Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, nucleosynthesis, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz07sNt4


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	***** [low = 11.5]
16.5-24.0 :	***
24.5-32.0 :	************ [mean = 27.7 +/- 8.3]
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz07No37


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	********
16.5-24.0 :	****** [mean = 18.5 +/- 8.5]
24.5-32.0 :	****
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 36.5]]

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, nucleosynthesis, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, spring semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz07N4pP


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	*********
24.5-32.0 :	******* [mean = 26.3 +/- 8.5]
32.5-40.0 :	******** [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz07SgD0


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	********** [low = 9.5]
16.5-24.0 :	*********** [mean = 23.9 +/- 8.2]
24.5-32.0 :	************
32.5-40.0 :	********* [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, nucleosynthesis, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, fall semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz07S4rA


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	****
16.5-24.0 :	******
24.5-32.0 :	************* [mean = 25.9 +/- 8.6]
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz07N4Ta


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	*** [low = 14.5]
16.5-24.0 :	******* [mean = 22.7 +/- 5.7]
24.5-32.0 :	******
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 36.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, nucleosynthesis, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, spring semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz07nen4


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	******** [low = 9.5]
16.5-24.0 :	**** [mean = 22.5 +/- 9.1]
24.5-32.0 :	*******
32.5-40.0 :	*** [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz07SumM


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	** [low = 7.5]
8.5-16.0 :	***********
16.5-24.0 :	************ [mean = 21.5 +/- 8.0]
24.5-32.0 :	********
32.5-40.0 :	***** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, nucleosynthesis, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz07Sl0p


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	******** [low = 9.5]
16.5-24.0 :	******************* [mean = 23.0 +/- 7.2]
24.5-32.0 :	**********
32.5-40.0 :	****** [high = 36.5]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz07ni4N


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	****** [low = 10.0]
16.5-24.0 :	********* [mean = 23.3 +/- 7.1]
24.5-32.0 :	***********
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 33.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, spring semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz07N4rR


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 6.5]
8.5-16.0 :	******
16.5-24.0 :	***** [mean = 20.9 +/- 7.7]
24.5-32.0 :	*****
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 36.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz07Sl1M


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	**** [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	********
16.5-24.0 :	************** [mean = 20.1 +/- 7.4]
24.5-32.0 :	************
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 36.5]

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, spring semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz07sAOr


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	*** [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	************ [mean = 22.4 +/- 8.1]
24.5-32.0 :	**************
32.5-40.0 :	*** [high = 36.5]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz07nt70


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 10.5]
16.5-24.0 :	******** [mean = 23.1 +/- 5.9]
24.5-32.0 :	**********
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 36.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, spring semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz07N4rK


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	******** [mean = 19.1 +/- 6.1]
24.5-32.0 :
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 33.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz07SrRy


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	***** [low = 0.0]
8.5-16.0 :	************
16.5-24.0 :	*************** [mean = 20.7 +/- 9.0]
24.5-32.0 :	***********
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 36.5]

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz07srrH


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	*** [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	**********
16.5-24.0 :	*********** [mean = 21.5 +/- 9.3]
24.5-32.0 :	*********
32.5-40.0 :	****** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz07nM0r


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	*** [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	******
16.5-24.0 :	******* [mean = 20.7 +/- 9.6]
24.5-32.0 :	*******
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz question: red dwarf nucleosynthesis?

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, spring semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

A red dwarf produced the:
(A) hydrogen in the sun.
(B) gold and silver in Earth's crust.
(C) heat inside Earth's core.
(D) lithium in car batteries.
(E) (More than one of the above choices.)
(F) (None of the above choices.)

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (F)

A red dwarf is a low-mass main sequence star, which produces energy from fusing hydrogen into helium during its (extremely long) main sequence lifetime, which is so long (50+ billion years) that none have yet died, as it is longer than the age of the universe (14 billion years). Thus no atoms from a red dwarf have ever been released to be incorporated into the formation of our solar system.

