Question 1

How does the mass of a giant star compare with the mass of the black hole it may become? How do the densities compare?

Accepted Answer

The masses are the same! A black hole is

Question 2

A black hole is

Accepted Answer

A) an empty region of space with a huge gravitational field. 
B) a small region that has the mass of many galaxies. 
C) the remains of a giant collapsed star. 
A) an empty region of space with a huge gravitational field. 
B) a small region that has the mass of many galaxies. 
C) the remains of a giant collapsed star.

Question 3

What are the relative compositions of the materials from which stars form?

Accepted Answer

A) About 74% hydrogen, about 24% helium, no more than 2% other materials 
B) About 24% hydrogen, about 74% helium, no more than 2% other materials 
C) About 2% hydrogen, about 74% helium, no more than 24% other materials 
D) Stars have vastly differing combinations of materials. 
A) About 74% hydrogen, about 24% helium, no more than 2% other materials 
B) About 24% hydrogen, about 74% helium, no more than 2% other materials 
C) About 2% hydrogen, about 74% helium, no more than 24% other materials 
D) Stars have vastly differing combinations of materials.

Question 4

How is a larger star like an SUV, while a smaller star like a fuel efficient hybrid vehicle?

Accepted Answer

A) The larger the star, the faster it burns fuel. 
B) The larger the star, the more likely it is to explode. 
C) The larger the star, the shorter its life span. 
D) Larger stars have only one source of energy. 
A) The larger the star, the faster it burns fuel. 
B) The larger the star, the more likely it is to explode. 
C) The larger the star, the shorter its life span. 
D) Larger stars have only one source of energy.

Question 5

When a star collapses to half size, the gravitational field at its surface

Accepted Answer

A) doubles. 
B) quadruples. 
C) increases eightfold. 
D) remains constant. 
A) doubles. 
B) quadruples. 
C) increases eightfold. 
D) remains constant.

Question 6

The event horizon of a black hole is

Accepted Answer

A) the surface below which no matter or energy can escape. 
B) the surface where light becomes trapped in a circular orbit around the black hole. 
C) the physical surface of the black hole. 
D) the point in time when a black hole comes into being. 
A) the surface below which no matter or energy can escape. 
B) the surface where light becomes trapped in a circular orbit around the black hole. 
C) the physical surface of the black hole. 
D) the point in time when a black hole comes into being.

Question 7

Which best describes the intrinsic motion of stars?

Accepted Answer

A) Their circular motion across the sky in a 24-hour period 
B) Their apparent yearly cycle around the Sun, due to Earth's revolution 
C) Their motion relative to all other bodies 
D) Their motion relative to Earth 
A) Their circular motion across the sky in a 24-hour period 
B) Their apparent yearly cycle around the Sun, due to Earth's revolution 
C) Their motion relative to all other bodies 
D) Their motion relative to Earth

Question 8

The H-R Diagram, an important tool of astronomers, relates stellar temperature to stellar

Accepted Answer

A) distance. 
B) mass. 
C) color. 
D) density. 
E) luminosity. 
A) distance. 
B) mass. 
C) color. 
D) density. 
E) luminosity.

Question 9

Most of the energy during the collapse of the iron core of a supergiant star is released in the form of neutrinos-nearly massless subatomic particles that rarely interact with matter. So how is it they can blow away a stars outer shells?

Accepted Answer

A) Although they rarely interact with matter, the sheer number released during the collapse is enough to move most of the star's mass into surrounding space at incredibly high rates of speed 
B) By creating a massive magnetic field that convulses in on itself, ripping away the stars outer shells 
C) When neutrinos exceed a certain speed, 22,300 km/s, they interact with matter quite effectively. 
D) By developing a temporary, but relatively strong positive charge 
A) Although they rarely interact with matter, the sheer number released during the collapse is enough to move most of the star's mass into surrounding space at incredibly high rates of speed 
B) By creating a massive magnetic field that convulses in on itself, ripping away the stars outer shells 
C) When neutrinos exceed a certain speed, 22,300 km/s, they interact with matter quite effectively. 
D) By developing a temporary, but relatively strong positive charge

Question 10

Why are elements heavier than iron less abundant than those that are lighter?

Accepted Answer

A) Because the duration of a supernova is relatively short 
B) Because they tend to be unstable, and easily undergo fission 
C) Spectral evidence suggests they are only rare here on Earth 
D) This is one of the mysteries of cosmic formation that has yet to be answered. 
A) Because the duration of a supernova is relatively short 
B) Because they tend to be unstable, and easily undergo fission 
C) Spectral evidence suggests they are only rare here on Earth 
D) This is one of the mysteries of cosmic formation that has yet to be answered.

Question 11

Most of the atoms in the universe are thought to be

Accepted Answer

A) hydrogen. 
B) helium. 
C) about equal amounts of hydrogen and helium. 
D) iron. 
E) elements unknown at present. 
A) hydrogen. 
B) helium. 
C) about equal amounts of hydrogen and helium. 
D) iron. 
E) elements unknown at present.

