Question 1 (1 point)
Why are the inner planets called terrestrial?
a
They have no atmosphere.
b
They are small and highly dense.
c
They have Earthlike oceans.
d
They are visible from Earth.
Question 2 (1 point)
Nicolaus Copernicus developed the theory of a heliocentric solar system in the 1500s. With the invention of the telescope more than 100 years later, Galileo Galilei was able to provide scientific evidence to support this theory. What kind of scientific evidence did Galileo provide for Copernicus's theory?
a
educated predictions
b
exact measurements
c
reliable observations
d
modern photographs
Question 3 (1 point)
What characteristic is shared between all of the outer planets?
a
They have no moons that orbit them.
b
They are made mostly of gaseous materials.
c
They are all very warm, similar to Venus.
d
They orbit the Sun opposite to Earth.
Question 4 (1 point)
How are galaxies classified?
a
shape
b
color
c
stars
d
age
Question 5 (1 point)
What is the term for a meteoroid if it enters Earth's atmosphere?
a
a star
b
a comet
c
a meteor
d
a moon
Question 6 (1 point)
Which of the following is another name for meteors?
a
comets
b
shooting stars
c
meteorites
d
space fireballs
Question 7 (1 point)
Which of the following statements is true about the Moon's gravitational pull?
a
The gravitational pull on the side Earth faces is stronger.
b
The gravitational pull on the side Earth faces is weaker.
c
The strength of the gravitational pull depends on the season.
d
The strength of the gravitational pull depends on the time of day.
Question 8 (1 point)
In which galaxy and in which location can Earth's solar system be found?
a
at the edge of the irregular Andromeda
b
near the central bulge of the elliptical Milky Way
c
at the tip of one of Andromeda's spiral arms
d
in the middle of one of the Milky Way's spiral arms
Question 9 (1 point)
While gazing through a telescope, Elexi noticed a bright spot moving fast through the sky. On closer examination, she observed the spot was followed by a stream of dust. Elexi most likely observed
a
an asteroid
b
a comet
c
a meteor
d
a moon
Question 10 (1 point)
Ptolemy and Copernicus were early astronomers. Ptolemy believed that Earth was the center of the solar system and Copernicus believed that the Sun was the center of the solar system. Which model would the astronomers most likely use to support their beliefs?
a
Ptolemy and Copernicus would both use the geocentric model.
b
Ptolemy and Copernicus would both use the heliocentric model
c
Ptolemy would use the geocentric model and Copernicus would use the heliocentric model.
d
Ptolemy would use the heliocentric model and Copernicus would use the geocentric model.
Question 11 (1 point)
Which of the following is the correct order of these structures from largest to smallest?
a
universe, solar system, galaxy, planet
b
universe, galaxy, solar system, planet
c
solar system, universe, planet, galaxy
d
planet, galaxy, solar system, universe
Question 12 (1 point)
The table shows the mass of four planets.
Planet Mass (1024kg)
Venus 4.87
Earth 5.97
Jupiter 1898.00
Neptune 102.00
Which shows the correct order of the planets when listed from the greatest gravitational pull to the least?
a
Earth → Venus → Neptune → Jupiter
b
Jupiter → Earth → Venus → Neptune
c
Jupiter → Neptune → Earth → Venus
d
Neptune → Venus → Earth → Jupiter
Question 13 (1 point)
A planet's rotation determines the length of its day and its revolution determines the length of its year. A day on Earth is 24 hours, and a year on Earth is 365 days. In contrast, a day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus. Which is the best reason for why this is true?
a
The orbit of Venus takes it too close to the Sun .
b
The orbit of Venus takes it too far away from the Sun
c
It takes Venus longer to rotate on its axis than to orbit the Sun .
d
It takes Venus longer to orbit the Sun than to rotate on its axis.
Question 14 (1 point)
The table shows the primary gases in the composition of four planets.
Planet Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune
Atmospheric
Composition 90% hydrogen
10% helium
0.3% methane 90% hydrogen
3.5% helium
0.5% methane 83% hydrogen
15% helium
2% methane
80% hydrogen
19% helium
2% methane
Using the table, which planets have the most similar atmospheres?
a
Jupiter and Saturn
b
Uranus and Neptune
c
Saturn and Uranus
d
Jupiter and Neptune
Question 15 (1 point)
Two scientists are attempting to determine whether an object is a comet or an asteroid. The table lists they questions they posed and their observations.
