Astronomy Exam 1 review

The force of gravity that an object has is directly proportional to its a. density b. distance c. size d. mass e. inertia

d. mass

Suppose an earthquake occurs on an imaginary planet. Scientists on the other side of the planet detect P-waves but not S-waves after the quake occurs. This suggests that: a. The planet's mantle is liquid. b. the planet's interior consists entirely of rocky materials. c. all of the planet's interior is solid d. part of the planet's interior is liquid e. the planet has an iron core.

d. part of the planet's interior is liquid

The moon keeps the same hemisphere facing Earth because the _________ is equal to the _________. Select one: a. rotational period of Earth; orbital period of the Moon around Earth b. rotational period of Earth; orbital period of Earth c. orbital period of the Moon around Earth; rotational period of Earth d. rotational period of the Moon; orbital period of the Moon around Earth e. Orbital period of Earth; orbital period of the Moon around Earth

d. rotational period of the Moon; orbital period of the Moon around Earth

What do we mean by accretion in the context of planet formation? Select one: a. the growth of the Sun as the density of gas increased in the center of the solar nebula b. the solidification of ices, rocks, and metal from the gas of the solar nebula c. the formation of moons around planets d. the growth of planetesimals from smaller solid particles that collided and stuck together

d. the growth of planetesimals from smaller solid particles that collided and stuck together

If there is a first quarter Moon out tonight, approximately how long from now will it be in the third quarter phase? Select one: a. 1 week. b. 3 to 4 days. c. 3 weeks. d. 1 month. e. 2 weeks.

e. 2 weeks.

A "light year" is a way to measure distance. true or false

true

Whether a planet will be rocky or gaseous depends on what important factor? a. the time at which the planet is born b. whether the planet has moons or rings or both moons and rings c. the planet's distance from the Sun d. the planet's radius e. the planet's internal temperature

c. the planet's distance from the Sun

which number is bigger? Select one: a. 1.2x10^13 b. 9.8 x 10^12 c. 1.2 d. 1.2 x 10^-13 e. -9.8

d. 1.2 x 10^-13

Briefly explain what we mean by the statement "The farther away we look in distance, the further back we look in time."

It means that when we look at a distant object, we see it as it was some time in the past, rather than as it is now. This is because the light we see has taken time to travel from the object to us.

Which of the following is not considered evidence of cataclysmic impacts in the history of our Solar System? a. Valles Marineris on Mars is a huge canyon, many times deeper than the Grand Canyon here on Earth, which spans one-fourth the circumference of the planet. b. Mercury, Earth's Moon, and many other small bodies are covered with many impact craters. c. Uranus is "tipped over" so that it rotates on its side. d. Mimas (a moon of Saturn) has a crater whose diameter is roughly one-third of the Moon's size.

a. Valles Marineris on Mars is a huge canyon, many times deeper than the Grand Canyon here on Earth, which spans one-fourth the circumference of the planet.

The age of our solar system is approximately Select one: a. 4.6 million years. b. 3.8 million years. c. 14 billion years. d. 10,000 years. e. 4.6 billion years.

a. 4.6 million years.

What makes the North Star, Polaris, special? a. It appears very near the north celestial pole. b. It can be used to determine your longitude on Earth. c. It is the star directly on your northern horizon. d. It is the star straight overhead. e. It is the brightest star in the sky.

a. It appears very near the north celestial pole.

What conditions are required for a lunar eclipse? Select one: a. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. b. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. c. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. d. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. e. The phase of the Moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun.

a. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun.

What is a protostar? a. a large ball of gas not yet hot enough at its core to be a star b. a star with too much angular momentum c. a hot star d. a planet like Jupiter e. a large ball of gas too hot at its core to be a star

a. a large ball of gas not yet hot enough at its core to be a star

According to the figure, if you were to specify your address in the universe, listing your membership from the smallest to largest physical structures, it would be: Select one: a. Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Group, Laniakea Supercluster, the universe. b. Earth, Laniakea Supercluster, Milky Way, Solar System, the universe. c. Earth, Local Group, Solar System, Andromeda, the universe. d. Earth, Solar System, Local Group, Milky Way, the universe. e. Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Laniakea Supercluster, the universe.

a. Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Group, Laniakea Supercluster, the universe.

