Universe test

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Universe test

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

Observations have revealed that the speed of light is the same throughout the universe, and we have measured the speed of light as 300,000 km/s (186, 000 miles per second). Furthermore, a light year is the distance light travels in 365 Earth days, and we have observed galaxies that are billions of light years away from us.
How does our understanding of the speed of light support the Big Bang model?

a.	Modern technology allows us to travel faster than light to examine the early universe.
b.	Einstein’s equation (E=mc²) showed energy converted into matter at light speed.
c.	Due to this speed limit, we can look back in time to see how the universe formed.
d.	This cosmic speed limit explains how gravity formed the first galaxies.

The following diagrams show stages of the universe’s formation per the Big Bang Theory.

1st Stage	2nd Stage	3rd Stage

One supporting piece of evidence that strongly supports the Big Bang model is how wavelengths of light from galaxies moving away from our solar system (see stage three above) are observed to be...?

a.	longer than normal (red shift)	c.	shorter than normal (blue shift)
b.	longer than normal (blue shift)	d.	shorter than normal (red shift)

Edwin Hubble discovered that bright objects in the night sky were actually galaxies far away from and separate from our own local configuration of stars called the Milky Way. He also discovered that the great majority of these galaxies were red shifted. This provided strong evidence for the inflation model (Big Bang theory).
According to Hubble’s law, the farther away a galaxy is,

a.	the slower it is moving toward us.	c.	the slower it is moving away from us.
b.	the faster it is moving toward us.	d.	the faster it is moving away from us.

According to the Big Bang model, during the early stages of the formation of the universe, before stars and galaxies formed, the universe was very dense, extremely hot, and filled with a uniform glow from white-hot hydrogen plasma. Scientists predicted that this radiation should be still be observable, and this was confirmed in 1948 by Ralph Alpher and Robert Herman.

Alpher and Herman

How did the discovery of this cosmic microwave background radiation support the Big Bang Theory?

a.	If there is radiation from space impacting our solar system, this could explain the formation of the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon.
b.	Cosmic models such as the Steady State theory and the Inflation theory postulate that the early universe must have contained a wide range of radiation types.
c.	If the universe was compacted into a very small area in the past, it must have been intensely hot. This microwave radiation is what remains from this extremely hot period.
d.	With an average temperature around -270.45 Celsius (-454.81 Fahrenheit), space is very cold and hostile to life. However, this radiation heats planets allowing life to exist.

According to the Big Bang model, none of the elements shown below could have existed during the early stages of the formation of the universe.

Sodium	Mercury	Oxygen

Identify the cause and effect connection that supports the previously given statement concerning these three elements.

a.	Cause: There is no air in space. Effect: So, oxygen did not exist until planets like Earth were formed.
b.	Cause: Hydrogen, the most simple of all elements, was the first atom formed. Effect: Gravity in stars formed all later atoms starting with hydrogen, then helium, etc.
c.	Cause: Sodium atoms contain 11 protons and have an atomic mass of 23.0. Effect: Therefore, sodium atoms also have 11 electrons in their electron shells.
d.	Cause: Mercury is a metal with an atomic number of 80. Effect: It was too hot for metals to exist in the early universe. Only gases existed.

These data tables show the distance of various galaxies from Earth in millions of light-years (Mly) at different times.
Which table supports the theory of expansion in the formation of the universe?

a.
b.
c.
d.

The Hubble space telescope was placed in Earth’s orbit in 1990 by NASA’s space shuttle.
Orbital telescopes like this can be used to study our Sun, and they can also be used to study light from the two Alpha Centauri starts that are 4.3 lightyears away from Earth.

Space Shuttle	Hubble Telescope

It takes light about 8 minutes to travel from the Sun to planet Earth, and it takes star light from Alpha Centauri 4.3 years to travel to Earth.
How have we used this lightspeed phenomenon to develop the Big Bang Theory?

a.	Lightyear is the amount of distance that a beam of light travels in one 365 day period.
b.	We use telescopes to help us view object that are far away. These optical tools increase magnification so that our eyes can discern the details.
c.	Humans use telescope technology to measure the speed of light in our local solar system and beyond. We discovered that lightspeed decreased over great distances.
d.	Light travels at the same speed everywhere. We use this to “look back into time” at distant objects in our universe.

