Solar System Quiz

Ptolemy, an ancient Greek philosopher, observed the sky and put forward a geocentric model to explain what he saw. Which of these describes a geocentric model?

• The planets revolve around the sun.

• The moon revolves around Earth.

• The planets and sun move around Earth.

• The sun moves around the planets and moon.

Elena noticed that the globe in the classroom was tilted on its axis. Which of these is a result of Earth's tilt?

• day and night

• lunar and solar eclipses

• changes in tides

• different seasons

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The different objects in our solar system affect each other in a number of ways. Which of the following describes one effect the moon has on Earth?

• changes in the seasons

• alternating low and high tides

• pattern of revolution around sun

• difference between night and day

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The solar system contains many kinds of objects, including one type called a satellite. Which of these is a satellite or group of satellites?

• Titan, which is a moon of Saturn

• Halley's Comet, which loops around the sun

• a small rock which burns up in Earth's atmosphere

• chunks of rock found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

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The Law of Universal Gravitation explains many interactions between objects in the solar system. Which statement helps to explain why the moon orbits Earth, rather than directly orbiting the sun?

• The moon is closer to Earth than it is to the sun.

• Earth has stronger gravitational force than the sun.

• The moon is too small to be affected by the sun's gravity.

• The inertia of the moon is stronger than other forces on it.

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Earth, the moon, and the sun can affect each other in many ways. The diagram shows Earth, the moon, and the sun lined up in one specific arrangement. Which event is shown by the diagram?

• a full moon

• a lunar eclipse

• a solar eclipse

• a winter solstice

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Jonathan noticed that he always saw the same side of the moon and wondered what the other side looked like. Why can only one side of the moon be seen from Earth?

• The moon does not rotate on its axis

• The moon makes one full rotation every 24 hours

• The moon rotates at the same rate that it revolves around Earth

• The moon revolves around the sun at the same speed it revolves around Earth

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Constellations are patterns of stars in the sky. When Miyoki got up for school one spring morning, she saw the constellation of Hercules overhead. That night before bed, when Miyoki looked at the sky again, she saw many constellations, but she could not see the constellation of Hercules anywhere. Which statement explains the reason the constellation was no longer visible?

• It was now hidden from Earth by the light of the moon

• It was on the other side of Earth due to Earth's rotation

• It was now on the other side of the sun, so it couldn't be seen

• It appeared upside-down in the sky due to the stars' movements

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Uranus is a planet in the solar system which has a very different tilt from the other planets, including Earth. This diagram shows Uranus and its orbit around the sun. How does this unusual tilt most likely affect Uranus?

• Gravity is weaker due to the way it spins.

• Days are shorter than on other planets.

• Seasons is more extreme than on other planets.

• Uranus has less effect as it would be unbalanced.

During a new moon, the moon is positioned between the sun and Earth. Why do solar eclipses happen only during a new moon?

• A new moon occurs when the sun, the moon and Earth are all aligned. This allows the moon to appear to cover the sun.

• A new moon occurs when the sun, the moon and Earth are all in a 90 degree angle. This allows the moon to appear to cover the moon.

• A new moon occurs when the sun, the moon and Earth are all aligned. This allows the sun to appear to cover the moon.

• A new moon occurs when the sun, the moon and Earth are all in a 90 degree angle. This allows the sun to appear to cover the moon.

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