Ms. P's Astronomy Review

What is the main force that keeps a planet traveling along a curved path around the sun instead of traveling in a straight line past the sun?

• the force of gravity between the planet and the Sun

• the force of gravity between the planet and the Earth

• the magnetic force between the planet and the Earth

• the magnetic force between the planet, the Sun, and the other planets

Which of the following is a physical property of the Sun?

• it's the same size as the moon

• it rotates but is stationary in space

• it's made of burning solid rock

• it's made of hydrogen and helium gas

The gaseous, outer planets

• are less dense than the inner, rocky planets

• have less gravitational pull than the inner, rocky planets

• are much smaller than the inner, rocky planets

• do not have moons like the inner, rocky planets

If objects in space move at a constant rate and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force, then why do planets orbit the sun?

• the magnetic force of distant stars pushes the planets into a curved path

• the force of gravity between planets keeps them on a path, preventing them from leaving the solar system

• the force created by the nuclear fusion of the hydrogen in the Sun curves the planet's paths.

• the inertia of the planets and the gravitational pull of the Sun cause the planets to move in curved paths.

Which of the following statements is true about meteoroids, asteroids, and comets?

• meteoroids have a tail and the other two do not

• meteroids and asteroids are made of rock and comets are made of gases

• all of them orbit the sun, and comets may enter the earth's atmosphere

• they are all made of rock

What is so significant about the Space Shuttle in terms of all other US spacecraft?

• the shuttle could leave Earth's orbit

• the shuttle could launch from a runway like an airplane

• the shuttle landed like an airplane and could be reused

• the shuttle stayed in orbit around the Earth forever

Which of the following is an advantage of unmanned missions such as space probes, over manned missions?

• unmanned missions require life support systems

• unmanned missions are able to change and adapt to unexpected situations

• unmanned missions may continue longer than a human life span

• unmanned missions risk human lives

Which of the following statements is true about our solar system?

• the gas planets are closer to the sun

• the planets are arranged in order of increasing size

• the solid planets are much larger than the gas planets

• the solid planets are closer to the sun

Which statement is true about Venus?

• It is a gaseous, outer planet

• It is the 1st planet from the Sun, followed by Mercury

• it is the 2nd planet from the Sun, followed by Earth

• it is closest to Mars

Which of the following is: bigger than Earth, is made of gas, has many moons and is closer to Earth than Saturn?

• Sun

• Jupiter

• Venus

• Mars