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WorksheetsEarth and Space
Total questions: 82
Worksheet time: 3hrs 39mins
The Milky Way, a spiral galaxy, is the galaxy in which our solar system is located. The diameter of the Milky Way is estimated to be between 100,000 and 120,000 light years. Our solar system is between 50,000 and 60,000 light years from the galatic center. Based on this information, where is our solar system most likely located in the Milky Way?
Just outside the galaxy
Near the center of the galaxy
Near the edge, about half way from the center
Between the edge and the center of the Milky Way
Which group below correctly lists structures in space from smallest to largest?
Star, planet, Milky Way, galaxy
Planet, Solar System, Glaaxy, Star
Moon, Planet, Solar System, Galaxy
Galaxy, Planet, Milky Way, Solar System
In which position is it winter in North America?
(top axis/Northern Hemisphere should be facing the Sun)
Position 1, because North America receives the most direct sun
Position 2, because North America is tilted toward the sun
Position 3, because North America is parallel to the sun
Position 4, because North America is tilted away from the Sun
The diagram shows four consecutive moon phases.
Which of the following diagrams shows the next four moon phases in the correct order?
Two friends want to go for a night hike when there is a full moon in July. If there is a third-quarter moon on July 2, what is the approximate date of the next full moon?
(7 days/1 week to get to each of the 4 main moon phases)
July 9
July 16
July 23
July 30
A student must complete the column of the table that lists the dates of the full moons. What are the most likely dates of the full moons?
(New Moon - Full Moon = 14 days/2 weeks)
February 5, March 7, April 5, May 4
February 15, March 17, April 15, May 14
February 25, March 27, April 25, May 24
February 29, March 31, April 29, May 28
A student uses paper and fasteners to create a model of Earth, Sun, and Moon. The sun and Earth are attached to the paper background, while the moon is free to revolve around Earth. Which diagram shows the objects arranged so that a new moon would be visible from Earth?
(New Moon is ALWAYS next to Sun)
Based on the data, what part of the lunar cycle occurred between January 5 and January 7?
(Takes 3.5 days for each of the 8 moon phases)
waxing crescent moon
waning crescent moon
full moon
new moon
Different relative positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth have different effects on Earth's oceans. Which model shows the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth that have the GREATEST effect on ocean tides?
Spring=straight
Neap=90
Bernard's Star is about 5.9 light years from our Sun. The star has an approximate temperature of 2,800 K. Based on the diagram, what spectral class does Bernard's Star belong to?
Spectral class O
Spectral class B
Spectral class A
Spectral class M
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shows how the Sun is classified among the stars. A star that is several thousand times brighter than the Sun with a temperature lower than 4,000 K would be classified as -
(Dimmer stars are on the bottom of the H-R diagram)
a main sequence star in spectral class B
a supergiant in spectral class K
a main sequence star in spectral class K or M
a white dwarf in spectral class B
The universe has many different components. Which list places four components of the universe in the most likely order from smallest to largest?
(nebula=cloud of gas & dust where stars form)
Planets, stars, galaxies, nebulae
Nebulae, stars, planets, galaxies
Planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies
Galaxies, stars, planets, nebulae
Two stars are identified on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Based on this diagram, how do the characteristics of Star 1 and Star 2 compare?
(Dimmer stars are on the bottom)
Star 1 is hotter and brighter than Star 2.
Star 1 is cooler and less bright than Star 2.
Star 1 is cooler and brighter than Star 2.
Star 1 is hotter and less bright than Star 2.
Four students are asked to describe a nebula and a star. Their responses are shown in the table. Which student described these two celestial bodies correctly?
student 1
student 2
student 3
student 4
A student learns that the Sun is classified as a medium-size star and that many stars are much bigger and brighter. However, the student observes that other stars look very dim, even through a telescope. Why do other stars look much dimmer than the Sun?
The Sun appears yellow, which is more visible than other colors.
The Sun is much closer to Earth than other stars are.
Other stars are made up of different gases than the Sun is.
As light from other stars travels through space, it gets reflected.
Quasars are extremely distant celestial bodies. Investigators using a special telescope determined that a certain quasar was emitting waves with a frequency of 1.41 x 109 Hz. An electromagnetic spectrum is shown. The investigators were most likely using a telescope that detects -
visible light
x-rays
gamma rays
microwaves
The model shows the star Wolf 359, the Sun, and Star X. It takes 7.8 years for light produced on Wolf 359 to reach the Sun. If Star X is 50 times as far from the Sun as Wolf 359 is, how far is Star X from the Sun, to the nearest light year?