The Nebular Theory describes and explains how solar systems start as huge clouds of cosmic dust called nebulas and are changed into stars and planets by gravity.

4.6 Billion Years Ago	Now

Select the choice below that correctly orders the steps of the Nebular Theory.

a.	Step One: Gravitational attraction in a nebula pulled together clumps of atoms. Step Two: The largest clump formed into Jupiter, our largest planet. Step Three: One of the smaller clumps formed into planet Earth. Step Four: After the planets formed, nuclear fusion occurred to form the Sun.
b.	Step One: The Big Bang occurred resulting in the rapid expansion of our universe. Step Two: Solar systems began to form not long after the Big Bang. Step Three: Our solar system was the very first one to form. Step Four: Today, dark energy is pushing all other solar systems away from our sun.
c.	Step One: Our entire universe existed as a tiny point of energy. Step Two: This tiny point rapidly expanded/inflated (The Big Bang Theory). Step Three: Sub-atomic particles formed into the first atoms (helium and oxygen). Step Four: Gravity compressed clouds of helium to form the first stars.
d.	Step One: Gravity pulled together atoms in a nebula into larger and larger clumps. Step Two: The largest clump of matter (mostly hydrogen) began to heat up. Step Three: Nuclear fusion occurred in this largest clump, and a star was formed. Step Four: Smaller clumps of matter around the star formed into planets.

When the solar system was very young, the sun was just being formed and planets had not yet been made. The solar system was mostly gas and dust.

Which statement best explains how planets formed in the early solar system?

a.	Planets formed from magnetism in space that interacted with light from the stars.
b.	Planets formed from clusters of debris that were attracted together because of gravity.
c.	Planets formed from large asteroids that had broken apart.
d.	Planets formed from molten metal in volcanic eruptions.

10.

According to the Nebular Theory, the largest mass of matter in a nebula will form into a star
and the smaller masses of matter will form into planets.

Earth In Orbit Around the Sun

How does the Nebular Theory explain why planet Earth revolves around the Sun instead of the Sun orbiting around the Earth?

a.	The Sun orbits around Earth. This can be observed by watching a sunrise or sunset.
b.	The Nebular theory states that non-contact forces (pushing forces) cause this effect.
c.	Cause: Dark matter in space, *Effect:* Earth is forced to revolve around the Sun
d.	The Sun contains the most matter in our Solar System, so it also has the most gravity.

11.

In the Earth-Moon system, our planet’s gravitational force affects the Moon while at the same time the Moon’s gravitational force affects the Earth.

Earth-Moon System

How does the Moon’s gravity cause the rise and fall of Earth’s ocean levels?

a.	Earth’s revolves on its axis, which causes oceans levels to rise facing the Moon.
b.	The Moon’s gravity “pulls” on Earth’s air causing winds to form large ocean waves.
c.	The Moon’s gravitational force “pulls” on the oceans as planet Earth rotates.
d.	The Sun’s gravitation force “pulls” on both the Earth and the Moon at different times.

12.

Gravity formed our solar system from a cloud of elemental particles (mostly hydrogen and helium) about 4.6 billion years ago. The force of gravity continues to affect objects in our solar system today including the Earth and the Moon.

Earth-Moon System

What are two cause and effect connections that accurately describes gravity’s role concerning the Earth-Moon system?

a.	One: The Moon’s gravity causes tides to occur on Earth’s oceans. Two: Since the Moon has less mass than our planet, the Moon orbits around the Earth.
b.	One: The Moon orbits around the Earth at the speed of light. Two: The Earth’s gravitation pull on the Moon causes the earth to rotate.
c.	One: In the Earth-Moon system, the Moon revolves around the Earth. Two: Since the Moon has more mass then the Earth, the Moon’s gravity causes tides.
d.	One: The Moon’s primary motion in the Earth-Moon system is called rotation. Two: Since the Moon is moving away from the Earth, it is red shifted.

13.

