Question 1

How do eyepieces with the smallest focal lengths change a telescope's overall magnification?

Accepted Answer

A)  The smaller the eyepiece focal length,the greater the magnification. 
B)  The smaller the eyepiece focal length,the smaller the magnification. 
C)  The magnification does not depend at all on the eyepiece's focal length. 
D)  The answer depends on whether you are using a reflecting or refracting telescope. 
A)  The smaller the eyepiece focal length,the greater the magnification. 
B)  The smaller the eyepiece focal length,the smaller the magnification. 
C)  The magnification does not depend at all on the eyepiece's focal length. 
D)  The answer depends on whether you are using a reflecting or refracting telescope.

Question 2

Around 1670,Isaac Newton performed a crucial experiment on the nature of light when he

Accepted Answer

A)  showed the wave nature of light by passing light through two slits and obtaining a pattern of bright interference bands on a screen. 
B)  showed that light that passes through a prism has a spectrum of colors added to it by the prism. 
C)  proved mathematically that light can be described by oscillating electric and magnetic fields. 
D)  demonstrated that the colors that make up white light are intrinsic,not produced by the glass through which the light passes. 
A)  showed the wave nature of light by passing light through two slits and obtaining a pattern of bright interference bands on a screen. 
B)  showed that light that passes through a prism has a spectrum of colors added to it by the prism. 
C)  proved mathematically that light can be described by oscillating electric and magnetic fields. 
D)  demonstrated that the colors that make up white light are intrinsic,not produced by the glass through which the light passes.

Question 3

An astronomer studying a particular object in space finds that the object emits light only in specific,narrow emission lines.The correct conclusion is that this object

Accepted Answer

A)  cannot consist of gases but must be a solid object. 
B)  is made up of a hot,dense gas surrounded by a rarefied gas. 
C)  is made up of a hot,dense gas. 
D)  is made up of a hot,low-density gas. 
A)  cannot consist of gases but must be a solid object. 
B)  is made up of a hot,dense gas surrounded by a rarefied gas. 
C)  is made up of a hot,dense gas. 
D)  is made up of a hot,low-density gas.

Question 4

The setting Sun appears red because

Accepted Answer

A)  its light is scattered by a thicker layer of air than during the day. 
B)  red light is more refracted around the horizon than is blue light. 
C)  the Sun is cooler in the evening. 
D)  red light is more diffracted around the horizon than is blue light. 
A)  its light is scattered by a thicker layer of air than during the day. 
B)  red light is more refracted around the horizon than is blue light. 
C)  the Sun is cooler in the evening. 
D)  red light is more diffracted around the horizon than is blue light.

Question 5

The star Vega has a higher surface temperature than the Sun;therefore (with IR = infrared and UV = ultraviolet),

Accepted Answer

A)  Vega emits less IR and more UV flux than the Sun. 
B)  Vega emits less IR and less UV flux than the Sun. 
C)  Vega emits more IR and less UV flux than the Sun. 
D)  Vega emits more IR and more UV flux than the Sun. 
A)  Vega emits less IR and more UV flux than the Sun. 
B)  Vega emits less IR and less UV flux than the Sun. 
C)  Vega emits more IR and less UV flux than the Sun. 
D)  Vega emits more IR and more UV flux than the Sun.

Question 6

Violet light differs from red light in that violet light

Accepted Answer

A)  has a longer wavelength than red light. 
B)  travels more slowly (through a vacuum)than red light. 
C)  travels more quickly (through a vacuum)than red light. 
D)  has a shorter wavelength than red light. 
A)  has a longer wavelength than red light. 
B)  travels more slowly (through a vacuum)than red light. 
C)  travels more quickly (through a vacuum)than red light. 
D)  has a shorter wavelength than red light.

Question 7

The basic makeup of an atom is

Accepted Answer

A)  small,negatively charged particles orbiting around a central positive charge. 
B)  negative and positive charges mixed uniformly over the volume of the atom. 
C)  small,positively charged particles orbiting around a central negative charge. 
D)  miniature planets,possibly with miniature people,gravitationally bound in orbits around a miniature star. 
A)  small,negatively charged particles orbiting around a central positive charge. 
B)  negative and positive charges mixed uniformly over the volume of the atom. 
C)  small,positively charged particles orbiting around a central negative charge. 
D)  miniature planets,possibly with miniature people,gravitationally bound in orbits around a miniature star.

Question 8

Why must you use Kelvin units instead of Celsius or Fahrenheit in many of the relationships that include temperature?

Accepted Answer

Kelvin is an absolute scale,which means

Question 9

What instrument is planned to be the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Spitzer Telescope 
B)  The James Webb Space Telescope 
C)  The Extreme Ultraviolet Telescope 
D)  The Chandra X-Ray Telescope 
A)  The Spitzer Telescope 
B)  The James Webb Space Telescope 
C)  The Extreme Ultraviolet Telescope 
D)  The Chandra X-Ray Telescope

Question 10

How far apart from each other would Galileo and his assistant had to have been in order for the round-trip time of their beam of light to equal 1 second?

