Question 1

The expansion of the universe seems to be accelerating. The evidence for this is based on observations of

Accepted Answer

A)  the cosmic background radiation. 
B)  gas clouds orbiting the centers of galaxies. 
C)  the slowing down in the pulsation rate of distant neutron stars. 
D)  the redshift in the light from the explosions of distant supernovas. 
E)  the manner in which the stars are distributed in our own galaxy. 
A)  the cosmic background radiation. 
B)  gas clouds orbiting the centers of galaxies. 
C)  the slowing down in the pulsation rate of distant neutron stars. 
D)  the redshift in the light from the explosions of distant supernovas. 
E)  the manner in which the stars are distributed in our own galaxy.

Question 2

In coming to the conclusion that lightbeams are bent by gravity, Einstein reasoned that

Accepted Answer

A)  accelerated observers would find that lightbeams bend, so gravity must also bend lightbeams. 
B)  increased mass at higher velocities causes increased gravitational effects, so lightbeams moving at lightspeed should have gravitational effects. 
C)  since all observers experience the same laws of physics, Newton's theory of gravity must apply to lightbeams. 
D)  fast- moving observers would find that lightbeams bend, so gravity must also bend lightbeams. 
E)  since lightspeed is the same for all observers, moving observers would observe that lightbeams bend. 
A)  accelerated observers would find that lightbeams bend, so gravity must also bend lightbeams. 
B)  increased mass at higher velocities causes increased gravitational effects, so lightbeams moving at lightspeed should have gravitational effects. 
C)  since all observers experience the same laws of physics, Newton's theory of gravity must apply to lightbeams. 
D)  fast- moving observers would find that lightbeams bend, so gravity must also bend lightbeams. 
E)  since lightspeed is the same for all observers, moving observers would observe that lightbeams bend.

Question 3

In the general theory of relativity, we assume the observer to be

Accepted Answer

A)  moving with constant velocity. 
B)  moving at a significant fraction of lightspeed. 
C)  moving slowly compared to lightspeed. 
D)  at rest. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  moving with constant velocity. 
B)  moving at a significant fraction of lightspeed. 
C)  moving slowly compared to lightspeed. 
D)  at rest. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 4

One line of evidence supporting the big bang theory is

Accepted Answer

A)  the observed abundance of very light elements in our galaxy is just what is predicted by the big bang theory. 
B)  the observed abundance of very heavy elements in our galaxy is just what is predicted by the big bang theory. 
C)  the nuclear fission products observed in our galaxy are just what is predicted by the big bang theory. 
D)  the density of galaxies observed in the universe is just what is predicted by the big bang theory. 
E)  neutron stars have just the masses and frequencies of rotation that are predicted by the big bang theory. 
A)  the observed abundance of very light elements in our galaxy is just what is predicted by the big bang theory. 
B)  the observed abundance of very heavy elements in our galaxy is just what is predicted by the big bang theory. 
C)  the nuclear fission products observed in our galaxy are just what is predicted by the big bang theory. 
D)  the density of galaxies observed in the universe is just what is predicted by the big bang theory. 
E)  neutron stars have just the masses and frequencies of rotation that are predicted by the big bang theory.

Question 5

Can anything go faster than light?

Accepted Answer

A)  No, special relativity forbids it. 
B)  No, general relativity forbids it. 
C)  Yes, space can expand at faster then lightspeed. 
D)  Yes, certain subatomic particles can move through space at faster than lightspeed. 
E)  Superman can. 
A)  No, special relativity forbids it. 
B)  No, general relativity forbids it. 
C)  Yes, space can expand at faster then lightspeed. 
D)  Yes, certain subatomic particles can move through space at faster than lightspeed. 
E)  Superman can.

Question 6

Dark energy is made of

Accepted Answer

A)  invisible electromagnetic fields. 
B)  an unknown material that has never been directly observed in laboratories. 
C)  fast moving "gluons" that were created during the big bang. 
D)  weak force fields that were created during the big bang. 
E)  slow- moving "magnetons" that were created during the big bang. 
A)  invisible electromagnetic fields. 
B)  an unknown material that has never been directly observed in laboratories. 
C)  fast moving "gluons" that were created during the big bang. 
D)  weak force fields that were created during the big bang. 
E)  slow- moving "magnetons" that were created during the big bang.

