary mirror of diameter:

Accepted Answer

A)  57 m. 
B)  1 m. 
C)  6 m. 
D)  2.4 m. 
A)  57 m. 
B)  1 m. 
C)  6 m. 
D)  2.4 m.

Question 20

Suppose an astronomical satellite observes the Orion Nebula at a wavelength of 1250 nm.In what wavelength range is this satellite observing?

Accepted Answer

A)  X-rays 
B)  ultraviolet radiation 
C)  infrared radiation 
D)  visible light 
A)  X-rays 
B)  ultraviolet radiation 
C)  infrared radiation 
D)  visible light

A continuous blackbody spectrum can be produced:

Many amateur astronomers have telescopes with mirrors 20 cm (1/5 m)in diameter.In comparison,one of the largest astronomical telescopes in the world is the Keck telescope,with a diameter of 10 m.How much greater is the light-gathering power of the Keck telescope than the power of a 20-cm telescope?

Suppose an astronomical satellite observes the Crab Nebula at a wavelength of 0.85 nm.In what wavelength range is this satellite observing?

In a simple atom,the electrons making transitions between the outermost energy levels and the innermost energy levels give rise to photons with the:

Visible light occupies what position in the electromagnetic spectrum?

The gas in the interstellar space between stars is very tenuous (thin)but can be heated to a very high temperature in the vicinity of a hot star.This hot,tenuous gas will emit:

The proper motion of a star is:

The spectrum of sunlight,when spread out by a spectrograph,has which characteristic appearance?

The sequence of ultraviolet emission lines emitted by hot hydrogen gas is known as the _____ series.

In his double-slit experiment,Thomas Young used just a single color of light.Suppose he had used a mixture of two colors.What result would he have obtained?

In angstroms (Ǻ),the visible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation have a range of:

Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a planet has a wavelength of 10 micrometers (1 µm = 10-⁶ m).What name is given to this type of electromagnetic radiation?

The two ranges of electromagnetic radiation for which Earth's atmosphere is reasonably transparent are:

The Lyman series of ultraviolet spectral emission lines from hydrogen gas is produced by electrons jumping:

On the absolute Kelvin temperature scale,the temperature of freezing water is about:

Which of the following wavelength regions MUST be observed from space because almost no energy in this region reaches the ground?

What is the MAIN optical element of a refracting telescope?

Cepheid variable stars pulsate regularly in size.During the contraction part of the cycle,when the star's temperature is increasing,the peak wavelength of the emitted radiation will:

The Hubble Space Telescope,placed in orbit by the space shuttle in 1990,has a primary mirror of diameter:

Suppose an astronomical satellite observes the Orion Nebula at a wavelength of 1250 nm.In what wavelength range is this satellite observing?

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

A continuous blackbody spectrum can be produced:

Many amateur astronomers have telescopes with mirrors 20 cm (1/5 m)in diameter.In comparison,one of the largest astronomical telescopes in the world is the Keck telescope,with a diameter of 10 m.How much greater is the light-gathering power of the Keck telescope than the power of a 20-cm telescope?

Suppose an astronomical satellite observes the Crab Nebula at a wavelength of 0.85 nm.In what wavelength range is this satellite observing?

In a simple atom,the electrons making transitions between the outermost energy levels and the innermost energy levels give rise to photons with the:

Visible light occupies what position in the electromagnetic spectrum?

The gas in the interstellar space between stars is very tenuous (thin)but can be heated to a very high temperature in the vicinity of a hot star.This hot,tenuous gas will emit:

The proper motion of a star is:

The spectrum of sunlight,when spread out by a spectrograph,has which characteristic appearance?

The sequence of ultraviolet emission lines emitted by hot hydrogen gas is known as the _____ series.

In his double-slit experiment,Thomas Young used just a single color of light.Suppose he had used a mixture of two colors.What result would he have obtained?

In angstroms (Ǻ),the visible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation have a range of:

Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a planet has a wavelength of 10 micrometers (1 µm = 10-⁶ m).What name is given to this type of electromagnetic radiation?

The two ranges of electromagnetic radiation for which Earth's atmosphere is reasonably transparent are:

The Lyman series of ultraviolet spectral emission lines from hydrogen gas is produced by electrons jumping:

On the absolute Kelvin temperature scale,the temperature of freezing water is about:

Which of the following wavelength regions MUST be observed from space because almost no energy in this region reaches the ground?

What is the MAIN optical element of a refracting telescope?

Cepheid variable stars pulsate regularly in size.During the contraction part of the cycle,when the star's temperature is increasing,the peak wavelength of the emitted radiation will:

The Hubble Space Telescope,placed in orbit by the space shuttle in 1990,has a primary mirror of diameter:

Suppose an astronomical satellite observes the Orion Nebula at a wavelength of 1250 nm.In what wavelength range is this satellite observing?

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