ASTR 1000 - Final Exam 2024-2025. Questions and Correct, Verified Answers. Graded A+, Exams of Astrophysics

Download ASTR 1000 - Final Exam 2024-2025. Questions and Correct, Verified Answers. Graded A+ and more Exams Astrophysics in PDF only on Docsity! ASTR 1000 - Final Exam 2024-2025. Questions and Correct, Verified Answers. Graded A+ _______ defines the particulars (wind, clouds, temperature, etc) at a place and time, while ______ is the long term average of these measurements. - ANS1. Weather 2. Climate A 20,000K temperature star emits _____ red light than a 2,000K temperature star. Less More - ANSMore A circular orbit is a form of elliptical orbit with zero eccentricity. (A) True (B) False - ANS(A) True A comet entering the inner solar system from afar will __________. Form a tail and some time later form a coma Form a coma and some time later form a tail Always form a tail, but only sometimes form a coma - ANSForm a coma and some time later form a tail. - The coma consists of dust and gas released from the comet as it is heated by the Sun. Only later, as the solar wind affects the comet, does material from the coma extend out to form a tail. A comet's plasma tail always points directly away from the Sun because __________. Of pressure exerted by the fast-moving charged particles in the solar wind Centrifugal forces throw the tail outward as the comet travels around the Sun The comet's nucleus overheats on the Sun-facing side, forcing energetic jets of gas to shoot out from the dark side The tail is left behind as the comet moves through its orbit - ANSOf pressure exerted by the fast-moving charged particles in the solar wind - The plasma tail is always directed away from the Sun because it is pushed outward by the solar wind A feather and a bowling ball dropped from the same height will hit the ground at the same time... on the Moon. A. True B. False - ANSA. True A light year (ly) is defined by: (A) The distance between the Sun and Proxima Centauri (B) The travel time for light to travel around the sun (C) The travel time for light to reach Proxima Centauri (D) The distance traveled by light in one year (E) The travel time for light to move 1 AU - ANS(D) The distance traveled by light in one year A planet orbiting a star keeps a constant orbital energy unless acted upon. The total orbital energy involves an exchange between what two types of energy? A. Kinetic and Inertial B. Kinetic and Radiative C. Potential and Radiative D. Potential and Kinetic - ANSD. Potential and Kinetic A scientific theory can ultimately be proven definitively, requiring no further testing. (A) True (B) False - ANS(B) False All Jovian moons formed from mini-disks of material around these planets as they formed. A. True Both pressure and density fall with altitude in the Earth's atmosphere. True False - ANSTrue Cold icy moons can be as geologically active as hot terrestrial planets. True False - ANSTrue Compared to the age of the Universe (13.8 billion years), what is the current estimate for the age of the planets in our solar system? A. 13.8 billion years B. 1.2 billion years C. 12.7 billion years D. 4.5 billion years - ANSD. 4.5 billion years Consider a bundle of light waves at wavelength 500 nanometers (nm). The frequency of these waves exist as a distribution of values. True False - ANSFalse Consider a hypothetical planet with an orbital period 8 times that of Earth. What is the semimajor axis of this planet's orbit in astronomical units (AU)? (A) 1/4 AU (B) 1/2 AU (C) 1 AU (D) 4 AU (E) 16 AU - ANS(D) 4 AU Consider a hypothetical planet with an orbital semimajor axis 4 times that of Earth. What is the orbital period of this planet in years? (A) 1/4 year (B) 1 year (C) 4 years (D) 8 years (E) 16 years - ANS(D) 8 years Define this Newton's Law :An applied force is related to the acceleration of an object via the relation:F=ma A. Newton's First Law B. Newton's Second Law C. Newton's Third Law - ANSB. Newton's Second Law Define this Newton's Law :An object moves at constant velocity if there is no net force acting upon it. A. Newton's First Law B. Newton's Second Law C. Newton's Third Law - ANSA. Newton's First Law Define this Newton's Law :For any force, there is always an equal and opposite reaction force. A. Newton's First Law B. Newton's Second Law C. Newton's Third Law - ANSC. Newton's Third Law Despite a number of robotic missions, there is no evidence for the existence of water in the history of the surface of Mars. A. True B. False - ANSB. False During the time that a comet passes through