Earth Science Unit 4 Test Review

In a hypothetical planetary system, planet A is 20 million kilometers from the star, and planet B is 60 million kilometers from the star. Which statement is true concerning the orbit of these planets? Choose the correct answer.

• Planet A moves faster than planet B because it is closer to the star.

• Planet B moves faster than planet A because it is farther from the star.

• Planet A has an orbit more elliptical than planet B’s orbit because it is closer to the star.

• Planet B has an orbit more elliptical than planet A’s orbit because it is farther from the star.

What happens to the gravitational force between a spacecraft and a planet if the orbital radius is doubled? Choose the correct answer.

• It increases by a factor of 2.

• It decreases by a factor of 2.

• It increases by a factor of 4.

• It decreases by a factor of 4.

What evidence demonstrates the interaction between Earth’s magnetic field and solar wind? Choose the correct answer.

• spring tides

• solar eclipses

• the aurora borealis

• the greenhouse effect

Why does the moon have more impact craters on its surface than Earth does? Choose the correct answer.

• Earth’s gravity causes more objects to collide with the moon than with Earth.

• Most of Earth’s impact craters have been destroyed by plate tectonics and erosion.

• Earth’s magnetic field deflects more objects than the very weak magnetic field of the moon does.

• The rocks that compose the moon’s surface are more easily deformed than Earth’s surface rocks.

In what way is Earth like the other inner planets? Choose the correct answer.

• It has a relatively high density.

• It has liquid water on its surface.

• It has a mostly hydrogen and helium core.

• It revolves around the sun in 24 hours or less.

Aside from Mercury’s slow rotation, what is a factor that contributes to the planet’s daily temperature fluctuation of about 600 °C? Choose the correct answer.

• its dense atmosphere

• its core of rock and ice

• its close proximity to the sun

• its heavy, rocky, waterless terrain

Which of these separates the outer planets from the inner planets? Choose the correct answer.

• the kuiper belt

• the asteroid belt

• the Great Red Spot

• a large magnetic field

According to Kepler’s first law, the orbit of a planet is an ellipse with what object at or near the focus? Choose the correct answer.

• its star

• its moon

• its center

• the galactic center

Which law describes the speed at which objects travel at different points in their orbits? Choose the correct answer.

• law of ellipses

• law of periods

• law of eccentricity

• law of equal areas

Kepler’s third law describes the relationship between the average distance of a planet from the sun and which property of the planet’s motion? Choose the correct answer.

• inertia

• orbital period

• gravitational pull

• average temperature