Free Printable Regents ES - Astronomy Final

1.

The Sun revolves around the center of

a)

Polaris

b)

Aldebaran

c)

Earth

d)

the Milky Way Galaxy

2.

Cosmic background radiation provides direct evidence for the origin of

a)

the universe

b)

our solar system

c)

Earth's ozone layer

d)

Earth's earliest atmosphere

3.

In which sequence are the items listed from least total mass to greatest total mass?

a)

solar system, Milky Way, universe

b)

Milky Way, solar system, universe

c)

universe, Milky Way, solar system

d)

Milky Way, universe, solar system

4.

Which statement best describes the age of our solar system and the universe?

a)

The universe is at least twice as old as our solar system.

b)

Our solar system is at least twice as old as the universe.

c)

Our solar system and the universe are estimated to be 5 billion years old.

d)

Our solar system and the universe are estimated to be 10 billion years old.

5.

The explosion associated with the theory and the formation of the universe inferred to have occurred how many billion ago?

a)

less than 1

b)

4.6

c)

2.5

d)

over 10

6.

The Milky Way galaxy is best described as

a)

a type of solar system

b)

a constellation visible to everyone on Earth

c)

a region in space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

d)

a spiral-shaped formation composed of billions of stars

7.

What is the name usually given to the group of objects consisting of a Sun and any planets, comets, and other objects that orbit it?

a)

a solar system

b)

a galaxy

c)

a universe

d)

an ecosystem

8.

The red shift of visible light waves that is observed by astronomers on Earth is used to determine the

a)

sizes of nearby galaxies

b)

relative motions of distant galaxies

c)

densities of the planets

d)

rotation periods of the planets

9.

Evidence that the universe is expanding is best provided by the

a)

red shift in the light from distant galaxies

b)

change in the swing direction of a Foucault pendulum on Earth

c)

parallelism of Earth's axis in orbit

d)

spiral shape of the Milky Way galaxy

10.

Light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation are given off by stars using energy released during

a)

nuclear fusion

b)

conduction

c)

convection

d)

radioactive decay

11.

The reaction represents an energy-producing process.

The reaction represents how energy is produced

a)

in the Sun by fusion

b)

when water condenses in Earth’s atmosphere

c)

from the movement of crustal plates

d)

during nuclear decay

12.

Which star is cooler and less luminous than the Sun?

a)

Proxima Centauri

b)

Pollux

c)

Rigel

d)

40 Eridani B

13.

Which star's surface temperature is closest to the temperature at the boundary between the Earth's mantle and core?

a)

Sirus

b)

the Sun

c)

Rigel

d)

Betelgeuse

14.

Which of the following stars is the least bright?

a)

the Sun

b)

a blue supergiant

c)

a white dwarf

d)

a red giant

15.

Barnard's Star has a surface temperature of about

a)

300 ºC

b)

3000 ºC

c)

5000 ºC

d)

10,000 ºC

16.

Which star has the greatest size?

a)

Sun

b)

Betelgeuse

c)

Alpha Centauri

d)

Procyon

17.

Compared to the terrestrial planets, the Jovian planets have

a)

smaller diameters

b)

slower rates of rotation

c)

greater average densities

d)

longer periods of revolution

18.

The average temperature of the planets

a)

Decreases with greater distance from the Sun

b)

Has no relationship to the distance from the Sun

c)

Depends only on the chemical composition of the atmosphere of each planet

d)

Increases with greater distance from the Sun

19.

Which graph best indicates the densities of the planets in our solar system?

a)

b)

c)

d)

20.

Which event is caused by Earth's revolution?

a)

The apparent shift in the path of the Foucault pendulum

b)

Deflection of planetary winds to the right in the northern hemisphere

c)

The apparent rising and setting of the Sun

d)

Different constellations observed in the night sky throughout the year

21.

As viewed from Earth, most stars appear to move across the night sky because

a)

Earth revolves around the Sun

b)

Earth rotates on its axis

c)

Stars orbit Earth

d)

Stars revolve around the center of the galaxy

22.

The diagram below represents the orbits of three planets (X, Y, and Z) around star A. Star A is located at one focus and point B is the other focus. Numbers 1 through 9 represent different positions of the three planets. The arrows show the direction of revolution.

Which statement about the period of revolution of the planets is correct?

a)

Planet X has a longer period of revolution than planet Y

b)

Planet Z has a longer period of revolution than planet X

c)

The planets have equal periods of revolution.

d)

Planet Y has a longer period of revolution than planet Z.