In which direction on the horizon does a crescent moon rise? Select one: a. east b. The Moon can become a crescent moon only after it has risen and changed its phase. c. north d. south e. west Feedback

a. east

If an event were to take place on the Sun, how long would it take for the light it generates to reach us? a. 8 minutes b. 10 hours c. 1 second d. It would reach us instantaneously

a. 8 minutes

Suppose the Moon's orbit were unchanged, but it rotated faster (meaning it did not have synchronous rotation). Which of the following would be true? a. Tides would be stronger; that is, higher high tides and lower low tides b. We would no longer always see nearly the same face of the Moon. c. All of the above are true. d. The Moon would go through its cycle of phases (from one new Moon to the next) in less time than it does now. e. High tides would occur more frequently than they do now.

b. We would no longer always see nearly the same face of the Moon.

If you see a full Moon tonight, approximately how long would you have to wait to see the next full Moon? a. 3 weeks b. 4 weeks c. 1 week d. 5 weeks e. 2 weeks

b. 4 weeks

Which of the following statements is not an observed pattern of motion in our solar system? Select one: a. All planets orbit the Sun in the same direction. b. Most planets orbit at the same speed. c. Most planetary orbits lie nearly in the same plane. d. Most planets rotate in the same direction in which they orbit. e. Almost all moons orbit their planet in the same direction as the planet's rotation.

b. Most planets orbit at the same speed

Why are terrestrial planets denser than jovian planets? Select one: a. The Sun's gravity gathered dense materials into the inner solar system. b. Only dense materials could condense in the inner solar nebula. c. Gravity compresses terrestrial planets to a higher degree, making them denser. d. Actually, the jovian planets are denser than the terrestrial planets.

b. Only dense materials could condense in the inner solar nebula.

Which of the following is true about a comet that is on an elliptical orbit around the Sun? Select one: a. This comet's speed is zero. b. The comet's speed is greatest when it is nearest the Sun. c. The eccentricity is very low. d. The comet's speed is greatest when it is farthest from the Sun. e. The comet's speed is constant because its mass and the Sun's mass stay approximately the same.

b. The comet's speed is greatest when it is nearest the Sun.

The reason that small planets tend to lose interior heat faster than larger planets is essentially the same as the reason that Select one: a. Earth contains more metal than the Moon. b. a large baked potato takes longer to cool than a small baked potato. c. thunderstorms tend to form on hot summer days. d. gas bubbles form and rise upward in boiling water.

b. a large baked potato takes longer to cool than a small baked potato.

At which lunar phase(s) are tides most pronounced (e.g., the highest high tides)? Select one: a. first quarter b. both new and full moons c. both first and third quarters d. full moon e. new moon

b. both new and full moons

A planet is most likely to have tectonic activity if it has Select one: a. low internal temperature. b. high internal temperature. c. a dense atmosphere. d. low surface gravity. e. high surface gravity.

b. high internal temperature.

Spring tides occur at which phases of the Moon? a. third quarter b. new and full c. first and third quarters d. new e. full

b. new and full

You are standing on Earth's equator. Which way is Polaris, the North star? Select one: a. The answer depends on what time of day (or night) it is. b. on the northern horizon c. 30 degrees up, due West d. The answer depends on whether it's winter or summer. e. directly overhead

b. on the northern horizon

Galileo observed all of the following. Which observation offered direct proof of a planet orbiting the Sun? Select one: a. The Milky Way is composed of many individual stars. b. phases of Venus c. four moons of Jupiter d. patterns of shadow and sunlight near the dividing line between the light and dark portions of the Moon's face

b. phases of Venus

On which day of the year does the Sun reach its northernmost point in the sky? a. winter solstice b. summer solstice c. autumnal equinox d. vernal equinox e. The sun always reaches the same altitude.

b. summer solstice

Tidal forces are caused by a. the weight of the water in the oceans on the ocean floor. b. the difference between the strength of the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on either side of Earth. c. the strength of the gravitation pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth. d. the difference between the weight of the water on the ocean floor at high and low tide. e. the strength of the gravitation pull of the Moon on Earth.

b. the difference between the strength of the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on either side of Earth.

When the northern hemisphere experiences fall, the southern hemisphere experiences a. summer b. spring c. winter d. fall

b. spring

Which of the following is not true about orbits? a. An orbit is the path of an object in free fall around another object. b. Orbits can be circular. c. Orbits are always circular. d. Orbits are ellipses. e. Objects in orbits experience acceleration.

c. Orbits are always circular.

Which of the following worlds have the thinnest lithospheres? a. Venus and the Moon b. Earth and Mars c. Earth and Venus d. Mercury and Venus e. Earth and the Moon

c. Earth and Venus

If an object is moving in a circular orbit at a constant speed, which of the following is false? Select one: a. Its velocity is not zero. b. There is an unbalanced force acting on it. c. Its acceleration is zero. d. All the above statements are true. e. Its acceleration is not zero.

c. Its acceleration is zero.

Which of the following statements about the Moon is true? Select one: a. The Moon goes through a cycle of phases because it always has the same side facing Earth. b. The moon is only visible at night c. The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit. d. If you see a new Moon from North America, someone in South America would see a full Moon. e. The side of the Moon facing away from Earth is in perpetual darkness.

c. The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit.

Which of the following is farthest from the Sun? Select one: a. an asteroid in the asteroid belt b. Pluto c. a comet in the Oort belt d. a comet in the Kuiper belt e. Neptune

c. a comet in the Oort belt

Our universe is approximately 13.7 _________ years old. Select one: a. thousand b. trillion c. billion d. million

c. billion

Which of the following is not a factor that helps explain Earth's lack of craters compared to the Moon? Select one: a. wind erosion b. larger atmosphere c. higher density interior d. liquid water on surface e. active tectonics and volcanism

c. higher density interior

Which internal energy source is the most important in continuing to heat the terrestrial planets today? Select one: a. differentiation b. all of the above c. radioactivity d. tidal heating e. accretion

c. radioactivity

What is the primary basis upon which we divide the ingredients of the solar nebula into four categories (hydrogen/helium; hydrogen compound; rock; metal)? Select one: a. the amounts of energy required to ionize various materials b. the locations of various materials in the solar nebula c. the temperatures at which various materials will condense from gaseous form to solid form d. the atomic mass numbers of various materials

c. the temperatures at which various materials will condense from gaseous form to solid form

Because of _____________, we can conclude that gravity works the same way on Mars as it does on Earth. Select one: a. Newtons theory of relativity b. Einsteins special theory of relativity c. The cosmological principle d. the hypothetical statute e. Sagan's planetary principle

c. The cosmological principle

In regard to the phase of the Moon, the term "waxing* means a. more than half-illuminated. b. illuminated area decreasing. c. illuminated area increasing. d. less than half-illuminated. e. becoming smaller

c. illuminated area increasing.

Neap tides occur when the lunar and solar tides _________, resulting in _________ tides. a. add; below average b. completely cancel out; no c. partially cancel out; below average d. partially cancel out; above average e. add; above average

c. partially cancel out; below average

Recent evidence suggests that Mars once had a global magnetic field. Assuming this is true, which of the following could explain why Mars today lacks a global magnetic field like that of Earth? Select one: a. Mars is too far from the Sun to have a global magnetic field. b. Mars rotates much slower than Earth. c. The Martian core is made of rock, while Earth's core is made of metal. d. Mars's interior has cooled so much its molten core layer no longer undergoes convection.

d. Mars's interior has cooled so much its molten core layer no longer undergoes convection.

The figure shows the continental plates of Earth and the locations of volcanoes and earthquakes. Which statement is FALSE? Select one: a. Earthquakes happen where two plates come together and when they spread apart. b. Southern California in the United States and Baja in Mexico are sliding northeastward relative to the rest of the North American Plate. c. Volcanoes occur more often where two plates are coming together rather than spreading apart. d. The Atlantic Ocean is getting smaller with time e. Earth's crust is broken up into 13 separate continental plates.

d. The Atlantic Ocean is getting smaller with time

All the following statements are true. Which one follows directly from Kepler's third law? Select one: a. Venus takes longer to rotate than it does to orbit the Sun. b. Venus has a thicker atmosphere than Mercury. c. Venus is more massive than Mercury. d. Venus orbits the Sun at a slower average speed than Mercury.

d. Venus orbits the Sun at a slower average speed than Mercury.

If the Moon is setting at midnight, the phase of the Moon must be Select one: a. full. b. waning crescent c. third quarter d. first quarter e. waxing crescent

d. first quarter

The celestial equator Select one: a. is another name for the ecliptic b. is the technical name of the Sun's equator. c. defines the path of the Sun through the stars, and it also defines the plane of the solar system. d. is a projection into space of Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere.

d. is a projection into space of Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere.

Why does Earth have the strongest magnetic field among the terrestrial worlds? Select one: a. it is by far the largest terrestrial world b. it rotates much faster than any other terrestrial world c. it is the most volcanically active world d. it is the only one that has both a partially molten metallic core and reasonably rapid rotation e. it is the only one with a metallic core

d. it is the only one that has both a partially molten metallic core and reasonably rapid rotation

Suppose we look at two distant galaxies: Galaxy 1 is twice as far away as Galaxy 2. In that case, ________. Select one: a. we are seeing Galaxy 1 as it looked at a later time in the history of the universe than Galaxy 2 b. Galaxy 1 must be twice as big as Galaxy 2 c. Galaxy 2 must be twice as old as Galaxy 1 d. we are seeing Galaxy 1 as it looked at an earlier time in the history of the universe than Galaxy 2

d. we are seeing Galaxy 1 as it looked at an earlier time in the history of the universe than Galaxy 2

Which of the following is false? a. A hypothesis must always have one or more testable predictions b. A scientific theory may eventually be proven wrong when scientists acquire new data. c. If continual testing of a hypothesis shows it to be valid, it may become an accepted theory. d. A scientific theory is an undisputed fact. e. Scientific observations are used to test a hypothesis

d. A scientific theory is an undisputed fact.

Which of the following is false? a. A full Moon can be seen on the eastern horizon at sunset. b. The phases of the Moon cycle with a period that is longer than its sidereal period. c. In some phases, the Moon can be observed during the day. d. The observed phase of the Moon changes over the course of one night. e. Everyone on Earth observes the same phase of the Moon on a given night.

d. The observed phase of the Moon changes over the course of one night.

In science, an idea that cannot be tested is Select one: a. a principle. b. a hypothesis. c. a theory. d. not a scientific idea. e. a fact

d. not a scientific idea.

A person located on the equator is orbiting the center of the Earth to the East at 1670 km/s. Relative to the center of the Earth, a person on the North Pole is Select one: a. not moving at all. b. moving at the same velocity to the East, since they are both on the same planet in space. c. experiencing weightlessness. d. stationary, except spinning in-place once per day. e. moving toward the South at the same velocity.

d. stationary, except spinning in-place once per day.

Astronauts orbiting Earth in the space shuttle experience so-called weightlessness in space because Select one: a. they are farther away from Earth. b. the gravitational pull of the Moon counteracts Earth's gravitational pull. c. they are in space where there is no gravity. d. they are in constant free fall around Earth. e. they eat less food while in orbit.

d. they are in constant free fall around Earth.

