Question 1

Which of the following correctly lists speeds from slowest to fastest?

Accepted Answer

A) Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us, the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us 
B) the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us 
C) Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us, Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us 
D) Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us, Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us 
E) the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us, Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy 
A) Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us, the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us 
B) the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us 
C) Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us, Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us 
D) Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us, Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us 
E) the speeds of very distant galaxies relative to us, typical speeds of stars in the local solar neighborhood relative to us, Earth's speed of rotation on its axis, Earth's speed of revolution about the Sun, the speed of our solar system orbiting the center of the Milky Way Galaxy

Question 2

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: The universe is between 10 and 16 billion light- years old.

Accepted Answer

This statement does not make s

Question 3

Light Travel Time: Because of the finite speed of light, we see more distant objects as they were in the past. For example, we see the star Alpha Centauri as it was 4.4 years ago, and the Andromeda Galaxy as it was 2.5 million years ago. Astronomers are often asked how we know that these objects still exist when we look at them in the night sky. How would you try to answer this question?

Accepted Answer

One way to answer this question is to ex

Question 4

One of the most fundamental discoveries about the universe has been that it is expanding. "The universe is expanding" means

Accepted Answer

A) our estimate for the size of the universe has increased over the last century. 
B) galaxies are growing with time. 
C) distances between most galaxies are getting larger. 
D) the cosmological horizon is growing with time. 
A) our estimate for the size of the universe has increased over the last century. 
B) galaxies are growing with time. 
C) distances between most galaxies are getting larger. 
D) the cosmological horizon is growing with time.

Question 5

On a cosmic calendar, in which the history of the universe is compressed into 1 year, when did Kepler and Galileo first discover that we live on a planet in a solar system?

Accepted Answer

A) 1 week ago 
B) December 30 
C) 1 day ago 
D) December 25 
E) 1 second ago 
A) 1 week ago 
B) December 30 
C) 1 day ago 
D) December 25 
E) 1 second ago

Question 6

Starting from the Big Bang, briefly explain how our solar system came to contain the chemical elements necessary to make Earth and living organisms.

Accepted Answer

The Big Bang produced hydrogen and heliu

Question 7

When we look at an object that is 1,000 light- years away, we see it .

Accepted Answer

A) as it is right now, but it appears 1,000 times dimmer 
B) as it was 1,000 years ago 
C) looking just the same as our ancestors would have seen it 1,000 years ago 
D) as it was 1,000 light- years ago 
A) as it is right now, but it appears 1,000 times dimmer 
B) as it was 1,000 years ago 
C) looking just the same as our ancestors would have seen it 1,000 years ago 
D) as it was 1,000 light- years ago

Question 8

The farthest bright galaxies that modern telescopes are capable of seeing are up to

Accepted Answer

A) 10 billion light years away. 
B) 10 million light years away. 
C) 1 trillion light years away. 
D) 1 million light years away. 
E) 1 billion light years away. 
A) 10 billion light years away. 
B) 10 million light years away. 
C) 1 trillion light years away. 
D) 1 million light years away. 
E) 1 billion light years away.

Question 9

You have taken a picture of a galaxy 1 billion light years away. That picture shows

Accepted Answer

A) a galaxy that is 1 billion light years old. 
B) a galaxy that is 1 billion years old. 
C) a galaxy that is 13 billion years old. 
D) a galaxy as it was 1 billion years ago. 
A) a galaxy that is 1 billion light years old. 
B) a galaxy that is 1 billion years old. 
C) a galaxy that is 13 billion years old. 
D) a galaxy as it was 1 billion years ago.

Question 10

Light travels at 300,000 km/sec. About how far does light travel in 10 years?

