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Practice Exam #3 is specifically designed and set for those people who are studying or just interested in the atomic structure. How well do you understand this subject? Take up the quiz and find out. All the best.
Questions and Answers
1.
Which of the following is not a form of light?
A.
(a) radio waves.
B.
(b) microwaves.
C.
(c) x-rays.
D.
(d) All of the above are a form of light.
E.
(e) None of the above is a form of light.
Correct Answer
D. (d) All of the above are a form of light.
Explanation The correct answer is (d) All of the above are a form of light. This is because radio waves, microwaves, and x-rays are all part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes all forms of light. Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, and these different types of waves all fall within that category. Therefore, all of the options listed in the question are forms of light.
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2.
What would happen if the fusion rate in the core of the Sun were increased but the core could not expand?
A.
(a) The Sun’s core would start to cool down and the rate of fusion would decrease.
B.
(b) The Sun’s core would reach a new equilibrium at a lower temperature.
C.
(c) The Sun’s core would reach a new equilibrium at a higher temperature.
D.
(d) The Sun’s core would start to heat up and the rate of fusion would increase even more.
Correct Answer
D. (d) The Sun’s core would start to heat up and the rate of fusion would increase even more.
Explanation If the fusion rate in the core of the Sun were increased but the core could not expand, the increased fusion rate would lead to more energy being produced in the core. This would cause the core to heat up even more, as the increased fusion reactions release more energy. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) The Sun’s core would start to heat up and the rate of fusion would increase even more.
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3.
Use the energy output versus wavelength graphs shown below to answer the next question.
By looking at the blackbody (or thermal) spectra of the four objects A–D, which, if any, of the other objects has the same temperature as object B?
A.
(a) Object A
B.
(b) Object C
C.
(c) Object D
D.
(d) They are all at the same temperature.
E.
(e) They are all at different temperatures.
Correct Answer
C. (c) Object D
Explanation Object D has the same temperature as object B because both objects have the same energy output versus wavelength graph. This indicates that they both emit radiation at the same wavelengths and therefore have the same temperature.
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4.
Which of the following layers of the Sun does nuclear fusion occur?
A.
(a) corona
B.
(b) core
C.
(c) photosphere
D.
(d) convection zone
E.
(e) none of the above
Correct Answer
B. (b) core
Explanation Nuclear fusion occurs in the core of the Sun. This is where the immense pressure and temperature cause hydrogen atoms to combine and form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process. The core is the central region of the Sun and is the hottest and densest part, making it the ideal location for nuclear fusion to occur.
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5.
11. Star A gives off the same amount of energy as Star B, but Star A is much much hotter than Star B. Which star has the greater surface area?
A.
(a) Star A
B.
(b) Star B
C.
(c) They have the same surface area
D.
(d) There is insufficient information to answer this question.
Correct Answer
B. (b) Star B
Explanation Since both stars give off the same amount of energy, but Star A is much hotter than Star B, this means that Star A must have a smaller surface area. This is because hotter stars emit more energy per unit area compared to cooler stars. Therefore, Star B, which is cooler, must have a greater surface area than Star A.
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6.
The Hubble telescope is capable of making observation of stars, passing the light through a prism and making plots of their spectra. The graph below shows the brightness of the light at different wavelengths seen by the Hubble telescope when it looks at the Quasar PKS 0405-123. This Quasar is a dense, hot object in a distant galaxy. The light from the quasar passes through the intergalactic medium, a diffuse, cool gas.
What type of spectrum is the Hubble telescope seeing when it looks at Quasar PKS 0405-123.
A.
(a) Thermal spectrum.
B.
(b) Absorption spectrum.
C.
(c) Emission spectrum.
D.
(d) None of the above.
Correct Answer
B. (b) Absorption spectrum.
Explanation The graph shows a series of dark lines in the spectrum, indicating that certain wavelengths of light are being absorbed. This suggests that the light from the quasar is passing through a cool gas (the intergalactic medium) that is absorbing specific wavelengths. Therefore, the Hubble telescope is seeing an absorption spectrum when it looks at Quasar PKS 0405-123.
