Deck 23: Light, Astronomical Observations, and the Sun

Question 1

The layer of the solar atmosphere directly above the photosphere is referred to as the ________.

A) ionosphere
B) corona
C) chromosphere
D) solarsphere
E) megasphere

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The type of spectrum produced by a common light bulb is a ________.

A) continuous spectrum
B) dark-line (absorption) spectrum
C) bright-line (emission) spectrum
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The Sun produces energy by converting ________.

A) oxygen nuclei to carbon dioxide
B) oxygen nuclei to nitrogen nuclei
C) carbon monoxide to oxygen nuclei
D) hydrogen nuclei to helium nuclei
E) helium nuclei to hydrogen nuclei

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The study of spectroscopy was begun by ________.

A) Albert Einstein
B) Sir Isaac Newton
C) Galileo
D) George Hale
E) Niels Bohr

Question 5

The most conspicuous features on the surface of the Sun are dark areas called ________.

A) granules
B) helium lines
C) flares
D) spicules
E) sunspots

Question 6

The source of the Sun's energy is ________.

A) chemical burning
B) nuclear fission
C) nuclear fusion
D) heat of contraction
E) potential energy

Question 7

The most explosive events to occur on the Sun are ________.

A) umbras
B) solar flares
C) sunspots
D) filaments
E) solar winds

Question 8

The first person to use a telescope for astronomical observations was ________.

A) Albert Einstein
B) Sir Isaac Newton
C) Galileo
D) George Hale
E) Niels Bohr

Question 9

The spectra of most stars are of this type.

A) continuous spectrum
B) dark-line (absorption) spectrum
C) bright-line (emission) spectrum
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 10

To determine whether a celestial body is approaching or receding from Earth, astronomers employ ________.

A) the Stefan-Boltzmann law
B) Einstein's equation
C) the Doppler principle
D) high speed radar
E) telescopic imaging

Question 11

The Sun's surface has a grainy texture produced by numerous bright markings called ________.

A) granules
B) helium lines
C) umbras
D) spicules
E) sunspots

Question 12

The outermost layer of the Sun is called the ________.

A) ionosphere
B) corona
C) photosphere
D) chromosphere
E) megasphere

Question 13

Which of the following colors has the longest wavelength?

A) blue
B) violet
C) green
D) red
E) orange

Question 14

The layer of the Sun that radiates most of the light that reaches Earth is called the ________.

A) ionosphere
B) corona
C) photosphere
D) chromosphere
E) megasphere

Question 15

The problems encountered with lenses caused this scientist to build reflecting telescopes of his own design.

A) Albert Einstein
B) Sir Isaac Newton
C) Galileo
D) George Hale
E) Niels Bohr

Question 16

Because lenses act like a prism to separate the colors of the spectrum, they produce a troublesome effect known as ________.

A) focal distortion
B) the atmospheric effect
C) chromatic aberration
D) poor seeing
E) light dispersion

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT an advantage that radio telescopes have over optical telescopes?

A) They are less affected by the conditions of the atmosphere.
B) They are generally less expensive.
C) They can operate 24 hours a day.
D) They have better resolution.
E) They can "see" through interstellar dust clouds.

Question 18

As the temperature of a radiating surface is increased ________.

A) the total amount of energy emitted increases
B) a larger portion of the energy is radiated at longer wavelengths
C) a larger portion of the energy is radiated at shorter wavelengths
D) both A and B
E) both A and C

Question 19

Nearly all large optical telescopes built today are ________.

A) reflectors
B) refractors
C) radio

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT considered a form of electromagnetic radiation?

A) radio waves
B) gravity
C) gamma rays
D) visible light
E) x-rays

Question 21

Word Analysis. Examine the words and/or phrases for each question below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option which does not fit the pattern.
A. granules B. sunspots C. spicules D. photosphere

Question 22

The amount of energy released during a nuclear reaction was established by ________.

A) Albert Einstein
B) Sir Isaac Newton
C) Galileo
D) George Hale
E) Niels Bohr

Question 23

All of the world's largest telescopes are of the refracting type.

Question 24

Word Analysis. Examine the words and/or phrases for each question below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option which does not fit the pattern.
A. corona B. photosphere D. chromosphere D. sunspots

Question 25

Radio telescopes are able to detect very short wave radiation emitted by celestial objects.

Question 26

Radio telescopes are generally much larger in size than are optical telescopes.

Question 27

In the case of light, when a source is moving away, its light appears redder than it actually is.

Question 28

Dark-line (absorption) spectra can be used to identify the elements present in stars.

Question 29

During periods of high solar activity, huge cloudlike structures that appear as great arches extending from the Sun are often produced. These solar features are called ________.

A) quasars
B) the solar wind
C) spicules
D) plages
E) prominences

Question 30

Sir Isaac Newton built and used reflecting telescopes.

Question 31

Blue stars are cooler than red stars.

Question 32

Galileo built the first known telescope.

Question 33

The wavelength of red light is shorter than the wavelength of yellow light.

Question 34

Although current technology will allow the construction of much larger optical telescopes, astronomers see no advantage in building these larger instruments.

Question 35

Radio telescopes have an advantage over optical telescopes in that they can be used during daylight hours.

Question 36

In some instances, light behaves like waves, and in others, like discrete particles.

Question 37

Streams of protons and electrons emitted from the Sun produce ________.

A) quasars
B) the solar wind
C) granules
D) plages
E) prominences

Question 38

Word Analysis. Examine the words and/or phrases for each question below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option which does not fit the pattern.
A. reflecting B. refracting C. radio D. optical

Question 39

Shorter wavelengths correspond to more energetic photons.

Question 40

A hot (incandescent) gas under low pressure produces a continuous spectrum.

Question 41

Visible light emitted from the celestial bodies is only a small part of an array of energy called ________ radiation.

Question 42

The first scientist to use a telescope for astronomical purposes was ________.

Question 43

A(n) ________ spectrum is produced when white light is passed through a comparatively cool gas under low pressure.

Question 44

The Sun produces energy by converting ________ to energy.

Question 45

Einstein's famous equation ________, determines the amount of energy released through nuclear fusion.

Question 46

When several radio telescopes are connected together, the resulting network is called a(n) ________.

Question 47

The Sun is considered an "average star."

Question 48

The outermost portion of the solar atmosphere is called the photosphere.

Question 49

The motion of a star can be determined using the ________ effect.

Question 50

Sunspots appear dark because they are cooler than the surrounding solar surface.

Question 51

The Sun is composed almost entirely of two gases. They are ________ and ________.

Question 52

The nuclear reaction process of converting hydrogen nuclei into helium nuclei is called the ________ chain.

Question 53

Streams of protons and electrons emitted from the Sun are known as the ________.

Question 54

Bright centers of solar activity are called filaments.

Question 55

Astronomers currently estimate the internal temperature of the Sun at 1500˚C.

Question 56

The most conspicuous features on the surface of the Sun are dark areas called ________.

Question 57

The amount of energy released during a nuclear reaction was established by the well-known scientist named ________.

Question 58

Light can be described as a stream of fast-moving particles called ________.

Question 59

The Sun's energy results from the conversion of hydrogen nuclei into helium nuclei.

Question 60

The mechanism that produces energy on the Sun involves the conversion of matter to energy.

Question 61

Discuss the features and characteristics of the Sun? Are they thought to be unique to the Sun or are they typical of other stars? How do any of these structures relate to the process of nuclear fusion which is thought to produce the Sun's energy?

Question 62

Compare and contrast the various types of telescopes, including radio telescopes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each one? Are there other considerations when choosing one telescope over another besides optical clarity or magnification?