Galaxies and the Universe
Practice Test
1.
Why do variable stars pulsate in brightness?
SC.E.2.4
a.
expansion and contraction of their outer layers
b.
gain in mass
c.
movement at a fixed rate
d.
constant contraction
2.
What theory does cosmic background radiation support?
SC.E.2.4.5
a.
the steady-state theory
b.
the theory of evolution
c.
the Big Bang theory
d.
the inflationary universe model
3.
Where are the oldest stars in the galaxy located?
SC.E.2.4
a.
black holes
b.
bulge only
c.
spiral arms
d.
halo and bulge
4.
In the Big Bang theory, what balances the momentum of the expansion of the universe?
SC.E.2.4.5
a.
the momentum of the galaxies
b.
the outward force of gravity
c.
the critical density of the universe
d.
the inward force of gravity
5.
The smallest galaxies are called __________ and the largest are called __________.
SC.E.2.4.2
a.
dwarf ellipticals, giant ellipticals
b.
dwarf ellipticals, giant spirals
c.
irregular, ellipticals
d.
dwarf spirals, giant ellipticals
6.
What is located at the center of the Milky Way?
SC.E.2.4
a.
a supermassive black hole
b.
gamma rays
c.
a supernova
d.
gas clouds
7.
Which galaxy shape is not a part of Hubble's classification system?
SC.E.2.4.2
a.
elliptical
b.
spherical
c.
irregular
d.
spiral
8.
What are the oldest-known objects in the Milky Way?
SC.E.2.4
a.
globular clusters
b.
active galactic nuclei
c.
black holes
d.
dwarf ellipticals
9.
Galaxies that are extremely bright are called __________.
SC.E.2.4.2
a.
radio galaxies
b.
spiral galaxies
c.
superclusters
d.
active galactic nuclei
10.
The redshift of quasars measures __________.
SC.E.2.4.3
a.
their intensity
b.
their distance from Earth
c.
their age of formation
d.
their shape
11.
Where are the youngest stars of the galaxy located?
SC.E.2.4
a.
black holes
b.
spiral arms
c.
halo
d.
central bulge
12.
Most of the mass in cluster galaxies is __________.
SC.E.2.4.2
a.
invisible
b.
spinning
c.
visible
d.
pulsating
13.
What do scientists use to measure Earth's distance from globular clusters?
SC.E.2.4.6
a.
the steady-state theory
b.
variable stars
c.
the Milky Way
d.
the Hubble constant
14.
Look at the scale in the figure. Infer why our sun will never become a black hole.
SC.E.2.4.1
a.
it's too small
b.
it has too much gas
c.
it's too big
d.
it's not in the center of a galaxy
15.
What theory suggests that the universe does not change with time?
SC.E.2.4.5
a.
the steady-state theory
b.
the theory of plate tectonics
c.
the Big Bang theory
d.
the inflationary universe model
