© 2007 Pearson Prentice Hall This work is protected by United States copyright laws and is provided solely for the use of instructors in teaching their courses and assessing student learning. Dissemination or sale of any part of this work (including on the World Wide Web) will destroy the integrity of the work and is not permitted. The work and materials from it should never be made available to students except by instructors using the accompanying text in their classes. All recipients of this work are expected to abide by these restrictions and to honor the intended pedagogical purposes and the needs of other instructors who rely on these materials. Conceptual Test PRS-Enabled Chapter 10 ASTRONOMY, A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe  5 th  edition Chaisson McMillan
Question 1 Stellar parallax  is used to measure the 1) sizes of stars.  2) distances of stars. 3) temperatures of stars. 4) radial velocity of stars. 5) brightness of stars.
Question 1 Stellar parallax  is used to measure the 1) sizes of stars.  2) distances of stars. 3) temperatures of stars. 4) radial velocity of stars. 5) brightness of stars. Parallax can be used to measure distances to stars accurately to about 200 parsecs (650 light years).
Question 2 The angle of  stellar parallax  for a star gets larger as the 1) distance to the star increases.  2) size of the star increases. 3) size of the telescope increases. 4) length of the baseline increases. 5) wavelength of light increases.
Question 2 The angle of  stellar parallax  for a star gets larger as the 1) distance to the star increases.  2) size of the star increases. 3) size of the telescope increases. 4) length of the baseline increases. 5) wavelength of light increases. Astronomers typically make observations of nearby stars 6 months apart, making the baseline distance equal to 2 AU (Astronomical Units).
Question 3 You can best model  the size and distance relationship  of our Sun & the next nearest star using 1) a tennis ball here, and one on the Moon. 2) two beach balls separated by 100 city blocks. 3) two grains of sand 100 light years apart. 4) two golf balls 100 km apart. 5) two baseballs 100 yards apart.
Question 3 You can best model  the size and distance relationship  of our Sun & the next nearest star using 1) a tennis ball here, and one on the Moon. 2) two beach balls separated by 100 city blocks. 3) two grains of sand 100 light years apart. 4) two golf balls 100 km apart. 5) two baseballs 100 yards apart. The Sun is about one million miles in diameter.  The next nearest star is about 25 million times further away.
Question 4 A star’s  proper motion  is its   1) true motion in space. 2) apparent shift as we view from opposite sides of Earth’s orbit every six months. 3) annual apparent motion across the sky. 4) motion towards or away from us, revealed by Doppler shifts. 5) orbital motion around the Galaxy.
Question 4 A star’s  proper motion  is its   1) true motion in space. 2) apparent shift as we view from opposite sides of Earth’s orbit every six months. 3) annual apparent motion across the sky. 4) motion towards or away from us, revealed by Doppler shifts. 5) orbital motion around the Galaxy. A star’s “real space motion” combines its apparent  proper   motion  with its radial motion towards or away from Earth.
Question 5 In the stellar magnitude system invented by Hipparchus, a smaller magnitude indicates a _____ star. 1) brighter 2) hotter 3) cooler 4) fainter 5) more distant
Question 5 In the stellar magnitude system invented by Hipparchus, a smaller magnitude indicates a _____ star. 1) brighter 2) hotter 3) cooler 4) fainter 5) more distant
Question 6 A star’s  apparent magnitude  is a number used to describe how our eyes measure its 1) distance. 2) temperature. 3) brightness. 4) absolute luminosity. 5) radial velocity.
Question 6 A star’s  apparent magnitude  is a number used to describe how our eyes measure its 1) distance. 2) temperature. 3) brightness. 4) absolute luminosity. 5) radial velocity.
Question 7 The  absolute magnitude  of a star is its brightness as seen from a distance of 1) one million km. 2) one astronomical unit. 3) one light year. 4) ten parsecs. 5) ten light years.
Question 7 The  absolute magnitude  of a star is its brightness as seen from a distance of 1) one million km. 2) one astronomical unit. 3) one light year. 4) ten parsecs. 5) ten light years. Astronomers use a distance of 10 parsecs (about 32 light years) as a standard for specifying and comparing the brightnesses of stars.