310
390
7.8
50
The table shows distances of three stars from the Sun. Students were asked to make a model of the three stars and to include the Sun and Earth in the model. They chose to use a scale of 1 meter : 1 light year. Which model best represents the data?
The diagram models Mercury and Venus orbiting the Sun. What force causes Venus to travel along a curved path instead of moving in a straight line as indicated by the dashed line in the diagram?
Electromagnetic attraction between the Sun and Venus
Electromagnetic attraction between Mercury and Venus
Gravitational attraction between the Sun and Venus
Gravitational attraction between Mercury and Venus
Rift valleys can form when fractures in Earth's crust widen. The valley walls slowly move at a rate of only a few millimeters a year. Which of these best describes the type of tectonic activity that forms rift valleys?
Rift valleys form where a continental plate moves under an oceanic plate.
Rift valleys form where a plate slides horizontally past another plate.
Rift valleys form where two plates move away from each other.
Rift valleys form where an oceanic plate moves under another oceanic plate.
The map shows some of Earth's plate tectonic boundaries. Based on the map, volcanic activity would most likely be found at -
(volcanoes form when oceanic plate subducts under another plate)
location W
location X
location Y
location Z
The San Andreas fault is a transform fault. The map shows a student's approximation of where the fault line crosses through the United States. Students were asked to make maps predicting which way land would most likely move over thousands of years. Which map BEST predicts the likely movement of land along the fault line over thousands of years?
The satellite photograph shows an area in Alaska after a fire occurred. Which statement best describes the most likely effect the fire had on the river in the 12 months after it occurred?
Less sediment flowed into the river because the fire heated up the soil and made it drier.
More sediment flowed into the river because the fire destroyed most of the vegetation holding the sediment in place.
The amount of vegetation increased and less sediment flowed into the river because the fire produced ash that mixed with the soil.
More sediment flowed into the river because the fire disrupted animal habitats and caused animals to leave the area.
A student stands at point X on the topographic map. What height in meters must the student climb in order to reach the top of the hill?
243
353
363
253
A section of a topographic map is shown. What is the difference in elevation in meters between Point X and Point Y on the map?
400
320
360
410
A student's model of an area near a city depicts many activities that affect the quality of water in the area. How does the agricultural activity most likely affect the surface water of the area?
Excess crop material accumulates on the riverbanks, slowing the movement of the river water.
Excess crop fertilizer is carried by runoff into the river, causing excess growth of water plants.
Crops reduce erosion, increasing the amount of soil entering the river.
Crops absorb pure water from soil, causing the remaining water to contain more salt.
In 2013, Typhoon Nesat struck the Phillippines and caused widespread flooding. After hitting the Phillippines, Typhoon Nesat was predicted to hit the large city of Hanoi, Vietnam. If Typhoon Nesat had continued along the same path, which development would most likely have reduced its strength before it hit Hanoi?
(pay attention to the SYMBOLS!)
The formation of a low pressure area south of Bangkok
The formation of a high pressure area south of Bangkok
Cool water moving into the sea east of Hanoi
Warm water moving into the sea east of Hanoi
Which of these best compares the conditions at Location X and Location Y?
The Northern Hemisphere experiences the beginning of spring when Earth is in-
A student builds a model based on this diagram. The student uses foam balls to represent the moon and Earth and a flashlight to represent the sun. The student should shine the flashlight on the model of Earth from Position
Based on this data, what part of the lunar cycle occurred between January 5 and Januray 7?
Based on this diagram, which type of stars would belong to spectral class M and have the highest luminosity?
Which student described these two celestial bodies correctly?
The rising magma that can result from this type of plate movement may produce-
The folded mountains in this model form at which type of plate boundary?
Which geologic feature is most likely to form at a mid-ocean ridge?
Sand is sometimes removed from the ship channel through a process called dredging to make it easier for ships to travel through. Recently sand from the bottom of the channel was moved to area beaches. Without this transfer of sand, what would most likely occur in this area in the future.
What was the change in elevation, to the nearest ten meters, for the family that took the steepest path to Point X?
How will this crater most likely change over time?
What is the difference in elevation in meters between Point X and Point Y
Based on the map, which area probably produced the most violent storm systems?
The movement of colored water through the gravel best models-
What force causes Venus to travel along a curved path instead of moving in a straight line as indicated by the dashed line in the diagram?
