AST 180- CH 5 REVIEW UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question:
1. Which of the following statements about the nucleus of a typical atom (such as a carbon atom in your
little finger) is FALSE: A the nucleus has an overall positive charge B the nucleus takes up a very small
amount of space compared to the entire atom C the nucleus contains both protons and neutrons D the
nucleus repels the electrons which move around it E the nucleus contains most of the mass of the atom
Answer:
D
Question:
2. Which of the following statements about electromagnetic radiation is FALSE? A it always spreads out at
the speed of light B it is given off by all objects that are not at a temperature of absolute zero C it is
typically produced when charged particles oscillate D different waves of electromagnetic radiation differ
in their wavelength or frequency E the radiation consists of tiny charged particles given off by the nuclei of
atoms
Answer:
E
Question:
3. We have two waves of light, A and B. Wave A has a higher frequency than wave B. Then wave B must
have: A longer wavelength B higher speed C lower speed D shorter wavelength E this can't be determined
from the information given
Answer:
A
Question:
4. This chapter discusses that light sometimes acts like a photon. What is a photon? A a charged particle in
the nucleus of every atom B a kind of magnetic substance found in reflective minerals C a self-contained
"packet" of electro-magnetic energy D a kind of sound that is too high frequency for the human ear to hear
E you can't fool me. Einstein showed that photons were a mistake - they don't exist.
Answer:
C
Question:
5. In the future, several students living on board a space station decide to have a race among different types
of electromagnetic radiation. Which of the following travels through space the fastest? A visible light B
radio waves C infrared D x-rays E you can't fool me, all of these travel through space at the same speed
Answer:
E
Question:
6. Which of the following has the longest wavelength? A radio waves B visible light waves C ultraviolet
waves D x-rays E you can't fool me, all these have the same wavelength
, Answer:
A
Question:
7. A fashion designer decides to bring out a new line of clothing which reflects the longest wavelength of
visible light. What color will these articles of clothing be to the human eye? A yellow-green B blue C
violet D red E black
Answer:
D
Question:
8. Which of the following statements about photons is FALSE? A photons always travel at the speed of
light B photons each carry a specific amount of energy C a photon of visible light cannot pass through the
atmosphere of the Earth, and thus cannot be seen at the Earth's surface D high energy photons have a high
frequency (when thought of as waves) E a gamma-ray photon carries more energy than a visible light
photon
Answer:
C
Question:
9. Most ultraviolet radiation does not penetrate to the Earth's surface. Instead it is absorbed in: A the ozone
layer B the ionosphere C the region between the Earth and the Sun D stratosphere E tanning zone
Answer:
A
Question:
10. One reason that human eyes evolved to detect visible light is: A it is the band of the electromagnetic
spectrum with the lowest possible energy and thus easiest to detect B it is the only band of the spectrum
that can travel through a vacuum C it is the band of the spectrum which is the least Doppler shifted coming
from the Sun D it is a band of the spectrum where the Sun puts out a great deal of energy E it is the band of
the spectrum where the warm Earth glows the most effectively
Answer:
D
Question:
11. Which of the following statements about infrared radiation is TRUE? A it is the band of the
electromagnetic spectrum where each wave or photon has the greatest energy B it was first discovered in
1800 in an experiment using sunlight and thermometers C unlike light, infrared can never travel as fast as
the speed of light D while many stars give off infrared, there is nothing on Earth at the right temperature to
emit it E it is the radiation responsible for giving sunburns (or in large doses, skin cancer)
Answer:
B
Question:
12. You are alone in a large, completely dark auditorium on Earth. What kind of telescope should I use
from the other side of the auditorium to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by your body? A
visible light B infra-red C ultra-violet D black light E no telescope will be effective if I am in a dark room
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question:
1. Which of the following statements about the nucleus of a typical atom (such as a carbon atom in your
little finger) is FALSE: A the nucleus has an overall positive charge B the nucleus takes up a very small
amount of space compared to the entire atom C the nucleus contains both protons and neutrons D the
nucleus repels the electrons which move around it E the nucleus contains most of the mass of the atom
Answer:
D
Question:
2. Which of the following statements about electromagnetic radiation is FALSE? A it always spreads out at
the speed of light B it is given off by all objects that are not at a temperature of absolute zero C it is
typically produced when charged particles oscillate D different waves of electromagnetic radiation differ
in their wavelength or frequency E the radiation consists of tiny charged particles given off by the nuclei of
atoms
Answer:
E
Question:
3. We have two waves of light, A and B. Wave A has a higher frequency than wave B. Then wave B must
have: A longer wavelength B higher speed C lower speed D shorter wavelength E this can't be determined
from the information given
Answer:
A
Question:
4. This chapter discusses that light sometimes acts like a photon. What is a photon? A a charged particle in
the nucleus of every atom B a kind of magnetic substance found in reflective minerals C a self-contained
"packet" of electro-magnetic energy D a kind of sound that is too high frequency for the human ear to hear
E you can't fool me. Einstein showed that photons were a mistake - they don't exist.
Answer:
C
Question:
5. In the future, several students living on board a space station decide to have a race among different types
of electromagnetic radiation. Which of the following travels through space the fastest? A visible light B
radio waves C infrared D x-rays E you can't fool me, all of these travel through space at the same speed
Answer:
E
Question:
6. Which of the following has the longest wavelength? A radio waves B visible light waves C ultraviolet
waves D x-rays E you can't fool me, all these have the same wavelength
, Answer:
A
Question:
7. A fashion designer decides to bring out a new line of clothing which reflects the longest wavelength of
visible light. What color will these articles of clothing be to the human eye? A yellow-green B blue C
violet D red E black
Answer:
D
Question:
8. Which of the following statements about photons is FALSE? A photons always travel at the speed of
light B photons each carry a specific amount of energy C a photon of visible light cannot pass through the
atmosphere of the Earth, and thus cannot be seen at the Earth's surface D high energy photons have a high
frequency (when thought of as waves) E a gamma-ray photon carries more energy than a visible light
photon
Answer:
C
Question:
9. Most ultraviolet radiation does not penetrate to the Earth's surface. Instead it is absorbed in: A the ozone
layer B the ionosphere C the region between the Earth and the Sun D stratosphere E tanning zone
Answer:
A
Question:
10. One reason that human eyes evolved to detect visible light is: A it is the band of the electromagnetic
spectrum with the lowest possible energy and thus easiest to detect B it is the only band of the spectrum
that can travel through a vacuum C it is the band of the spectrum which is the least Doppler shifted coming
from the Sun D it is a band of the spectrum where the Sun puts out a great deal of energy E it is the band of
the spectrum where the warm Earth glows the most effectively
Answer:
D
Question:
11. Which of the following statements about infrared radiation is TRUE? A it is the band of the
electromagnetic spectrum where each wave or photon has the greatest energy B it was first discovered in
1800 in an experiment using sunlight and thermometers C unlike light, infrared can never travel as fast as
the speed of light D while many stars give off infrared, there is nothing on Earth at the right temperature to
emit it E it is the radiation responsible for giving sunburns (or in large doses, skin cancer)
Answer:
B
Question:
12. You are alone in a large, completely dark auditorium on Earth. What kind of telescope should I use
from the other side of the auditorium to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by your body? A
visible light B infra-red C ultra-violet D black light E no telescope will be effective if I am in a dark room
