30 Questions
What happens to an atom when an electron is completely detached from it?
The atom is ionized
What is a requirement for an object to be considered a dwarf planet in our Solar System?
It must be close to a round shape
How much smaller is the distance between the Sun and the nearest star compared to the distance between the Milky Way and Andromeda?
By a factor of 10
Why can we study how galaxies evolve?
Because the further away we look, the further back in time we see
What is the age of the most recent information we can get about a star 50 lightyears away?
500 years
What are the correct standard units of mass, distance, and time?
Kilograms, meters, and seconds
What is the duration of this examination?
50 minutes
Where should you record your answers?
On the bubble sheet provided
What is the consequence of arriving late to the examination?
You will be admitted to the examination room, but no extra time will be allowed
Why must you remain silent in your seat during the last 15 minutes of the examination?
To avoid disruption to others still writing
What is the consequence of writing on the question paper?
Your answers will not be graded
What is the purpose of showing your student card to the exam invigilators?
To verify your identity
What is the unit of mass commonly used in astronomy?
kg
Why does the Solar System not expand apart due to the expansion of the universe?
The Solar System's gravity holds it together
What is the difference in the gravitational pull of a black hole and a normal star with the same mass on a planet orbiting them at the same distance?
The two planets feel identical pulls
What is the speed of light emitted by a spaceship moving towards you at 1/3c?
c
How can we measure the speed at which galaxies move?
From their blueshift or redshift we can find their speed towards or away from us
What is the implication of the universe expanding on the Solar System?
The Solar System will remain unchanged
What would happen if we suddenly turned off gravity in the Milky Way?
Our Galaxy would fly apart
What is the Doppler Effect?
The change in observed wavelength from a source moving relative to us
How can we determine the distance to a galaxy that contains Cepheid variable stars?
By using the period-luminosity relation
What happens to an object's mass as it approaches the speed of light?
It approaches infinity
What can we conclude from the fact that all distant galaxies are redshifted?
The Universe is expanding
Can we measure the motion of galaxies like we do for stars?
No, the speeds are too slow on human timescales to measure
What happens to the light received from a distant star moving away from us compared to light from our Sun?
It is less energetic
What must occur to an electron in orbit around an atom's nucleus for it to emit a photon?
It jumps to a lower energy orbit
What is the correct order of the fundamental forces from strongest to weakest?
Strong, electromagnetic, weak, gravity
Why do observers moving at different constant velocities see time pass at different rates?
Because time is relative to the observer's frame of reference
What is the result of an electron jumping from a higher energy orbit to a lower energy orbit around an atom's nucleus?
A photon is emitted
What can be said about the light emitted from our Sun and an identical distant star moving away from us?
The light from the star is less energetic
Take this midterm exam to test your knowledge on astronomy topics, covering 30 multiple-choice questions in 50 minutes. The quiz is designed for students of Dr. Robert Cockcroft's ASTRON 2B03 course at McMaster University. Evaluate your understanding of the course material and identify areas for improvement.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