Question 7

Galaxies seem to be made mostly of dark matter. One type of evidence for this comes from observations of

Accepted Answer

A)  the redshift in the light from the explosions of distant supernovas. 
B)  the redshift in the light from the earliest galaxies in the universe. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  the speeds at which gas clouds orbit the centers of galaxies. 
E)  distant quasars. 
A)  the redshift in the light from the explosions of distant supernovas. 
B)  the redshift in the light from the earliest galaxies in the universe. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  the speeds at which gas clouds orbit the centers of galaxies. 
E)  distant quasars.

Question 8

According to the theory of cosmic inflation, at what time in the history of the universe did inflation occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  at the time that the cosmic background radiation formed 
B)  at a tiny fraction of the first second, but not quite at the very beginning of the big bang 
C)  at the very beginning of the big bang 
D)  around the third or fourth second 
E)  around the third or fourth minute 
A)  at the time that the cosmic background radiation formed 
B)  at a tiny fraction of the first second, but not quite at the very beginning of the big bang 
C)  at the very beginning of the big bang 
D)  around the third or fourth second 
E)  around the third or fourth minute

Question 9

The evidence favors a universe whose overall geometry is

Accepted Answer

A)  open. 
B)  circular. 
C)  closed. 
D)  cylindrical. 
E)  flat. 
A)  open. 
B)  circular. 
C)  closed. 
D)  cylindrical. 
E)  flat.

Question 10

One unusual aspect of dark matter is

Accepted Answer

A)  it exerts no gravitational force. 
B)  it moves faster than lightspeed. 
C)  it's made of a material that has not yet been observed in our laboratories. 
D)  its gravitational force pushes (or repels) instead of pulling. 
E)  it exerts a new kind of fundamental force, never observed before. 
A)  it exerts no gravitational force. 
B)  it moves faster than lightspeed. 
C)  it's made of a material that has not yet been observed in our laboratories. 
D)  its gravitational force pushes (or repels) instead of pulling. 
E)  it exerts a new kind of fundamental force, never observed before.

Question 11

What is the universe mostly made of?

Accepted Answer

A)  dark matter 
B)  electromagnetic radiation 
C)  ordinary matter, including intergalactic gas 
D)  neutrinos 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  dark matter 
B)  electromagnetic radiation 
C)  ordinary matter, including intergalactic gas 
D)  neutrinos 
E)  None of the above.

Question 12

One experiment that informs us that gravity bends lightbeams is

Accepted Answer

A)  laboratory experiments in which laser beams pass by massive amounts of iron. 
B)  the bending of starlight as it nears Earth. 
C)  the observed bending of light from stars as the light passes the sun. 
D)  the observed bending of sunlight in Earth's gravitational field. 
E)  experiments in which laser beams are shined onto the surface of the moon, and their bending is measured. 
A)  laboratory experiments in which laser beams pass by massive amounts of iron. 
B)  the bending of starlight as it nears Earth. 
C)  the observed bending of light from stars as the light passes the sun. 
D)  the observed bending of sunlight in Earth's gravitational field. 
E)  experiments in which laser beams are shined onto the surface of the moon, and their bending is measured.

Question 13

The big bang is thought to have occurred about

Accepted Answer

A)  a million years ago. 
B)  14 million years ago. 
C)  14 trillion years ago. 
D)  14 billion years ago. 
E)  5000 years ago. 
A)  a million years ago. 
B)  14 million years ago. 
C)  14 trillion years ago. 
D)  14 billion years ago. 
E)  5000 years ago.

Question 14

Space and time

Accepted Answer

A)  have always existed. 
B)  were created at some time before the big bang. 
C)  were created by the big bang. 
D)  were created at some time after the big bang. 
A)  have always existed. 
B)  were created at some time before the big bang. 
C)  were created by the big bang. 
D)  were created at some time after the big bang.

Question 15

Evidence for the big bang comes from

Accepted Answer

A)  observations of the pulsations of distant neutron stars. 
B)  the observation that the galaxies are all receding from each other. 
C)  observation of the cluster of stars near the center of the Milky Way galaxy. 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  observations of the pulsations of distant neutron stars. 
B)  the observation that the galaxies are all receding from each other. 
C)  observation of the cluster of stars near the center of the Milky Way galaxy. 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 16

According to the principle of equivalence, gravity is equivalent to

Accepted Answer

A)  velocity. 
B)  energy. 
C)  net force. 
D)  acceleration. 
E)  the state of free- fall. 
A)  velocity. 
B)  energy. 
C)  net force. 
D)  acceleration. 
E)  the state of free- fall.

Question 17

If you were in a spaceship in outer space and accelerating at 0.5 g, how heavy would you feel?

