The Sun and Stars Test

What is the flaw with using apparent brightness rather than absolute brightness to determine the brightness of a star?

• Apparent brightness does not use the star's color or temperature

• Apparent brightness does not take into account the actual distance of the star from Earth

• Apparent brightness is only theoretical, its value cannot be directly measured with equipment.

• Apparent brightness is only on a comparative scale that determines how bright a star looks from a theoretical distance of 10 parsecs from Earth.

Solar prominences are caused by the magnetic fields and electrical currents in the Sun. The diagram below shows a cross-section of the Sun. Four features are labeled W through Z. Which feature is the solar prominence?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-5

The table below lists the properties of several stars. Use the information in the table and your knowledge of stars to answer the question. Which star has the HIGHEST surface temperature?

• Betelgeuse

• Polaris

• Rigel

• Vega

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Which properties would be MOST useful for the classification of a star recently discovered by an astronomer?

• temperature, solar flare activity, number of surrounding planets, and size

• temperature, size comparison to our sun, solar flare activity, and luminosity

• apparent brightness, temperature, luminosity or absolute brightness, and size

• apparent brightness, temperature, distance from the Milky Way, and presence of dark spots

Scientists use models of the Sun to better understand how it works. The currently accepted model of the Sun indicates that it has a dense core surrounded by different layers. How is energy transferred from the core of the Sun to its outer layers?

• Energy radiates outward from the core as a visible light.

• Energy is carried inward from the outer layers by convection.

• Energy is radiated out from the core first, then carried to the outer layers by convection.

• Energy is carried out from the core by convection first, then radiated to the outer layers.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-2

How does the composition of a comet compare with that of the Sun?

• Both objects contain water.

• Both objects are made of gas only.

• Comets are made of ice and dust, while the Sun is made of gas.

• Comets are made of frozen rock, while the Sun is made of burning rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Scientists know that the sunspots that form on the surface are the areas of coolest temperature for this star. At the sunspots, temperatures are merely 3700 K. What does this information about the Sun confirm?

• As with the outer core of Earth, the Sun has a liquid center.

• As with the mantle of Earth, convection occurs in parts of the Sun.

• As with the crust of Earth, the Sun's photosphere has properties of a solid.

• As with the weather on the surface of Earth, warm fronts bring storms to the surface of the Sun.

During a class astronomy project, the teacher displayed a table similar to the one below that relates the color of a star to its surface temperature.

The teacher gave Kwan a card with the following description of a star:

Star A

6,750 K

Based on the table above, what color should Kwan predict the star will be?

• red

• blue

• orange

• yellow-white

The table relates color and surface temperature for different stars.

A scientist discovers a new star. It is blue-white and is about 20,000 K. Which star is it most similar to?

• sun

• Rigel

• Vega

• Canopus

Two stars have the same apparent magnitude as seen from Earth’s surface. Star A is 33 ly away. Star B is 346 ly away. Which of the following statements is true?

• Star B is larger than star A.

• Star B is more luminous than star A.

• The stars have the same absolute magnitude.

• Star A has a smaller absolute magnitude.