Question 8 Which of the following quantities do you need in order to calculate a star’s luminosity? 1) apparent brightness (flux) 2) Doppler shift of spectral lines 3) color of the star 4) distance to the star 5) 1 and 4
Question 8 1) apparent brightness (flux) 2) Doppler shift of spectral lines 3) color of the star 4) distance to the star 5) 1 and 4 Which of the following quantities do you need in order to calculate a star’s luminosity?
Question 9 What are the two most important intrinsic properties for classifying stars? 1) distance and surface temperature 2) luminosity and surface temperature  3) distance and luminosity 4)  mass and age 5) distance and color
Question 9 What are the two most important intrinsic properties for classifying stars? 1) distance and surface temperature 2) luminosity and surface temperature  3) distance and luminosity 4)  mass and age 5) distance and color The H-R diagram plots stars based on their luminosities and surface temperatures.
Question 10 Wien’s law tells us that the hotter an object, the _____ the peak wavelength of its emitted light. 1) longer 2) more green 3) heavier 4) shorter 5) more constant
Question 10 Wien’s law tells us that the hotter an object, the _____ the peak wavelength of its emitted light. 1) longer 2) more green 3) heavier 4) shorter 5) more constant Wien’s law states that  hotter  stars appear more  blue  in color, and  cooler  stars appear more  red  in color.
Question 11 We estimate the surface temperature of a star by using  1) its color. 2) the pattern of absorption lines in its spectrum.  3) Wien’s law. 4) differences in brightness as measured through Red and Blue filters. 5) All of the above.
Question 11 We estimate the surface temperature of a star by using  1) its color. 2) the pattern of absorption lines in its spectrum.  3) Wien’s law. 4) differences in brightness as measured through Red and Blue filters. 5) All of the above.
Question 12 Which spectral classification type corresponds to a star like the Sun? 1) O 2) A 3) F 4) G 5) M
Question 12 1) O 2) A 3) F 4) G 5) M The OBAFGKM classification scheme is based on absorption lines. Which spectral classification type corresponds to a star like the Sun?
Question 13 The key difference between the spectra of B stars and G stars is 1) B stars show strong Hydrogen lines; G stars weaker Hydrogen lines. 2) B stars show few metal lines; G stars show many. 3) B stars have no metal atoms. 4) G stars have no Hydrogen atoms. 5) Both 1 and 2 are true.
Question 13 The original OBAFGKM sequence was arranged alphabetically by the strength of Hydrogen absorption lines.  B stars had strong hydrogen lines, G stars had weak lines. The key difference between the spectra of B stars and G stars is 1) B stars show strong Hydrogen lines; G stars weaker Hydrogen lines. 2) B stars show few metal lines; G stars show many. 3) B stars have no metal atoms. 4) G stars have no Hydrogen atoms. 5) Both 1 and 2 are true.
Question 14 Astronomers can estimate the size of a star using 1) apparent brightness. 2) direct observation of diameter. 3) temperature. 4) distance to the star. 5) 1, 2, and 3 are all true.
Question 14 Astronomers can estimate the size of a star using 1) apparent brightness. 2) direct observation of diameter. 3) temperature. 4) distance to the star. 5) 1, 2, and 3 are all true. Brightness and temperature are used to plot the star on an H-R diagram, and indicate its approximate size. Some stars are large enough to measure directly.
Question 15 Eclipsing binary stars  are very useful for determining the 1) ages of stars. 2) absolute luminosities of stars. 3) masses of stars. 4) distances to stars. 5) rotation rates of stars.
Question 15 Eclipsing binary stars  are very useful for determining the 1) ages of stars. 2) absolute luminosities of stars. 3) masses of stars. 4) distances to stars. 5) rotation rates of stars. Analysis of the lightcurve of an eclipsing binary star system can reveal the masses of the stars.
Question 16 What is the single most important characteristic in determining the course of a star’s evolution? 1) density 2) absolute brightness 3) distance 4) surface temperature 5) mass
Question 16 What is the single most important characteristic in determining the course of a star’s evolution? 1) density 2) absolute brightness 3) distance 4) surface temperature 5) mass A star’s mass determines how fast it forms, its luminosity on the main sequence, how long it will shine, and its ultimate fate.

Chapter 10 Tests

  • 1.
