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H-R Diagram Trivia Quiz

The H-R Diagram is like the periodic table of stars. Simply knowing how to read it will tell you everything you need to know about a star.

A multiple-choice quiz by random_quasar. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
random_quasar

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
241,678

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1572

Last 3 plays: Guest 65 (5/10), GoodwinPD (10/10), 24041 (5/10).

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the proper name of the H-R Diagram? Hint

Heat- Radiance Diagram

Hertzsprung- Russell Diagram

That is the proper name

Horizontal- Redshift Diagram

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Question 2 of 10

2. What does the H-R Diagram plot? Hint

spectral class and absolute magnitude

spectral class and temperature

absolute magnitude and luminosity

temperature and mass

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is the most commonly used mnemonic for spectral classification? Hint

Oh Bad And Furry Gorilla, Kill Me.

Oh Be A Fine Guy/Girl Kiss Me

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos

ROY G BIV

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Question 4 of 10

4. The majority of the stars in the H-R Diagram are found where? Hint

bottom right corner

spectral class F

main sequence

uppermost left corner

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Question 5 of 10

5. The H-R Diagram can also be used to find: Hint

distance

density

age

extraterrestrial life

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Question 6 of 10

6. Where are the solar diameters of stars plotted on the H-R Diagram? Hint

Solar diameters are not plotted on the H-R Diagram.

The y-axis

The x-axis

Diagonal lines (top left to bottom right)

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Question 7 of 10

7. White dwarfs are found at the bottom-left corner of the H-R Diagram.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. There are more supergiants than giants on the H-R Diagram.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these is not typically found on the H-R Diagram? Hint

supergiants

white dwarfs

red dwarfs

giants

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Question 10 of 10

10. Our star (the Sun) is part of the main sequence.

True

False

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 16 2024 : Guest 65: 5/10
Nov 16 2024 : GoodwinPD: 10/10
Nov 14 2024 : 24041: 5/10
Nov 14 2024 : Guest 61: 8/10
Oct 22 2024 : Guest 70: 0/10
Oct 14 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Sep 23 2024 : bakeryfarm: 6/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the proper name of the H-R Diagram?

Answer: Hertzsprung- Russell Diagram

It is named after its two designers Ejnar Hertzsprung and Henry Norris Russell.

2. What does the H-R Diagram plot?

Answer: spectral class and absolute magnitude

The H-R Diagram plots spectral class (aka temperature) and absolute magnitude (aka luminosity).

3. What is the most commonly used mnemonic for spectral classification?

Answer: Oh Be A Fine Guy/Girl Kiss Me

The spectral classes in order of decreasing temperature are: O, B, A, F, G, K, and M. One uncommon variation of this mnemonic is "Oh Be A Fine Guy/Girl Kiss My Lips Tenderly". It was made to include L and T, which are given to stars that are so small they do not generate enough heat to begin nuclear fusion.

4. The majority of the stars in the H-R Diagram are found where?

Answer: main sequence

A star spends most of its life in the main sequence burning hydrogen fuel. Once the star has stopped burning hydrogen, it leaves the main sequence, evolves, and dies.

5. The H-R Diagram can also be used to find:

Answer: distance

Distance can be found by both main-sequence fitting for stellar clusters, and by spectroscopic parallax for individual main-sequence stars.

6. Where are the solar diameters of stars plotted on the H-R Diagram?

Answer: Diagonal lines (top left to bottom right)

The solar diameters of stars are plotted on diagonal lines that cross the diagram. Our Sun (at one solar mass) is on the most central diagonal line.

7. White dwarfs are found at the bottom-left corner of the H-R Diagram.

Answer: True

They are very small (that is why they are at the bottom), but also very bright (B or A spectral type).

8. There are more supergiants than giants on the H-R Diagram.

Answer: False

Supergiants are rare, giants are more common and found on the RGB (Red Giant Branch).

9. Which of these is not typically found on the H-R Diagram?

Answer: red dwarfs

Most H-R Diagrams exclude red dwarfs, although they exist. When they are included in the H-R Diagram they are found in the bottom-right corner.

10. Our star (the Sun) is part of the main sequence.

Answer: True

The Sun is now a part of the main sequence. In a few billion years the Sun will move up in the H-R Diagram, becoming a red giant, and eventually, a white dwarf.

Source: Author random_quasar

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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