Can You Score Well In This Astronomy Test?
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- 1.
What did Carl Sagan mean when he said that we are all "star stuff"?
- A.
That life would be impossible without energy from the Sun
- B.
That Earth formed at the same time as the Sun
- C.
That the carbon, oxygen, and many elements essential to life were created by nucleosynthesis in stellar cores
- D.
That the Sun formed from the interstellar medium: the "stuff" between the stars
- E.
That the Universe contains billions of stars
Correct Answer
C. That the carbon, oxygen, and many elements essential to life were created by nucleosynthesis in stellar coresExplanation
Carl Sagan meant that the carbon, oxygen, and many elements essential to life were created by nucleosynthesis in stellar cores. This implies that the basic building blocks of life on Earth originated from the processes that occur within the cores of stars. These elements were then dispersed into space through stellar explosions and eventually formed new stars, planets, and life forms like us. This concept highlights the interconnectedness of the universe and emphasizes that the same fundamental elements that make up the stars also make up our bodies.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which two energy sources can help a star maintain its internal thermal pressure?
- A.
Nuclear fusion and gravitational contraction
- B.
Nuclear fission and gravitational contraction
- C.
Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission
- D.
Chemical reactions and gravitational contraction
- E.
Nuclear fusion and chemical reactions
Correct Answer
A. Nuclear fusion and gravitational contractionExplanation
Nuclear fusion is the process in which two atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This energy is what provides the internal thermal pressure necessary for a star to maintain its stability and prevent it from collapsing under its own gravity. Gravitational contraction, on the other hand, is the process by which a star's gravity causes it to shrink in size, releasing gravitational potential energy as heat. Both nuclear fusion and gravitational contraction work together to maintain the internal thermal pressure of a star.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What type of star is our Sun?
- A.
Low-mass star
- B.
Intermediate-mass star
- C.
High-mass star
Correct Answer
A. Low-mass starExplanation
Our Sun is classified as a low-mass star because it has a relatively small mass compared to other stars. Low-mass stars like the Sun have a longer lifespan and a stable fusion process that allows them to steadily convert hydrogen into helium. These stars are also less likely to undergo violent explosions or supernovae. Their lower mass also means that they have a lower surface temperature and emit a yellowish light, like our Sun.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the range of star masses for high-mass stars?
- A.
Between 500 and 1,000 solar masses
- B.
Between 150 and 500 solar masses
- C.
Between 10 and 150 solar masses
- D.
Between 2 and 100 solar masses
- E.
Between 2 and 50 solar masses
Correct Answer
C. Between 10 and 150 solar massesExplanation
High-mass stars have a range of masses between 10 and 150 solar masses. This means that the mass of a high-mass star can be as low as 10 times the mass of our Sun or as high as 150 times the mass of our Sun.Rate this question:
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- 5.
No stars are expected with masses greater than 150 times our Sun because
- A.
Molecular clouds do not have enough material to form such massive stars.
- B.
They would fragment into binary stars because of their rapid rotation.
- C.
They would generate so much power that they would blow themselves apart.
- D.
They shine exclusively at X-ray wavelengths and become difficult to detect.
- E.
They are not bright enough to be seen nearby.
Correct Answer
C. They would generate so much power that they would blow themselves apart. -
- 6.
Which of the following statements about degeneracy pressure is not true?
- A.
Degeneracy pressure varies with the temperature of the star.
- B.
Degeneracy pressure can halt gravitational contraction of a star even when no fusion is occurring in the core.
- C.
Degeneracy pressure keeps any protostar less than 0.08 solar mass from becoming a true, hydrogen-fusing star.
- D.
Degeneracy pressure arises out of the ideas of quantum mechanics.
Correct Answer
A. Degeneracy pressure varies with the temperature of the star.Explanation
Degeneracy pressure does not vary with the temperature of the star. Degeneracy pressure is a quantum mechanical effect that arises from the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two fermions can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. This pressure can halt gravitational contraction in a star, even without fusion occurring in the core. It is also responsible for preventing protostars with less than 0.08 solar masses from becoming hydrogen-fusing stars.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What is the fate of an isolated brown dwarf?