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz07Ctlu
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 8 students
(F) : 20 students

Success level: 57% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.40

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz07Ctlu
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 15 students
(F) : 21 students

Success level: 49% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.82

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, spring semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Sections 30674, 30676 version 1
Exam code: quiz07Ctlu


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	***** [low = 9.5]
16.5-24.0 :	***********
24.5-32.0 :	************* [mean = 24.8 +/- 7.9]
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 40.0]

Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	** [low = 6.5]
8.5-16.0 :	*******
16.5-24.0 :	********** [mean = 23.9 +/- 8.5]
24.5-32.0 :	******************
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, fall semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz07su4R


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 7.5]
16.5-24.0 :	******************
24.5-32.0 :	*********** [mean = 25.0 +/- 6.8]
32.5-40.0 :	****** [high = 36.5]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz07n0Lb


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	******* [low = 11.0]
16.5-24.0 :	************* [mean = 22.4 +/- 7.4]
24.5-32.0 :	******
32.5-40.0 :	****** [high = 36.5]

Astronomy final exam question: why universe has no center?

Astronomy 210 Final Exam, spring semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board[*] was asked and answered:

?: Why does the universe have no center?
im: According to the big bang theory everything in the universe is moving away from each other, therefore there is no one "center."
cr: If the big bang theory is correct, the universe does have a center. We just don't know where it is, and it may not be within the observable universe.

Discuss which answer is correct, and how you know this. Explain using observations and evidence related to the Hubble law.

[*] Adapted from https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006041908256.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p = 20/20:
  Correct. Hubble's law is (1) that the recession velocity of galaxies is proportional to distance, evidence is that there is a greater redshift of absorption lines for distant galaxies compared to nearby galaxies. This corresponds to the expansion of space between galaxies, such that (2) each galaxy seems to be center of expansion as observed from their position. May use analogies as not-like-an-explosion, raisin bread, enlargement of between-spaces, etc.
• r = 16/20:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. One of the two points (1)-(2) correct, other is problematic/incomplete.
• t = 12/20:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Both points (1)-(2) problematic/incomplete, or one point correct while other is missing.
• v = 8/20:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner.
• x = 4/20:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discusses factors other than relevant to Hubble's law, redshifts/recession velocities, expansion of space, big bang, etc.
• y = 2/20:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z = 0/20:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 30674
Exam code: finaln0oN
p: 3 students
r: 4 students
t: 15 students
v: 1 student
x: 1 student
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 30676
Exam code: finals0N6
p: 6 students
r: 4 students
t: 10 students
v: 6 students
x: 2 students
y: 3 students
z: 3 students

A sample "p" response (from student 4380):

Astronomy quiz archive: Milky Way, cosmology

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, spring semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz07nU7e


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	*** [low = 15.0]
16.5-24.0 :	*************
24.5-32.0 :	****** [mean = 24.2 +/- 6.1]
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 36.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz07s1Rp


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	***** [low = 8.5]
16.5-24.0 :	***************** [mean = 22.2 +/- 6.6]
24.5-32.0 :	********
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 33.0]

Astronomy final exam question: "edge" of the universe?

Astronomy 210 Final Exam, fall semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board[*] was asked and answered:

?: Is there an edge to all of the galaxies in the universe?
Nick: The galaxies could go on forever, but we wouldn't ever be able to see the rest of them. We've basically seen as far as we'll ever see, because we can't see any galaxies further than about 14 billion light years away.

Discuss why this answer is correct, and how you know this. Explain using the properties of the speed of light, stellar evolution, and galaxies.

[*] Adapted from http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110218090525AAf19m6.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Recognizes how (1) light travels at a finite speed, so looking further out will see further back in time (look-back time); and why not seeing any galaxies further than approximately 14 billion light years out is an indication that the universe has a finite age of approximately 14 billion years (Olbers' paradox).
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. One of the two points (1)-(2) correct, other is problematic/incomplete.
• t: Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Both points (1)-(2) problematic/incomplete, or one point correct while other is missing.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discusses factors other than relevant to the speed of light, and Olbers' paradox.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: finals0oB
p: 18 students
r: 5 students
t: 8 students
v: 1 student
x: 4 students
y: 3 students
z: 0 students

Section 70160
Exam code: finaln4A6
p: 8 students
r: 3 students
t: 5 students
v: 4 students
x: 4 students
y: 0 students
z: 1 student

A sample "p" response (from student 0615):
A sample "y" response (from student 0221):