Question 1

The process by which a spinning object collapses and spins faster is called _____.&#10;A) conservation of energy&#10;B) conservation of torque&#10;C) inertia&#10;D) conservation of angular momentum

Accepted Answer

The process is known as the conservation of angular momentum. This principle explains why a spinning object that collapses into itself spins faster; as the radius decreases, the speed increases to conserve angular momentum.

Question 2

Charges accelerating along a magnetic field give off _______.&#10;A) synchrotron radiation&#10;B) thermal radiation&#10;C) gamma rays&#10;D) X-rays

Accepted Answer

Charges accelerating along a magnetic field emit synchrotron radiation, which is a broad spectrum radiation including X-rays and gamma rays, but is specifically characterized by its origin from particles (such as electrons) accelerating in magnetic fields.

Question 3

A neutron star is typically about ____ across.&#10;A) 600 km&#10;B) 16 km&#10;C) 1000 km&#10;D) 1 km

Accepted Answer

A neutron star is typically about 16 km across, which is the result of the collapse of a massive star's core after a supernova explosion.

Question 4

A pulsar is&#10;A) a type of variable star.&#10;B) a rapidly spinning neutron star.&#10;C) an accretion disk around a white dwarf.&#10;D) a beacon of an alien civilization.

Accepted Answer

Pulsars are rapidly spinning neutron stars that emit beams of electromagnetic radiation out of their magnetic poles. As the star spins, these beams sweep across the Earth, creating a pulsing effect that can be detected by radio telescopes.

Question 5

This neutron star is highly magnetic and is called _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of This neutron star is highly magnetic and...

Question 6

A speed-up of the neutron star's rotation is called a ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A speed-up of the neutron star's rotation...

Question 7

The lengthing time of the pulsars pulsations is called its spinup time.

Accepted Answer

The lengthening time of the pulsars' pulsations is referred to as its "spin-down" time, as pulsars gradually slow down over time.

Question 8

Some neutron stars have periods in milliseconds.

Accepted Answer

Neutron stars can spin at incredibly high speeds, and some of them, known as millisecond pulsars, have rotational periods of just a few milliseconds.

Deck 68: Neutron Stars