Physics 110

Introduction to Astronomy

Practice for Exam #2

This is designed for students taking the Physics 110 course at California State University at Bakersfield. Anyone is welcome to attempt the problems. Answers can be found in the pop-up boxes following each question.

These questions cover the material for our second exam, covering the chapters 2, 3, and 7.

(Q1) LIGHT REACHES US ON EARTH FROM GALAXIES THAT ARE BILLIONS OF LIGHT-YEARS AWAY. SOME COLORS OF LIGHT ARE MISSING, THESE MISSING COLORS TELL ASTRONOMERS THE

(a) composition of clouds between us and the galaxies.

(b) exact distances to galaxies.

(c) sizes of galaxies.

(d) temperature of the space between galaxies.

And The Answer Is (a) composition

(Q2) WHICH OF THESE IS THE CORRECT MATHEMATICAL STATEMENT OF THE LAW OF GRAVITY?

(a) F = GMm/r^2

(b) g = GM/R^2

(c) M + m = a^3/P^2

(d) v = square root(2GM/r^2)

And The Answer Is (a) F = GMm/r^2

(Q3) THE SMALL BODIES THAT COMBINED TOGETHER TO FORM PLANETS ARE CALLED

(a) interstellar grains.

(b) Kuiper Belt Objects.

(c) planetesimals.

(d) terrestrial planets.

And The Answer Is (c) planetesimals

(Q4) BY FAR, THE LARGEST OBJECT IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM IS

(a) the Earth.

(b) Jupiter.

(c) the Pacific Ocean.

(d) the Sun.

And The Answer Is (d) the Sun

(Q5) WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF LIGHT HAS THE SHORTEST WAVELENGTH?

(a) Radio

(b) Ultraviolet

(c) Visible

(d) X-ray

And The Answer Is (d) X-ray

(Q6) ACCORDING TO NEWTON'S FIRST LAW, A MOVING OBJECT SHOULD

(a) move in a circular orbit once per day.

(b) move in a straight line.

(c) slow to a stop.

(d) speed up with constant acceleration.

And The Answer Is (b) straight line

There will be one or two multiple choice questions requiring math. There will also be a math question taken directly from the homework, identical except that the numbers will be changed.

Astronomy Homepage

Try Exam #1 Practice

Try Exam #3 Practice