Physical Science MIDTERM EXAM

What is the branch of astronomy that involves the origin and evolution of the universe?

• Geology

• Biology

• Cosmology

• Astrology

Which process creates new atomic nuclei from pre-existing nucleons?

• Fusion

• Fission

• Nucleosynthesis

• Radioactive Decay

What is the smallest unit of matter that has all the properties of an element?

• Compound

• Atom

• Cell

• Molecule

What does the Atomic Number indicate in an atom?

• Number of Electrons

• Number of Protons

• Number of Neutrons

• Atomic Mass

What is the process by which a star changes over the course of time?

• Supernova

• Nucleosynthesis

• Fusion

• Stellar Evolution

What is the theory of the production of many different chemical elements in supernova explosions?

• Supernova Nucleosynthesis

• Cosmic Ray Spallation

• Proton-Proton Chain Reaction

• Stellar Nucleosynthesis

Which reaction is one of the two sets of fusion reactions by which stars convert hydrogen to helium?

• Triple Alpha Process Nucleosynthesis

• Alpha Ladder Process

• Proton-Proton Chain Reaction

• Fusion

What is the electromagnetic radiation left over from an early stage of the universe in Big Bang cosmology?

• Cosmic Microwave Background

• Redshift

• Annihilation

• Recombination

What is the displacement of spectral lines toward longer wavelengths in radiation from distant galaxies and celestial objects?

• Redshift

• Nucleosynthesis

• Inflation

• Singularity

What is the process by which three helium-4 nuclei are transformed into carbon?

• Stellar Evolution

• Triple Alpha Process Nucleosynthesis

• Isotope

• Fusion