Astronomy quiz archive: sun/spectra/star properties

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz05s3T1


Section 70158

0- 8.0   :
8.5-16.0 :	****** [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	***********
24.5-32.0 :	*********** [mean = 25.9 +/- 7.7]
32.5-40.0 :	************ [high = 36.5]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz05ne7A


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	******** [low = 11.0]
16.5-24.0 :	********* [mean = 21.7 +/- 8.5]
24.5-32.0 :	****
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 40.0]

Physics quiz archive: energy conservation, momentum conservation

Physics 205A Quiz 4, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Sections 70854, 70855, 73320, version 1
Exam code: quiz04w04K



Sections 70854, 70855, 73320 results

0- 6 :	** [low = 6]
7-12 :	*******************
13-18 :	************************
19-24 :	****************************** [mean = 18.1 +/- 5.6]
25-30 :	*** [high = 30]

Physics midterm problem: categorizing a cart collision

Physics 205A Midterm 2, fall semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Cf. Giambattista/Richardson/Richardson, Physics, 2/e, Problem 7.47

A 0.300 kg cart traveling in the +x direction at 0.20 m/s collides with a 0.500 kg cart that is initially at rest. The carts are not stuck together after the collision. After the collision, the 0.500 kg cart (that was initially at rest) travels in the +x direction at 0.10 m/s. Ignore friction, drag and other external forces during this brief collision. Find (a) the final velocity of the 0.300 kg cart, and (b) classify this collision as elastic, inelastic, or completely inelastic. Show your work and explain your reasoning using properties of collisions, energy (non-)conservation, and momentum conservation.


Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Finds final speed of the 0.300 kg cart, using conservation of momentum (as there is negligible drag/friction for this brief collision), v_f1 = +0.033 m/s. It is not known whether the carts are permanently deformed and/or energy was lost to thermal/sound systems, so collision could be either inelastic or elastic (but cannot be completely inelastic because the carts are not stuck together after the collision). Explicitly tests for whether or not kinetic energy is conserved, and finds that since kinetic energy is not conserved, this collision must be inelastic.
  
• r:
  Nearly correct, but includes minor math errors. As (p), but misinterprets collision as being completely inelastic, but at least applies momentum conservation to find the correct v_f1 for the case where the carts are stuck-together, then shows that kinetic energy was not conserved for this collision.
  
• t:
  Nearly correct, but approach has conceptual errors, and/or major/compounded math errors. Has correct v_f1 (may have magnitude only) from momentum conservation, but does not explicitly test for energy conservation, and attempts to identify collision as elastic or inelastic solely on the basis of no visible deformation, which is not explicitly stated.
  
• v:
  Implementation of right ideas, but in an inconsistent, incomplete, or unorganized manner. Application of momentum conservation, but v_f1 is incorrect, with little or no test of kinetic energy conservation.
  
• x:
  Implementation of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion based on stated characteristics of collision, with no application or test of appropriate conservation laws.
  
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
  
• z:
  Blank.
  

Grading distribution:
Section 72177
p: 4 students
r: 2 students
t: 7 students
v: 0 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s7Rn


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	*** [low = 8.5]
16.5-24.0 :	***********
24.5-32.0 :	************* [mean = 26.8 +/- 8.0]
32.5-40.0 :	************* [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04nVL7


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	********** [mean = 22.6 +/- 6.9]
24.5-32.0 :	**********
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 33.0]

Astronomy midterm question: moon rising at later time a few days later

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Pdg: If the waxing gibbous moon rises at a certain time today, why does it rise at a slightly later time a few days later when it is full?
TmS: It's due to the rotation of Earth and the moon's orbital motion.

Explain why this answer is correct for the waxing gibbous moon and full moon, and how you know this. Support your reasoning using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, the moon, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20150924234103AA6ZbCz.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations:
  1. the waxing gibbous moon is highest overhead at 9:00 PM, and would have risen six hours before at 3:00 PM;
  2. the full moon is highest overhead at 12:00 AM, and would have risen six hours before at 6:00 PM;
  3. thus because of the moon's revolution around Earth, the full moon occurs several days after the waxing gibbous moon, and due to Earth's rotation (which makes the moon appear to rise and set over a given day), the full moon rises several hours later a few days after the waxing gibbous moon rises.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. As least has diagram indicating the times each moon phase is highest overhead.
• 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.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm01sF1A
p: 26 students
r: 5 student
t: 11 students
v: 0 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students


Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01nW6b
p: 10 students
r: 5 student
t: 4 students
v: 12 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1995):

Astronomy midterm question: telescope to see small details on the moon?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

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

??: Because the moon is already bright, is it not necessary to get a telescope with a wide diameter to be able to see small details on the moon?
Clv: Yes, so what you want is more magnification, and for that you need a lens or mirror with a longer focal length.

