Standard Candles: Type Ia Supernova Distance Quiz

The correct answer is B because these explosions occur when a white dwarf reaches a specific mass. Because the mass is almost always the same, the resulting explosion has a uniform brightness. This allows scientists to calculate distance based on how dim the star looks from Earth.

This statement is false because the description refers to a different type of supernova. A Type Ia supernova specifically involves a white dwarf in a binary system that pulls matter from a companion star until it reaches a critical mass and explodes.

The correct answer is Square. The inverse square law is a fundamental principle of physics. It allows astronomers to calculate the exact distance to a galaxy by measuring how the known brightness of a supernova fades as the light travels through space.

Options A, B, and D are correct. These events are incredibly energetic, allowing them to be seen across the cosmos. Their uniform mass ensures consistent brightness, and mapping their distances helps confirm the expansion required by the Big Bang theory.

The correct answer is B. This limit is approximately 1.4 times the mass of our sun. When a white dwarf reaches this exact point, it can no longer support itself and undergoes a thermonuclear explosion, which is why the brightness is so consistent across the universe.

The correct answer is B. By measuring the distance to galaxies and comparing it to their speed, scientists can see that the universe is growing. This expansion is a primary requirement for the theory that the universe began from a single point.

This is false because a standard candle must have a known and predictable brightness. Most stars vary in size and power, making them poor tools for distance measurement. Only specific objects like Type Ia supernovae have the consistency needed for these calculations.

Options A and D are correct. Supernovae are so powerful that they can outshine an entire galaxy for a short time. This extreme brightness allows astronomers to see them in the most distant parts of the universe where normal stars are invisible.

The correct term is Luminosity. While magnitude describes how bright a star looks to us, luminosity describes its actual power. Knowing the true luminosity of a supernova is what allows scientists to determine its distance from Earth.

The correct answer is B. Since both stars have the same actual power, the only reason one would look dimmer is if its light had to travel across a greater distance. This relationship is the key to mapping the three dimensional structure of the universe.

The correct answer is B. The distance ladder uses different tools for different scales. Supernovae are the most powerful tools we have, used to measure the distances to galaxies that are billions of light years away.

This statement is true. By looking at the distance and redshift of these stars, scientists discovered they were further away than expected. This led to the conclusion that a force called dark energy is causing the expansion of space to accelerate.

Options A, B, and D are correct. Brightness and the fading rate provide the distance, while redshift shows how fast the galaxy is moving. Together, these pieces of data allow scientists to build a model of how the universe has evolved.

The correct answer is B. Unlike other supernovae, Type Ia events do not show hydrogen in their light spectra. Instead, they show elements like silicon. This chemical fingerprint confirms the explosion came from a white dwarf, making the distance data reliable.

The correct term is Curve. By studying the light curve, astronomers can fine tune their calculations. The speed at which the brightness fades is related to the total power of the explosion, which helps make the distance measurement even more accurate.

The correct answer is A. Because the white dwarf always explodes when it hits the same mass limit, the energy released is very consistent. This consistency is what makes the Type Ia supernova a perfect standard candle for measuring the size of the universe.

This is false. Parallax only works for nearby stars because the angle change is too small to see for distant objects. For galaxies far across the universe, we must rely on standard candles like Type Ia supernovae to find the distance.

Options A, B, and C are correct. The standard requires using astronomical data to explain how the universe evolved. This includes looking at elements in space, how fast galaxies move, and using supernovae to map out the cosmic history.

The correct answer is B. If our standard candles were not actually standard, our distance measurements would be inaccurate. This would make it very difficult to know if the universe is expanding at a constant rate or if it is accelerating.

The correct term is Spectroscopy. This process involves splitting light into a rainbow to see hidden patterns. It is the primary tool used by astronomers to identify Type Ia supernovae and measure the redshift needed to understand the Big Bang.