Question Answer
Where was the object observed? the Oort cloud
What is the object made of? dust and ice
Does the object have a visible tail? no
Scientist 1 determines that the object is a comet while scientist 2 determines that the object is an asteroid. Which scientist is correct and why?
a
Scientist 1 is correct. Because comets are made of dust and ice, comets are more likely to be found in the Oort cloud than asteroids, and only asteroids, not comets, develop tails as they approach the Sun.
b
Scientist 2 is correct. Because asteroids are made of dust and ice, asteroids are more likely to be found in the Oort cloud than comets, and an asteroid would not develop a visible tail that far away from the Sun.
c
Scientist 1 is correct. Because comets are made of dust and ice, comets are more likely to be found in the Oort cloud than asteroids, and a comet would not develop a visible tail that far away from the Sun.
d
Scientist 2 is correct. Because asteroids are made of dust and ice, asteroids are more likely to be found in the Oort cloud than comets, and only comets, not asteroids, develop tails as they approach the Sun.
Question 16 (1 point)
What holds the planets in Earth's solar system together?
a
an atomic force
b
gravity
c
a tidal force
d
friction
Question 17 (1 point)
The chart below shows the diameters of the planets in the Solar System relative to Earth's diameter.
According to the chart, how does Earth's diameter compare to Venus?
a
Earth is about twice the size of Venus.
b
Earth is about one-ninth the size of Venus.
c
Earth is about nine times larger than Venus.
d
Earth is about the same size as Venus.
Question 18 (1 point)
Asteroids can vary in size. They can be as small as
a
Earth and as large as Saturn.
b
A baseball and as large as the Moon.
c
Dust and as large as the state of Georgia.
d
The state of Florida and as large as North America.
Question 19 (1 point)
Which statement about Earth's galaxy is correct?
a
Earth belongs in the Pinwheel Galaxy, which is spiral-shaped.
b
Earth belongs in the Milky Way Galaxy, which is spiral-shaped.
c
Earth belongs in the Black Eye Galaxy, which is elliptical-shaped.
d
Earth belongs in the Andromeda Galaxy, which is elliptical-shaped.
Question 20 (1 point)
Which table correctly identifies the models of the solar system and a scientist that supports each?
A.
Model Definition of Model Scientist who Supported It
geocentric Earth is at the center of the solar system. Galileo
heliocentric The Sun is at the center of the solar system. Aristotle
B.
Model Definition of Model Scientist who Supported It
geocentric The Sun is at the center of the solar system. Aristotle
heliocentric Earth is at the center of the solar system. Galileo
C.
Model Definition of Model Scientist who Supported It
geocentric Earth is at the center of the solar system. Aristotle
heliocentric The Sun is at the center of the solar system. Galileo
D.
Model Definition of Model Scientist who Supported It
geocentric The Sun is at the center of the solar system. Galileo
heliocentric Earth is at the center of the solar system. Aristotle
a
A
b
B
c
C
d
D
Question 21 (1 point)
Match the galaxy type to its correct description.
Column A
1.
elliptical:
elliptical
2.
spiral:
spiral
3.
irregular:
irregular
Column B
a.defined central bulge; dusty arms extending from the bulge.
b.defined central bulge; dusty cloud around the bulge.
c.no defined shape, the central bulge, or arms.
Question 22 (1 point)
The forces of gravity and inertia together are responsible for
a
eclipses
b
phases
c
tides
d
orbits
Question 23 (1 point)
Why is Earth capable of supporting life, unlike many other planets?
a
Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere help maintain the conditions necessary to sustain life.
b
Earth has a gaseous atmosphere for only a part of the year.
c
Earth is a terrestrial body.
d
Earth is located inside the asteroid belt.
Question 24 (1 point)
Which statement best explains why the planets orbit around the Sun?
a
The Sun exerts the largest gravitational force due to its mass.
b
The Sun exerts the smallest gravitational force due to its mass.
c
The Sun exerts the largest gravitational force due to its location.
d
The Sun exerts the smallest gravitational force due to its location.
Question 25 (1 point)
Which statement best explains how mass affects gravity?
a
As mass decreases, the force of gravity increases.
b
As mass increases, the force of gravity decreases.
c
The larger the mass, the weaker the force of gravity.
d
The larger the mass, the stronger the force of gravity.
Question 1 (1 point)
Why are the inner planets called terrestrial?
Answer: The inner planets are called terrestrial because they share similarities to Earth in terms of being solid, rocky, and having a compact composition. To arrive at this answer, one could eliminate options that are not correct. Option a, "They have no atmosphere," is incorrect because some of the inner planets do have an atmosphere. Option c, "They have Earthlike oceans," is incorrect because not all of the inner planets have oceans. Option d, "They are visible from Earth," is also incorrect because all planets, including the outer planets, are visible from Earth. This leaves option b, "They are small and highly dense," which is the correct answer as it accurately describes the characteristics of the inner planets.
Explanation: The term "terrestrial" is used to describe the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) because they are similar in composition to Earth. They are primarily made up of solid rock and metal, with a relatively high density compared to the outer gas giant planets. The inner planets are also smaller in size compared to the outer planets.