the inner solar system, the comet can appear quite bright because __________. Heat from the Sun causes the comet's nucleus to glow Increasing friction causes the comet's nucleus to glow Sunlight reflects off the comet's tail and coma Sunlight reflects off the comet's nucleus - ANSsunlight reflects off the comet's tail and coma - Comets are too cool to emit their own visible light, so they shine by reflecting sunlight. The coma and tail can become quite large, and therefore reflect a lot of sunlight. Early solar system material under went to form the early stages of planets, known as. A. accretion ; planetoids B. condensation ; planetesimals C. condensation ; planetoids D. accretion ; planetesimals - ANSD. accretion ; planetesimals Earth is constantly losing atmospheric gasses into space. True False - ANSTrue Earth's carbon dioxide and water cycles prevent a runaway greenhouse effect under any circumstances. True False - ANSFalse Electrons in an atom are distributed in a cloud, and can exist in a continuous distribution of energy states. True False - ANSTrue (B) month (C) week (D) day (E) second - ANS(D) day Impact Catering - ANSthe creation of bowl-shaped impact craters by asteroids or comets striking a planet's surface Intense pressures in the interiors of jovian planets result in solid hydrogen cores. True False - ANSFalse Jovian planetary rings replenish themselves via tidal forces and impacts grinding down materials. True False - ANSTrue Jupiter's Great Red Spot is the result of the planet's magnetic field, and is a permanent feature. True False - ANSFalse Label the points of the year - ANSSpring equinox - East point Autumn (Fall) equinox - West point Summer solstice - North point Winter solstice - South point Large storms on Earth circulate in the same direction no matter location. True False - ANSFalse Larger jovian moons are likely to be spherically shaped and likely formed with their host planet, resulting in: Regular orbital properties Irregular orbital properties - ANSRegular orbital properties Lava is the term for magma once it has reached a planetary surface. A. True B. False - ANSA. True Leftover objects from solar system formation, such as asteroids and comets, inhabit different regions of the solar system. Which of the following is not one of these regions? A. Sagan Belt B. Asteroid Belt C. Oort Cloud D. Kuiper Belt - ANSA. Sagan Belt Light acts as a particle-like phenomenon. True False - ANSTrue Light acts as a wave-like phenomenon. True False - ANSTrue Light from a star moving towards an observer is _____ , and is _____ for a star moving away from an observer. - ANS1. Blueshifted 2. Redshifted Listed following are some distinguishing characteristics of comets, meteors, and asteroids. Match these to the appropriate category of objects. Comets Asteroids Meteors - ANSComets form a coma when near the Sun visible in the sky as a fuzzy patch of light that rises and sets with the stars most are located either in Kuiper belt or Oort cloud Meteors visible in the sky as a bright streak of light for only a few seconds dust particles entering Earth's atmosphere at high speed Asteroids compositions similar to that of the terrestrial planets typically orbit the Sun at approximately 3 AU Lunar calendars keep the solstices and equinoxes fixed in date from year to year. (A) True (B) False - ANS(B) False Mass and energy are distinct and cannot be converted or exchanged between one another. A. True B. False - ANSB. False Match each of the descriptions with the corresponding phase transition: Melting Evaporation Disassociation Ionization - ANSMelting: Ice turning into water B. Tycho C. Kepler D. Galileo - ANSCopernicus: created a detailed heliocentric model with circular orbits Kepler: developed a heliocentric model with elliptical orbits Galileo: observed evidence of an imperfect universe - including sunspots Tycho: accurately measured planetary motions for future astronomers Match the following descriptions with the provided list of terms A. Equinoxes B. Solstices - ANSEquinoxes: These points of the year mark equal day and night lengths Solstices: These points of the year mark either the shortest or longest day / night Match the following descriptions with the provided list of terms A. Horizon B. Azimuth C. Altitude D. Zenith E. Meridian - ANSThe circle that defines where the sky meets the plane of the Earth The arc that traces from North to South in the sky, passing through the point overhead A measurement in the sky of angle around you, in the plane of the Earth (N, S, etc) A