Question 1

The formation of more protons than neutrons (at about a 7:1. ratio)was favored in the early universe because

Accepted Answer

A) it takes more energy to create a neutron from a proton than a proton from a neutron. 
B) it takes more energy to create a proton from a neutron than a neutron from a proton. 
C) the more massive neutrons made better targets for nucleon collisions. 
D) the positively charged protons were repelled away from the explosion. 
A) it takes more energy to create a neutron from a proton than a proton from a neutron. 
B) it takes more energy to create a proton from a neutron than a neutron from a proton. 
C) the more massive neutrons made better targets for nucleon collisions. 
D) the positively charged protons were repelled away from the explosion.

Question 2

In a flat universe parallel lines

Accepted Answer

A) never converge. 
B) are concentric to each other. 
C) are mirror images. 
D) eventually meet. 
A) never converge. 
B) are concentric to each other. 
C) are mirror images. 
D) eventually meet.

Question 3

"Local observations made in an accelerated frame of reference cannot be distinguished from observations made in a gravitational field" is known as the principle of

Accepted Answer

A) equivalence. 
B) equality. 
C) equanimity. 
D) interchangeability. 
A) equivalence. 
B) equality. 
C) equanimity. 
D) interchangeability.

Question 4

According to Einstein, gravity is not the force exerted by one object on another, but rather the

Accepted Answer

A) effect we witness when a large mass causes a curvature in the shape of spacetime. 
B) force of attraction that exists between two objects. 
C) effects of the graviton particle. 
D) curvature of space caused by objects reaching the speed of light. 
A) effect we witness when a large mass causes a curvature in the shape of spacetime. 
B) force of attraction that exists between two objects. 
C) effects of the graviton particle. 
D) curvature of space caused by objects reaching the speed of light.

Question 5

Relativity is the

Accepted Answer

A) study of how space, energy, and mass are related to time. 
B) concept that there are no absolutes that can be postulated. 
C) idea that space bends in relationship to the square of the mass contained within it. 
D) study of wormholes and time travel. 
A) study of how space, energy, and mass are related to time. 
B) concept that there are no absolutes that can be postulated. 
C) idea that space bends in relationship to the square of the mass contained within it. 
D) study of wormholes and time travel.

Question 6

How is it possible that today's diverse universe was able to arise from that which was very homogenous at its first moments?

Accepted Answer

A) Inflation magnified ultrasmall quantum variations in position and momenta. 
B) There is evidence of a second, slightly smaller Big Bang that took place very shortly after the initial Big Bang, which would account for the variation in structure. 
C) The rapidly cooling universe created massive quantities of hydrogen, and then helium, which interacted with each other to create regions of relative structure. 
D) Entropy immediately came into effect, slowing down some areas of expansion, while increasing others. 
A) Inflation magnified ultrasmall quantum variations in position and momenta. 
B) There is evidence of a second, slightly smaller Big Bang that took place very shortly after the initial Big Bang, which would account for the variation in structure. 
C) The rapidly cooling universe created massive quantities of hydrogen, and then helium, which interacted with each other to create regions of relative structure. 
D) Entropy immediately came into effect, slowing down some areas of expansion, while increasing others.

Question 7

According to relativity theory, it is possible to reverse time and grow younger when you

Accepted Answer

A) are near a black hole. 
B) are near a very large gravitational field. 
C) travel at nearly the speed of light. 
D) you can never grow younger. 
E) none of these 
A) are near a black hole. 
B) are near a very large gravitational field. 
C) travel at nearly the speed of light. 
D) you can never grow younger. 
E) none of these

Question 8

If the elliptical orbit of Mercury were more eccentric, its precession rate would be

Accepted Answer

A) larger than it is now. 
B) smaller than it is now. 
C) the same as it is now. 
D) nonexistent. 
A) larger than it is now. 
B) smaller than it is now. 
C) the same as it is now. 
D) nonexistent.

