Earth-Space Final Exam Review #4: Solar System

What is the main characteristic of a planetary system?

• that many planets have moons

• that planets and other bodies orbit a star

• that there are comets that move from outer regions into inner regions of the planetary system

• that there is an asteroid belt to define the boundary between the inner and outer regions of the planetary system

Which of the following statements best explains how the Sun and the Solar System formed?

• They were formed from an explosion of gas and rocks.

• They were formed from matter collecting in a molecular cloud.

• They were formed from a large star breaking into smaller pieces.

• They formed from many collisions of rocks in space until enough matter collected to attract hydrogen.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. During which phase of the lunar cycle can a total solar eclipse occur?

• full moon

• new moon

• waning gibbous

• waxing gibbous

What single observation allowed the astronomer Johannes Kepler to formulate a theory of the Solar System which was more correct than the previous models?

• Planets orbit Earth.

• Planets orbit the Sun.

• Planetary orbits are circular.

• Planetary orbits are elliptical.

The diagram below shows four points along Earth's orbit as it revolves around the Sun. The shaded area in the sector bounded by Points 1 and 2 is the same as the shaded area in the sector bounded by Points 3 and 4. Which statement accurately compares the conditions at these four points?

• The magnitude of Earth's acceleration is the same at all four points.

• The Sun's gravitational pull on Earth is the same at Point 1 as it is at Point 3.

• Earth's speed is the same as it goes from Point 1 to Point 2 as when it goes from Point 3 to Point 4.

• It takes Earth the same amount of time to go from Point 1 to Point 2 as it does to go from Point 3 to Point 4.

The table below lists the distances of Mercury, Earth, and Saturn from the Sun. Kepler’s third law of motion describes the relationship between the distances of the planets from the Sun and their orbital periods. Based on the time it takes each planet to complete a ‘year’ around the Sun, rank these planets in order from shortest to longest.

• Mercury, Earth, Saturn

• Mercury, Saturn, Earth

• Earth, Mercury, Saturn

• Saturn, Earth, Mercury

The new moon is the phase in which the “far side” of the Moon is illuminated, while the Earth-facing side is in darkness. Which letter in the figure corresponds to the new-moon phase of the lunar cycle?

• Position A

• Position B

• Position C

• Position D

The diagram shows Earth as it orbits the Sun. At which point does the northern hemisphere experience summer?

• point 1

• point 2

• point 3

• point 4

Earth experiences twice-daily tides because of the position of the Moon relative to Earth. However, at full moon and new moon phases, Earth experiences larger than normal high tides and smaller than normal low tides. What is the reason for the twice-monthly unusual high and low tides?

• Earth is closer to the Moon during full and new lunar phases.

• The Moon is facing Earth more directly during full and new phases.

• The gravitational pull from the Moon is stronger during full and new phases.

• The relative positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth cause greater gravitational pull.

The Florida Chamber has stated that it is dedicated to strengthening Florida’s position as the leader in space flight. What would be a disadvantage of supporting the space program in Florida?

• It would transfer nationally collected taxes into Florida’s economy.

• It would attract an educated workforce for aviation and aerospace jobs to the state.

• It would encourage tourists to visit Kennedy Space Center and other space-related facilities in the state.

• It would concentrate the state’s economy on the space industry and miss development opportunities in other areas.