Accepted Answer

A) about 10 trillion kilometers 
B) about 30 million seconds 
C) about 3,000,000 kilometers 
D) about 10 light- years 
E) about 30,000 kilometers 
A) about 10 trillion kilometers 
B) about 30 million seconds 
C) about 3,000,000 kilometers 
D) about 10 light- years 
E) about 30,000 kilometers

Question 11

On the 1- to- 10- billion scale, about how far is it to the nearest stars besides the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A) 400 kilometers 
B) 4,400 kilometers 
C) 1,000 kilometers 
D) 10,000 kilometers 
E) 4 kilometers 
A) 400 kilometers 
B) 4,400 kilometers 
C) 1,000 kilometers 
D) 10,000 kilometers 
E) 4 kilometers

Question 12

Approximately how fast is a person located at the Earth's equator traveling due to the rotation of the Earth?

Accepted Answer

A) 17,000 km/hr 
B) 17 km/hr 
C) 1,700 km/hr 
D) 170 km/hr 
E) not moving at all 
A) 17,000 km/hr 
B) 17 km/hr 
C) 1,700 km/hr 
D) 170 km/hr 
E) not moving at all

Question 13

The solar system contains about 100 billion stars.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Which of the following correctly describes the concept of galactic recycling?

Accepted Answer

A) In the formation of a star, no matter is wasted as all excess material ends up recycled into planets. 
B) Stars near the center of the Milky Way are continually recycled to the outskirts of the disk by their orbital motion. 
C) New stars are continuously being formed in the Milky Way out of gas that has been ejected from a previous generation of stars. 
D) New galaxies are continuously being formed out of gas ejected from a previous generation of galaxies. 
E) Life is continuously being spread from star to star in the Milky Way. 
A) In the formation of a star, no matter is wasted as all excess material ends up recycled into planets. 
B) Stars near the center of the Milky Way are continually recycled to the outskirts of the disk by their orbital motion. 
C) New stars are continuously being formed in the Milky Way out of gas that has been ejected from a previous generation of stars. 
D) New galaxies are continuously being formed out of gas ejected from a previous generation of galaxies. 
E) Life is continuously being spread from star to star in the Milky Way.

Question 15

Suppose we imagine the Sun to be about the size of a grapefruit (about 10 cm across). Which of the following describes the size and distance of Earth on the same scale?

Accepted Answer

A) Earth is the size of a golf ball about 15 meters away from the Sun. 
B) Earth is the size of a golf ball about 1 meter away from the Sun. 
C) Earth is the size of a marble about 25 miles away from the Sun. 
D) Earth is the size of a point about 15 meters away from the Sun. 
E) Earth is the size of a point about 1 meter away from the Sun. 
A) Earth is the size of a golf ball about 15 meters away from the Sun. 
B) Earth is the size of a golf ball about 1 meter away from the Sun. 
C) Earth is the size of a marble about 25 miles away from the Sun. 
D) Earth is the size of a point about 15 meters away from the Sun. 
E) Earth is the size of a point about 1 meter away from the Sun.

Question 16

One light- hour is the distance that light travels in an hour. How far is this, in kilometers? (Recall that the speed of light is 300,000 km/s.)

Accepted Answer

A) 9)46 trillion km 
B) 18 million km 
C) 300,000 km 
D) 100 million km 
E) 1)08 billion km 
A) 9)46 trillion km 
B) 18 million km 
C) 300,000 km 
D) 100 million km 
E) 1)08 billion km

Question 17

What is nuclear fusion?

Accepted Answer

A) the process of combining lightweight nuclei to make heavier nuclei 
B) an explosion caused by putting together two volatile chemicals 
C) the process of splitting nuclei to produce energy 
D) a process that only occurs in bombs 
E) the process of turning matter into pure energy 
A) the process of combining lightweight nuclei to make heavier nuclei 
B) an explosion caused by putting together two volatile chemicals 
C) the process of splitting nuclei to produce energy 
D) a process that only occurs in bombs 
E) the process of turning matter into pure energy

Question 18

Our solar system is located about 27,000 light- years from the galactic center. How far does our solar system travel in one orbit?