Question 12

Elliptical galaxies

Accepted Answer

A) tend to be smaller than the other types of galaxies. 
B) have little in the way of dust and gas. 
C) are thought to be former starburst galaxies. 
D) All of the above 
A) tend to be smaller than the other types of galaxies. 
B) have little in the way of dust and gas. 
C) are thought to be former starburst galaxies. 
D) All of the above

Question 13

Metals are relatively more abundant in

Accepted Answer

A) old stars. 
B) new stars. 
C) neither in particular 
A) old stars. 
B) new stars. 
C) neither in particular

Question 14

The North Star has very little apparent rotation in the night sky because

Accepted Answer

A) it lies directly above the Earth's axis of spin. 
B) it rotates in the same relative orbit as Earth. 
C) its rate of spin directly matches Earth's. 
D) the Oort cloud distorts the view of the naked eye. 
A) it lies directly above the Earth's axis of spin. 
B) it rotates in the same relative orbit as Earth. 
C) its rate of spin directly matches Earth's. 
D) the Oort cloud distorts the view of the naked eye.

Question 15

Which is greater, the gravitational attraction between a newborn baby and the Earth, or the gravitational attraction between the Earth and all the planets of the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A) The attraction between the baby and Earth 
B) The attraction between the planets and Earth 
C) They are roughly equal 
D) The baby's and the planets gravitational attractions are inversely proportional to each other 
A) The attraction between the baby and Earth 
B) The attraction between the planets and Earth 
C) They are roughly equal 
D) The baby's and the planets gravitational attractions are inversely proportional to each other

Question 16

Supernovae are one of the most extreme events in the known universe. They are caused by

Accepted Answer

A) the implosion of a white dwarf, which has run out of all its fuel. 
B) a supermassive supergiant star undergoing a massive nuclear chain reaction. 
C) the collapse of a supermassive supergiant star. 
D) Any of the above. 
A) the implosion of a white dwarf, which has run out of all its fuel. 
B) a supermassive supergiant star undergoing a massive nuclear chain reaction. 
C) the collapse of a supermassive supergiant star. 
D) Any of the above.

Question 17

What happens to a star when the fusion cycle gets to the element iron?

Accepted Answer

When elements near iron, or iron itself

Question 18

The diurnal rotation of the stars refers to the

Accepted Answer

A) apparent rotation of the celestial sphere due to the rotation of the Earth. 
B) movement of the stars across the sky during daytime hours. 
C) rate of spin of stars in their formation stage. 
D) particular constellations that are visible in different times of the year. 
A) apparent rotation of the celestial sphere due to the rotation of the Earth. 
B) movement of the stars across the sky during daytime hours. 
C) rate of spin of stars in their formation stage. 
D) particular constellations that are visible in different times of the year.

Question 19

After our Sun burns its supply of hydrogen, it will become a

Accepted Answer

A) white dwarf. 
B) black dwarf. 
C) black hole. 
D) red giant. 
E) blue giant. 
A) white dwarf. 
B) black dwarf. 
C) black hole. 
D) red giant. 
E) blue giant.

Question 20

What event marks the birth of a star, and what event marks its death?

Accepted Answer

A stellar body becomes a star

Exam 27: Stars and Galaxies

How does the mass of a giant star compare with the mass of the black hole it may become? How do the densities compare?

A black hole is

What are the relative compositions of the materials from which stars form?

How is a larger star like an SUV, while a smaller star like a fuel efficient hybrid vehicle?

When a star collapses to half size, the gravitational field at its surface

The event horizon of a black hole is

Which best describes the intrinsic motion of stars?

The H-R Diagram, an important tool of astronomers, relates stellar temperature to stellar

Most of the energy during the collapse of the iron core of a supergiant star is released in the form of neutrinos-nearly massless subatomic particles that rarely interact with matter. So how is it they can blow away a stars outer shells?

Why are elements heavier than iron less abundant than those that are lighter?

Most of the atoms in the universe are thought to be

Elliptical galaxies

Metals are relatively more abundant in

The North Star has very little apparent rotation in the night sky because

Which is greater, the gravitational attraction between a newborn baby and the Earth, or the gravitational attraction between the Earth and all the planets of the solar system?

Supernovae are one of the most extreme events in the known universe. They are caused by

What happens to a star when the fusion cycle gets to the element iron?

The diurnal rotation of the stars refers to the

After our Sun burns its supply of hydrogen, it will become a

What event marks the birth of a star, and what event marks its death?

Patterns of Motion and Equilibrium

Newtons Laws of Motion

Momentum and Energy

Gravity, Projectiles, and Satellites

Fluid Mechanics

Thermal Energy and Thermodynamics

Heat Transfer and Change of Phase

Static and Current Electricity

Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

Waves and Sound

Light

Atoms and the Periodic Table

The Atomic Nucleus and Radioactivity

Elements of Chemistry

How Atoms Bond and Molecules Attract

Mixtures

How Chemicals React

Two Classes of Chemical Reactions

Organic Compounds

Rocks and Minerals

Plate Tectonics and Earths Interior

Shaping Earths Surface

Geologic Timereading the Rock Record

The Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climatic Effects

Driving Forces of Weather

The Solar System

The Structure of Space and Time

Prologue: the Nature of Science

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