Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between mass and weight?

Accepted Answer

Weight is the force of gravity on an object in a particular place, while mass is the amount of actual matter an object has.

Question 2

If two objects of different masses are dropped from the same height above the surface of the Moon, which will hit the ground first?

Accepted Answer

Both objects will hit the ground at the same time.

Question 3

What happens to an object if you eject it from Earth with a velocity greater than the escape velocity?

Accepted Answer

It will have complete escape from Earth's gravity and never return.

Question 4

On the Moon, where gravity is lower than on Earth, what happens to your weight and mass?

Accepted Answer

Your weight decreases, but your mass stays the same.

Question 5

When are you considered weightless?

Accepted Answer

When you are jumping off a building, a plane, or anything else.

Question 6

What is a constellation?

Accepted Answer

A region of the sky.

Question 7

Two stars have the same luminosity. Which one appears brighter from Earth: Alpha Centauri or the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The Sun, because it is much closer to Earth.

Question 8

If the North Star (Polaris) is 50 degrees above your horizon due north, what is your latitude?

Accepted Answer

50 degrees north latitude.

Question 9

How much of the Moon is always illuminated by the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Half of the Moon is always illuminated.

Question 10

What phase of the Moon is required for a lunar eclipse to occur?

Accepted Answer

Full Moon

Question 11

Where on Earth can you see a lunar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

From anywhere on Earth where the Moon is visible.

Question 12

What phase of the Moon is required for a solar eclipse to occur?

Accepted Answer

New Moon

Question 13

Which two conditions must be met for any type of eclipse to occur?

Accepted Answer

The Sun, Moon, and Earth must be in the same line, and the correct phase of the Moon must occur.

Question 14

Where are we located in the Milky Way galaxy?

Accepted Answer

Halfway between the center and the edge.

Question 15

What type of galaxy is the Milky Way?

Accepted Answer

Spiral galaxy

Question 16

How are stars born?

Accepted Answer

In swirling nebulae of hydrogen gas, enriched by material from previous generations of stars.

Question 17

What is a consequence of an uneven cloud collapsing during star formation?

Accepted Answer

The cloud begins spinning, flattens, heats up in the center, and can form jets.

Question 18

When do we say a star is born?

Accepted Answer

When thermal nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium begins in the core.

Question 19

What marks the beginning of a star's death?

Accepted Answer

When hydrogen in the core is exhausted and fusion stops.

Question 20

What is the fate of Sun-like stars after they exhaust their nuclear fuel?

Accepted Answer

They die and become white dwarfs.

Fundamentals of Astronomy: Gravity, Stars, and Celestial Phenomena

Study Guide - Practice Questions