1. Students are researching different theories about how the universe appeared hundreds of years ago. They noticed that astronomers had various views about the origins of the universe and what the universe originally looked like. Students were asked to present their findings. Which of the following theories is most similar to what we know about the universe today?

• Theory 1 is most accurate because Earth does not experience any movements in the solar system and all of the other planets

• Theory 2 is most accurate because astronomers originally believed the Earth was in the center of the universe but with more investigation learn the sun was the center of our solar system and all of the planets revolve around the sun.

• Theory 1 is most accurate because astronomers believed the sun was the center of our solar system and all of the planets revolve around the sun.

• Theory 2 is most accurate because astronomers originally believed the Sun was in the center of the universe but with more investigation learn the Earth was the center of our solar system and all of the planets revolve around the sun.

Centuries ago people believed that our solar system consisted of the earth as the center of the universe. Which of the following best summarizes the change of theories as astronomer gained new information?

• At first astronomers thought the Earth was at the center of the universe but now astronomers proved that the Sun is in the center of the universe by being able to explain planetary motion.

• At first astronomers thought the Sun was at the center of the universe but now astronomers proved that the Earth is in the center of the universe by being able to explain planetary motion.

• At first astronomers thought the Earth was at the center of the universe but now astronomers have proved that the Earth is in the center of the universe by being able to explain planetary motion and use of advance technology.

• At first astronomers thought the Sun was at the center of the universe but now astronomers proved that the Sun is in the center of the universe by being able to explain planetary motion and use of advance technology

What do the four outer planets have in common?

• They are much larger than Earth and are solid

• They are about the same size as Earth and are solid

• They are much larger than Earth and do not have a solid surface

• They are about the same size as Earth and do not have a solid surface

An astronomer has been collecting research on heavenly bodies in the solar system. Which of the following conclusions can he draw based on the information provided? (DOK 2)

• Table A describes characteristics of comets while Table B describes characteristics of asteroids.

• Table A describes characteristics of asteroids while Table B describes characteristics of comets

• Table A describes characteristics of the inner planets while Table B describes characteristics of the outer planets.

• Table A describes characteristics of the outer planets while Table B describes characteristics of the inner planets.

The data table above compares features of several planets. Which of the following conclusions can you draw based on the information provided?

• Planets closer to the Sun have slower orbital speeds because they are smaller.

• Planets closer to the Sun have a longer period of rotation than period of revolution because of their elliptical orbits

• Planets further from the Sun have faster orbital speeds and shorter periods of revolution because of the Sun’s energy.

• Planets further from the Sun have slower orbital speeds and longer periods of revolution because of the Sun’s gravity.

Which of the following would cause the Earth to be pulled into the Sun?

• The Sun loses its gravitational pull.

• The Earth suddenly loses its inertia.

• Mercury and Venus speed up in their orbit.

• The core of the Earth grows causing it to lose some of its gravitational pull

Neptune is farther away from the Sun than is Earth. Students in an Earth science class were asked to create an explanation of how the effect of the Sun's gravity on Neptune compares with the effect of the Sun's gravity on Earth. Four student’s explanations are presented below. Which student’s explanation is best? (DOK 2)

• Student 2: The Sun has less gravitational pull on Neptune because it is bigger.

• Student 3: The Sun has the same gravitational pull on all planets that are in orbit.

• Student 4: The Sun has less gravitational pull on Neptune because it is farther away.

• Student 1: The Sun has less gravitational pull on Earth because it is closer.

The model below was created by a student in Earth science class to show gravity and inertia working together to create an orbit path. The model illustrates that the Sun is the largest object in the Solar System, and the planets and other objects in the Solar System all revolve around the sun.

Which of the following best explains how this model would need to be revised if the sun did not exist?

• The planets would start crashing into each other because the forward motion of inertia would pull them toward each other.

• The planets would start crashing into each other because without the sun gravity would pull all of the planets together.

• The planets would float off into space because the gravitational force of the sun would no longer be there.

• The planets would float off into space because without the sun inertia would cease to exist and the planets would stop moving forward.

The characteristics of objects in space vary greatly. Two students are looking at the following data table, and have two different ideas about what Object B could be:

Student 1: I think Object B is a meteor because they orbit the sun and are up to 1,000 km in diameter

Student 2: I think Object B is an asteroid because most asteroids are located between Mars and Jupiter.

Which student had the right idea about what object be is?

• Student 1 had the right idea about object B because asteroids orbit the sun, are located between Mars and Jupiter, and are up to 1,000 km in diameter

• Student 2 had the right idea about object B because meteors orbit the sun, are located between Mars and Jupiter, and are up to 1,000 km in diameter.

• Student 1 had the right idea about object B because meteors orbit the sun, are located between Mars and Jupiter, and are up to 1,000 km in diameter.

• Student 2 had the right idea about object B because asteroids orbit the sun, are located between Mars and Jupiter, and are up to 1,000 km in diameter.

A comet is best known for its’ visible tail that can even be seen with the naked eye as comets, like Halley’s Comet, orbit near Earth. What is the best explanation of why Halley’s comet has a tail at some points during its orbit, but not at other points?

• As the comet nears the sun, the temperature rises, which causes the tail to appear.

• As the comet moves away from the sun, the temperature falls, which causes the tail to appear.

• As the comet nears the sun, the temperature falls, which causes the tail to appear.

• As the comet moves away from the sun, the temperature

  rises, which causes the tail to appear.