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WorksheetsPosition of Earth Within the Universe
Total questions: 36
Worksheet time: 18mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
The two factors that combine to keep Earth and the moon in their orbits are
a)
gravity and orbital speed
b)
orbital speed and mass
c)
mass and inertia
d)
gravity and inertia
2.
The tendency of a moving object to continue moving in a straight line or a stationary object to remain in place is called
a)
orbital speed
b)
mass
c)
inertia
d)
gravity
3.
All objects are attracted to each other by the force of
a)
weight
b)
mass
c)
inertia
d)
gravity
4.
The strength of the force of gravity depends on
a)
the masses of the objects and their speeds
b)
the masses of the objects and the distance between them
c)
the weight of the objects and their speeds
d)
the masses of the objects and their weights
5.
A light-year is
a)
365 days
b)
the distance light travels in a year
c)
the distance from Earth to Proxima Centauri
d)
the amount o flight the sun produces in a year
6.
An astronomical unit is equal to
a)
the distance light travels in a year
b)
the average distance between the sun and Earth
c)
the distance across the Milky Way
d)
the diameter of the Milky Way
7.
The theory that astronomers have developed to describe the formation of the universe is called the
a)
big crunch theory
b)
collision-ring theory
c)
galactic expansion theory
d)
big bang theory
8.
The solar system formed from
a)
an expanding galaxy
b)
a giant cloud of gas and dust
c)
an enormous explosion
d)
a black hole
9.
Small asteroid like bodies that became the building blocks for the planets are called
a)
planetesimals
b)
comets
c)
meteoroids
d)
open clusters
10.
The force that tends to pull together the matter in stars is
a)
gravity
b)
nuclear fusion
c)
dark energy
d)
dark
11.
The heliocentric system gained support when Galileo observed that
a)
One side of the moon always faces Earth
b)
most of the smaller planets are closer to the sun
c)
Venus goes through phases similar to those of Earth's moon
d)
the orbit of each planet is an ellipse
12.
In a heliocentric system, Earth revolves around
a)
Mars
b)
the stars
c)
the moon
d)
the sun
13.
The fact that each planet's orbit is an ellipse was discovered by
a)
Copernicus
b)
Galileo
c)
Kepler
d)
Brahe
14.
Copernicus explained that
a)
the sun is at the center of the system of planets
b)
the sun and the planets revolve around Earth
c)
the geocentric system is correct
d)
there are only six planets
15.
How does the gravity on the moon compare to the gravity on Earth?
a)
Gravity is the same wherever you are
b)
There is less gravity on the moon
c)
there is more gravity on the moon
d)
Gravity depends on each person
16.
Which BEST describes a galaxy?
a)
somewhat like a solar system but larger
b)
includes all planets, satellites, asteroids, and comets in the universe
c)
includes all stars
d)
a cluster of billions of stars
17.
Where in the Milky Way can our solar system be found?
a)
on one of the outer arms of the galaxy
b)
in the center of the galaxy
c)
on the very outer edge of the galaxy
d)
our solar system is not located in the Milky Way
18.
Which of the following is thought to have occurred FIRST?
a)
formation of the sun
b)
the Big Bang
c)
formation of the Milky Way galaxy
d)
formation of the solar system
19.
The Milky Way galaxy is thickest in
a)
the center
b)
the inner arms
c)
our solar system
d)
the outer arms
20.
Which of the following lists the objects from LARGEST to SMALLEST?
a)
galaxy, solar system, universe, star
b)
universe, galaxy, solar system, star
c)
star, solar system, galaxy, universe
d)
universe, solar system, star, galaxy
21.
Our solar system is located in the ___ galaxy
a)
spiral
b)
geocentric
c)
heliocentric
d)
Milky Way
22.
A(an) ______galaxy has a characteristic pinwheel shape.
a)
spiral
b)
geocentric
c)
heliocentric
d)
Milky Way
23.
An Earth-centered model of the universe is called a(an) ____ model.
a)
Spiral
b)
Geocentric
c)
Heliocentric
d)
Milky Way
24.
Polish astronomer Nicoulaus Copernicus developed the ___ model of the universe.
a)
spiral
b)
geocentric
c)
heliocentric
d)
milky way
25.
According to the picture, which model of the universe is shown?
a)
heliocentric model
b)
egocentric model
c)
geocentric model
d)
paleocentric model
26.
Which of the following best describes Earth's orbit around the sun?
a)
oval
b)
circle
c)
pentagon
d)
curvy rectangle
27.
Copernicus defended the heliocentric theory. Which of the following statements most accurately describes how Galileo furthered this idea?
a)
Galileo invented the telescope.
b)
Galileo observed that moons orbited Jupiter.
c)
Galileo observed that the moon revolved around Earth.
d)
Galileo discovered Jupiter.
28.
What would happen to Earth if gravity did not act on it?
a)
Earth would crash into the sun.
b)
Earth would continue to orbit the sun as it always does.
c)
Earth would fly off into space off of its elliptical orbit.
d)
Earth would blow up.
29.
If Earth orbits the sun at 107,000 miles per hour, why doesn't it spin out of the solar system?
a)
Sun's gravity keeps it in orbit
b)
Earth's inertia keeps it in orbit
c)
Earth's weight keeps it from spinning out of the solar system.
d)
Sun's inertia keeps it in orbit.
30.
Marble X is rolled across the concrete and strikes the motionless Marble Y. Which of the following statements best describes the result?
a)
Marble X and Marble Y both have inertia, which changes when they collide.
b)
Only Marble X has inertia.
c)
Only Marble Y has inertia.
d)
Neither marble has inertia but their gravity pulls them into contact
31.
If the distance from the sun to the center of the galaxy is approximately 30,000 light years, about what distance would this be in kilometers? (Hint: One light year is about 10 million km)
a)
3,000 million
b)
3,000 trillion
c)
300,000 million
d)
300,000 trillion
32.
Why does the moon orbit Earth instead of the other way around?
a)
Mass of the moon is much greater than the mass of earth
b)
Mass of Earth is much greater than the mass of the moon
c)
the distance between them is too small
d)
Mass of the sun has the strongest gravitational attraction in th solar system.
33.
Why was it easier for people in ancient cultures to see stars and planets in the sky than it is for most people today?
a)
Today, we have light pollution which prevents us from being able to see as far.
b)
The ozone is getting foggy so we can't see as much.
c)
Our eyes are getting too old.
34.
Describe the effects of inertia on a moving object.
a)
Inertia is what keeps that object moving away from the source of the force.
b)
Inertia does not affect this object.
35.
Describe the effects of inertia on a stationary (not moving) object.
a)
The object has inertia, but gravity and inertia are balanced to keep the object in place.
b)
Inertia does not affect this object.
36.
Why is it less expensive to launch a spacecraft from the International Space Station in Earth's orbit than from Earth itself?
a)
The amount of fuel needed to take the spacecraft through Earth's atmosphere is huge and expensive.
b)
The astronauts in space have more money than the people on earth.
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