The Universe (7%) Flashcards
Scientists estimate the age of the Sun to be about
(A) 100 billion years (B) 25 billion years (C) 14 billion years (D) 4.6 billion years (E) 3.8 billion years
(D) 4.6 billion years
Sunspots on the surface of the Sun are correlated with which of the following?
(A) Relatively low temperatures compared with the surrounding surface
(B) Relatively high temperatures compared with the surrounding surface
(C) Periods of low solar activity
(D) Fusion of helium nuclei rather than hydrogen nuclei
(E) The warming of ocean surface waters in the eastern Pacific (El Niño)
(A) Relatively low temperatures compared with the surrounding surface
Which characteristic of a star most directly relates to the likelihood of that star’s eventually becoming a black hole?
(A) Apparent magnitude (B) Absolute magnitude (C) Surface temperature (D) Diameter (E) Mass
(E) Mass
Reason: A star with a mass greater than 20 times the mass of our Sun may produce a black hole at the end of its life.
Which of the following is considered necessary for a planet to support life?
(A) Oxygen gas (O2) (B) RNA (C) Liquid water (D) Nitrogen gas (N2) (E) Bicarbonate
(C) Liquid water
The earth tilts on its axis ______ degrees; this, along with rotation, this causes what we call ___________.
(A) 50, lightning (B) 90.5, earthquakes (C) 25, sunsets (D) 23.5, seasons (E) 102.5, winter
(D) 23.5, seasons
The moon makes a complete orbit around the earth every _________ days.
(A) 7 (B) 29 (C) 52 (D) 12 (E) 365
(B) 29
Which of the following best describes the moon as it appears from Earth when the moon-Earth-sun angle is about 45 degrees?
(A) A full moon (B) A crescent moon (C) A gibbous moon (D) A half moon (E) A new moon
(B) A crescent moon
A _____ is a system of stars, star systems (like our solar system), dust, and any other objects within range of the star systems gravitational pull.
(A) Universe
(B) Galaxy
(C) Orion Belt
(B) Galaxy
_____ are huge masses of plasma with large amounts of energy and gravity. At the core of _____ is hydrogen. Under the intense heat and pressure, the protons form helium, gamma rays, positrons, and neutrinos, some of which can slip out of holes in a _____ magnetic field.
(A) Stars
(B) Comets
(C) Meteors
(D) Planets
(A) Stars
This describes the birth of our universe as a massive explosion. A very small area of highly compacted matter and energy began an explosive expansion process, that some speculate is still happening today – though at a much slower rate.
(A) The Loud Bang
(B) The Big Bang
(C) The Ice Age
(B) The Big Bang
The _____ is a mid-size star that, like other stars, emits heat and light energy. The _____ is about 10 times more massive than Jupiter, and about 109 times larger than earth’s diameter.
(A) Moon
(B) Earth
(C) Sun
(D) Haley’s Comet
(C) Sun
Our solar system consists of planets, moons, and asteroids that orbit the sun.
(A) True
(B) False
(A) True
A _____ is a celestial body that orbits the sun, has enough mass for its self-gravity to assume a nearly spherical shape, and has cleared the area around its orbit.
(A) Comet
(B) Moon
(C) Planet
(D) Star
(C) Planet
The eight planets, in order from the sun are:
(A) Mars, Venus, Earth
Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
(B) Mercury, Venus, Earth
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
(C) Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
(D) Mercury, Venus, Earth
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto
(B) Mercury, Venus, Earth
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
To try to remember this list in order: My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles.
Planets farther from the sun are smaller, have less mass, and are colder than those that are closer.
(A) True
(B) False
(B) False
Planets farther from the sun are LARGER, have MORE mass, and are colder than those that are closer.
