Astronomy Practice Test Quiz!

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  • 1/12 Questions
    In the equation what does the E stand for?   - ProProfs

    In the equation what does the E stand for?  

    • Mass
    • Speed of light
    • Energy
    • Wavelength
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About This Quiz

When we look at the sky, all we see is blue or stars covering up the atmosphere. This astronomy practice test quiz is designed to help us see just how much you understood from the unit on astronomy so far. Give it a shot and jog your memory. All the best!

Astronomy Practice Test Quiz! - Quiz

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  • 2. 
    What two stellar objects can arise from a supernova? - ProProfs

    What two stellar objects can arise from a supernova?

    • White dwarf and black dwarf.

    • Neutron star and black hole.

    • Red giant and red supergiant.

    • Black hole and black dwarf.

    Correct Answer
    A. Neutron star and black hole.
    Explanation
    When a massive star undergoes a supernova, it can result in the formation of two stellar objects - a neutron star and a black hole. A neutron star is formed when the core of the star collapses under its own gravity, causing protons and electrons to merge and form neutrons. Neutron stars are incredibly dense and have a strong gravitational pull. On the other hand, a black hole is formed when the core collapses further and becomes infinitely dense, creating a region in space with extremely strong gravitational forces from which nothing, not even light, can escape.

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  • 3. 

    What two things are needed to start nuclear fusion?

    • High heat and low pressure.

    • High heat and high pressure.

    • Hydrogen and helium.

    • Uranium and plutonium.

    Correct Answer
    A. High heat and high pressure.
    Explanation
    Nuclear fusion is a process where two atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy. To initiate this process, high heat is required to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged nuclei. Additionally, high pressure is needed to bring the nuclei close enough together for the strong nuclear force to take effect and bind them. Therefore, high heat and high pressure are both necessary to start nuclear fusion.

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  • 4. 

    What evidence do we have of the inflation right after the Big Bang?

    • The sun's existence.

    • Cosmic background radiation.

    • Life on this planet.

    • Most objects in the universe are coming towards us.

    Correct Answer
    A. Cosmic background radiation.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is cosmic background radiation. Cosmic background radiation is considered as one of the strongest pieces of evidence for the inflationary Big Bang model. It is the residual heat left over from the early stages of the universe, about 380,000 years after the Big Bang. This radiation is found uniformly across the entire sky and is consistent with the predictions of the Big Bang theory. It provides crucial support for the idea that the universe underwent a rapid expansion in its early stages, known as inflation. The other options, such as the sun's existence, life on this planet, and objects coming towards us, are not direct evidence of the inflation right after the Big Bang.

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  • 5. 
    Why are certain telescopes in space? - ProProfs

    Why are certain telescopes in space?

    • It is cheaper to put them in space.

    • You can only see visible light from space.

    • The atmosphere blocks certain EM waves.

    • They are closer to what they are studying.

    Correct Answer
    A. The atmosphere blocks certain EM waves.
    Explanation
    Certain telescopes are placed in space because the atmosphere blocks certain electromagnetic waves. The Earth's atmosphere absorbs and distorts many types of electromagnetic radiation, such as X-rays, ultraviolet light, and infrared radiation. By placing telescopes in space, scientists can avoid this interference and capture a clearer and more accurate view of the universe.

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  • 6. 

    What color are the hottest stars?

    • Red

    • White

    • Blue

    • Yellow

    Correct Answer
    A. Blue
    Explanation
    Blue stars are the hottest stars. The color of a star is determined by its surface temperature. Blue stars have the highest surface temperature, ranging from around 20,000 to over 50,000 Kelvin. As the temperature increases, the color of the star shifts from red to orange, then to yellow, white, and finally blue. Blue stars emit more energy and have a shorter lifespan compared to other stars.

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  • 7. 

    What is a redshift?

    • It means an object is moving away from us.

    • It means the object's light has had its frequency lowered.

    • It is evidence of an expanding universe.

    • All of the above.

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "All of the above." A redshift refers to all three options mentioned in the question. When an object is moving away from us, its light is shifted towards longer wavelengths, resulting in a redshift. This shift in frequency is evidence of an expanding universe, as objects are moving away from each other. Therefore, all three statements are true and encompass the concept of redshift.

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  • 8. 

    What does being close to the sun mean to the inner planets?  

    • It makes them bigger than the other planets.

    • It makes them orbit in the same direction.

    • It made them consist primarily of rock.

    • It means they will all spiral into the sun in 2 million years.

    Correct Answer
    A. It made them consist primarily of rock.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "It made them consist primarily of rock." Being close to the sun means that the inner planets, including Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are composed mainly of rocky materials. This is because the intense heat and radiation from the sun caused lighter elements, such as hydrogen and helium, to be blown away from these planets during their formation. As a result, the inner planets have solid surfaces and are predominantly made up of rocks and metals.

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  • 9. 

    What competing forces keep main sequence stars at equilibrium?

    • Gravity and pressure from nuclear fusion.

    • Gravity and mass.

    • Stars are unstable and not at equilibrium.

    • Nuclear fusion and magnetism.

    Correct Answer
    A. Gravity and pressure from nuclear fusion.
    Explanation
    The competing forces that keep main sequence stars at equilibrium are gravity and pressure from nuclear fusion. Gravity pulls the star's matter inward, while the pressure generated by nuclear fusion pushes outward. These two forces balance each other, preventing the star from collapsing under its own gravity or expanding uncontrollably.

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  • 10. 

    When does a star leave the main sequence?

    • When it runs out of helium to fuse.

    • When it turns into a black dwarf.

    • When it turns into a planetary nebula.

    • When it runs out of hydrogen to fuse.

    Correct Answer
    A. When it runs out of hydrogen to fuse.
    Explanation
    A star leaves the main sequence when it runs out of hydrogen to fuse. The main sequence is the stage in a star's life where it fuses hydrogen in its core to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. Once the hydrogen fuel is depleted, the star can no longer sustain nuclear fusion reactions and begins to evolve into a different stage. This can lead to the expansion and cooling of the star, causing it to leave the main sequence and enter a new phase of its stellar evolution.

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  • 11. 
    What two steller objects come after a red giant in the life cycle of stars? - ProProfs

    What two steller objects come after a red giant in the life cycle of stars?

    • Planetary nebula and white dwarf.

    • Supernova and neutron star.

    • Neutron star and black hole.

    • Supergiant star and neutron star.

    Correct Answer
    A. Planetary nebula and white dwarf.
    Explanation
    After a red giant stage, a star goes through the phase of a planetary nebula, where its outer layers are expelled into space, forming a glowing cloud of gas and dust. The remaining core of the star then collapses to become a white dwarf, which is a small, dense, and hot stellar remnant. This process occurs in low to medium-mass stars like our Sun.

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  • 12. 
    What two things are required for nuclear fusion? - ProProfs

    What two things are required for nuclear fusion?

    • Hydrogen and helium.

    • High heat and pressure.

    • Uranium and plutonium.

    • Pressure and water.

    Correct Answer
    A. High heat and pressure.
    Explanation
    Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. This process requires extremely high temperatures and pressures to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged nuclei, allowing them to get close enough for the strong nuclear force to bind them together.  Sources and related content

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  • Current Version
  • May 07, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Dec 07, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Andrew Phillips

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