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7.
What kind of spectrum is given off by a red colored, neon “OPEN” sign?
A.
(a) an emission spectrum with more bright emission lines at the red end of the spectrum
B.
(b) an absorption spectrum with more dark absorption lines in the blue part of the spectrum
C.
(c) a continuous spectrum that is brighter in the red than the blue
D.
(d) a spectral curve with a peak in the red part of the spectrum
Correct Answer
A. (a) an emission spectrum with more bright emission lines at the red end of the spectrum
Explanation The red colored, neon "OPEN" sign emits a specific spectrum known as an emission spectrum. This spectrum is characterized by bright emission lines, and in this case, the emission lines are more prominent at the red end of the spectrum. This means that the sign emits light at specific wavelengths in the red part of the spectrum, creating the red color that we see.
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8.
If an electron in an atom moves from an energy level of 3eV to an energy level of 6eV,
A.
(a) a photon of energy 3eV is emitted.
B.
(b) a photon of energy 9eV is emitted.
C.
(c) a photon of energy 3eV is absorbed.
D.
(d) a photon of energy 9eV is absorbed.
Correct Answer
C. (c) a pHoton of energy 3eV is absorbed.
Explanation When an electron moves from a lower energy level to a higher energy level in an atom, it absorbs energy. In this case, the electron is moving from an energy level of 3eV to 6eV, indicating an increase in energy. Therefore, a photon of energy 3eV is absorbed by the electron to facilitate this transition.
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9.
What happens to the light that is missing in an absorption spectrum?
A.
(a) It is absorbed by the atoms in the cool, low density gas and the gas gets hotter and hotter.
B.
(b) It is absorbed by atoms in the cool, low density cloud and then remitted in all different directions as an emission spectrum.
C.
(c) It is absorbed by atoms in the cool, low density cloud and then remitted in all different directions as a continuous spectrum.
D.
(d) It has disappeared from the universe.
Correct Answer
B. (b) It is absorbed by atoms in the cool, low density cloud and then remitted in all different directions as an emission spectrum.
10.
Energy is released from atoms in the form of light when electrons
A.
(a) move from high energy levels to low energy levels.
B.
(b) move in their orbit around the nucleus.
C.
(c) move from low energy levels to high energy levels.
D.
(d) are emitted by the atom.
E.
(e) are absorbed by atoms.
Correct Answer
A. (a) move from high energy levels to low energy levels.
Explanation When electrons move from high energy levels to low energy levels, they release energy in the form of light. This is because electrons in higher energy levels have more energy than electrons in lower energy levels. As the electrons transition to lower energy levels, they release the excess energy in the form of light. This phenomenon is known as emission of light, and it is a common process in atoms. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
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11.
If you were an scientist at the National Science Foundation, which of the following telescope proposals would you fund?
A.
(a) An x-ray telescope at the North Pole.
B.
(b) A gamma-ray telescope in Puerto Rico.
C.
(c) A radio telescope on the floor of the Mojave Desert.
Correct Answer
C. (c) A radio telescope on the floor of the Mojave Desert.
Explanation A radio telescope on the floor of the Mojave Desert would be the best proposal to fund because radio telescopes are used to detect and study radio waves emitted by celestial objects. The Mojave Desert provides a suitable location for a radio telescope due to its dry climate and low levels of radio interference, which would allow for clear and accurate observations. On the other hand, an x-ray telescope at the North Pole and a gamma-ray telescope in Puerto Rico may face challenges such as extreme weather conditions and high levels of background radiation, respectively.
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12.
Which of the atomic transition(s) shown would be associated with emission spectra?
A.
(a) Transition A only.
B.
(b) Transition B only.
C.
(c) Transition A and C only.
D.
(d) Transition B and D only.
E.
(e) None of the above.
Correct Answer
D. (d) Transition B and D only.
Explanation Transitions B and D would be associated with emission spectra because emission spectra occur when an electron moves from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, releasing energy in the form of light. Transition A does not involve a change in energy levels, so it would not result in emission spectra. Transition C does involve a change in energy levels, but it is a transition from a lower energy level to a higher energy level, which would result in absorption spectra rather than emission spectra. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Transition B and D only.
