Exam-style question
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How can the duration of a dip in a light curve help determine the size of an exoplanet?.
- A.Longer dips indicate larger exoplanets.
- B.Shorter dips indicate larger exoplanets.
- C.The duration has no relation to the exoplanet's size.
- D.Dips are only affected by the star's brightness.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Longer dips indicate larger exoplanets.
Explanation
Why this works
The evidence shows that the duration of a dip in a light curve is related to the size of the exoplanet. A longer dip suggests that a larger exoplanet is blocking more light over a longer period.
The implication is that by measuring the duration of these dips, astronomers can estimate the size of the exoplanet. Therefore, the conclusion is that light curve analysis provides insights into the physical characteristics of exoplanets.
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