23.

Base your answer on the diagram below which represents a planet, P, in an elliptical orbit around a star located at F1. The foci of the elliptical orbit are F1 and F2. Orbital locations are represented by P1 through P6.

The gravitational attraction between planet P and the star is greatest when the planet is located at position

a)

P1

b)

P2

c)

P3

d)

P4

24.

Base your answer on the diagram below which represents a planet, P, in an elliptical orbit around a star located at F1. The foci of the elliptical orbit are F1 and F2. Orbital locations are represented by P1 through P6.

When observed from the planet, the star would have its greatest apparent angular diameter when the planet is located at position

a)

P1

b)

P2

c)

P3

d)

P4

25.

Base your answer on the diagram below which represents a planet, P, in an elliptical orbit around a star located at F1. The foci of the elliptical orbit are F1 and F2. Orbital locations are represented by P1 through P6.

If the shaded portions of the orbital plane are equal in area, the time period between P1 and P2 will be equal to the time period between

a)

P2 and P3

b)

P4 and P5

c)

P3 and P4

d)

P6 ad P1

26.

The elliptical share of the Earth's orbit results in

a)

changes in the orbital velocity of the Earth

b)

tilting of the Earth's axis

c)

the oblate spheroid shape of the Earth

d)

the phases of the moon

27.

What change always occurs as the distance between the Earth and the Sun decreases?

a)

The gravitational force between the Earth and the Sun decreases

b)

The Sun's apparent diameter decreases

c)

The Sun's rate of rotation increases

d)

The Earth's orbital speed increases

28.

In our solar system, the orbits of the planets are best described as

a)

circular, with the planet at the center

b)

circular, with the Sun at the center

c)

elliptical, with the planet at one of the foci

d)

elliptical, with the Sun at one of the foci

29.

The Earth reaches its greatest orbital speed when it is

a)

closest to the Moon

b)

farthest from the Moon

c)

closest to the Sun

d)

farthest from the Sun

30.

Which planetary model do scientists accept?

a)

The planets' orbits are circles in a geocentric model

b)

The planets' orbits are ellipses in a geocentric model

c)

The planets' orbits are circles in a heliocentric model

d)

The planets' orbits are ellipses in a heliocentric model

31.

Which planet rotates at the fastest rate?

a)

Mercury

b)

Earth

c)

Jupiter

d)

Neptune

32.

Base your answers on the diagram. The diagram represents four planets, A, B, C, and D, traveling in elliptical orbits around a star. The center of the star and letter f represent the foci for the orbit of planet A. Points 1 through 4 are locations on the orbit of planet A.

Which is the order of the planets from shortest period of revolution to longest?

a)

A, B, C, D

b)

B, A, D, C

c)

C, D, A, B

d)

D, C, B, A

33.

Base your answers on the diagram. The diagram represents four planets, A, B, C, and D, traveling in elliptical orbits around a star. The center of the star and letter f represent the foci for the orbit of planet A. Points 1 through 4 are locations on the orbit of planet A.

If planets A, B, C, and D have the same mass and are located at the positions shown in the diagram, the planet that has the greatest gravitational attraction to the star is

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

34.

Base your answers on the diagram. The diagram represents four planets, A, B, C, and D, traveling in elliptical orbits around a star. The center of the star and letter f represent the foci for the orbit of planet A. Points 1 through 4 are locations on the orbit of planet A.

Planet A travels fastest in its orbit at location

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

35.

The diagram below represents two planets of equal mass, A and B, revolving around a star. The planets are represented at specific positions in their orbits.

When both planets are at the positions represented, planet B

a)

can be seen at night from planet A, and planet B is moving faster in its orbit

b)

can be seen at night from planet A, and planet B is moving slower in its orbit

c)

cannot be seen at night from planet A, and planet B is moving faster in its orbit

d)

cannot be seen at night from planet A, and planet B is moving slower in its orbit

36.

The diagram represents a planet revolving in an elliptical orbit around a star.

As the planet makes one complete revolution around the star, starting at the position shown, the gravitational attraction between the star and the planet will

a)

decrease, then increase

b)

increase, then decrease

c)

continually decrease

d)

remain the same

37.

Which sequence of Moon phases could be observed from Earth during a 2-week period?

a)

b)

c)

d)

38.

What is the main reason that the gravitational attraction between Earth and the Moon changes each day?

a)

Earth’s axis is tilted at 23.5°

b)

Earth’s rotational speed varies with the seasons.

c)

The Moon has an elliptical orbit.

d)

The Moon has a spherical shape.

