Earth Systems Unit 5 Test

According to the Big Bang theory, during the formation and expansion of the universe, hydrogen and helium were produced. How are the elements that are heavier than helium but lighter than or equal to iron produced?

• Elements heavier than helium but lighter than or equal to iron are produced by nuclear fusion within stars.

• Elements heavier than helium but lighter than or equal to iron were already in existence before the Big Bang.

• Elements heavier than helium but lighter than or equal to iron are produced when massive stars reach supernova stage and explode.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Which statement correctly describes why the existence of cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) is one of the lines of evidence used to support the Big Bang theory?

• The CMBR is blue shifted to the degree predicted by the Big Bang theory.

• The remnant radiation predicted by the Big Bang theory matches that of the CMBR once red shift is accounted for.

• The CMBR is evidence that the universe switched from transparent to opaque as predicted by the Big Bang theory.

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Which statement accurately relates a star’s mass to its expected life cycle?

• Stars with less mass conduct fusion at a greater rate, which leads to a shorter lifespan as a main-sequence star.

• Stars with a greater mass conduct fusion at a faster rate, which leads to a shorter lifespan as a main-sequence star.

• Stars with a greater mass are able to burn oxygen at a greater rate, which leads to a shorter lifespan as a main-sequence star.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

A student states that the less hydrogen a star has at the beginning of life, the longer it will make helium. Which of these explains whether the student’s statement is accurate or not?

• The student’s statement is inaccurate. Hydrogen and helium have no relationship in the burning of fuel for a star.

• The student’s statement is accurate. A star must burn through all of its hydrogen before it is able to burn its reserves of helium until later in its life.

• The student’s statement is inaccurate. Hydrogen converts to helium through the process of fusion. It is not possible to have less hydrogen but more helium early in life.

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Observations of the universe have shown that light from the edges of the universe are shifted red in every direction. What does this mean about the galaxies around us and how does this support the Big Bang theory?

• The galaxies are moving toward us, which indicates that the universe continues to get smaller.

• The galaxies are rotating around a central point, indicating a significant gravitational pull from the Big Bang.

• The galaxies are moving away from us, which indicates that the universe was once smaller and more dense and is continuing to expand.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

Two stars have the same absolute magnitude, but one is four times the distance from Earth. What will the more distant star’s apparent brightness be relative to the closer star as viewed from Earth?

• It will be four times the closer star’s apparent brightness.

• It will be one-fourth of the closer star’s apparent brightness.

• It will be one-sixteenth of the closer star’s apparent brightness.

Energy is released from the sun and ultimately reaches Earth. Analyze the graph of solar irradiance. Which explanation could describe why the amount of energy that reaches Earth is not consistent?

• Sunspots release energy in an 11-year cycle because of the magnetic field of the sun.

• The energy released from the process of fusion in the core of the sun takes 11 years to rise to the surface.

• The change of winds in the coronal layer of the sun sends energy from the sun to Earth in 11-year cycles.

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The diagram depicts the life cycle of a star. All matter in the universe can be linked to this process. Which statement explains the origin of the elements heavier than iron in the universe?

• When the iron core of a red giant collapses in on itself to form a supernova, a shock wave is generated, which provides the energy needed to form these heavy elements.

• When the iron core of a red giant collapses in on itself to form a planetary nebula, a shock wave is generated, which provides the energy needed to form these heavy elements.

• When the iron core of a red supergiant collapses in on itself to form a supernova, a shock wave is generated, which provides the energy needed to form these heavy elements.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

The main sequence lifespan of a star is related to the initial mass of the star. The sun has an approximate lifetime of 10 billion years. Write the letters representing the numbers in the boxes to correctly identify the approximate lifespan of each star in billions of years.

• 20, 10, 2.5, 5

• 2.5, 5, 10, 20

• 5, 10, 2.5, 20

• 2.5, 20, 5, 10

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Write one letter in each blank to complete the sentence about the brightness of stars. The _________ magnitude of a star changes with the distance between the star and the observer, whereas the _________ magnitude is the measure of how bright each star would be if it were at the same distance (10 parsecs) from an observer.

Choose from these two words to fill in the blanks: absolute or apparent