    © 2007 PearsonPrentice Hall This work is protected by United States copyright laws and is provided solely for the use of instructors in teaching their courses and assessing student learning. Dissemination or sale of any part of this work (including on the World Wide Web) will destroy the integrity of the work and is not permitted. The work and materials from it should never be made available to students except by instructors using the accompanying text in their classes. All recipients of this work are expected to abide by these restrictions and to honor the intended pedagogical purposes and the needs of other instructors who rely on these materials. Conceptual Test PRS-Enabled Chapter 10 ASTRONOMY, A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe 5 th edition Chaisson McMillan
  • 2.
    Question 1 Stellarparallax is used to measure the 1) sizes of stars. 2) distances of stars. 3) temperatures of stars. 4) radial velocity of stars. 5) brightness of stars.
  • 3.
    Question 1 Stellarparallax is used to measure the 1) sizes of stars. 2) distances of stars. 3) temperatures of stars. 4) radial velocity of stars. 5) brightness of stars. Parallax can be used to measure distances to stars accurately to about 200 parsecs (650 light years).
  • 4.
    Question 2 Theangle of stellar parallax for a star gets larger as the 1) distance to the star increases. 2) size of the star increases. 3) size of the telescope increases. 4) length of the baseline increases. 5) wavelength of light increases.
  • 5.
    Question 2 Theangle of stellar parallax for a star gets larger as the 1) distance to the star increases. 2) size of the star increases. 3) size of the telescope increases. 4) length of the baseline increases. 5) wavelength of light increases. Astronomers typically make observations of nearby stars 6 months apart, making the baseline distance equal to 2 AU (Astronomical Units).
  • 6.
    Question 3 Youcan best model the size and distance relationship of our Sun & the next nearest star using 1) a tennis ball here, and one on the Moon. 2) two beach balls separated by 100 city blocks. 3) two grains of sand 100 light years apart. 4) two golf balls 100 km apart. 5) two baseballs 100 yards apart.
  • 7.
    Question 3 Youcan best model the size and distance relationship of our Sun & the next nearest star using 1) a tennis ball here, and one on the Moon. 2) two beach balls separated by 100 city blocks. 3) two grains of sand 100 light years apart. 4) two golf balls 100 km apart. 5) two baseballs 100 yards apart. The Sun is about one million miles in diameter. The next nearest star is about 25 million times further away.
  • 8.
    Question 4 Astar’s proper motion is its 1) true motion in space. 2) apparent shift as we view from opposite sides of Earth’s orbit every six months. 3) annual apparent motion across the sky. 4) motion towards or away from us, revealed by Doppler shifts. 5) orbital motion around the Galaxy.
  • 9.
    Question 4 Astar’s proper motion is its 1) true motion in space. 2) apparent shift as we view from opposite sides of Earth’s orbit every six months. 3) annual apparent motion across the sky. 4) motion towards or away from us, revealed by Doppler shifts. 5) orbital motion around the Galaxy. A star’s “real space motion” combines its apparent proper motion with its radial motion towards or away from Earth.
  • 10.
    Question 5 Inthe stellar magnitude system invented by Hipparchus, a smaller magnitude indicates a _____ star. 1) brighter 2) hotter 3) cooler 4) fainter 5) more distant
  • 11.
    Question 5 Inthe stellar magnitude system invented by Hipparchus, a smaller magnitude indicates a _____ star. 1) brighter 2) hotter 3) cooler 4) fainter 5) more distant
  • 12.
    Question 6 Astar’s apparent magnitude is a number used to describe how our eyes measure its 1) distance. 2) temperature. 3) brightness. 4) absolute luminosity. 5) radial velocity.
  • 13.
    Question 6 Astar’s apparent magnitude is a number used to describe how our eyes measure its 1) distance. 2) temperature. 3) brightness. 4) absolute luminosity. 5) radial velocity.
  • 14.
    Question 7 The absolute magnitude of a star is its brightness as seen from a distance of 1) one million km. 2) one astronomical unit. 3) one light year. 4) ten parsecs. 5) ten light years.
  • 15.
    Question 7 The absolute magnitude of a star is its brightness as seen from a distance of 1) one million km. 2) one astronomical unit. 3) one light year. 4) ten parsecs. 5) ten light years. Astronomers use a distance of 10 parsecs (about 32 light years) as a standard for specifying and comparing the brightnesses of stars.
  • 16.
    Question 8 Whichof the following quantities do you need in order to calculate a star’s luminosity? 1) apparent brightness (flux) 2) Doppler shift of spectral lines 3) color of the star 4) distance to the star 5) 1 and 4
  • 17.
