Sequencing a Series of Events
When a test question requires you to sequence a series of events, first try to predict the correct Then compare your sequence to those listed. Be sure to pay attention to qualifiers in the question such as first, earliest, increasing, or decreasing, as these may help you eliminate choices.
Which sequence of events describes the big bang theory? Begin with the earliest event.
Explosion; atoms form; stars form; all matter concentrated at a single point.
All matter concentrated at a single point; explosion; atoms form; stars form.
Explosion; stars form; all matter concentrated at a single point; atoms form.
Atoms form; all matter concentrated at a single point; explosion; stars form.
Stars form; atoms form; all matter concentrated at a single point; explosion.
(Answer: B)
Choose the letter that best answers the question or completes the statement.
The sun's source of energy is nuclear fusion in its
radiation zone.
core.
corona.
photosphere.
convection zone.
The most abundant element in most stars is
helium.
nitrogen.
argon.
hydrogen.
oxygen.
Stars form from
planets.
nebulas.
black holes.
quasars.
white dwarfs.
The two characteristics of stars used to plot a Hertzprung-Russell diagram are
color and apparent brightness.
apparent brightness and temperature.
absolute brightness and mass.
color and size.
absolute brightness and temperature.
Use the graph below to answer Questions 5 and 6.
About how long will the sun spend on the main sequence?
10 million years
500 million years
1.0 billion years
10 billion years
15 billion years
A star with 3 times the sun's mass has a main sequence lifetime of about
500 million years.
1.5 billion years.
7.5 billion years.
10 billion years.
15 billion years.
Place the following events in the evolution of a sun-like star in the correct sequence, beginning with the earliest event.
planetary nebula; protostar; white dwarf; main-sequence star; red giant
protostar; main-sequence star; red supergiant; supernova; neutron star or black hole
planetary nebula; main-sequence star; red giant; white dwarf; protostar
protostar; main-sequence star; red giant; planetary nebula; white dwarf
white dwarf; main-sequence star; red giant; planetary nebula; protostar