- A.
It will become a white dwarf.
- B.
It will become a neutron star.
- C.
It will become a black hole.
- D.
It will slowly evaporate to nothing.
- E.
It will remain a brown dwarf forever.
Correct Answer
E. It will remain a brown dwarf forever.Explanation
The correct answer is that an isolated brown dwarf will remain a brown dwarf forever. Brown dwarfs are often referred to as "failed stars" because they do not have enough mass to sustain nuclear fusion in their cores like main sequence stars. Instead, they emit heat and light from the residual heat of their formation. Since they do not have the necessary mass to ignite fusion, they will continue to cool and dim over time but will never evolve into a different type of object like a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What happens when a star exhausts its core hydrogen supply?
- A.
Its core contracts, but its outer layers expand and the star becomes bigger and brighter.
- B.
It contracts, becoming smaller and dimmer.
- C.
It contracts, becoming hotter and brighter.
- D.
It expands, becoming bigger but dimmer.
- E.
Its core contracts, but its outer layers expand and the star becomes bigger but cooler and therefore remains at the same brightness.
Correct Answer
A. Its core contracts, but its outer layers expand and the star becomes bigger and brighter.Explanation
When a star exhausts its core hydrogen supply, its core contracts due to the lack of fusion reactions. However, the outer layers of the star expand, causing the star to become bigger. This expansion also leads to an increase in brightness as the surface area of the star increases, allowing more light to be emitted. Therefore, the correct answer is that the star's core contracts while its outer layers expand, resulting in a bigger and brighter star.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Why does a star grow larger after it exhausts its core hydrogen?
- A.
The outer layers of the star are no longer gravitationally attracted to the core.
- B.
Hydrogen fusion in a shell outside the core generates enough thermal pressure to push the upper layers outward.
- C.
Helium fusion in the core generates enough thermal pressure to push the upper layers outward.
- D.
Helium fusion in a shell outside the core generates enough thermal pressure to push the upper layers outward.
- E.
The internal radiation generated by the hydrogen fusion in the core has heated the outer layers enough that they can expand after the star is no longer fusing hydrogen.
Correct Answer
B. Hydrogen fusion in a shell outside the core generates enough thermal pressure to push the upper layers outward.Explanation
After a star exhausts its core hydrogen, the inner core contracts while the outer layers expand. This expansion is caused by hydrogen fusion occurring in a shell outside the core. The fusion generates enough thermal pressure to push the upper layers of the star outward, causing it to grow larger. This process is known as shell burning and is responsible for the expansion of the star after the core hydrogen is depleted.Rate this question:
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- 10.
How many helium nuclei fuse together when making carbon?
- A.
2
- B.
3
- C.
4
- D.
Varies depending on the reaction
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. 3Explanation
When making carbon, three helium nuclei fuse together. This process, known as nuclear fusion, occurs in the core of stars during their lifecycle. As the temperature and pressure in the core increase, helium nuclei collide and fuse to form carbon nuclei. This reaction is crucial for the formation of heavier elements in the universe.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The helium fusion process results in the production of
- A.
Hydrogen.
- B.
Oxygen.
- C.
Carbon.
- D.
Nitrogen.
- E.
Iron.
Correct Answer
C. Carbon.Explanation
The helium fusion process refers to the nuclear fusion reaction that occurs in the core of a star, where helium atoms combine to form carbon. This process is a crucial step in stellar evolution, as it releases a tremendous amount of energy and allows the star to continue burning and producing heavier elements. Therefore, the correct answer is carbon.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What happens after a helium flash?
- A.
The core quickly heats up and expands.
- B.
The star breaks apart in a violent explosion.
- C.
The core suddenly contracts.
- D.
The core stops fusing helium.
