SBCC - ERTH 101 - SEAN KELLY - FINAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Why does fusion take place at very high temperatures? - Answers :High
temperatures mean high collisional velocities, which can allow protons to overcome
their mutual electrical repulsion.
How did Harlow Shapley avoid the bias of dust when measuring the size and shape of
the Milky Way? - Answers :By using globular clusters
The ion tail of a comet points: - Answers :in the direction of solar wind.
Spring Tides occur: - Answers :during new and full moon.
5. As a result of collision, galaxies are most likely to evolve: - Answers :from spirals to
ellipticals
A comet moves on an elliptical orbit around the sun. Where is the comet's speed
largest? - Answers :Perihelion.
What happens when a White Dwarf steals enough mass from it's companion to exceed
1.4 solar masses. - Answers :it fuses nearly all of its carbon at once and becomes a
supernova.
Which of the following electron transitions would release a photon with the most
energy? - Answers :4 to 1
Where is the Sun located within the Milky Way? - Answers :in the disk, about 8 kpc from
the center.
10. Where is the Sun located within the Milky Way? - Answers :In the disk, about 8 kpc
from the center.
Why does stellar fusion of massive stars end with an iron core? - Answers :Iron does
not release energy when it undergoes fusion.
What stops the collapse of the most massive stars (cores greater than 3 solar masses)
at the end of their lives. - Answers :Electron degeneracy pressure.
Which of the following energy transport mechanism does NOT occur to a significant
degree in the Sun: - Answers :
Massive stars on the main sequence generate energy primarily through the: - Answers
:Proton-proton cycle.
AND ANSWERS
1. Why does fusion take place at very high temperatures? - Answers :High
temperatures mean high collisional velocities, which can allow protons to overcome
their mutual electrical repulsion.
How did Harlow Shapley avoid the bias of dust when measuring the size and shape of
the Milky Way? - Answers :By using globular clusters
The ion tail of a comet points: - Answers :in the direction of solar wind.
Spring Tides occur: - Answers :during new and full moon.
5. As a result of collision, galaxies are most likely to evolve: - Answers :from spirals to
ellipticals
A comet moves on an elliptical orbit around the sun. Where is the comet's speed
largest? - Answers :Perihelion.
What happens when a White Dwarf steals enough mass from it's companion to exceed
1.4 solar masses. - Answers :it fuses nearly all of its carbon at once and becomes a
supernova.
Which of the following electron transitions would release a photon with the most
energy? - Answers :4 to 1
Where is the Sun located within the Milky Way? - Answers :in the disk, about 8 kpc from
the center.
10. Where is the Sun located within the Milky Way? - Answers :In the disk, about 8 kpc
from the center.
Why does stellar fusion of massive stars end with an iron core? - Answers :Iron does
not release energy when it undergoes fusion.
What stops the collapse of the most massive stars (cores greater than 3 solar masses)
at the end of their lives. - Answers :Electron degeneracy pressure.
Which of the following energy transport mechanism does NOT occur to a significant
degree in the Sun: - Answers :
Massive stars on the main sequence generate energy primarily through the: - Answers
:Proton-proton cycle.