Accepted Answer

A) 54,000 light- years 
B) 100,000 light- years 
C) 170,000 light- years 
D) 85,000 light- years 
A) 54,000 light- years 
B) 100,000 light- years 
C) 170,000 light- years 
D) 85,000 light- years

Question 19

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: It will take me light- years to complete this homework assignment.

Accepted Answer

This statement does not make s

Question 20

On a scale in which the distance from Earth to the Sun is about 15 meters, the distance from Earth to the Moon is _ .

Accepted Answer

A) small enough to fit within your hand 
B) about 1 meter 
C) about 30 meters 
D) about 5 meters 
A) small enough to fit within your hand 
B) about 1 meter 
C) about 30 meters 
D) about 5 meters

Which of the following correctly lists speeds from slowest to fastest?

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: The universe is between 10 and 16 billion light- years old.

One of the most fundamental discoveries about the universe has been that it is expanding. "The universe is expanding" means

On a cosmic calendar, in which the history of the universe is compressed into 1 year, when did Kepler and Galileo first discover that we live on a planet in a solar system?

Starting from the Big Bang, briefly explain how our solar system came to contain the chemical elements necessary to make Earth and living organisms.

When we look at an object that is 1,000 light- years away, we see it .

The farthest bright galaxies that modern telescopes are capable of seeing are up to

You have taken a picture of a galaxy 1 billion light years away. That picture shows

Light travels at 300,000 km/sec. About how far does light travel in 10 years?

On the 1- to- 10- billion scale, about how far is it to the nearest stars besides the Sun?

Approximately how fast is a person located at the Earth's equator traveling due to the rotation of the Earth?

The solar system contains about 100 billion stars.

Which of the following correctly describes the concept of galactic recycling?

Suppose we imagine the Sun to be about the size of a grapefruit (about 10 cm across). Which of the following describes the size and distance of Earth on the same scale?

One light- hour is the distance that light travels in an hour. How far is this, in kilometers? (Recall that the speed of light is 300,000 km/s.)

What is nuclear fusion?

Our solar system is located about 27,000 light- years from the galactic center. How far does our solar system travel in one orbit?

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: It will take me light- years to complete this homework assignment.

On a scale in which the distance from Earth to the Sun is about 15 meters, the distance from Earth to the Moon is _ .

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters

Exam 1: A Modern View of the Universe

Which of the following correctly lists speeds from slowest to fastest?

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: The universe is between 10 and 16 billion light- years old.

One of the most fundamental discoveries about the universe has been that it is expanding. "The universe is expanding" means

On a cosmic calendar, in which the history of the universe is compressed into 1 year, when did Kepler and Galileo first discover that we live on a planet in a solar system?

Starting from the Big Bang, briefly explain how our solar system came to contain the chemical elements necessary to make Earth and living organisms.

When we look at an object that is 1,000 light- years away, we see it .

The farthest bright galaxies that modern telescopes are capable of seeing are up to

You have taken a picture of a galaxy 1 billion light years away. That picture shows

Light travels at 300,000 km/sec. About how far does light travel in 10 years?

On the 1- to- 10- billion scale, about how far is it to the nearest stars besides the Sun?

Approximately how fast is a person located at the Earth's equator traveling due to the rotation of the Earth?

The solar system contains about 100 billion stars.

Which of the following correctly describes the concept of galactic recycling?

Suppose we imagine the Sun to be about the size of a grapefruit (about 10 cm across). Which of the following describes the size and distance of Earth on the same scale?

One light- hour is the distance that light travels in an hour. How far is this, in kilometers? (Recall that the speed of light is 300,000 km/s.)

What is nuclear fusion?

Our solar system is located about 27,000 light- years from the galactic center. How far does our solar system travel in one orbit?

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: It will take me light- years to complete this homework assignment.

On a scale in which the distance from Earth to the Sun is about 15 meters, the distance from Earth to the Moon is _ .

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters