01
Choose one
1 point
Which change is associated with the heliocentric model of Nicolaus Copernicus?
Free Practice Quiz Question List
5 Foundations of Cosmology Online Quiz Questions
Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 5 Foundations of Cosmology, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.
20 questions
02
Fill in the blank
1 point
A region has an event horizon, and not even light can escape from within it. It is a .
03
True or false
1 point
True or false: In the cosmological model described, the universe's expansion has a single central location from which all galaxies move outward.
- A
True
- B
False
04
Choose one
1 point
Which statement best describes the Big Bang model?
- A
Matter exploded from one point into pre-existing empty space.
- B
Space expanded from an early hot, dense state.
- C
The universe formed when the Milky Way began expanding.
- D
Galaxies moved outward from a fixed center within space.
05
Written response
1 point
According to the cosmological estimate, what is the universe's approximate age? Enter the value in billion years.
06
Choose one
1 point
What did Edwin Hubble's distance measurements help establish about some objects then called “spiral nebulae”?
- A
They established that spiral nebulae were nearby clouds within the Milky Way.
- B
They helped establish that some spiral nebulae were separate galaxies beyond the Milky Way.
- C
They showed that every galaxy is gravitationally bound to the Milky Way.
- D
They proved that the universe's expansion is accelerating.
07
Fill in the blank
1 point
The cosmic microwave background is remnant light released after the universe cooled enough for .
08
Choose one
1 point
Which relationship between distance and recession does the Hubble–Lemaître law describe on large scales?
- A
More distant galaxies are generally closer to the Milky Way.
- B
All galaxies recede at the same rate, regardless of distance.
- C
More distant galaxies generally recede faster than nearer ones.
- D
Nearby galaxies cannot move toward one another under gravity.
09
True or false
1 point
True or false: A galaxy group can remain gravitationally bound while the universe expands on larger scales.
- A
True
- B
False
10
Choose all
1 point
Select all three observations identified as independent support for the Big Bang theory.
- A
The observed expansion of the universe
- B
The cosmic microwave background
- C
The presence of black holes in some galaxies
- D
The observed amounts of light elements
11
Choose all
1 point
Select all observations used to infer the presence of dark matter.
- A
The motions of stars and galaxies
- B
The color of light emitted by nearby stars
- C
Gravitational lensing of light from more distant objects
- D
The expansion of space stretching light to longer wavelengths
12
Choose one
1 point
What conclusion did observations comparing distant Type Ia supernovae with nearer ones support about the universe's expansion today?
- A
The universe's expansion is slowing today under gravity alone.
- B
The universe has a single central point of expansion.
- C
The universe's expansion is accelerating today.
- D
All galaxies are moving away from one another at the same rate.
13
Open ended
1 point
Explain what makes a region part of the observable universe, and why this does not establish that it is the entire universe.
14
Choose one
1 point
An astronomer compares two galaxies and finds that one is much farther away. Why does observing the more distant galaxy also provide a view further back in cosmic history?
- A
It is seen as it is now, because distance does not affect the age of the light.
- B
It is seen as it was further in the past, because its light has traveled for longer.
- C
It is seen as it will be in the future, because space stretches its image forward in time.
- D
It cannot be seen, because light from distant objects cannot reach us.
15
True or false
1 point
The universe’s expansion means that nearby galaxies cannot move toward one another under gravity.
- A
True
- B
False
16
Choose one
1 point
Which interpretation of the cosmic microwave background best matches the evidence described in the material?
- A
It is light produced by stars after galaxies had already formed.
- B
It is radiation emitted by black holes throughout the universe.
- C
It is remnant light from the early universe, released when atoms formed and light could travel freely.
- D
It is the light from distant galaxies shifted by their individual motions.
17
Written response
1 point
As light travels from a distant galaxy, expanding space stretches it toward longer, redder wavelengths. What is this effect called?
18
Choose one
1 point
Which description best distinguishes the Big Bang model from an ordinary explosion?
- A
Space itself expanded from an early hot, dense state.
- B
Matter exploded from one point into pre-existing empty space.
- C
The Milky Way expanded outward from its center into an otherwise static universe.
- D
The universe began in a static state and only later acquired galaxies.
19
Written response
1 point
What is the name of the law describing the large-scale relation that more distant galaxies generally recede faster?
20
Written response
1 point
A report gives the separation between two stars as one light-year. What physical quantity is being expressed?