1. Earth in Space Benchmarks

2. Stars produce energy in their core by:
Burning gases in the center of the star
They use nuclear fission (splitting atoms) of heavier elements into lighter elements
The different sizes of stars have different chemical reactions in the core
Stars use nuclear fusion of lighter elements into heavier elements
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3. The lifetime of a star will depend on:
The mass of the star
The more fuel it has the longer it lives
The color of the star
The apparent brightness of the star
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4. What is the next phase in the lifecycle of a star after a Red Super Giant “dies” and heavy elements, such as gold and uranium are formed?
A planetary nebula
A main sequence star
A white dwarf
A supernova
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5. What force balances the outward pressure from nuclear fusion to keep a star stable?
Friction
Gravity
Inertia
Opposite charges
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6. The fusion reaction that occurs during the main sequence stage of a star’s life cycle is:
Hydrogen fusing to form Helium
Helium fusing to form Hydrogen
Carbon fusing to form Iron
Hydrogen fusing to form Iron
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7. One difference between fusion and fission is that:
Fission occurs naturally, whereas fusion doesn’t
Fission is the joining of nuclei, where as fusion is the splitting of nuclei
Fusion is the joining of nuclei, where as fission is the splitting of nuclei
Energy is released in fission and not in fusion
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8. The Big Bang theory is used to describe:
The origin of the Solar System
The origin of the Milky Way galaxy
The origin of the Universe
The origin of Earth
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9. A major piece of evidence that supports the Big Bang Theory is …
There is not enough evidence because the Big Bang is only a theory
The Red Shift of stars and galaxies
Scientists have discovered planets orbiting other stars in the universe
Scientist have seen other big bangs in nearby galaxies
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10. What is currently happening with the Universe that supports the Big Bang Theory?
The Universe is expanding and decreasing in temperature
The Universe is contracting and increasing in temperature
The Universe is expanding and increasing in temperature
The Universe is contracting and decreasing in temperature
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11. Based on the current evidence, scientists estimate the age of the Universe to be:
12-14 million years old
5-6 billion years old
12-14 billion years old
5-6 million years old
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12. All electromagnetic radiation has this in common:
They all can penetrate any type of matter.
They all have the same wave frequency.
They are all visible to the human eye.
They all travel at the speed of light through empty space.
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13. Which one of the following types of electromagnetic radiation has the highest frequency?
Radio waves
Gamma rays
Microwaves
Ultraviolet
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14. Which of the following characteristics is true about all types of electromagnetic radiation?
They are unable to travel through space
They do not require a medium to travel through
They must have a medium to travel through
They all have same amount of energy
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15. A tool that astronomers use to detect the longest electromagnetic waves in space would be:
A radio telescope
An x-ray telescope
A visible light telescope
High powered binoculars
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