Question
With which type of galaxy is a small galaxy most likely to merge? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)
Responses
a fast-moving galaxy
a fast-moving galaxy
a much larger galaxy
a much larger galaxy
an equal-sized galaxy
an equal-sized galaxy
a nearby galaxy
a nearby galaxy
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Responses
a fast-moving galaxy
a fast-moving galaxy
a much larger galaxy
a much larger galaxy
an equal-sized galaxy
an equal-sized galaxy
a nearby galaxy
a nearby galaxy
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Answers
GPT-5 mini
- a much larger galaxy
- a nearby galaxy
Reason: mergers are more likely when galaxies are close enough to interact gravitationally, and a small galaxy is especially likely to be captured and merged into a much larger one via dynamical friction. Fast relative speeds make merging less likely, and equal-sized mergers are less probable for a small galaxy than capture by a larger neighbor.
- a nearby galaxy
Reason: mergers are more likely when galaxies are close enough to interact gravitationally, and a small galaxy is especially likely to be captured and merged into a much larger one via dynamical friction. Fast relative speeds make merging less likely, and equal-sized mergers are less probable for a small galaxy than capture by a larger neighbor.