39.

Diagram 1 shows the Moon in its orbit at four positions labeled A, B, C, and D. Diagram 2 shows a phase of the Moon as viewed from New York State.

At which labeled Moon position would the phase of the Moon shown in diagram 2 be observed from New York State?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

40.

Which arrangement of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth results in the highest high tides, and the lowest low tides on Earth? (Diagrams are not drawn to scale.)

a)

b)

c)

d)

41.

The same side of the Moon always faces Earth because the

a)

Moon’s period of rotation is longer than its period of revolution around Earth

b)

Moon’s period of rotation is shorter than its period of revolution around Earth

c)

Moon rotates once as it completes one revolution around Earth

d)

Moon does not rotate as it completes one revolution around Earth

42.

Which diagram best represents the size of the Moon, compared to Earth, when drawn to scale?

a)

b)

c)

d)

43.

Base your answer on the diagram below, which shows Earth and the Moon in relation to the Sun. Positions A, B, C, and D show the Moon at specific locations in its orbit. Point X is a location on Earth’s surface.

What is the time of day at point X?

a)

6 a.m.

b)

noon

c)

6 p.m.

d)

midnight

44.

Base your answer on the diagram below, which shows Earth and the Moon in relation to the Sun. Positions A, B, C, and D show the Moon at specific locations in its orbit. Point X is a location on Earth’s surface.

On what date does the line separating day and night pass through Earth’s North Pole, as shown in this diagram?

a)

December 21

b)

January 21

c)

March 21

d)

June 21

45.

Base your answer on the diagram below, which shows Earth and the Moon in relation to the Sun. Positions A, B, C, and D show the Moon at specific locations in its orbit. Point X is a location on Earth’s surface.

A solar eclipse might occur when the Moon is at location

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

46.

Base your answer on the diagram below, which shows Earth and the Moon in relation to the Sun. Positions A, B, C, and D show the Moon at specific locations in its orbit. Point X is a location on Earth’s surface.

Which phase of the Moon would be observed on Earth when the Moon is at location A?

a)

b)

c)

d)

47.

The asteroid Ceres lies at an average distance of 414 million kilometers from the Sun. The period of revolution of Ceres around the Sun is approximately

a)

438 days

b)

687 days

c)

4.6 years

d)

12.6 years

48.

Base your answer on the diagram and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents two possible sequences in the evolution of stars.

Which property primarily determines whether a giant star or a supergiant star will form?

a)

mass

b)

color

c)

shape

d)

composition

49.

Base your answer on the diagram and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents two possible sequences in the evolution of stars.

Which table includes data that are characteristic of the surface temperature and luminosity of some white dwarf stars?

a)

b)

c)

d)

50.

The graph shows the varying amount of gravitational attraction between the Sun and an asteroid in our solar system. Letters A, B, C, and D indicate four positions in the asteroid’s orbit.

Which diagram best represents the positions of the asteroid in its orbit around the Sun? [Note: The diagrams are not drawn to scale.]

a)

b)

c)

d)

51.

Since Earth has an elliptical orbit, the

a)

distance between the Sun and Earth varies

b)

distance between the Sun and the other focus varies

c)

length of Earth’s major axis varies

d)

length of Earth’s period of revolution varies

52.

To an observer on Earth, the Sun appears brighter than the star Rigel because the Sun is

a)

hotter than Rigel

b)

closer than Rigel

c)

larger than Rigel

d)

more luminous than Rigel

53.

Which terms describe the motion of most objects in our solar system?

a)

noncyclic and unpredictable

b)

noncyclic and predictable

c)

cyclic and unpredictable

d)

cyclic and predictable

54.

Which planet has completed less than one orbit of the Sun in the last 100 years?

a)

Mars

b)

Mercury

c)

Neptune

d)

Uranus

55.

During which Moon phase could an observer on Earth see a lunar eclipse occur?

a)

b)

c)

d)

56.

How many days are required for the Moon to complete a cycle of phases from the new Moon position represented in the diagram to the new Moon the following month?

a)

2.2 d

b)

27.3 d

c)

29.5 d

d)

365.26 d

57.

The graph shows the change in tide heights of the Hudson River at Newburgh, New York. According to the graph, the time difference between high tide and the next low tide is approximately

a)

2 hours

b)

3 hours

c)

6 hours

d)

12 hours

Regents ES - Astronomy Final

Total questions: 57

Worksheet time: 57mins

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