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Motion in the Universe

Total questions: 21

Worksheet time: 2hrs 45mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Earth and its solar system are a part of which of the following galaxies?

a)

Andromeda

b)

Black Eye

c)

Milky Way

d)

Cartwheel

2.

Which of the following best describes a galaxy? A galaxy is –

a)

the ending of the life cycle of all super massive stars in the universe.

b)

a massive system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravitational forces.

c)

a visible body of liquid or frozen crystal droplets suspended above a planetary surface.

d)

the visible path of a meteoroid as it enters Earth’s atmosphere.

3.
Which planet in our solar system will have the fastest orbital  speed?
a)
Venus 
b)
Earth 
c)
Saturn 
d)
Mercury 
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.
One complete revolution of the Earth around the sun takes about
a)
one rotation
b)
half a year
c)
one year
d)
one season
6.
The Earth takes about __________________ hours to complete one rotation of its axis.  
a)
12
b)
24
c)
14
d)
28
7.
A body that orbits a planet is a...
a)
Meteor
b)
Asteroid
c)
Satellite
d)
Comet
8.

Which is the largest planet in our solar system?

a)

Earth

b)

Jupiter

c)

Venus

d)

Mars

9.
What is the composition of most comets?
a)
rock, ice, salt carbon
b)
rock, ice magma, frozen gases
c)
ice, dust, rock, frozen gases
d)
ice, dust, rock, soil
10.
What is the composition of an asteroid?
a)
Ice, dust, rock, frozen gases
b)
Rock, ice, salt, carbon
c)
Metals and rocky material
d)
Rock, ice, magma, frozen gases
11.

Based on the table, which planet in our solar system will have the fastest orbital speed?

a)

Venus

b)

Earth

c)

Saturn

d)

Mercury

12.

The orbital path of a satellite is shown in the sketch. Use the sketch to answer the question.


In which of the positions A through D does the satellite have the least speed ?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

13.

Which best represents the path of a planet P as it orbits the Sun? Drawing is not to scale.

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

14.

You discover a new planet in our solar system. You measure it's orbital period to be 246 days.


Where is this planet likely to be located based on this information?

a)

Closer to the Sun than Mercury.

b)

Located between Earth and Jupiter.

c)

Located between Earth and Venus .

d)

Located beyond Neptune.

15.

Two satellites of equal mass are in circular orbit around a planet. Satellite b is twice as far out. Which feels a stronger gravitational force?

a)

Satellite a

b)

Satellite b

c)

Both the same

16.
Which of the following is the most accurate description of the relationship between componenets of the universe?
a)
A star contain a few galaxies
b)
Solar systems contain many galaxies
c)
Galaxies contain many stars
d)
 Stars contain several solar systems
17.

The Hubble Space Telescope moves in a circular orbit. Its distance above the Earth’s surface is 560 km and the radius of the Earth is 6400 km. It completes one orbit in 96 minutes.

Calculate its orbital speed in m/s to 3 significant figures.

(a)  

18.

A satellite is orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 35,786 km above the surface. The Earth has a radius of approximately 6400 km. If the satellite is moving at a speed of 3.07 km per second, calculate the time it would take for the satellite to orbit once around the Earth.

(a)  

19.

The Earth is approximately 150 million km from the Sun. Calculate the speed at which we are moving around the Sun. Give your answer in m/s to 3 sf.

(a)  

20.

Object X completes one orbit around its star every 35 days. It has an average radius of 1.5 x 1011 m from the star. Calculate the orbital speed of object X in m/s (give your answer to 3 s.f.)

(a)  

21.

KAPLANA-1 is an artificial satellite which orbits above the Earth. It has an orbital speed of 3.1 km/s and completes one orbit every day. If the diameter of the Earth is 12,800 km, calculate the height of the satellite above the Earth's surface. Give your answer in kilometres and round to 2 significant figures.

(a)