Astronomy Diagnostic Test

Which force is responsible for the formation of stars and planets from interstellar gas and dust?

• Electromagnetic force

• Gravitational force

• Nuclear force

• Weak nuclear force

Which type of spectrum is produced when light from a hot, dense object passes through a cooler, diffuse gas?

• Continuous spectrum

• Emission spectrum

• Absorption spectrum

• Blackbody spectrum

The cosmic microwave background radiation is best described as:

• Radiation from newly formed stars

• The residual heat from the Big Bang

• Light emitted by black holes

• Energy from the Sun

A planet’s ability to retain an atmosphere depends primarily on:

• Its magnetic field

• Its rotation rate

• Its mass and temperature

• Its distance from the Sun

The most abundant element in the universe is:

• H

• He

• O

• C

Which of the following best describes the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram?

• A plot of stars according to their distance and brightness

• A chart of stars based on their composition and density

• A graph comparing a star’s luminosity and temperature

• A map showing star locations in the sky

The event horizon of a black hole is:

• The region where gravitational force is weakest
• The surface of a neutron star
• The boundary beyond which nothing can escape
• The region where fusion occurs in black holes

Kepler’s First Law states that:

• Planets orbit the Sun in circular paths
• The farther a planet is from the Sun, the faster it moves
• Planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus
• The force of gravity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance

The primary source of the Sun’s energy is:

• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear fusion
• Gravitational contraction
• Chemical combustion

Which of the following is the best evidence supporting the expansion of the universe?

• The abundance of hydrogen in the cosmos
• The cosmic microwave background radiation
• The redshift of distant galaxies
• The presence of dark matter