Final Exam (Old test 3) – Flashcards

In a binary star system, a red giant transfers hydrogen to a white dwarf star. What can happen? a. The hydrogen fuses causing the white dwarf to briefly brighten as a nova, then return to a white dwarf. b. The white dwarf reaches the Chandrasekhar limit and explodes as a supernova leaving nothing behind. c. The white dwarf begins to collapse, explodes as a supernova, and becomes a black hole. d. A and B are both possible. e. A, B, and C are all possible.

As we saw in the video in class, Henrietta Leavitt is famous for finding the period-luminosity relationship in Cepheid variables. What is that relationship? a. Shorter period means higher luminosity b. Period is equal to luminosity c. Longer period means higher luminosity d. Luminosity increases twice as fast as period

What causes fusion to stop in the core of high-mass stars leading to core collapse? a. The star gets too cool for fusion. b. The pressure in the star is too high. c. The star explodes. d. The star can't fuse Iron

Why does the time it takes to burn through each new heavier element in the core of a high-mass star get shorter? a. There is not as much of the new heavy elements to burn. b. Heavy elements produce neutrinos that speed up the fusion reactions. c. Heavy elements fuse more easily than lighter ones. d. Neutrinos carry away more and more energy as each new element starts to fuse

What causes the shock wave in a high-mass star that creates a Type II Supernova? a. The core cannot collapse any farther and bounces back. b. Fusion stops in the core. c. Gravity suddenly decreases. d. The star exceeds its maximum mass.

Which of the following is NOT a possible result of a Type II supernova explosion? a. A pulsar b. A black dwarf c. A black hole d. The formation of new stars e. Creation of new heavy elements

Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic of a neutron star? a. Extremely high density b. Very short rotation period c. Enormous magnetic field d. All of these ARE common characteristics of a neutron star

What makes a pulsar different from other neutron stars? Choose the BEST answer. a. It is in a binary system. b. It has a strong magnetic field. c. It emits beams of radiation in line with the poles. d. It emits strong X-rays.

You read about a new spaceship that can travel up to a speed of 2 times the speed of light. As it travels, the ship gets shorter and everyone on board experiences time passing more slowly than on Earth. Why can't this spaceship be real according to special relativity? a. Objects in motion don't get shorter. b. Nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. c. Time is the same for everyone. d. The spaceship IS possible according to relativity.