Accepted Answer

A)  1500 km 
B)  15,000 km 
C)  150,000 km 
D)  150,000,000 km 
A)  1500 km 
B)  15,000 km 
C)  150,000 km 
D)  150,000,000 km

Question 11

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 12

The human eye has evolved over time so that its peak wavelength sensitivity is about 0.5 $\mu$m (1 $\mu$m = 10-6 m).Use Wien's law to calculate the temperature of blackbody radiation to which the eye is most sensitive.

Accepted Answer

A)  14,240 K 
B)  0.58 K 
C)  580 K 
D)  5800 K 
A)  14,240 K 
B)  0.58 K 
C)  580 K 
D)  5800 K

Question 13

If a certain gas is heated and observed through a grating,a bright line spectrum will be seen.If,instead,a source of continuous spectrum shines through a cooler sample of this same gas,a dark absorption spectrum is observed.How do the positions of the lines in these two spectra compare?

Accepted Answer

A)  All of the lines in the spectrum from the hot gas will be at higher frequencies than the corresponding lines in the spectrum of the cooler gas. 
B)  All of the lines in the spectrum from the hot gas will be at lower frequencies than the corresponding lines in the spectrum of the cooler gas. 
C)  The lines in the two spectra will be at the same frequencies.They will be the same spectra. 
D)  These two processes produce spectra by completely different means,and there will be no relationship at all between the two spectra. 
A)  All of the lines in the spectrum from the hot gas will be at higher frequencies than the corresponding lines in the spectrum of the cooler gas. 
B)  All of the lines in the spectrum from the hot gas will be at lower frequencies than the corresponding lines in the spectrum of the cooler gas. 
C)  The lines in the two spectra will be at the same frequencies.They will be the same spectra. 
D)  These two processes produce spectra by completely different means,and there will be no relationship at all between the two spectra.

Question 14

Sunlight is made of a mixture of all colors that can be spread out into a spectrum.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The first recorded experiment on passing light through a glass prism was performed by Isaac Newton.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Radio waves travel through space at what speed?

Accepted Answer

A)  Much faster than the speed of light 
B)  Faster than the speed of light because their wavelength is longer 
C)  Slower than the speed of light 
D)  At the speed of light,3 × 108 m/s 
A)  Much faster than the speed of light 
B)  Faster than the speed of light because their wavelength is longer 
C)  Slower than the speed of light 
D)  At the speed of light,3 × 108 m/s

Question 17

Atoms in a hot,low-density gas (e.g. ,in a laboratory-type spectral source)emit a spectrum that is

Accepted Answer

A)  a series of specific colors at the same wavelengths,independent of the type of atom excited. 
B)  a series of specific colors,whose positions change as the gas temperature changes. 
C)  continuous over all visible wavelengths,with maximum intensity in the blue. 
D)  a series of specific colors,unique to the type of atom in the tube,but fixed in position even when the gas temperature changes. 
A)  a series of specific colors at the same wavelengths,independent of the type of atom excited. 
B)  a series of specific colors,whose positions change as the gas temperature changes. 
C)  continuous over all visible wavelengths,with maximum intensity in the blue. 
D)  a series of specific colors,unique to the type of atom in the tube,but fixed in position even when the gas temperature changes.

Question 18

Why are spectral lines so tremendously important in astronomy?

Accepted Answer

A)  They allow us to see black holes and other hidden objects in space. 
B)  They can help determine unknown substances in the laboratory. 
C)  They provide reliable evidence of the chemical composition of distant objects. 
D)  They are difficult and expensive to obtain. 
A)  They allow us to see black holes and other hidden objects in space. 
B)  They can help determine unknown substances in the laboratory. 
C)  They provide reliable evidence of the chemical composition of distant objects. 
D)  They are difficult and expensive to obtain.

Question 19

In 1675,Rømer measured the speed of light by

Accepted Answer

A)  timing eclipses of Jupiter's satellites,which appeared to occur later when Earth was farther from Jupiter. 
B)  measuring how long it took the light from stars located at different distances to reach Earth. 
C)  reflecting light from a mirror rotating at a known speed and measuring the angle of deflection of the light beam. 
D)  opening a shutter on a lantern on a hilltop and measuring the time taken for light from an assistant's shuttered lantern to return. 
A)  timing eclipses of Jupiter's satellites,which appeared to occur later when Earth was farther from Jupiter. 
B)  measuring how long it took the light from stars located at different distances to reach Earth. 
C)  reflecting light from a mirror rotating at a known speed and measuring the angle of deflection of the light beam. 
D)  opening a shutter on a lantern on a hilltop and measuring the time taken for light from an assistant's shuttered lantern to return.

Question 20

Normal human body temperature is about how much in the Kelvin scale?