measurement in the sky of angle above the plane of the Earth (45 degrees) The point in the sky directly overhead Match the following descriptions with the provided list of terms A. Lunar eclipse B. Solar eclipse C. Umbra D. Penumbra - ANSAn event where the shadow of the Moon falls on the Earth An event where the shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon The darkest total part of an eclipse shadow The light partial part of an eclipse shadow Match the following descriptions with the provided list of terms A. Rotation B. Revolution - ANSThe Earth undergoes rotation on its axis on a daily basis The Earth undergoes revolution around the sun on a yearly basis. Match the following descriptions with the provided list of terms A. Star B. Planet C. Moon D. Asteroid E. Comet - ANSPlanet: spherical object orbiting a star with a cleared orbit Star: sphere of gas bound by self gravity with fusion at its core Comet: small icy object orbiting a star Asteroid: small rocky object orbiting a star Moon: object orbiting a planet Match the following of Kepler's Laws with their descriptions A. Kepler's First Law B. Kepler's Second Law C. Kepler's Third Law - ANSFirst Law: the orbit of each planet around the sun is an ellipse with the Sun at one focus Second: as a planet moves around its orbit, it sweeps out equal areas in equal times Third: More distant planets orbit the Sun at slower average speeds, obeying p2 = a3 Match the moon phases - ANSFirst Quarter - 0 degrees Waxing crescent - 45 degrees New Moon - 90 degrees Waxing gibbous - 135 degrees Third Quarter - 180 degrees Waning gibbous - 225 degrees Full Moon - 270 degrees Waning crescent - 315 degrees Match the named Galilean moon with its description: Io Europa Ganymede (A) True (B) False - ANS(B) False Planetary rings in our solar system are the leftover results of planetary formation early in our solar system history. True False - ANSFalse Planets always move in the same direction across the night sky with respect to background stars, as visible from Earth. (A) True (B) False - ANS(B) False Planets in elliptical orbits move at higher velocities when closer to a star, and lower velocities when further away. (A) True (B) False - ANS(A) True Polaris is a useful star in the night sky because it has and will always mark the north celestial pole. (A) True (B) False - ANS(B) False Rank the following layers of the Earth's atmosphere in order from lowest to highest altitude: Thermosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphere, Exosphere Troposphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere Troposphere, Thermosphere, Stratosphere, Exosphere - ANSTroposphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere Rank the following types of light from lowest energy to highest energy: ultraviolet, x-rays, visible, infrared, gamma rays, radio radio, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays infrared, radio, visible, ultraviolet, gamma rays, x-rays gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, radio - ANSradio, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays Rank the following wavelengths of light from lowest energy to highest energy: Lowest energy Medium energy Highest energy - ANS1. 700nm 2. 500nm 3. 300nm Residual gas in the solar system leftover from formation was blown away by the solar wind. A. True B. False - ANSA. True Rotational patterns we observe in the solar system are the result of what concept? A. Conservation of momentum B. Conservation of energy C. Conservation of angular momentum - ANSC. Conservation of angular momentum Saturn's rings rotate as a rigid body. True False - ANSFalse Scientists can use the density of craters to estimate the age of an object with a fairly stable surface. A. True B. False - ANSA. True Scientists rigorously follow the scientific method step-by-step. (A) True (B) False - ANS(B) False Seasons on Earth are caused by: (A) The tilt of Earth's rotational axis (B) The precession of Earth's rotational axis (C) The varying distance of the Earth from the Sun (D) The varying distance of the Earth from the Moon (E) Tidal forces from the Sun's gravitation - ANS(A) The tilt of Earth's rotational axis Select the planets in our solar system that have an active magnetosphere. Mercury Mars Earth Neptune Uranus Saturn Jupiter Venus - ANSMercury Earth Neptune Uranus Saturn Jupiter Select three of the primary greenhouse gasses we discussed in class: Molecular nitrogen (N2) (C) 1 ly (D) 2 ly (E) Not enough information - ANS(B) 0.5 ly Tectonics - ANSthe large-scale