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Astronomy - CMS

Total questions: 32

Worksheet time: 18mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Heliocentric theory gained support when Galileo observed that

a)

the orbit of each planet is an ellipse

b)

Venus goes through phases similar to those of Earth's moon

c)

one side of the moon always faces Earth

d)

most of the smaller planets are closer to the sun

2.

In the diagram, what model of the universe is represented?

a)

heliocentric model

b)

copernicus's model

c)

geocentric model

d)

Brahe's model

3.

At one time, observers believed that the Sun revolved around the Earth. This model was superseded by the heliocentric model which places the Sun at the center of the universe. Which BEST Describes how this relates to the nature of science?

a)

Models are an inefficient way of explaining observations

b)

Astronomy is an inexact science.

c)

Scientific knowledge is unchanging

d)

As we gain new understanding, we change our models.

4.

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle made a model of the solar system with the Earth at its center. He believed that planets moved on "crystalline spheres" and stars moved in outer spheres, as shown in the diagram. The "Prime mover" sphere "moved" the inner spheres around the Earth. Which kind of model does Aristotle's theory most resemble?

a)

Edwin Hubble's Big Bang Theory

b)

Copernicus's geocentric model

c)

Galileo's geocentric model

d)

Ptolemy's geocentric model

5.

Which of the diagrams best represents the relationship among galaxies, the universe, and the solar system?

a)
b)
c)
d)
6.

If a new Sb galaxy were discovered, what would be its most likely diameter?

a)

5,000 light years

b)

8,000 light years

c)

100,000 light years

d)

30,000 light years

7.

The picture shows sand used to make a model of a galaxy. In the model, each grain of sand best represents

a)

an asteroid

b)

a star

c)

a comet

d)

a black hole

8.

Jordan is making a poster to show the Milky Way galaxy. Which objects should he include on his poster to BEST show the Milky Way?

a)

asteroids

b)

planets

c)

comets

d)

stars

9.

Some data about the atmosphere on Mars is shown in the graph. What conclusions can be made about the ability of humans to breathe Martian air?

a)

Humans will be able to breathe the air because oxygen is present.

b)

Life support will be needed because the percentage of oxygen is too low.

c)

Oxygen and Nitrogen will make it possible for photosynthesis to produce food.

d)

It will be impossible to breathe air because the percentage of nitrogen is too low.

10.

Jack constructed an accurate scale model of the solar system. In his model, the Sun was a basketball, Jupiter was a large marble, Neptune was a small marble, and Venus was a grain of sand. In this model, which would most accurately represent the size of Earth?

a)

a tennis ball

b)

a large marble

c)

a golf ball

d)

a grain of sand

11.

The atmospheres of the gas giant planets cannot escape into space because

a)

the planets have very strong gravitational pulls

b)

the gases solidify at higher elevations

c)

the gases are too heavy

d)

although they are big, the planets have little mass

12.

Which of these would cause the gravitational force between Earth and the Sun to decrease?

a)

an increase in the distance between Earth and the sun

b)

an increase in the masses of Earth and the sun

c)

an increase in the length of a day on Earth

d)

an increase in the number of planets orbiting the sun

13.

What is the planetary motion that makes our year?

a)

revolution

b)

rotation

c)

orbit

d)

elliptical path

14.

A day on Saturn takes about 10 Earth hours. Which fact would best explain this short day?

a)

Saturn's orbit has greater eccentricity than Earth's

b)

Saturn is much farther from the Sun than Earth

c)

Saturn rotates more rapidly than Earth

d)

Saturn is less dense than Earth

15.

The lunar module (space ship) weighed more on Earth than it did on the moon because Earth has a greater

a)

density

b)

electronic magnetic field

c)

atmosphere

d)

gravitational force

16.

Which term belongs in the center circle of this graphic organizer?

a)

electricity

b)

gravity

c)

friction

d)

magnetism

17.

What is the sequence that describes a space rock that falls to Earth's surface?

a)

meteorite, meteor, meteroid

b)

meteroid, meteor, meteorite

c)

meteoroid, meteorite, meteor

d)

meteor, meteoroid, meteorite

18.