Accepted Answer

A)  37 K 
B)  100 K 
C)  310 K 
D)  1000 K 
A)  37 K 
B)  100 K 
C)  310 K 
D)  1000 K

How do eyepieces with the smallest focal lengths change a telescope's overall magnification?

Around 1670,Isaac Newton performed a crucial experiment on the nature of light when he

An astronomer studying a particular object in space finds that the object emits light only in specific,narrow emission lines.The correct conclusion is that this object

The setting Sun appears red because

The star Vega has a higher surface temperature than the Sun;therefore (with IR = infrared and UV = ultraviolet),

Violet light differs from red light in that violet light

The basic makeup of an atom is

Why must you use Kelvin units instead of Celsius or Fahrenheit in many of the relationships that include temperature?

What instrument is planned to be the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope?

How far apart from each other would Galileo and his assistant had to have been in order for the round-trip time of their beam of light to equal 1 second?

Electrons in atoms

The human eye has evolved over time so that its peak wavelength sensitivity is about 0.5 $\mu$ m (1 $\mu$ m = 10^-6 m).Use Wien's law to calculate the temperature of blackbody radiation to which the eye is most sensitive.

If a certain gas is heated and observed through a grating,a bright line spectrum will be seen.If,instead,a source of continuous spectrum shines through a cooler sample of this same gas,a dark absorption spectrum is observed.How do the positions of the lines in these two spectra compare?

Sunlight is made of a mixture of all colors that can be spread out into a spectrum.

The first recorded experiment on passing light through a glass prism was performed by Isaac Newton.

Radio waves travel through space at what speed?

Atoms in a hot,low-density gas (e.g. ,in a laboratory-type spectral source)emit a spectrum that is

Why are spectral lines so tremendously important in astronomy?

In 1675,Rømer measured the speed of light by

Normal human body temperature is about how much in the Kelvin scale?

Predicting the Motions of the Stars, Sun, and Moon

Analyzing Scales and Motions of the Universe

Exploring Our Evolving Solar System

Uncovering Earths Systems

Exploring Terrestrial Surface Processes and Atmospheres

Observing the Dynamic Giant Planets

Looking for Life Beyond Earth

Probing the Dynamic Sun

Observing Properties of Distant Stars

Inferring Patterns in Star Life Cycles

Predicting the Violent End of the Largest Stars

Exploring Our Galaxy

Investigating Other Galaxies

Observing the Evolution of the Universe

Filters

Exam 2: Decoding the Hidden Messages in Starlight

How do eyepieces with the smallest focal lengths change a telescope's overall magnification?

Around 1670,Isaac Newton performed a crucial experiment on the nature of light when he

An astronomer studying a particular object in space finds that the object emits light only in specific,narrow emission lines.The correct conclusion is that this object

The setting Sun appears red because

The star Vega has a higher surface temperature than the Sun;therefore (with IR = infrared and UV = ultraviolet),

Violet light differs from red light in that violet light

The basic makeup of an atom is

Why must you use Kelvin units instead of Celsius or Fahrenheit in many of the relationships that include temperature?

What instrument is planned to be the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope?

How far apart from each other would Galileo and his assistant had to have been in order for the round-trip time of their beam of light to equal 1 second?

Electrons in atoms

The human eye has evolved over time so that its peak wavelength sensitivity is about 0.5 μ\muμ m (1 μ\muμ m = 10-6 m).Use Wien's law to calculate the temperature of blackbody radiation to which the eye is most sensitive.

If a certain gas is heated and observed through a grating,a bright line spectrum will be seen.If,instead,a source of continuous spectrum shines through a cooler sample of this same gas,a dark absorption spectrum is observed.How do the positions of the lines in these two spectra compare?

Sunlight is made of a mixture of all colors that can be spread out into a spectrum.

The first recorded experiment on passing light through a glass prism was performed by Isaac Newton.

Radio waves travel through space at what speed?

Atoms in a hot,low-density gas (e.g. ,in a laboratory-type spectral source)emit a spectrum that is

Why are spectral lines so tremendously important in astronomy?

In 1675,Rømer measured the speed of light by

Normal human body temperature is about how much in the Kelvin scale?

Predicting the Motions of the Stars, Sun, and Moon

Analyzing Scales and Motions of the Universe

Exploring Our Evolving Solar System

Uncovering Earths Systems

Exploring Terrestrial Surface Processes and Atmospheres

Observing the Dynamic Giant Planets

Looking for Life Beyond Earth

Probing the Dynamic Sun

Observing Properties of Distant Stars

Inferring Patterns in Star Life Cycles

Predicting the Violent End of the Largest Stars

Exploring Our Galaxy

Investigating Other Galaxies

Observing the Evolution of the Universe

Filters

The human eye has evolved over time so that its peak wavelength sensitivity is about 0.5 $\mu$ m (1 $\mu$ m = 10^-6 m).Use Wien's law to calculate the temperature of blackbody radiation to which the eye is most sensitive.