Discuss why this response is incorrect. Support your answer using the properties of telescopes and telescope powers.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20150925202048AAO1s8p

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Discusses how focal length of a telescope's primary mirror or lens (along with the focal length of the eyepiece) determines the magnification, but is only important of "small details" are already able to be seen due to the resolving power of the telescope, which depends on the diameter of the primary mirror/lens. Also discusses how light-gathering power depends on the area of the primary mirror/lens (which by itself is less important due to the brightness of the moon).
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Correct and complete discussion of two of the three telescope parameters and powers.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Problems with either diagram or discussion. Discussion of only one of the three telescope parameters and powers is correct and complete.
• 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. Misconceptions or non-relevant concepts.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm01sF1A
p: 22 students
r: 15 students
t: 3 students
v: 1 student
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 1 student

A sample "p" response (from student 4338):

Astronomy midterm question: evening star Jupiter after retrograde ends?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Pdg: Would Jupiter be an evening star or a morning star after its retrograde motion is complete?
PeT: After retrograde motion ends, Jupiter would be rising at sunset and is thus visible as an evening star.

Explain why this answer is correct, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Jupiter, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20150730175629AA95Dmw.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations:
  1. Earth (in an inner orbit than Jupiter) already passes sun-Jupiter line for retrograde motion to be completed;
  2. observer at sunset (6 PM) drawn on Earth such that sun is on the west horizon, with Jupiter already rising up from the east horizon.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Problems with either diagram or discussion.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Diagram and discussion problematic.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm01sF1A
p: 7 students
r: 10 students
t: 9 students
v: 7 students
x: 6 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01nW6b
p: 4 students
r: 4 students
t: 8 students
v: 11 students
x: 4 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 7520):

Astronomy midterm question: purchasing a wider or longer telescope?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

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

??: To replace my telescope with a better one, should I buy one with a tube longer than the one I already have, or one with a diameter wider than the one I already have?
GG: First priority would be to buy a wider diameter telescope instead of one that is longer.

Discuss why this response is correct. Support your answer using the properties of telescopes and telescope powers.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20150925205424AARw53Z

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Discusses how area and diameter of a telescope's primary mirror or lens respectively determines the light-gathering power and resolving power, such that a "wider" diameter telescope would be better to make fainter objects brighter, and allow finer details to be seen; and while the "longer" telescope would have a longer primary mirror/lens focal length and thus better magnification, but this would be a lower priority after improving a telescope's ability to make faint objects with fine details visible.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Correct and complete discussion of two of the three telescope parameters and powers.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Problems with either diagram or discussion. Discussion of only one of the three telescope parameters and powers is correct and complete.
• 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. Misconceptions or non-relevant concepts.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01nW6b
p: 3 students
r: 2 students
t: 15 students
v: 9 students
x: 1 student
y: 1 student
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 4338):

Astronomy quiz archive: telescopes

Astronomy 210 Quiz 3, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz03Sss5


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	**************
24.5-32.0 :	************ [mean = 26.2 +/- 8.1]
32.5-40.0 :	*********** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160
Exam code: quiz03Nnnn


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	******* [low = 9.0]
16.5-24.0 :	************* [mean = 21.8 +/- 7.0]
24.5-32.0 :	*******
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 36.5]

Physics quiz archive: vectors, projectile motion, forces

Physics 205A Quiz 3, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Sections 70854, 70855, 73320, version 1
Exam code: quiz03re3T



Sections 70854, 70855, 73320 results

0- 6 :	* [low = 6]
7-12 :	*
13-18 :	*******************
19-24 :	****************************** [mean = 22.4 +/- 4.9]
25-30 :	********************** [high = 30]