When our solar system was forming from a nebula about 4.6 billion years ago, there were two large masses of matter. The largest mass became the Sun. The second largest mass became planet Jupiter.

The Sun	Planet Jupiter

The largest cluster of atoms that became the Sun had a mass of about 1.989 x 10³⁰ kilograms, and the mass that became Jupiter had a mass of about 1.898 x 10²⁷ kilogram
What most likely would have happened if the mass of atoms that formed into Jupiter had been equal to the mass that formed into our Sun?

a.	They would have combined to form a black hole at the center of our galaxy.
b.	Each mass would have formed a separate star resulting in a binary system.
c.	The masses would have canceled each other out so that no star would have formed.
d.	Electrostatic repulsion would have forced one mass to leave our solar system.

14.

The graphic shows the stages in the development of the solar system.

Which statement best describes the process of the formation of the solar system?

a.	A black hole pulled the gas and dust together.
b.	Gravity pulled the gas and dust together.
c.	Magnetism attracted the gas and dust together.
d.	An explosion pushed the gas and dust together.

15.

The Hubble space telescope was placed in Earth’s orbit in 1990 by NASA’s space shuttle.

Space Shuttle	Hubble Telescope

Since ground-based telescopes are much less expensive than space-based telescopes, what was the main reason for placing this telescope in space?

a.	Space shuttle crews needed practice placing satellites in orbit around our planet.
b.	This telescope was needed to examine the Moon to prepare for the 1st moon landings.
c.	The Hubble telescope was an experiment paid for by donations (not taxpayer funded.)
d.	Beyond our atmosphere, telescopes can produce better images without weather issues.

16.

Located about 62 million light years from Earth is the Antennae galaxy which is a combination of two galaxies that collided in the distant past. This collision has triggered the formation of millions of stars in huge nebulae. Astronomers have been studying these stars in the Antennae galaxy by using Spectrographic technology.
Which of the following statements best describes the type of information that astronomers gathered by using spectrographs?

a.	They gathered data about the location of the galaxy based on the red shift effect.
b.	They collected data about the chemical composition of the stars in this galaxy.
c.	They detected radio waves being emitted from the Antennae galaxy stars.
d.	They examined infrared images from objects in the Antennae galaxy.

17.

Spectroscopes allow scientists to examine the composition of stars and galaxies, determining the types of atom/elements present in the star and the quantities (amounts)..
How would this information be useful in providing evidence for the big bang theory?

a.	The big bang theory states that the early universe was composed of mostly hydrogen and helium. So, stars should mainly consist of these two elements.
b.	By examining light emitted from stars, we can determine how the universe looked close to the beginning of the universe.
c.	By examining quasars, we can gather evidence for the big bang theory. By also looking at gravitation forces, we can learn more about star’s composition.
d.	By examining the amount of red-shift or blue-shift effect a star exhibits, we can determine the composition.

18.

Advances in telescopic technology allows us to examine radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum that is invisible to us with the naked eye. Three space telescopes shown below have provided us with large amounts of data about celestial objects by detecting gamma rays, ultraviolet rays, and infrared rays.

Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE Space Telescope)	Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope	Spektr-Ultraviolet Space Telescope
Launched: Dec 2009	Launched: June 2008	Planned launch: 2025

Space Telescope	Mainly Detects	Frequency Range
WISE	Infrared rays	10¹⁰ to 10¹²Hertz (medium to lower frequency)
Fermi	Gamma Rays	10²⁰ to 10²⁴Hertz (high frequency)
Spektr-UV	Ultraviolet rays	10¹⁶ to 10¹⁸Hertz (medium to high frequency)
Hubble (HST)	Visible light	10¹⁶ to 10¹²Hertz (medium to lower frequency)

Teams of astronomers in Europe, Russia, and China have detected a higher than usual amount of high energy/high frequency bursts from the Andromeda galaxy. Your team of scientists wants to examine this phenomenon in greater detail, and you have the opportunity to reserve several days of observation time on one of the four space telescopes listed in the chart above.
Which space telescope will you use and why?

a.	Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) These energy bursts are primarily red shifted, and WISE detects infrared radiation.
b.	Fermi Space Telescope: These energy bursts are in the gamma ray part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
c.	Spektr-UV Space Telescope This newest telescope from Russia has the most advanced hardware and software.
d.	Hubble Space Telescope (HST) This telescope launched in 1990 has examined more celestial phenomena than others.

