20100412

Astronomy quiz question: pressure-temperature thermostat

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, Spring Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

If the production of energy were to suddenly increase in the core of the sun, the pressure-temperature thermostat would restore it by __________ the size of the sun, which would __________ the pressure and temperature.
(A) increasing, increase.
(B) decreasing, increase.
(C) increasing, decrease.
(D) decreasing, decrease.

Correct answer: (C)

An increase in energy production would result in heating and expanding the size of the sun. Due to this adiabatic expansion, the pressure and temperature would decrease.

Section 30676
(A) : 6 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 44 students
(D) : 6 students

"Success level": 75% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.32

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