Question 9

Precession is

Accepted Answer

A) when the elliptical orbits of planets slip forward with each revolution. 
B) the process of planetary evolution. 
C) the stage before planets stabilize into a stationary orbit. 
D) the wobbling of a planet's axis of rotation. 
A) when the elliptical orbits of planets slip forward with each revolution. 
B) the process of planetary evolution. 
C) the stage before planets stabilize into a stationary orbit. 
D) the wobbling of a planet's axis of rotation.

Question 10

A greater gravitational field causes time to

Accepted Answer

A) speed up. 
B) slow down. 
C) fluctuate. 
D) Gravity has no measurable effect on time. 
A) speed up. 
B) slow down. 
C) fluctuate. 
D) Gravity has no measurable effect on time.

Question 11

The elliptical orbit of Mercury measurably precesses because

Accepted Answer

A) Mercury moves in the gravitational field of the other planets. 
B) Mercury travels faster than any other planet. 
C) Mercury is closest to the Sun. 
D) the Sun's gravitational field varies along Mercury's orbit. 
E) none of these 
A) Mercury moves in the gravitational field of the other planets. 
B) Mercury travels faster than any other planet. 
C) Mercury is closest to the Sun. 
D) the Sun's gravitational field varies along Mercury's orbit. 
E) none of these

Question 12

Eternal Inflation refers to

Accepted Answer

A) the possibility that our universe is only a patch of a greater universe and that the process of universe spawning will continue forever. 
B) the observation that cosmic inflation could eventually curve back in on itself, causing its opposite: the compression of space. 
C) cosmic inflation inflating itself such that its own inflation is self-generating. 
D) the presence of a distinct beginning of time. 
A) the possibility that our universe is only a patch of a greater universe and that the process of universe spawning will continue forever. 
B) the observation that cosmic inflation could eventually curve back in on itself, causing its opposite: the compression of space. 
C) cosmic inflation inflating itself such that its own inflation is self-generating. 
D) the presence of a distinct beginning of time.

Question 13

Fire a cannonball from a cannon and it curves due to gravity. Shine a light from a flashlight and it

Accepted Answer

A) curves per second the same as the cannonball. 
B) follows a straight-line path with no curvature at all. 
C) curves half as much as the cannonball. 
D) curves slightly, but not as much per second as the cannonball. 
A) curves per second the same as the cannonball. 
B) follows a straight-line path with no curvature at all. 
C) curves half as much as the cannonball. 
D) curves slightly, but not as much per second as the cannonball.

Question 14

A strong gravitational field

Accepted Answer

A) slows a clock. 
B) speeds up a clock. 
C) has no effect on the speed of a clock. 
A) slows a clock. 
B) speeds up a clock. 
C) has no effect on the speed of a clock.

Question 15

The difference between lightwaves approaching and lightwaves receding is

Accepted Answer

A) when approaching, lightwaves have higher frequency; when receding their frequency is lower. 
B) when approaching, lightwaves have lower frequency; when receding their frequency is higher. 
C) the frequency of approaching lightwaves remain constant, while receding lightwaves are invisible. 
D) There is no difference 
A) when approaching, lightwaves have higher frequency; when receding their frequency is lower. 
B) when approaching, lightwaves have lower frequency; when receding their frequency is higher. 
C) the frequency of approaching lightwaves remain constant, while receding lightwaves are invisible. 
D) There is no difference

Exam 28: The Structure of Space and Time

The formation of more protons than neutrons (at about a 7:1. ratio)was favored in the early universe because

In a flat universe parallel lines

"Local observations made in an accelerated frame of reference cannot be distinguished from observations made in a gravitational field" is known as the principle of

According to Einstein, gravity is not the force exerted by one object on another, but rather the

Relativity is the

How is it possible that today's diverse universe was able to arise from that which was very homogenous at its first moments?

According to relativity theory, it is possible to reverse time and grow younger when you

If the elliptical orbit of Mercury were more eccentric, its precession rate would be

Precession is

A greater gravitational field causes time to

The elliptical orbit of Mercury measurably precesses because

Eternal Inflation refers to

Fire a cannonball from a cannon and it curves due to gravity. Shine a light from a flashlight and it

A strong gravitational field

The difference between lightwaves approaching and lightwaves receding is

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

Stars and Galaxies

Prologue: the Nature of Science

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