19.

Even in the ancient past, observers were able to identify patterns in the movements of celestial objects. In fact, an ancient Greek man named Ptolemy, is the first person who recorded the retrograde motion of our planets in 150 A.D. Retrograde motion is a phenomenon where planets appear to go backwards for a short period of time as they complete a revolution (orbit) around the Sun (Sol).
Which kind of modern celestial observation technology would work best to observe the motion of planets in our solar system as the orbit Sol?

a.	Optical Telescope	c.	Satellites
b.	Spectroscopes	d.	Magnometer

20.

Astronomers use telescopes that observe across all portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, from low-energy radio and microwaves to high-energy gamma rays and x-rays. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large space telescope scheduled to launch in 2021, and it will mainly detect infrared radiation.

James Webb Space Telescope

JWST is designed to examine red shifted celestial objects by collecting infrared radiation which will help us learn more about the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang.
How can red-shifted images from distant galaxies help us better understand how they formed after the Big Bang?

a.	The data collected by JWST will enable us to look back in time billions of years ago.
b.	JWST is designed to land on Mars and to analyze the composition of this red planet.
c.	The James Webb Space Telescope will collect data about the visible spectrum range.
d.	This type of telescope uses a convex lens to gather and focus electromagnetic waves.

21.

NASA and other space programs have sent numerous robotic probes to explore celestial objects and phenomena throughout our solar system.

New Horizons Space Probe	Spirit: Mars Rover

What is the advantage of sending robot probes instead of humans, and what information have these probes provided to us?

a.	Using their artificial intelligence, robot probes, unlike humans, do not require any supervision. These probes have created detailed maps of Earth, and they help us study weather patterns on our planet.
b.	Humans are more intelligent and can perform more complex experiments than robots. Therefore, robotic probes are rarely used for space missions in our solar system.
c.	Robot technology is highly advanced, and robots can explore better than human beings. These probes have explored the black hole at the center of the Milky Way, and they have landed on Sol.
d.	Robotic probes are used when missions are especially hazardous and/or tedious. These probes have given us chemical and atmospheric data about Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter.

Multiple Response
Identify one or more choices that best complete the statement or answer the question.

22.

(Multi-Select Question)
The composition of stars is considered to be supporting evidence for the Big Bang Theory about the formation of the universe.

What are the two most common elements found in stars, and how does stellar composition support the inflation model? (Select Two Answers)

a.	Stars formed when gravitational forces converted matter into solar energy.
b.	The main elements in stars are carbon (about 22%) and oxygen (about 76%).
c.	The main elements in stars are hydrogen ( about 73%) and helium ( about 25%).
d.	Hydrogen was the first atom to form after the Big Bang followed later by helium.

23.

In the 1950s we discovered massive celestial objects emitting exceptionally large amounts of energy. We call them quasars, and they are huge black holes in the center of early galaxies with superheated gases jetting out from them along with radio waves.

Black Hole	Quasar

(Multi-Select Question)
At a science conference you are challenged to construct an explanation using cause and effect connections about how quasars support the Big Bang model.
(Select 2 choices).

a.	In 2017, a quasar was discovered that is 13.1 billion light years away allowing us to view the early stages of galaxy formation not long after the Big Bang event.
b.	Unlike other celestial objects, quasars did not conform to Newtonian physics or to Einstein’s equations. Therefore we can conclude that they formed prior to the Big Bang.
c.	Quasars have tremendous luminosities due to the super-heated gas being expelled outwards in huge jets that are larger and longer than their host galaxies.
d.	Quasars are red shifted revealing that the universe is expanding. Since the universe is expanding today then in the past in must have been compacted into a smaller area.

24.

