Deck 4: Light and Atoms

Question 1

In materials like glass or water the speed of light is _________.

A) reduced
B) increased
C) the same as in a vacuum
D) sometimes reduced and sometimes increased

Answer 1

reduced

Question 2

A ____ is a particle of light.

A) proton
B) photon
C) electron
D) neutron

Answer 2

photon

Question 3

If a photon's frequency increases its wavelength

A) will decrease.
B) will increase.
C) will not change.

Answer 3

will decrease.

Question 4

What is light?

A) Light is radiant energy in the form of a stream of energy particles, called photons.
B) Light is radiant energy in the form of a wave of electromagnetic energy.
C) Light is radiant energy that can be mathematically treated as a wave or particle of energy.
D) None of these choices are correct.

Question 5

Which of the following colors travels most quickly through glass or plastic?

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

Question 6

How is light different from sound?

A) Light can be reflected from a surface; sound cannot.
B) Sound requires a medium to move through; light does not.
C) Light can be treated as a wave; sound cannot.
D) Sound of any frequency can be heard; only visible light can be seen.

Question 7

Assuming that light could curve around Earth, about how long would it take for one trip?

A) 1/7second
B) 1 second
C) 7 seconds
D) 7 minutes

Question 8

Is light a wave or a particle?

A) a wave
B) a particle
C) both a wave and a particle at the same time
D) Sometimes it is a wave, other times it is a particle.
E) neither a wave nor a particle

Question 9

In the wave model, light is ______________.

A) a mix of electric and magnetic energy
B) a compression wave moving through the air
C) a packet of energy moving through space
D) the absence of dark
E) a ripple in space-time

Question 10

In the particle model, light is ______________.

A) a mix of electric and magnetic energy
B) a compression wave moving through the air
C) a packet of energy moving through space
D) the absence of dark
E) a ripple in space-time

Question 11

For which of these scenarios is the particle model of light more convenient to use?

A) reflection of light from a mirror
B) refraction of light through a lens
C) diffraction of light through a slit
D) the Doppler shift of light
E) None of these choices are correct.

Question 12

For which of these scenarios is the wave model of light more convenient to use?

A) diffraction of light through a slit
B) refraction of light through a lens
C) receiving radio transmissions
D) the Doppler shift of light
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 13

The visible spectrum is ___________________.

A) the range of wavelengths of light that human eyes can detect
B) the spectrum emitted by the Sun
C) a series of dark lines corresponding to electron transitions
D) a series of bright lines corresponding to electron transitions
E) the range of wavelengths visible to humans and animals on Earth

Question 14

The wavelength of a wave describes ____________________.

A) the distance between two successive peaks in a wave
B) the distance between a peak and the nearest trough
C) the distance a wave can travel before being absorbed
D) the distance from one end of a laser beam to the other
E) the distance a wave will travel after being emitted

Question 15

Visible light coming from the Sun is a combination of all colors called ____ light.

A) white
B) yellow
C) ultraviolet
D) spectral
E) visible

Question 16

The mixing of light of all visible colors results in ____ light.

A) white
B) brown
C) Sun
D) spectral
E) visible

Question 17

The mixing of paints of all colors results in ____-colored paint.

A) white
B) brown
C) black
D) yellow-white
E) rainbow

Question 18

What is the relationship between wavelength (?) and frequency (f)? ("c" is the speed of light.)

A) ?f = c
B) ?/f = c
C) f/? = c
D) ?c = f

Question 19

The frequency of a wave describes _________.

A) the number of wave crests that pass a given point in 1 second
B) the speed at which a wave crest passes a given point
C) the distance between two successive peaks in a wave
D) the time it takes for two crests to pass a given point

Question 20

If the frequency of a given wave is decreased by a factor of four, how will its wavelength change?

A) The wavelength will decrease by a factor of four.
B) The wavelength will increase by a factor of four.
C) The wavelength will remain unchanged.
D) The change in wavelength is determined by the medium through which the wave is traveling.