Accepted Answer

A)  Weightless 
B)  1.5 times your normal weight 
C)  Your normal weight 
D)  Half your normal weight 
E)  The answer depends on how fast your spaceship is moving. 
A)  Weightless 
B)  1.5 times your normal weight 
C)  Your normal weight 
D)  Half your normal weight 
E)  The answer depends on how fast your spaceship is moving.

Question 18

According to the principle of equivalence, acceleration is equivalent to

Accepted Answer

A)  energy. 
B)  gravity. 
C)  net force. 
D)  velocity. 
E)  the state of free- fall. 
A)  energy. 
B)  gravity. 
C)  net force. 
D)  velocity. 
E)  the state of free- fall.

Question 19

By observing gas clouds orbiting the centers of galaxies, we have learned that galaxies are made mostly of dark matter. In these observations

Accepted Answer

A)  the high speeds of the gas clouds show that they are being pushed by some unseen material. 
B)  the high speeds of the gas clouds show that they are gravitationally attracted to the center by unseen material. 
C)  the low speeds of the gas clouds show that they are gravitationally attracted to the center by unseen material. 
D)  the light from the gas clouds is obscured by some unseen material. 
E)  the low speeds of the gas clouds show that they are being slowed by some unseen material. 
A)  the high speeds of the gas clouds show that they are being pushed by some unseen material. 
B)  the high speeds of the gas clouds show that they are gravitationally attracted to the center by unseen material. 
C)  the low speeds of the gas clouds show that they are gravitationally attracted to the center by unseen material. 
D)  the light from the gas clouds is obscured by some unseen material. 
E)  the low speeds of the gas clouds show that they are being slowed by some unseen material.

Question 20

The cosmic microwave background is

Accepted Answer

A)  caused by the world's microwave ovens. 
B)  the now- cooled X-ray radiation emitted by very distant supernova explosions. 
C)  the faint glow from the most distant galaxies. 
D)  the faint radiation that comes from the hydrogen atoms that fill the universe. 
E)  the now- cooled radiation that was released by the big bang. 
A)  caused by the world's microwave ovens. 
B)  the now- cooled X-ray radiation emitted by very distant supernova explosions. 
C)  the faint glow from the most distant galaxies. 
D)  the faint radiation that comes from the hydrogen atoms that fill the universe. 
E)  the now- cooled radiation that was released by the big bang.

The expansion of the universe seems to be accelerating. The evidence for this is based on observations of

In coming to the conclusion that lightbeams are bent by gravity, Einstein reasoned that

In the general theory of relativity, we assume the observer to be

One line of evidence supporting the big bang theory is

Can anything go faster than light?

Dark energy is made of

Galaxies seem to be made mostly of dark matter. One type of evidence for this comes from observations of

According to the theory of cosmic inflation, at what time in the history of the universe did inflation occur?

The evidence favors a universe whose overall geometry is

One unusual aspect of dark matter is

What is the universe mostly made of?

One experiment that informs us that gravity bends lightbeams is

The big bang is thought to have occurred about

Space and time

Evidence for the big bang comes from

According to the principle of equivalence, gravity is equivalent to

If you were in a spaceship in outer space and accelerating at 0.5 g, how heavy would you feel?

According to the principle of equivalence, acceleration is equivalent to

By observing gas clouds orbiting the centers of galaxies, we have learned that galaxies are made mostly of dark matter. In these observations

The cosmic microwave background is

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How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The Quantum Idea

The Quantum Universe

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The Energy Challenge

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Exam 11: The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The expansion of the universe seems to be accelerating. The evidence for this is based on observations of

In coming to the conclusion that lightbeams are bent by gravity, Einstein reasoned that

In the general theory of relativity, we assume the observer to be

One line of evidence supporting the big bang theory is

Can anything go faster than light?

Dark energy is made of

Galaxies seem to be made mostly of dark matter. One type of evidence for this comes from observations of

According to the theory of cosmic inflation, at what time in the history of the universe did inflation occur?

The evidence favors a universe whose overall geometry is

One unusual aspect of dark matter is

What is the universe mostly made of?

One experiment that informs us that gravity bends lightbeams is

The big bang is thought to have occurred about

Space and time

Evidence for the big bang comes from

According to the principle of equivalence, gravity is equivalent to

If you were in a spaceship in outer space and accelerating at 0.5 g, how heavy would you feel?

According to the principle of equivalence, acceleration is equivalent to

By observing gas clouds orbiting the centers of galaxies, we have learned that galaxies are made mostly of dark matter. In these observations

The cosmic microwave background is

The Way of Science: Experience and Reason

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The Quantum Idea

The Quantum Universe

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

Filters