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13.
Which atom would be absorbing light with the greatest energy?
A.
A
B.
B
C.
C
D.
D
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation Atom A would be absorbing light with the greatest energy because it is the first option given and typically, elements closer to the beginning of the periodic table have higher energy levels.
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14.
Listed following are the different layers of the Sun. Rank these layers based on their distance from the Sun’s center, from greatest to least.
Explanation The layers of the Sun are arranged in order of increasing distance from the Sun's center. The corona is the outermost layer, followed by the chromosphere, photosphere, convection zone, radiation zone, and core. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer as it ranks the layers in the correct order from greatest to least distance from the Sun's center.
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15.
A high energy photon is produced by a nuclear reaction at the center of the Sun. Which diagram best represents how that photon escapes from the Sun’s radiation zone?
A.
A
B.
B
C.
C
D.
D
Correct Answer
C. C
Explanation Diagram C represents the best way a high energy photon can escape from the Sun's radiation zone. In this diagram, the photon is shown traveling outward from the center of the Sun through the radiation zone, which is the outer layer of the Sun where energy is transported by radiation. The other diagrams (A, B, and D) show paths that are either blocked or not representative of how photons escape from the radiation zone.
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16.
Consider the graph below which shows the spectrum of light emitted from two regions of the Sun’s surface; a sunspot and a normal part of the photosphere.
Which curve corresponds to the light from a sunspot?
A.
A
B.
B
Correct Answer
B. B
Explanation The correct answer is B. The graph shows the spectrum of light emitted from two regions of the Sun's surface: a sunspot and a normal part of the photosphere. The curve B corresponds to the light from a sunspot because it shows a dip in intensity at certain wavelengths. Sunspots are cooler regions on the Sun's surface, and the dip in intensity indicates the presence of cooler gases absorbing specific wavelengths of light. Curve A, on the other hand, represents the spectrum of light from a normal part of the photosphere, which does not show the same dip in intensity.
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17.
For the next two questions, classify each statement as either
(a) an observation of the Sun, or
(b) an inference based on the current, accepted model for the Sun.
The Sun generates energy by fusing hydrogen into helium.
A.
A
B.
B
Correct Answer
B. B
Explanation This statement is classified as an inference based on the current, accepted model for the Sun because it is a scientific understanding that the Sun generates energy through the process of nuclear fusion, specifically fusing hydrogen into helium. This is a well-established concept in astrophysics and is supported by observational evidence and theoretical models.
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18.
For the next two questions, classify each statement as either
(a) an observation of the Sun, or
(b) an inference based on the current, accepted model for the Sun.
he photosphere is made mostly of hydrogen and helium.
A.
A
B.
B
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation This statement can be classified as an observation of the Sun because it describes the composition of the photosphere, which is the outermost layer of the Sun that is visible to us. Through various scientific observations and measurements, it has been determined that the photosphere is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
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19.
Which of the following has the shortest wavelength?
A.
(a) A photon of ultraviolet light.
B.
(b) Blue electromagnetic radiation.
C.
(c) An x-ray.
D.
(d) A radio wave.
E.
(e) Infrared radiation.
Correct Answer
C. (c) An x-ray.
Explanation X-rays have the shortest wavelength among the given options. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, which is shorter than ultraviolet light, blue electromagnetic radiation, infrared radiation, and radio waves. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with high energy and can penetrate through materials, making them useful in medical imaging and other applications.
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20.
Which of the following statements about the nucleus of a typical atom (such as the carbon in your little finger) is false:
A.
(a) The nucleus always has an overall positive charge.
B.
(b) The nucleus takes up a very small amount of space compared to the entire atom.
C.
(c) The nucleus can contain both protons and neutrons.
D.
(d) The nucleus is surrounded by positively charged electrons.
E.
(e) The nucleus contains most of the mass of the atom.
Correct Answer
D. (d) The nucleus is surrounded by positively charged electrons.
Explanation The nucleus is not surrounded by positively charged electrons. Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus in specific energy levels.
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