Question 21

What is the approximate wavelength of red light?

A) 5 m
B) 7 cm
C) 400 nm
D) 700 nm

Question 22

________ range in wavelength from millimeters to hundreds of meters.

A) X-rays
B) gamma rays
C) ultraviolet waves
D) visible light waves
E) radio waves

Question 23

Which of the following statements is true?

A) X-rays have higher energy, hence they move faster than visible light.
B) X-rays have higher energy, but still they move slower than visible light.
C) Even though X-rays have higher energy, they move with the same speed as that of visible light.
D) None of these choices are correct.

Question 24

Which kind of electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength that is about the size of a person?

A) X-ray
B) ultraviolet
C) visible
D) infrared
E) radio

Question 25

Adam's toy gun emits blue light, Sue's emits red light, Bonnie's emits infrared light, and James' emits ultraviolet light. Which gun produces the most energetic light?

A) Adam
B) Sue
C) Bonnie
D) James
E) All of the toy guns have the same energy.

Question 26

Which of the following correctly lists the various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum in the correct order from lowest to highest energy.

A) gamma rays, infrared, ultraviolet, radio waves, visible
B) radio waves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, gamma rays
C) infrared, ultraviolet, radio waves, gamma rays, visible
D) radio waves, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, gamma rays
E) gamma rays, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, radio waves

Question 27

A photon of blue light has ______________ a photon of red light.

A) more energy than
B) the same energy as
C) less energy than

Question 28

A night vision camera

A) is just much more sensitive to visible light than your eyes.
B) uses a detector sensitive to infrared light, so you can see objects that are warmer than their surroundings.
C) can only detect green photons, which reflect well in the dark, but which our eyes have trouble seeing.
D) uses a detector sensitive to X-ray light, so you can see through the dark.

Question 29

Electromagnetic waves of all wavelengths are collectively known as ____________.

A) the electromagnetic spectrum
B) the visible spectrum
C) white light
D) a continuous spectrum
E) blackbody radiation

Question 30

Compared to the entire electromagnetic spectrum, visible light is ____.

A) a small fraction of the possible wavelengths of light
B) the most energetic
C) the least energetic
D) the fastest moving
E) the most valuable to astronomers

Question 31

A very energetic event like a supernova would emit mostly ____ light.

A) X-ray
B) visible
C) infrared
D) radio
E) white

Question 32

Of the following objects, which will emit mostly infrared light?

A) a cup of hot coffee
B) an LED (Light-Emitting Diode)
C) a star like our Sun
D) a red laser beam

Question 33

The warmth you feel when you put your hand in a sunbeam is due to which part of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A) radio waves
B) infrared light waves
C) ultraviolet waves
D) X-ray
E) gamma ray

Question 34

Ultraviolet light has wavelengths that are ____ visible wavelengths.

A) longer than
B) shorter than
C) faster than
D) slower than
E) the same energy as

Question 35

The energy of an ultraviolet photon is ____ a photon in the visible part of the spectrum.

A) higher than
B) lower than
C) longer than
D) shorter than
E) faster than

Question 36

The energy of a radio photon is ____ a photon in the visible part of the spectrum.

A) higher than
B) lower than
C) longer than
D) shorter than
E) faster than

Question 37

Radio waves have wavelengths that are ____ visible wavelengths.

A) longer than
B) shorter than
C) faster than
D) slower than
E) the same energy as

Question 38

The electromagnetic waves with the highest energy are ____.

A) gamma rays
B) X-rays
C) ultraviolet light
D) visible light
E) microwaves

Question 39

A significant source of gamma rays is __________________.

A) electrons moving in Jupiter's electric field
B) a supernova explosion
C) the collision of two black holes
D) a thermonuclear explosion
E) halogen lamps

Question 40

List these electromagnetic radiations from short to long wavelengths.

A) gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, radio waves
B) radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays
C) gamma rays, X-rays, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, radio waves
D) radio waves, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, X-rays, gamma rays

Question 41

List these electromagnetic radiations from lowest to highest energy.

A) gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, radio waves
B) radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays
C) gamma rays, X-rays, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, radio waves
D) radio waves, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, X-rays, gamma rays

Question 42

As the wavelength of light increases, its energy ____.

A) increases
B) decreases
C) remains constant
D) moves more quickly
E) moves more slowly

Question 43

As the frequency of light increases, its energy ____.

A) increases
B) decreases
C) remains constant
D) moves more quickly
E) moves more slowly

Question 44

Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum would we use to study the relatively cool dust of interstellar space?

A) radio waves
B) infrared light
C) visible light
D) ultraviolet light
E) gamma rays

Question 45

Star A is blue, Star B is yellow, and Star C is red. Which one of these is the hottest star?

A) star A
B) star B
C) star C
D) From color, temperature cannot be predicted.

Question 46

Which of the following emits a spectrum very close to a blackbody spectrum?

A) a neon light
B) an interstellar cloud
C) the Sun

Question 47

Which one of the following is an example of a blackbody that you see in everyday life?

A) a neon light
B) a stove burner
C) a fluorescent light
D) a laser pointer

Question 48

An atom consists of

A) electrons in a nucleus orbited by protons.
B) negatively charged protons in a nucleus orbited by positively charged electrons.
C) positively charged protons in a nucleus orbited by negatively charged neutrons.
D) None of these choices are correct.

Question 49

Wien's law allows astronomers to measure what property of a star?

A) the surface temperature of the star
B) the chemical composition of the star
C) the distance to the star
D) All of these choices are correct.

Question 50

As a solid is heated (from a low to a high temperature) the radiated light will move through what sequence of colors?

A) red, yellow, blue
B) blue, yellow, red
C) yellow, red, blue
D) blue, red, yellow
E) It depends on what solid is being heated.

Question 51

______ attraction holds the electron in orbit around the nucleus of the hydrogen atom.

A) Gravitational
B) Electrical
C) Centrifugal
D) Nuclear

Question 52

In the Orion constellation are stars Rigel, a blue supergiant, and Betelgeuse, a red supergiant. Which star has a greater surface temperature?

A) Rigel
B) Betelgeuse
C) They have the same surface temperature.
D) There is not enough information to tell.

Question 53

Positively charged particles in an atom are called ____.

A) protons
B) neutrons
C) electrons
D) positrons
E) neutrinos

Question 54

Uncharged particles in an atom are called ____.

A) protons
B) neutrons
C) electrons
D) positrons
E) neutrinos

Question 55

____ are found in the nucleus of atoms.

A) Protons
B) Electrons
C) Mitochondria
D) Neutrinos
E) Positrons

Question 56

On the Kelvin temperature scale, a body's temperature is directly related to its _______________.

A) internal energy content
B) kinetic energy due to its motion through space
C) mass
D) kinetic energy due to rotation
E) None of these choices are correct.

Question 57

Zero Kelvin is also known as ____.

A) absolute zero
B) the freezing point of water
C) thermal equilibrium
D) an ideal blackbody
E) the boiling point of water

Question 58

According to Wien's law, a hotter object will _________ a cooler object.

A) appear darker than
B) radiate the same intensity of wavelengths as
C) radiate more strongly at shorter wavelengths than
D) appear the same color as

Question 59

The maximum temperature on the Kelvin scale is called ______________.

A) absolute zero
B) absolute energy
C) the vapor point
D) gamma temperature
E) There is no maximum temperature on the Kelvin scale.

Question 60

As a body cools, its ____ decreases.

A) internal energy
B) total emitted energy
C) brightness
D) All of these choices are correct.

Question 61

Object A emits most strongly at 400 nm, while object B emits most strongly at 800 nm. What can we say about their relative temperatures?

