Earth in Space Quiz

Why is Earth the only planet known to support life?

How have our views of Earth’s position in space changed over time?

Why is it warmer in summer and colder in winter? (or, How does Earth’s position relative to the sun control the climate?)

The moon has what type of orbit?

• Geocentric

• Heliocentric

• Neither

List these cosmic features in order of size, beginning with the largest:

• universe, galaxy, star, planet

• star, galaxy, universe, planet

• universe, planet, star, galaxy

• galaxy, universe, star, planet

What is the Doppler Effect as used in exploration of the universe?

• A change in the speed of light as the source moves relative to the observer

• A change in luminosity of light as the source moves relative to the observer

• A change in the frequency of light as the source moves relative to the observer

Suppose the light spectrum from a distant star shifted toward the blue end of the light spectrum. What would this imply?

• The star is moving away from us

• The star is moving toward us

• The star is not moving relative to us

Suppose you and a friend are tossing a ball back and forth. The ball has a speaker that lets off a constant noise. How does the frequency of the noise you hear vary from when you throw the ball to when you catch the ball?

• The frequency increases

• The frequency decreases

• The frequency does not change

Scientists often suggest that the expansion of the Universe is similar to the expansion of raisin bread as it bakes in an oven. The loaf increases in size and individual raisins move farther apart in the expanding bread. During a homework assignment, two students suggest two more analogies (see below) for the universe. These answers are not considered as good as the raisin bread analogy. Why?

Which of the following statements is most accurate? Explain the reason for your answer as well as why you did not choose either of the other two answers.

• All stars and planets are about the same age.

• Stars are approximately the same age as their orbiting planets.

• The number of stars is declining as stars burn out.