processes involving movement of the plates of the earth's lithosphere The albedo of an object describes its ________ . - ANSreflectivity The angular momentum of an object can be altered through the application of what? A. Net torque B. Net force C. Balanced force D. Balanced torque - ANSA. Net torque The atmosphere of planets has a sharp cutoff altitude where the force of gravity balances the escape velocity of molecules. True False - ANSFalse The banded clouds of Jupiter and Saturn are the result of temperature as a function of altitude. True False - ANSTrue The difference in composition between planets is caused by the gravity of the Sun separating lighter and heavier elements. A. True B. False - ANSB. False The difference in composition between planets is caused by the radiative energy of the Sun falling off in power with distance. A. True B. False - ANSA. True The distance between two objects doubles. How does the gravitational force change? A. Reduces to 1/2 B. Increases by 2x C. Increases to 4x D. Reduces to 1/4 - ANSD. Reduces to 1/4 Gravitation: Fg = G((M1*M2)/d^2)) The Galilean moons orbit Saturn, as they were discovered alongside the rings of Saturn by Galileo via telescopic observations. True False - ANSFalse The greenhouse effect describes the input transmission of ___ light through the Earth's atmosphere, while the heated surface emits _____ light in a slow random path back out into space. - ANSVisible & Infrared The interaction of light and matter is linked to the energy of photons. True False - ANSTrue The jovian planets scale in size directly proportionally to their mass. True False - ANSFalse The lack of a planetary magnetosphere can result in the solar wind stripping away that planet's atmosphere. True False - ANSTrue The lack of an iron core in the jovian planets prevents them from maintaining a strong magnetic field. True False - ANSFalse The laws of Physics are slightly different near Earth than the rest of the universe. A. True B. False - ANSB. False The leading theory for the formation of our Moon is a captured object from elsewhere in the solar system. A. True B. False - ANSB. False The lithosphere refers to the cool layer of crust and some mantle that 'floats' as the surface of the Earth. A. True B. False - ANSA. True The longest wavelengths of visible light are limited in size by the diameter of the human pupil. True False - ANSFalse The major heating factor for the Galilean moons are tidal forces. True False - ANSTrue We can explore the solar system through a variety of robotic spacecraft. Which of the following mission types is typically the most logistically complicated, but provides the potential for the most variety of scientific analysis? A. Orbiter mission B. Sample return mission C. Probe / lander mission D. Flyby mission - ANSB. Sample return mission We can use radiometric dating to determine the age of an individual atom. A. True B. False - ANSB. False We cannot observe any disks of material forming solar systems, as they are all much too far away. A. True B. False - ANSB. False We have definitively figured out the process of how our solar system formed. A. True B. False - ANSB. False What defines the ecliptic on the celestial sphere? (A) The apparent motion of the Moon across the sky (B) The apparent yearly motion of the Sun across the sky (C) The apparently daily motion of the Sun across the sky (D) The point where the Moon overlaps the Sun in the sky (E) The point around which all stars appear to rotate in the night sky - ANS(B) The apparent yearly motion of the Sun across the sky What fraction of the material in our early solar system was composed of Hydrogen or Helium? A. 65% B. 98% C. 100% D. 80% - ANSB. 98% What is the correct order of our cosmic address, from small to large?(A) Earth, solar system, Local Group, Local Supercluster, Milky Way Galaxy, universe (B) Earth, solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Group, Local Supercluster, universe (C) Earth, Local Group, Local Supercluster, solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, universe (D) Earth, solar system, Local Group, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Supercluster, universe (E) Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, solar system, Local Group, Local Supercluster, universe - ANS(B) Earth, solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Group, Local Supercluster, universe What is the modern definition of a constellation used by astronomers? (A) A group of stars close to one another in space (B) A group of