What shape are the orbits of most comets?

a)

spherical

b)

nearly circular ellipses

c)

long, narrow ellipses

d)

circle

19.

What is the MAIN difference between asteroids and comets?

a)

comets lack solid matter; asteroids are solid and liquid

b)

Comets form clouds of gas and dust when near the Sun; asteroids remain solid

c)

Most comets lie between Mars and Jupiter; asteroids are usually beyond the orbit of Neptune

d)

Comets' orbits are usually circular; asteroids have highly elliptical orbits

20.

Which of the following statements about asteroids are true?

a)

All asteroids are larger than Earth's moon

b)

Most asteroids are in an orbit that takes them between Earth and Venus

c)

Most asteroids lie between Mars and Jupiter

d)

All asteroids are made of gases

21.

Why do we observe the moon in different parts of the sky depending on the time of day or night?

a)

Both the moon and the Earth are rotating and revolving

b)

None of the answer choices

c)

Only the moon is rotating

d)

Only the Earth is revolving

22.

When viewed from Earth, the moon appears to be the same size as the sun. Which of the following is true in regard to distance and gravity?

a)

The Earth is closer to the sun than the moon, and therefore has a greater gravitational pull.

b)

The moon is farther from Earth than the sun, and therefore has less of a gravitational pull.

c)

The moon shines brighter than the sun, and therefore has less of a gravitational pull

d)

The moon is closer to Earth than the sun, and therefore has more of a gravitational pull.

23.

The diagram shows the orbit of the moon around Earth. Between which two points will the moon appear to change from a new moon to a quarter moon?

a)

Q and R

b)

R and S

c)

S and T

d)

T and Q

24.

You started looking at the moon on Sunday. You look at the moon every night and by the following Sunday you notice that the moon has changed from just a crescent to a half moon. How would you describe the current moon phase?

a)

waxing crescent moon

b)

waning quarter moon

c)

waxing quarter moon

d)

waning crescent moon

25.

How would solar eclipses be affected if the moon were twice the distance from the Earth as it is now?

a)

There would be no solar eclipses.

b)

There would be fewer partial eclipses of the sun.

c)

There would be no total eclipses of the sun.

d)

There would be no change.

26.

Which diagram shows the Earth-moon-sun- system arranged to cause a total solar eclipse?

a)
b)
c)
d)
27.

Which THREE statements should be in the SHADED part of the diagram?

a)

It involves the Sun, Moon, and Earth.

b)

This type of eclipse takes place at night.

c)

The shadow of the Moon falls on the Earth.

d)

It occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.

e)

Watching this type of eclipse requires eye protection.

28.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun, however a solar eclipse occurs when -

a)

the Moon passes between the stars and the Earth.

b)

the Sun passes between the Earth and Moon.

c)

the Earth passes between the Moon and the stars

d)

the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.

29.

What is the length of the day in both hemispheres at this position of Earth in its orbit and why?

a)

Length of day in Southern hemisphere < Length of day in Northern hemisphere.

Reason: Sunlight is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn

b)

Length of day in the Northern hemisphere > Length of day in Southern hemisphere

Reason: Sunlight is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn

c)

Length of day in Northern Hemisphere > Length of day in Southern hemisphere

Reason: Sunlight is directly over the Tropic of Cancer

d)

Length of day in Southern hemisphere > Length of day in Northern Hemisphere

Reason: Sunlight is directly over the Tropic of Cancer

30.

Seasonal changes take place all through the year due to all of the following EXCEPT...

a)

the Earth always points toward the same direction

b)

the Earth's axis is tilted

c)

the moon is aligned with the Earth's axis

d)

the Earth revolves around the Sun

31.

When the South Pole is tilted toward the Sun, it is -

a)

summer in both hemispheres

b)

winter in both hemispheres

c)

summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere

d)

winter in the Northern hemisphere and summer in the Southern hemisphere

32.

What causes the Earth to have seasons?

a)

The tilt of the Earth's axis and the revolution of the Earth around the Sun

b)

The distance of the Earth from the Sun

c)

The revolution of the Earth around the Sun

d)

The tilt of the Earth's axis