    Question 8 1)apparent brightness (flux) 2) Doppler shift of spectral lines 3) color of the star 4) distance to the star 5) 1 and 4 Which of the following quantities do you need in order to calculate a star’s luminosity?
  • 18.
    Question 9 Whatare the two most important intrinsic properties for classifying stars? 1) distance and surface temperature 2) luminosity and surface temperature 3) distance and luminosity 4) mass and age 5) distance and color
  • 19.
    Question 9 Whatare the two most important intrinsic properties for classifying stars? 1) distance and surface temperature 2) luminosity and surface temperature 3) distance and luminosity 4) mass and age 5) distance and color The H-R diagram plots stars based on their luminosities and surface temperatures.
  • 20.
    Question 10 Wien’slaw tells us that the hotter an object, the _____ the peak wavelength of its emitted light. 1) longer 2) more green 3) heavier 4) shorter 5) more constant
  • 21.
    Question 10 Wien’slaw tells us that the hotter an object, the _____ the peak wavelength of its emitted light. 1) longer 2) more green 3) heavier 4) shorter 5) more constant Wien’s law states that hotter stars appear more blue in color, and cooler stars appear more red in color.
  • 22.
    Question 11 Weestimate the surface temperature of a star by using 1) its color. 2) the pattern of absorption lines in its spectrum. 3) Wien’s law. 4) differences in brightness as measured through Red and Blue filters. 5) All of the above.
  • 23.
    Question 11 Weestimate the surface temperature of a star by using 1) its color. 2) the pattern of absorption lines in its spectrum. 3) Wien’s law. 4) differences in brightness as measured through Red and Blue filters. 5) All of the above.
  • 24.
    Question 12 Whichspectral classification type corresponds to a star like the Sun? 1) O 2) A 3) F 4) G 5) M
  • 25.
    Question 12 1)O 2) A 3) F 4) G 5) M The OBAFGKM classification scheme is based on absorption lines. Which spectral classification type corresponds to a star like the Sun?
  • 26.
    Question 13 Thekey difference between the spectra of B stars and G stars is 1) B stars show strong Hydrogen lines; G stars weaker Hydrogen lines. 2) B stars show few metal lines; G stars show many. 3) B stars have no metal atoms. 4) G stars have no Hydrogen atoms. 5) Both 1 and 2 are true.
  • 27.
    Question 13 Theoriginal OBAFGKM sequence was arranged alphabetically by the strength of Hydrogen absorption lines. B stars had strong hydrogen lines, G stars had weak lines. The key difference between the spectra of B stars and G stars is 1) B stars show strong Hydrogen lines; G stars weaker Hydrogen lines. 2) B stars show few metal lines; G stars show many. 3) B stars have no metal atoms. 4) G stars have no Hydrogen atoms. 5) Both 1 and 2 are true.
  • 28.
    Question 14 Astronomerscan estimate the size of a star using 1) apparent brightness. 2) direct observation of diameter. 3) temperature. 4) distance to the star. 5) 1, 2, and 3 are all true.
  • 29.
    Question 14 Astronomerscan estimate the size of a star using 1) apparent brightness. 2) direct observation of diameter. 3) temperature. 4) distance to the star. 5) 1, 2, and 3 are all true. Brightness and temperature are used to plot the star on an H-R diagram, and indicate its approximate size. Some stars are large enough to measure directly.
  • 30.
    Question 15 Eclipsingbinary stars are very useful for determining the 1) ages of stars. 2) absolute luminosities of stars. 3) masses of stars. 4) distances to stars. 5) rotation rates of stars.
  • 31.
    Question 15 Eclipsingbinary stars are very useful for determining the 1) ages of stars. 2) absolute luminosities of stars. 3) masses of stars. 4) distances to stars. 5) rotation rates of stars. Analysis of the lightcurve of an eclipsing binary star system can reveal the masses of the stars.
  • 32.
    Question 16 Whatis the single most important characteristic in determining the course of a star’s evolution? 1) density 2) absolute brightness 3) distance 4) surface temperature 5) mass
  • 33.
    Question 16 Whatis the single most important characteristic in determining the course of a star’s evolution? 1) density 2) absolute brightness 3) distance 4) surface temperature 5) mass A star’s mass determines how fast it forms, its luminosity on the main sequence, how long it will shine, and its ultimate fate.