- E.
The star starts to fuse helium in a shell outside the core.
Correct Answer
A. The core quickly heats up and expands.Explanation
After a helium flash, the core of the star rapidly heats up and expands. This occurs when a low-mass star exhausts its hydrogen fuel and starts fusing helium in its core. The fusion of helium produces an intense burst of energy, causing the core to expand and increase in temperature. This expansion and heating up of the core is known as a helium flash. It is a crucial stage in the evolution of low-mass stars, leading to the stabilization of the star and the initiation of helium burning.Rate this question:
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- 13.
What is a planetary nebula?
- A.
A disk of gas surrounding a protostar that may form into planets
- B.
What is left of the planets around a star after a low-mass star has ended its life
- C.
The expanding shell of gas that is no longer gravitationally held to the remnant of a low-mass star
- D.
The molecular cloud from which protostars form
- E.
The expanding shell of gas that is left when a white dwarf explodes as a supernova
Correct Answer
C. The expanding shell of gas that is no longer gravitationally held to the remnant of a low-mass starExplanation
A planetary nebula is the expanding shell of gas that is no longer gravitationally held to the remnant of a low-mass star. This occurs when a low-mass star reaches the end of its life and sheds its outer layers of gas into space. The gas shell expands outward, creating a beautiful and often colorful nebula. The remaining core of the star, known as a white dwarf, is surrounded by this nebula.Rate this question:
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- 14.
What happens to the core of a star after a planetary nebula occurs?
- A.
It contracts from a protostar to a main-sequence star.
- B.
It breaks apart in a violent explosion.
- C.
It becomes a white dwarf.
- D.
It becomes a neutron star.
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. It becomes a white dwarf.Explanation
After a planetary nebula occurs, the core of a star does not contract or break apart in a violent explosion. Instead, it becomes a white dwarf. A white dwarf is the remnant of a low to medium mass star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel. It is extremely dense and hot, but no longer undergoing nuclear fusion.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Which of the following sequences correctly describes the stages of life for a low-mass star?
- A.
Red giant, protostar, main-sequence, white dwarf
- B.
White dwarf, main-sequence, red giant, protostar
- C.
Protostar, red giant, main-sequence, white dwarf
- D.
Protostar, main-sequence, white dwarf, red giant
- E.
Protostar, main-sequence, red giant, white dwarf
Correct Answer
E. Protostar, main-sequence, red giant, white dwarfExplanation
The correct answer is protostar, main-sequence, red giant, white dwarf. This sequence accurately describes the stages of life for a low-mass star. A protostar is the initial stage of a star's formation, followed by the main-sequence stage where the star fuses hydrogen in its core. As the star exhausts its hydrogen fuel, it expands and becomes a red giant. Finally, after shedding its outer layers, the star becomes a white dwarf, which is the remnant core of a low-mass star.Rate this question:
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- 16.
What is the CNO cycle?
- A.
The process by which helium is fused into carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen
- B.
The process by which carbon is fused into nitrogen and oxygen
- C.
A type of hydrogen fusion that uses carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms as catalysts
- D.
The period of a massive star's life when carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen are fusing in different shells outside the core
- E.
The period of a low-mass star's life when it can no longer fuse carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in its core
Correct Answer
C. A type of hydrogen fusion that uses carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms as catalystsExplanation
The CNO cycle is a type of hydrogen fusion that uses carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms as catalysts. In this process, four hydrogen nuclei combine to form a helium nucleus, releasing energy in the process. The carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms act as catalysts, facilitating the fusion reaction. This cycle is an alternative to the proton-proton chain reaction and is more dominant in stars with higher temperatures.Rate this question:
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- 17.
What happens when the gravity of a massive star is able to overcome neutron degeneracy pressure?
- A.
The core contracts and becomes a white dwarf.
- B.
The core contracts and becomes a ball of neutrons.
- C.
The core contracts and becomes a black hole.
- D.