bright stars close to one another in space (C) Astronomers no longer use the term constellation (D) A specifically named and bounded region of the celestial sphere (E) A grouping of stars corresponding to your astrological sign - ANS(D) A specifically named and bounded region of the celestial sphere When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. (A) True (B) False - ANS(A) True Which of Saturn's moons has a thick nitrogen atmosphere, with surface lakes of liquid methane? Mimas Titan Rhea - ANSTitan Which of the following are the types of planets in the solar system? A. Rocky and Icy B. Terrestrial, Jovian, and Minor C. Jovian, Saturnian, and Rocky D. Terrestrial and Jovian - ANSD. Terrestrial and Jovian Which of the following describes the planetary surface process in which a planet's surface is rearranged by internal stresses? A. Volcanism B. Impact cratering C. Erosion D. Tectonics - ANSD. Tectonics Which of the following describes the planetary surface process in which interior material is brought to the surface? A. Erosion B. Tectonics C. Impact cratering D. Volcanism - ANSD. Volcanism Which of the following describes the planetary surface process in which natural forces slowly break down or transport surface material over time? A. Tectonics B. Erosion C. Impact cratering D. Volcanism - ANSA. Tectonics Which of the following describes the planetary surface process in which the surface is reshaped through a collision with an asteroid or comet? A. Tectonics A. Spacecraft of mass 1000 kg traveling at 1 m/s B. Satellite of mass 100 kg traveling at 10 m/s C. Meteoroid of mass 1 kg traveling at 10 km/s - ANSC. Meteoroid of mass 1 kg traveling at 10 km/s Which of the following objects is undergoing acceleration? A. A vehicle making a turn at constant speed B. A vehicle increasing speed C. A vehicle decreasing speed D. All of the above - ANSD. All of the above Which of the following processes is our best explanation for the layers we observe in the Earth's interior? A. Gravitational forces differentiated higher density and lower density material B. The Earth formed sequentially in layers, with denser material condensing first C. Fusion in the core of the Earth created denser material there D. A single dense impacting object collided with the early Earth and sunk to the core - ANSA. Gravitational forces differentiated higher density and lower density material Which of the following terms describes the rate and direction of motion of an object (e.g. 1 m/s North)? A. Speed B. Velocity C. Acceleration - ANSB. Velocity Which of the following terms describes the rate of change of velocity of an object (e.g. 1 m/s2South)? A. Speed B. Velocity C. Acceleration - ANSC. Acceleration Which of the following terms describes the rate of motion of an object (e.g. 1 m/s)? A. Speed B. Velocity C. Acceleration - ANSA. Speed Which of the jovian planets is the least dense? Jupiter Saturn Neptune Uranus - ANSSaturn White light is composed of all colors of the rainbow. True False - ANSTrue Why did many ancient cultures build structures that align with the sun on the solstices? (A) They could use the constellations to predict the future accurately then (B) They did not mean to, it's merely a coincidence (C) To measure the passage of the seasons and year (D) To measure the hours in the day (E) To measure eclipses - ANS(C) To measure the passage of the seasons and year Why do the ancient Greeks get special credit in the history of science? (A) They were the first to attempt science (B) They were the first to write records of observations (C) They were the most advanced ancient civilization (D) They were the first to broadly reject supernatural explanations for observations (E) They were the first to predict eclipses - ANS(D) They were the first to broadly reject supernatural explanations for observations Without the greenhouse effect, the surface of Venus would be hundreds of degrees celsius colder than it is currently. True False - ANSTrue You observe that the north star (Polaris) lies 30 degrees above the horizon. What is your latitude? (A) 90°N (B) 30°N (C) 0° (D) 30°S (E) 90°S - ANS(B) 30°N You observe that the north star (Polaris) lies directly on the horizon. What is your latitude? (A) 90°N (B) 45°N (C) 0° (D) 45°S (E) 90°S - ANS(C) 0° You observe that the north star (Polaris) lies directly overhead. What is your latitude? (A) 90°N (B) 45°N (C) 0° (D) 45°S (E) 90°S - ANS(A) 90°N You push on an object of mass 1 kg with a force of 10 N. What is the acceleration in m/s2? A. 10 m/s2 B. 100 m/s2