Student Self-test
Chapter 15 Origin and evolution of the Universe: Where do we
come from?
This paper is both question and answer sheet. There are 25 multiple-choice
questions in this test.
For each question there are four possible answers. Circle the letter of the
answer of your choice. There is only one correct answer for each of the
following questions.
1
2
3
4
The study of the origins and evolution of the Universe is known as:
a
mechanics
b
cosmology
c
astrophysics
d
relativity
In 1929, US astronomer Edwin Hubble found that:
a
the closer a galaxy was to Earth, the faster it was moving away from us
b
the further away a galaxy was from Earth, the faster it was moving towards us
c
the closer a galaxy was to Earth, the faster it was moving towards us
d
the further away a galaxy was from Earth, the faster it was moving away from us.
For what important discovery did the physicists Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson receive the Nobel Prize?
a
Determining the age of the Universe
b
Cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation
c
Black holes
d
Pulsars
Approximately how many years ago is the big bang thought to have occurred?
a
14 billion
b
14 million
c
14 thousand
d
14 trillion
Oxford Big Ideas Science 3
ISBN 978 0 19 556453 2
© Oxford University Press Australia
5
6
7
8
9
How long does it take for light from a star that is 200 light years from Earth to reach Earth?
a
2 years
b
20 years
c
200 years
d
2000 years
A light year is a measure of:
a
distance
b
time
c
speed
d
all of the above.
To determine the distance to a star using parallax:
a
only the parallax angle needs to be known
b
the parallax angle and the radius of the Earth need to be known
c
the parallax angle, the radius of the Earth and the distance to the Sun all need to be known
d
none of the above.
The brightness of a star viewed from Earth is known as its:
a
absolute brightness
b
absolute magnitude
c
apparent magnitude
d
magnitude.
Our Sun has an absolute magnitude of +4.8 whereas the star Beta Centauri is -5.0. This means that:
a
our Sun is really much brighter than Beta Centauri
b
our Sun is really much dimmer than Beta Centauri
c
our Sun is much dimmer than Beta Centauri when viewed from Earth
d
our Sun is the same brightness as Beta Centauri.
10 The more positive the absolute magnitude of a star:
a
the brighter it is
b
the dimmer it is
c
the hotter it is
d
the cooler it is.
Oxford Big Ideas Science 3
ISBN 978 0 19 556453 2
© Oxford University Press Australia
11 The more blue a star is:
a
the larger it is
b
the smaller it is
c
the hotter it is
d
the cooler it is.
12 The Sun is a G spectral class star. This signifies it is:
a
large
b
bright
c
yellow
d
a supergiant.
13 On a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, the white dwarf stars are usually found:
a
along the main sequence
b
in the bottom right
c
in the bottom left
d
in the top left.
14 The process that occurs inside the Sun is:
a
nuclear fission
b
nuclear disintegration
c
confusion
d
nuclear fusion.
15 The fuel of most stars is:
a
hydrogen
b
helium
c
oxygen
d
iron.
16 When a hydrogen burning star runs out of fuel, it contracts and cools and next forms a:
a
white dwarf
b
yellow star
c
black hole
d
red giant.
Oxford Big Ideas Science 3
ISBN 978 0 19 556453 2
© Oxford University Press Australia
17 The red shift of light from a galaxy may be used to determine the:
a
velocity at which the galaxy is moving away from us
b
average temperature of the galaxy
c
rate of rotation of the galaxy
d
chemical composition of the galaxy.
18 For which of the following theories does the evidence of the red shift of spectral lines provide most
support?
a
The expansion of the universe
b
The existence of black holes
c
The lifecycle of stars
d
The formation of a supernova.
19 This diagram shows:
a
an emission spectrum
b
a continuous spectrum
c
an X-ray spectrum
d
an absorption spectrum.
20 The pitch of a racing car changes as it drives past you. Is this change observable by the driver of the car?
a
No, it is only observable to a stationary observer.
b
Yes, it is only observable to the driver.
c
Yes, it is observable to any observer.
d
None of the above.
Oxford Big Ideas Science 3
ISBN 978 0 19 556453 2
© Oxford University Press Australia
21 The corona of the Sun is:
a
a burst of atomic particles into space
b
a brilliant eruption of energy
c
the halo of hot escaping gas in the outer layers of the Sun
d
a dark patch of lower temperature.
22 The solar wind is:
a
a burst of atomic particles from the Sun into space
b
a brilliant eruption of energy from the Sun
c
the halo of hot escaping gas in the outer layers of the Sun
d
a dark patch on the Sun of lower temperature.
23 A solar flare is:
a
a burst of atomic particles from the Sun into space
b
a brilliant eruption of energy from the Sun
c
the halo of hot escaping gas in the outer layers of the Sun
d
a dark patch on the Sun of lower temperature.
24 A sunspot is:
a
a burst of atomic particles from the Sun into space
b
a brilliant eruption of energy from the Sun
c
the halo of hot escaping gas in the outer layers of the Sun
d
a dark patch on the Sun of lower temperature.
25 Approximately 90% of stars are thought to be:
a
red giants
b
main sequence stars
c
pulsars
d
white dwarfs.
Oxford Big Ideas Science 3
ISBN 978 0 19 556453 2
© Oxford University Press Australia