A) A's temperature is twice as high as B's.
B) B's temperature is twice as high as A's.
C) A's temperature is the same as B's.
D) Nothing. Temperature is related to brightness, not emitted wavelength.

Question 62

The electrons are quantized in an atom. That means

A) the electrons are in bulk.
B) the electrons can stay only in specific orbits.
C) the quantity of electrons keeps changing.
D) All of these choices are correct.

Question 63

________ occurs when an electron in an atom jumps from a lower energy orbital to a higher energy orbital.

A) Ionization
B) Acceleration
C) Excitation
D) Relaxation

Question 64

What determines the identity of a chemical element?

A) the number of protons in the nucleus
B) the number of electrons orbiting the nucleus
C) the number of neutrons in the nucleus
D) All of these choices are correct.

Question 65

What happens when an electron in an atom absorbs a photon?

A) The electron moves to a higher energy level.
B) The electron moves to a lower energy level.
C) The electron moves to the nucleus.
D) The electron turns into a proton.

Question 66

The helium atom has ____ in its nucleus.

A) two electrons
B) one proton
C) two protons
D) two protons and two electrons

Question 67

Conservation of energy requires that if an atom absorbs a photon

A) an electron ends up with an energy equal to that of the photon.
B) the atom must emit an electron.
C) the atom must emit a photon.
D) an electron rises to a new orbital with an energy equal to that of the previous orbital plus the energy of the photon.

Question 68

What is the difference between emission and absorption in an atom?

A) In emission, the nucleus goes from a lower to a higher orbit.
B) In emission, the electron goes from a higher to a lower orbit.
C) In absorption, the electron goes from a higher to a lower orbit.
D) In absorption, the nucleus goes from a higher to a lower orbit.

Question 69

A helium atom with only one neutron in its nucleus is called ____.

A) an ion
B) an isotope
C) a neutrino
D) deuterium

Question 70

Electrons exist in a cloud-like structure around the nucleus called a(n) ____.

A) orbital
B) level
C) spectrum
D) particle wave

Question 71

As an electron moves closer to the nucleus, it ____ energy.

A) loses
B) gains
C) absorbs
D) generates
E) quantizes

Question 72

As an electron moves farther from the nucleus, it ____ energy.

A) loses
B) gains
C) absorbs
D) generates
E) quantizes

Question 73

If a hydrogen atom absorbs a photon of the correct wavelength, its electron will move ____ the nucleus.

A) toward
B) away from
C) around
D) into

Question 74

If an electron moves from a higher energy orbital to a lower energy one, the atom will __________.

A) emit a photon
B) absorb a photon
C) become excited
D) vibrate
E) become a different element

Question 75

You are heating a jar full of hydrogen and observing its spectrum. When you add more hydrogen to it, what happens to the spectral lines in the spectrum?

A) The positions of emission lines will change.
B) You will start seeing lots of absorption lines instead of emission lines.
C) The positions of emission lines will remain the same, but the lines will get broader and brighter.
D) There will be no change in the spectrum.

Question 76

A(n) ___________ spectrum has dark lines on a continuous background.

A) absorption
B) emission
C) continuous
D) None of these choices are correct.

Question 77

A(n) ___________ spectrum has bright lines on dark background.

A) absorption
B) emission
C) continuous
D) None of these choices are correct.

Question 78

Which of the following electromagnetic waves are completely blocked by Earth's atmosphere?

A) radio waves
B) visible light
C) infrared
D) X-rays

Question 79

What is an atmospheric window?

A) a region in the atmosphere where light can get through
B) a region in the atmosphere where infrared radiation can penetrate
C) a range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation which transmit through Earth's atmosphere
D) a part of the upper atmosphere with depleted ozone

Question 80

Determining the composition of an astronomical body using its emitted or reflected light is called ____.

A) spectroscopy
B) astronomy
C) quantization
D) radiation
E) refraction