Astrophysics for People in a Hurry Quiz

Answer: make sense to you

"Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" was written by Neil deGrasse Tyson in order to provide a starting point for those people who are interested in astrophysics, but have little or no education on the topic. It was written to allow the reader to obtain basic knowledge of astrophysics in the hopes that it would inspire those interested to seek further education in the subject.

In the preface, Dr. Tyson warns the reader that "the universe is under no obligation to make any sense to you."

Answer: A period

Chapter 1 of "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" is titled "The Greatest Story Ever Told". In the chapter, Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses the Big Bang and the state of the universe at its infancy. A quote from the chapter reads, "In the beginning, nearly 14 billion years ago, all the space and all the matter and all the energy of the known universe was contained in a volume less than one-trillionth the size of the period that ends this sentence."

Answer: When Worlds Collide

Chapter 2 of "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" is titled, "On Earth as in the Heavens". It discusses the fundamental laws of physics devised by English scientist, Sir Isaac Newton. Chapter 3 is titled, "Let there be Light". It talks about the formation of and physics of light in the early universe. Chapter 4 is titled "Between the Galaxies".

As the title implies, Chapter 4 deals with objects in the universe that exist between galaxies. "When Worlds Collide" is not a chapter found in the book.

Answer: Dark

Chapter 5 of "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" is simply titled "Dark Matter". It discusses the concept of dark matter and how scientists now believe it comprises approximately 85% of the amount of matter in the entire universe. Chapter 6 is titled "Dark Energy", which again is self explanatory of the topic it discusses.

The chapter also discusses how Albert Einstein's equations "outlines the relevant mathematical details of how everything in the universe moves under the influence of gravity".

Answer: Periodic table

Chapter 7, "The Cosmos on the Table", talks about the the relationship between the universe and the elements found on the Periodic Table. The Periodic Table that we are familiar with today was constructed by Russian chemist Dimitri Mendeleev in 1869. In "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry", Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses how some of the natural elements such as hydrogen, carbon and iron were formed in the universe as well as how some of the elements recieved their names, such as helium and plutonium.

Answer: Sphere

Chapter 8 of "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" is titled "On Being Round". In the chapter, Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses the physics of spheres in the universe. One example he gives is that a supermarket could potentially save space by placing breakfast cereal in spherical packages rather than rectangular boxes.

However, while this idea would work to save space, it would be impractical since shoppers would end up having to chase down the cereal spheres around the store.

Answer: Yes

While "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" is an educational book, there are two instances where Neil deGrasse Tyson uses profanity in his writing. The first is in Chapter 6, where Dr. Tyson refers to Albert Einstein as a bad unmentionable body part. The second comes in Chapter 9, "Invisible Light".

In the chapter, Dr. Tyson discusses how Sir William Herschel "accidentally" discovered infrared light in 1800. It was described as being a "holy ...." moment.

Answer: George

In "Between the Planets", Chapter 10 of "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry", Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses the individual planets, moons and other objects in the Solar System. He tells the story of how the planet we know today as Uranus was almost named George. Uranus was discovered by English scientist Sir William Herschel in 1781.

He wanted to name the planet after King George III of England. The international astronomical community decided to stick with tradition and name the planet after a Greek or Roman deity.

As a compromise, the moons of Uranus would all be named after characters from works by William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope.

Answer: Reflections of the Cosmic Perspective

Chapter 11 of "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" is titled "Exoplanet Earth". There Dr. Tyson discusses how the Earth would look from the perspective of an extraterrestrial traveler. Chapter 12 (the final chapter) is titled "Reflections of the Cosmic Perspective".

In this chapter, Dr. Tyson describes how the size and complexity of the universe leads to changes in thought in regards to the role of humanity in the universe.

Answer: Stars

"There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on any beach, more stars than seconds have passed since Earth formed, more stars than words and sounds ever uttered by all the humans who ever lived". This quote appears in the final chapter of "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry". Neil deGrasse Tyson wraps up the book by reminding readers about how big the universe actually is. Dr. Tyson also tells the reader not to think of humanity as being above or below the universe, but within it.