The Law of Universal Gravitation describes how gravity is a force that affects all matter in our universe.
Multi-Select Question
What evidence supports this law in connection with the Big Bang model? (select 3 choices).

a.	Gravity fused hydrogen atoms to form helium and other elements (nucleosynthesis).
b.	After hydrogen atoms formed, they began to clump together due to gravity.
c.	Gravity was first detected by the K.O.B.E. satellite in 1990 proving the Big Bang.
d.	Stars were “pulled” together into formations called galaxies by gravity.

25.

Spring Tides: refers to the 'springing forth' of the tide during new and full moons.
Neap Tides: occurs seven days after a spring tide, refers to a period of moderate tides.

Spring Tide	Neap Tide

Contrast Spring Tides and Neap Tides, and select the cause and effect choice that correctly explains how these tides are formed. (Select two choices).

a.	Cause: The Moon’s gravity causes the Earth to rotate and revolve. Effect: The Earth’s spinning motion results in ocean bulges called tides.
b.	Low Tides occur when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other, but High Tides occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in alignment.
c.	Cause: The Moon’s gravity plus the Sun’s gravity pulls on Earth’s oceans. Effect: The oceans bulge upwards creating high and low tides around the planet.
d.	Neap Tides occur when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other, but Spring Tides occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in alignment.

26.

Our solar system contains eight planets: The first four planets are called terrestrial planets.

What do the three terrestrial planets shown in the illustration above have in common?
(Select 2 choices.)

a.	The gravitational pull of the Sun holds these planets in their orbits.
b.	The magnetic pull from the Sun holds them in orbits as they revolve around the galaxy.
c.	These planets each formed in different solar systems millions of light years away.
d.	They remained close to the Sun after the sun’s radiation blew cosmic gas outwards.

27.

Below are three celestial objects from our solar system (Saturn, Earth, and The Moon).

What two motions, caused by gravity, do all three of the celestial objects shown above have in common? (Select 2 choices.)

a.	They all rotate on their axes due to the force of gravity.
b.	Saturn orbits the Earth, and at the same time, the Moon revolves around the Earth.
c.	They all spin due to the force of electromagnetism.
d.	The all revolve in elliptical orbital paths around the Sun due to gravity.

28.

Scientists use both ground-based telescopes and space-based telescopes (in orbit) to examine celestial objects.

Ground-Based Telescopes	Space-Based Telescopes

Multi-Select Question
Identify three cause and effect relationships that explains why space-based telescopes have significant advantages over ground-based telescopes.
(Select 3 choices)

a.	Air absorbs most of the ultraviolet light radiating to our planet from outer space.
b.	Space-based telescopes are in motion, but ground-based telescopes are stationary.
c.	Earth’s atmosphere filters out much of the infrared radiation from space.
d.	Light pollution degrades the clarity of space images with ground-based telescopes.

29.

One famous space-based observatory is the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) that was launched in 1990. HST has provided many significant images, but its hardware and software have degraded with the passing of time. Hubble’s replacement, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is scheduled to be launched in 2021. The HST is located in a close orbit to Earth, but the JWST will be located much farther out in an orbit beyond the Moon which will enable it to capture ever more radiation.

HST	JWST

	Detect Ultraviolet	Detect Visible Light	Detect Infrared	Mirror Diameter
Hubble Space Telescope	Yes	Yes	Some	2.4 m
James Webb Telescope	No	Some	Yes	6.5 m

(Multi-Select)
What are three factors that will enable the James Webb Space Telescope to provide better data than the older Hubble Space Telescope? (Select 3 choices)

a.	JWST has a larger mirror. (6.5 m diameter contrasted with HST’s 2.4 m diameter.)
b.	JWST will have enhanced technology for detecting low frequency radio waves.
c.	The JWST will have newer/more advanced hardware and software than the HST.
d.	Orbiting farther from the Earth, JWST’s detection range is greater than HST’s range.

30.

(Multi-Select)
What are two advantages that terrestrial telescopes (ground based) have over space based telescopes? (select 2 choices)

a.	Terrestrial telescopes are less expensive to build and operate.
b.	Space based telescopes do not have interference from light pollution or air pollution.
c.	Terrestrial telescopes are readily accessible to a larger population of scientists.
d.	By staying in Earth’s atmosphere, terrestrial telescopes can capture better images.