Exam-style question
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Which of the following best describes the relationship between a star's distance in parsecs and its parallax angle in arcseconds?.
- A.Distance in parsecs equals the parallax angle in arcseconds.
- B.Distance in parsecs equals the reciprocal of the parallax angle in arcseconds.
- C.Distance in parsecs equals the parallax angle in degrees.
- D.Distance in parsecs equals the reciprocal of the parallax angle in degrees.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Distance in parsecs equals the reciprocal of the parallax angle in arcseconds.
Explanation
Why this works
Formula: d = 1/p, where d is distance in parsecs and p is parallax angle in arcseconds. Substitution: p = parallax angle.
Working: d = 1/p. Answer: distance in parsecs.
Units/conclusion: The distance in parsecs is the reciprocal of the parallax angle in arcseconds.
Common mistake
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