SC.8.E.5.4 Space and Gravity

Explain how gravity influences the motion of planets in our solar system.

• Gravity causes planets to move in a straight line.

• Gravity keeps planets in orbit around the Sun.

• Gravity has no effect on the motion of planets.

• Gravity pushes planets away from the Sun.

Answer explanation

Gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the Sun. It pulls them towards the Sun, preventing them from moving in a straight line and instead causing them to follow curved paths in their orbits.

Tags

FL.SC.8.E.5.4

Describe the role of gravity in the formation of stars.

• Gravity pulls gas and dust together to form stars.

• Gravity pushes gas and dust away, preventing star formation.

• Gravity has no role in star formation.

• Gravity only affects planets, not stars.

Answer explanation

Gravity plays a crucial role in star formation by pulling together gas and dust in space. This accumulation leads to increased density and temperature, eventually resulting in the birth of a star.

Tags

FL.SC.8.E.5.4

Using the Law of Universal Gravitation, explain why planets closer to the Sun have shorter orbital periods than those farther away.

• Planets closer to the Sun experience weaker gravitational forces.

• Planets closer to the Sun experience stronger gravitational forces, resulting in faster orbits.

• The distance from the Sun does not affect orbital periods.

• Planets farther from the Sun have stronger gravitational forces.

Answer explanation

Planets closer to the Sun experience stronger gravitational forces, which pull them in more tightly. This increased gravitational pull results in faster orbital speeds, leading to shorter orbital periods compared to planets farther away.

Tags

FL.SC.8.E.5.4

How does gravity contribute to the formation of solar systems?

• Gravity prevents the formation of solar systems by dispersing matter.

• Gravity pulls together gas and dust to form stars and planets, creating solar systems.

• Gravity only affects the motion of planets, not their formation.

• Gravity has no role in the formation of solar systems.

Answer explanation

Gravity is essential in the formation of solar systems as it pulls together gas and dust, leading to the creation of stars and planets. This process is fundamental to the development of solar systems.

Tags

FL.SC.8.E.5.4

Analyze how the gravitational pull between two celestial bodies changes as the distance between them increases.

• The gravitational pull increases.

• The gravitational pull decreases.

• The gravitational pull remains constant.

• The gravitational pull becomes zero.

Answer explanation

The gravitational pull between two celestial bodies decreases as the distance between them increases, following the inverse square law. This means that as they move apart, the force of gravity weakens.

Tags

FL.SC.8.E.5.4

Explain why the gravitational force is essential for maintaining the structure of a galaxy.

• It prevents stars from forming.

• It keeps stars and other celestial bodies in orbit around the galactic center.

• It has no effect on the structure of a galaxy.

• It causes galaxies to expand indefinitely.

Answer explanation

The gravitational force is essential as it keeps stars and other celestial bodies in orbit around the galactic center, maintaining the galaxy's structure and preventing it from dispersing.

Tags

FL.SC.8.E.5.4

Predict the effect on Earth's orbit if the mass of the Sun were to double, assuming the distance remains the same.

• Earth's orbit would be pulled further from the Sun.

• Earth's orbit would remain unchanged.

• Earth would be pulled closer to the Sun.

• Earth would move to a higher orbit.

Answer explanation

If the Sun's mass doubles, its gravitational pull on Earth increases. According to Newton's law of gravitation, a stronger gravitational force would pull Earth closer to the Sun, resulting in a tighter orbit.

Tags

FL.SC.8.E.5.4

This diagram shows three models that represent the gravitational force, F, between objects.

Which model is displaying the most gravitational force of attraction?

• Model 1

• Model 2

• Model 3

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

What is gravitational force?

• attraction or repulsion of charged particles (like protons and electrons)

• attraction between two masses

• force that holds the nucleus of atoms together

• force responsible for nuclear decay

Answer explanation

Gravitational force is the attraction between two masses. It is a fundamental force that pulls objects toward each other, unlike the other options which describe different forces or interactions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

The strength of the force of gravity depends on

• the masses of the objects and their speeds.

• the masses of the objects and the distance between them.

• the weight of the objects and their speeds.

• the masses of the objects and their weights.

Answer explanation

The strength of gravity is determined by the masses of the objects and the distance between them, as described by Newton's law of universal gravitation. The other options incorrectly include speed or weight.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4