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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Which of the earlier models of the Solar System, Geocentric or Heliocentric, is most similar to the Solar System as we know it to be today and why?

• Geocentric, because only the moon is shown orbiting the Earth.

• Geocentric, which includes all eight planets.

• Heliocentric, which includes all nine planets.

• Heliocentric, because the planets are orbiting the Sun.

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Throughout history, several different models of the solar system have been proposed. One such model is shown below. According to a heliocentric model of the solar system, what should be located at position Q where indicated on the diagram?

• The Sun

• The Earth

• Jupiter

• The Moon

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