The star explodes violently, leaving nothing behind.
- E.
Gravity is not able to overcome neutron degeneracy pressure.
Correct Answer
C. The core contracts and becomes a black hole.Explanation
When the gravity of a massive star is able to overcome neutron degeneracy pressure, the core contracts and becomes a black hole. Neutron degeneracy pressure is the force that prevents further collapse of the core, but if the gravity becomes stronger than this pressure, the core collapses under its own gravity. This collapse creates a black hole, a region in space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.Rate this question:
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- 18.
What types of stars end their lives with supernovae?
- A.
All stars that are red in color
- B.
All stars that are yellow in color
- C.
Stars that are at least several times the mass of the Sun
- D.
Stars that are similar in mass to the Sun
- E.
Stars that have reached an age of 10 billion years
Correct Answer
C. Stars that are at least several times the mass of the SunExplanation
Stars that are at least several times the mass of the Sun end their lives with supernovae. This is because supernovae occur when a massive star exhausts its nuclear fuel and undergoes a catastrophic collapse, resulting in a powerful explosion. Stars with lower mass, such as those similar in mass to the Sun, do not have enough mass to trigger a supernova. Therefore, the correct answer is stars that are at least several times the mass of the Sun.Rate this question:
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- 19.
After a supernova event, what is left behind?
- A.
Always a white dwarf
- B.
Always a neutron star
- C.
Always a black hole
- D.
Either a white dwarf or a neutron star
- E.
Either a neutron star or a black hole
Correct Answer
E. Either a neutron star or a black holeExplanation
After a supernova event, the massive star collapses under its own gravity. The remnants left behind can either be a neutron star or a black hole, depending on the mass of the star. If the star is between about 1.4 and 3 times the mass of the Sun, it will become a neutron star. If the star is more massive than 3 times the mass of the Sun, it will collapse further and become a black hole. Therefore, after a supernova, either a neutron star or a black hole can be left behind.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Why is Supernova 1987A particularly important to astronomers?
- A.
It occurred only a few dozen light-years from Earth.
- B.
It provided the first evidence that supernovae really occur.
- C.
It provided the first evidence that neutron stars really exist.
- D.
It was the first supernova detected in nearly 400 years.
- E.
It was the nearest supernova detected in nearly 400 years.
Correct Answer
E. It was the nearest supernova detected in nearly 400 years.Explanation
Supernova 1987A is particularly important to astronomers because it was the nearest supernova detected in nearly 400 years. This means that it was a rare opportunity for scientists to study a supernova up close and gather valuable data and observations. By analyzing the explosion and its aftermath, astronomers were able to gain insights into the life cycle of massive stars, the formation of neutron stars, and the production of heavy elements in the universe.Rate this question:
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- 21.
You discover a binary star system in which one member is a 15Msun main-sequence star and the other star is a 10Msun giant. Why should you be surprised, at least at first?
- A.
It doesn't make sense to find a giant in a binary star system.
- B.
The odds of ever finding two such massive stars in the same binary system are so small as to make it inconceivable that such a system could be discovered.
- C.
The two stars in a binary system should both be at the same point in stellar evolution; that is, they should either both be main-sequence stars or both be giants.
- D.
The two stars should be the same age, so the more massive one should have become a giant first.
- E.
A star with a mass of 15Msun is too big to be a main-sequence star.
Correct Answer
D. The two stars should be the same age, so the more massive one should have become a giant first.Explanation
The explanation for the given correct answer is that in a binary star system, the two stars are expected to be the same age. Since the more massive star is a 15Msun main-sequence star and the other star is a 10Msun giant, it suggests that the more massive star should have evolved into a giant first. This is surprising because the more massive star should have a shorter lifespan and evolve faster, becoming a giant before the less massive star. Therefore, the fact that the less massive star has already become a giant indicates a discrepancy in the expected stellar evolution.Rate this question:
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Nov 16, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Dec 12, 2010Quiz Created by
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