Astronomy Stars and Stellar Evolution 4

Question 1

What is a neutron star primarily composed of?

Accepted Answer

Densely packed neutrons

Answer

Ionized hydrogen gas

Answer

Solid iron crystals

Answer

Free electrons only

Question 2

A rapidly spinning neutron star that emits beams of radiation is called a what?

Accepted Answer

Pulsar

Answer

Quasar

Answer

Cepheid

Answer

Magnetar-free dwarf

Question 3

Cepheid variable stars are important because their pulsation period relates to their what?

Accepted Answer

Luminosity

Answer

Chemical composition

Answer

Rotation axis

Answer

Magnetic polarity

Question 4

What is the boundary around a black hole beyond which nothing can escape?

Accepted Answer

The event horizon

Answer

The photosphere

Answer

The chromosphere

Answer

The main sequence

Question 5

In a binary system, what can cause a white dwarf to undergo a Type Ia supernova?

Accepted Answer

Accreting enough matter to exceed the Chandrasekhar limit

Answer

Losing all its magnetic field

Answer

Cooling to absolute zero

Answer

Fusing hydrogen at its surface forever

Question 6

What is a brown dwarf?

Accepted Answer

An object too small to sustain hydrogen fusion

Answer

A cooled-down neutron star

Answer

A giant blue main-sequence star

Answer

A type of planetary nebula

Question 7

Heavy elements like gold and uranium are thought to form primarily during which events?

Accepted Answer

Supernovae and neutron star mergers

Answer

Ordinary hydrogen fusion

Answer

Planetary nebula formation

Answer

Protostar collapse