Active Galactic Nuclei

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), their properties, and their impact on the universe.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: astronomy galaxies active galactic nuclei
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What is the primary source of energy in an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN)?

  1. Nuclear fusion

  2. Gravitational collapse

  3. Accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole

  4. Radioactive decay


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

AGNs are powered by the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy.

Which type of AGN is characterized by a bright, compact core and strong radio emission?

  1. Seyfert galaxies

  2. Radio galaxies

  3. Quasars

  4. Blazars


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Radio galaxies are AGNs that exhibit strong radio emission due to the presence of powerful jets of particles ejected from the central black hole.

What is the name of the region surrounding the supermassive black hole in an AGN where matter accretes and releases energy?

  1. Event horizon

  2. Accretion disk

  3. Broad-line region

  4. Narrow-line region


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The accretion disk is a region of hot, swirling gas that orbits the supermassive black hole and releases energy through friction and gravitational forces.

Which type of AGN is known for its extremely high luminosity and strong emission lines?

  1. Seyfert galaxies

  2. Radio galaxies

  3. Quasars

  4. Blazars


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Quasars are extremely luminous AGNs that are powered by the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole.

What is the term used to describe the powerful jets of particles ejected from the central black hole in some AGNs?

  1. Supernova remnants

  2. Solar flares

  3. Relativistic jets

  4. Cosmic rays


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Relativistic jets are collimated beams of high-energy particles ejected from the central black hole in AGNs.

Which type of AGN is characterized by rapid variability in its brightness and strong emission of gamma rays?

  1. Seyfert galaxies

  2. Radio galaxies

  3. Quasars

  4. Blazars


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Blazars are a type of AGN that exhibits rapid variability in its brightness and strong emission of gamma rays due to the orientation of its relativistic jets toward Earth.

What is the name of the region in an AGN where the gas is ionized and emits strong emission lines?

  1. Event horizon

  2. Accretion disk

  3. Broad-line region

  4. Narrow-line region


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The broad-line region is a region of ionized gas close to the supermassive black hole that emits strong emission lines due to the high velocities of the gas.

Which type of AGN is known for its relatively low luminosity and weak emission lines?

  1. Seyfert galaxies

  2. Radio galaxies

  3. Quasars

  4. LINERs


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

LINERs (Low-Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Regions) are AGNs with relatively low luminosity and weak emission lines.

What is the term used to describe the process by which matter falls onto the supermassive black hole in an AGN?

  1. Supernova

  2. Accretion

  3. Collision

  4. Evaporation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Accretion is the process by which matter falls onto the supermassive black hole in an AGN, releasing energy and powering the AGN's activity.

Which type of AGN is characterized by a compact core and strong emission of X-rays?

  1. Seyfert galaxies

  2. Radio galaxies

  3. Quasars

  4. X-ray galaxies


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

X-ray galaxies are AGNs that exhibit strong emission of X-rays due to the high temperatures and energetic processes occurring near the supermassive black hole.

What is the name of the region in an AGN where the gas is less ionized and emits weaker emission lines?

  1. Event horizon

  2. Accretion disk

  3. Broad-line region

  4. Narrow-line region


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The narrow-line region is a region of less ionized gas farther from the supermassive black hole that emits weaker emission lines due to the lower velocities of the gas.

Which type of AGN is known for its strong emission of infrared radiation?

  1. Seyfert galaxies

  2. Radio galaxies

  3. Quasars

  4. Infrared galaxies


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Infrared galaxies are AGNs that exhibit strong emission of infrared radiation due to the presence of dust and molecular gas in the central regions of the galaxy.

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where the emission from an AGN appears to be brighter in one direction due to relativistic effects?

  1. Superluminal motion

  2. Doppler beaming

  3. Gravitational lensing

  4. Time dilation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Doppler beaming is the phenomenon where the emission from an AGN appears to be brighter in one direction due to the relativistic motion of the emitting material toward or away from the observer.

Which type of AGN is known for its compact core and strong emission of ultraviolet radiation?

  1. Seyfert galaxies

  2. Radio galaxies

  3. Quasars

  4. UV galaxies


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

UV galaxies are AGNs that exhibit strong emission of ultraviolet radiation due to the high temperatures and energetic processes occurring near the supermassive black hole.

What is the name of the region in an AGN where the supermassive black hole is located?

  1. Event horizon

  2. Accretion disk

  3. Broad-line region

  4. Narrow-line region


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The event horizon is the boundary around the supermassive black hole in an AGN beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape.

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