Astrophysics and Cosmology Quiz

What is the primary focus of cosmology?

• The study of galaxies

• The study of planets

• The study of the universe as a whole

• The study of individual stars

What significant contribution did Henrietta Swan Leavitt make to astrophysics?

• She discovered black holes

• She developed the theory of relativity

• She identified the period-luminosity relationship in Cepheid variables

• She invented the telescope

What is a standard candle in astrophysics?

• A galaxy with a known size

• A planet with a known orbit

• A celestial object with a known luminosity

• A star with a known temperature

How can the distance to a star be calculated using a Cepheid variable?

• By calculating its mass

• By using its period-luminosity relationship

• By observing its color

• By measuring its temperature

What happens when a white dwarf exceeds 1.4 times the mass of the Sun?

• It explodes as a Type 1a supernova

• It turns into a neutron star

• It remains stable

• It becomes a black hole

Why are Type 1a supernovae considered reliable standard candles?

• They have variable luminosity

• They occur frequently

• They have a consistent luminosity

• They are easy to observe

What is the Doppler effect in the context of light?

• A change in the speed of light

• A change in the color of light due to motion

• A change in the brightness of light

• A change in the direction of light

What does a redshift in light from a star indicate?

• The star is moving away from us

• The star is stationary

• The star is changing color

• The star is moving towards us

What is the significance of spectral lines in understanding star composition?

• They show the star's size

• They reveal the star's temperature

• They indicate the star's age

• They act as fingerprints for elements

How is the velocity of a star determined using redshift?

• By analyzing its temperature

• By measuring its brightness

• By calculating the change in wavelength

• By observing its size