Space and Science Quiz

Like many other space objects, Earth travels in a predictable path through space. Which of the following correctly describes this path?

• traveling around the Moon in a cycle that repeats every month

• orbiting the Sun along with seven other planets in the Solar System

• traveling in the same direction as comets, which is away from the Sun

• moving along with asteroids in an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter

Earth’s galaxy contains billions of stars. Some stars appear brighter than others. Which of the following is the main reason that the Sun appears brighter from Earth than other stars in the galaxy?

• Our Sun is a young star.

• Our Sun is closer to Earth.

• Our Sun is a much larger star.

• Our Sun is burning hydrogen.

Jamie experiments to compare the masses and volumes of different types of toy balls. She places 10 different types of balls in a large bucket of tap water. Out of the 10 balls, six of them float and four sink. Richard wants to replicate her experiment. He also puts 10 toy balls in a large bucket of tap water. Eight of them float. Which of the following gives the most likely reason for the difference between Jamie’s and Richard’s results?

• Richard used more water.

• Richard used different brands of toy balls.

• Richard used a bucket with a different shape.

• Richard placed the objects in the water more slowly.

While both comets and asteroids are found to orbit the Sun in our Solar System, which choice correctly explains how they are different?

• Comets are much larger than asteroids.

• Asteroids form a tail, and comets do not.

• Asteroids have long orbits around the Sun. Comets orbit between Mars and Jupiter.

• Comets are made of ice, dust, and rocky material. Asteroids are made of rock and metal material.

The universe consists of many galaxies. Which choice correctly identifies our home galaxy and its type?

• Abell—elliptical

• Milky Way—spiral

• Andromeda—irregular

• Sculptor—barred spiral

Joaquin tells his science class that galaxies consist of gas, dust, and many planets. What is the most important component of galaxies Joaquin is missing in his description?

• asteroids

• comets

• constellations

• stars

Anita and Tomás are trying to determine what decreases lightbulb brightness by testing and observing the following simple circuits. Which choice best identifies the students' next testable question?

• What is the effect of adding a fan to both circuits?

• What is the effect of adding another bulb to the circuit?

• What is the effect of adding one more battery to both circuits?

• What is the effect of adding a different type of wire to both circuits?

Rakesh and his science teacher heated water inside a closed container. The volume of the container was 300 milliliters (mL). Rakesh measured the properties of the water four different times. At which time was the material most likely to be a gas?

• 5 minutes

• 10 minutes

• 15 minutes

• 20 minutes

Mr. Powell is demonstrating the water cycle. He shapes mountains out of clay on one end of a glass aquarium to represent land. He then pours some water into the aquarium and places a glass lid on it. Next, he turns on a lamp above the aquarium and, finally, he places a container filled with ice on the glass lid. In this model, which choice correctly identifies evidence of condensation?

• water droplets falling on the clay

• less water in the bottom of the aquarium

• water running from the clay into the water

• water forming on the lid under the container

A hydroelectric power plant uses water power to produce a useful form of energy. The diagram below shows the production of electricity using hydropower. During this process, energy causes several types of motion and change inside the power plant. Which of the following is NOT an example of a type of motion or change caused by energy?

• water spinning the turbine

• water flowing from the reservoir to the plant

• electricity flowing from the generator through the power lines

• the concrete of the power plant supporting the turbine and generator