Solar System-History and Gravity

What did astronomers who supported the heliocentric model observe that supporters of the geocentric model did not?

• Earth orbits the Sun

• Moon orbits Earth

• Earth is fixed in space

• Planets move around Earth's night sky

Which statement fits the heliocentric model of the solar system?

• Planetary orbits are circular

• Earth revolves around the Sun

• Sun revolves around Earth

• Planets are made of unchanging matter

Which statement describes a difference between the geocentric model and the heliocentric model of the solar system?

• The geocentric model states that planetary orbits are circular, and the heliocentric model states that they are elliptical.

• The geocentric model states that planetary orbits are elliptical, and the heliocentric model states they are circular.

• The geocentric model states that Earth is moving, and the heliocentric model states that Earth is stationary

• The heliocentric model states that both the Sun and the Moon orbit Earth, and the geocentric model states that only the Moon orbits Earth.

Select all answers that give similarities of the heliocentric and geocentric theories.

• Both show the structure of the solar system (what it looks like)

• Both show the interior of a large structure in the solar system

• Both show the motion of the Sun and planets

• Both show the same shaped paths around the center

Which are TRUE about the heliocentric model?

• Shows the movement of the planets

• Shows what the Sun is like inside (structure)

• Shows the interactions between the Sun and planets

• Shows Earth going around the Sun

Which is FALSE about the geocentric theory?

• Shows the movement of the Sun around Earth

• Shows the layers of the Sun and Earth

• Shows the movement of Earth around the Sun

• Shows the planets moving in an ellipse

Scientific knowledge changes over time due to old theories being replaced by new theories. Revisions are made as new knowledge becomes available. Consider the geocentric theory of Earth which was once accepted as an explanation of how objects were positioned in our solar system. Which statement best explains this theory?

• The Sun is considered to be the center of the universe

• The orbits of the planets are elliptical and not circular

• The Sun is considered to be the center of revolving planets and stars.

• Earth is considered to be the center of the revolving planets and the stars

How did the planets in our solar system form?

• The planets formed from an explosion on the Sun's surface

• The planets from other solar systems were trapped by the Sun's gravitational force

• The Sun's gravitational force pulled rocks and other debris together to form the planets

• The Sun's gravitational force trapped planet-sized pieces of rock that formed after a massive asteroid collided with a mega-sized planet

A balance of inertia and gravity keeps a moon in orbit around a planet. What would result if the inertia of this moon were greater than the gravitational attraction to the planet?

• The moon would move far away from the planet

• The moon would crash into the planet

• The moon would orbit the planet with greater speed

• The moon would orbit the planet with a lesser speed

Scientists believe that before the Solar System formed, it was a nebula, or cloud of gas and dust, which slowly began to become concentrated and rotate. Which force is responsible for causing the formation of the Solar System?

• electricity

• friction

• gravity

• magnetism