Gravity!

The planets in the solar system revolve around the Sun because the Sun is

• made of hydrogen and helium.

• older than other objects in the solar system.

• the source of most heat and light energy.

• the most massive object in the solar system

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The rover Spirit is a robotic probe that NASA has placed on Mars. The gravitational attraction of Mars is approximately 62% less than that of Earth. Compared to its measurements on Earth, on Mars the probe has

• the same weight and the same mass.

• a larger weight, but smaller mass.

• a smaller mass and larger weight.

• a smaller weight and the same mass.

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The gravitational force of the Sun is powerful enough to hold Earth in orbit even though Earth is an average of 150 million kilometers away. Which BEST explains why objects are not pulled from the surface of Earth towards the Sun?

• Objects on Earth are orbiting the Sun too quickly.

• Objects on Earth have too little mass on which to pull.

• Objects on Earth are held by the gravity of the Moon.

• Objects on Earth are most influenced by Earth’s gravity.

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The magnitude of the gravitational force between two planets depends on the

• speed the planets rotate.

• other nearby planets.

• surface area of the planets.

• distance between the planets.

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Which statement is FALSE?

• The force of gravity increases with mass.

• The force of gravity increases with distance.

• The force of gravity exists in all objects having mass.

• The force of gravity between two objects depends on the mass and distance of the objects

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A student reads that an object generates a gravitational force. However, a book on a desk does not pull toward the student.

What reasoning BEST explains this observation?

• Only stars and planets are capable of generating gravitational forces.

• Earth’s magnetic field provides an extra downward force on the book, preventing it from moving.

• The masses of the book and the student are too small to cause a force large enough to move the book.

• The book on the desk is moving but at a very slow rate that is not detected by the student.

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What two factors determine the force of gravity?

• masses and speed

• distance and mass

• shape and speed

• mass and shape

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Why does the Moon’s gravity have a greater effect on Earth’s tides compared to the Sun’s gravity?

• The Sun is composed of mostly light gases such as hydrogen and helium.

• The Sun’s gravity only affects planetary orbits.

• The Moon is much closer to Earth than the Sun.

• The Moon is much less dense than the Sun. 

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Which theory explains gravity as the curving of spacetime around massive bodies? 

• Laws of Motion

• Law of Universal Gravitation

• Theory of General Relativity

• Photoelectric Theory 

Which two situations would feel exactly the same?

• Accelerating upward on an elevator on earth; Being at rest in the middle of outer space

• At rest on the surface of the Earth; in orbit around the Earth on the Space Station

• Free Falling in an elevator on Earth; in orbit around the Earth on the Space Station

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