Mrs. Estes SOL- Astronomy Review

(2005-33) Which of the following best describes Earth’s orbital position in our solar system?

• Outside of three smaller planets

• Outside of the gas giants

• An outer planet

• An inner planet

Answer explanation

Earth is classified as an inner planet because it is located within the asteroid belt, closer to the Sun than the gas giants, which are further out in the solar system.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

(2002-20) Saturn’s volume is 762 times the volume of Earth, and yet its mass is only about 95 times that of Earth’s mass. This is due to Saturn’s __.

• low density

• temperature

• thousands of rings

• distance from the sun

Answer explanation

Saturn's volume is much larger than Earth's, but its mass is relatively low. This indicates that Saturn has a low density, meaning it is composed of lighter materials compared to Earth, which explains the mass-volume discrepancy.

(2001-46) A person weighs more on the Earth than on the moon because the Earth has a greater __.

• density

• atmospheric pressure

• magnetic strength

• gravitational pull

Answer explanation

A person weighs more on Earth than on the Moon because Earth has a greater gravitational pull. This pull is stronger due to Earth's larger mass compared to the Moon, resulting in a higher weight for objects on Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

(2002-6) A light-year measures __.

• brightness

• distance

• radiation

• time

Answer explanation

A light-year is a unit of distance that measures how far light travels in one year, not brightness, radiation, or time. Therefore, the correct answer is distance.

(2005-4) What is the approximate percentage of the Earth that is illuminated by the sun at any given time?

• 10%

• 25%

• 50%

• 90%

Answer explanation

Approximately 50% of the Earth is illuminated by the sun at any given time, as the sun lights up half of the planet while the other half remains in darkness. This is a fundamental aspect of how sunlight interacts with the spherical shape of the Earth.

(2003-48) Photographs of the surface of Mars reveal the presence of sand dunes that shift over time. These dunes demonstrate the presence of what phenomenon on Mars?

• Precipitation

• Winds

• Magnetic Pole Reversals

• Plate Tectonics

Answer explanation

The shifting sand dunes on Mars indicate the presence of winds, which are responsible for moving and reshaping the dunes over time. This phenomenon is similar to how winds affect sand dunes on Earth.

(2003-30) Which of the above evolutionary stages of a massive star is called a supernova?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

A supernova occurs at the final evolutionary stage of a massive star, specifically when it exhausts its nuclear fuel and undergoes a catastrophic explosion. This corresponds to stage 4 in the evolutionary sequence.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

(2003-6) The longitude of Richmond, Virginia, on the above map is approximately __.

• 75^o W

• 38^o N

• 38^o W

• 75^o N

Answer explanation

The question asks for the longitude of Richmond, Virginia. The correct answer is 38° N, which indicates latitude. The other options either represent incorrect coordinates or are not relevant to longitude.

(2004-38) Which planet has a fierce hurricane-like storm that is several times the size of Earth?

• Mars

• Venus

• Saturn

• Jupiter

Answer explanation

Jupiter is known for its Great Red Spot, a massive storm larger than Earth that has been raging for centuries. This makes it the correct answer, as neither Mars, Venus, nor Saturn has a storm of comparable size.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

(2005-38) Based on the drawing above, what is the main reason that Venus would appear brighter at point Q rather than at point R as seen from the Earth?

• The planet is closer to the Earth at point Q than at point R.

• More of the visible side of the planet is illuminated at point Q than at point R.

• he planet appears overhead against a dark sky when it is at point Q but not at point R.

• Light from the planet at point Q is less affected by the sun’s gravity than at point R.

Answer explanation

At point Q, more of Venus's illuminated side is visible from Earth compared to point R. This increased illumination makes Venus appear brighter at Q.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1