Post Test for Waves in Space Unit

 

Purpose: For teacher & student to assess the efficacy of the radio astronomy unit in correcting incorrect preconceptions and reinforcing correct ones.

 

  1. Why are some radio telescope dishes made of mesh and still work?

 

  1. Why are radio telescopes so much bigger than most optical telescopes?

 

  1. What is the medium for light?

 

  1. Why is looking far away looking backwards in time?

 

  1.  What is the difference(s) between radio waves and gamma rays?

 

  1. What is a light year?

 

  1. Are human eyes sensitive to these properties of light :

            a)         Frequency?

b)        Amplitude?

c)         Wavelength?

d)        Phase?

e)         Polarization?

f)         Speed?

 

       8.   What’s the difference between light and electromagnetic radiation?

 

True or False

 

  1. Light always travels the same speed.

 

  1. Gravity pulls light down just like it does mass.

 

  1.  The light from your flashlight will hit a signpost at the same time as a car driving past you at 90 MPH.

 

  1. The atmosphere only allows visible light to travel through it.

 

  1. Plasmas are extremely rare.

 

  1. Once light is emitted it does not change until it is absorbed somewhere.