Astronomy clicker question: close-pair binary star system observations

Astronomy 10, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Astronomy 10 learning goal Q10.2

Students were asked the following clicker question (Classroom Performance System, einstruction.com) near the end of their learning cycle (specifically, following the astronomy in-class activity: mass transfer in close-pair binaries).

[0.3 points.] If you were to survey every visible close pair (mass-exchanging) binary star system, which one of the choices (A)-(D) would best describe your observations?

I. Mass being transferred from a more-massive star to a less-massive star.
II. Mass being transferred from a less-massive star to a more-massive star.

(A) You would see (I) more often than (II).
(B) You would see (I) just as often as (II).
(C) You would see (II) more often than (I).
(D) You would only be able to see (I), as it is impossible for (II) to occur.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 7 students
(B) : 13 students
(C) : 10 students
(D) : 0 students

Section 5166
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 10 students
(C) : 8 students
(D) : 10 students