The icy planetesimals that remain in the solar system today are called a. asteroids b. meteorites c. pokemon d. comets e. moons

d. comets

The direction directly overhead of an observer defines his or her a. celestial pole b. nadir c. circumpolar plane d. zenith e. meridian

d. zenith

The altitude of the north star (Polaris) is equal to your latitude on Earth. At what latitude on Earth would the north celestial pole be at your Zenith? Select one: a. +60 degrees b. +34 degrees c. This can never happen d. 0 degrees e. +90 degrees

e. +90 degrees

Which of the following statements is not an observed pattern of motion in our solar system? a. Most planetary orbits lie nearly in the same plane b. Most planets rotate in the same direction in which they orbit. c. All planets orbit the Sun in the same direction. d. Almost all moons orbit their planet in the same direction as the planet's rotation e. Most planets orbit at the same speed

e. Most planets orbit at the same speed

Which of the following is a characteristic of the early Solar System, based on current observations? Select one: a. Temperatures remained constant with distance from the Sun due to conservation of energy. b. The first objects to form started out very large, and disintegrated into smaller and smaller sizes over time. c. The early solar nebula must have been shaped like a hotdog bun. d. The material from which the planets formed was swirling about the Sun in lots of mini epicycles oriented randomly in direction. e. The composition of the solar nebula varied between its inner and outer regions.

e. The composition of the solar nebula varied between its inner and outer regions.

What happens during the apparent retrograde motion of a planet? Select one: a. The planet moves backward in its orbit around the Sun. b. The planet rises in the west and sets in the east. c. The planet moves backward through the sky over the course of a night. d. The planet moves through constellations that are not part of the zodiac. e. The planet appears to move westward with respect to the stars over a period of many nights.

e. The planet appears to move westward with respect to the stars over a period of many nights.

Where are most of the known asteroids found? Select one: a. between the orbits of the terrestrial planets b. in the Kuiper belt c. between the orbits of the jovian planets d. in the Oort cloud e. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

e. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

The Orion Constellation is visible on winter evenings but not summer evenings because of Select one: a. the precession of Earth's axis. b. interference from the full Moon. c. the tilt of Earth's axis. d. baseball on television. e. the location of Earth in its orbit.

e. the location of Earth in its orbit.

If you go out at exactly 9 P.M. each evening over the course of 1 month, the position of a given star will move westward by tens of degrees. What causes this motion? Select one: a. The revolution of the Moon around Earth b. The speed of the star through the Galaxy c. Earth's rotation on its axis d. Einsteins theory of relativity e. the revolution of Earth around the Sun

e. the revolution of Earth around the Sun

Which of the following properties of an astronaut changes when he or she is standing on the Moon, relative to when the astronaut is standing on Earth? Select one: a. nothing changes b. inertia c. mass d. They lose the ability to see in color while on the Moon (everything is black and white) e. weight

e. weight

The day with the smallest number of daylight hours over the course of the year for a person living in the northern hemisphere is the a. The number of daylight hours is always the same. b. summer solstice (June 1) c. autumnal equinox (Sept. 23) d. vernal equinox (March 21) e. winter solstice (Dec. 22)

e. winter solstice (Dec. 22)

If Earth's axis were tilted by 35° instead of its actual tilt, how would the seasons be different than they are currently? a. Summers would be colder b. Winters would be shorter c. summers would be shorter d. The seasons would remain the same e. winters would be colder

e. winters would be colder

Select one: a. a spiral galaxy with a disk about 1 billion kilometers in diameter and containing between 100 million and 1 billion stars b. a spherically shaped collection of stars including our solar system and about a dozen other solar systems, stretching about 4 light-years in diameter c. Our star and all the material that orbits it, including its planets and moons. d. a spiral galaxy with a disk about 100,000 light-years in diameter and containing about 100,000 stars e. a spiral galaxy with a disk about 100,000 light-years in diameter and containing between 100 billion and 1 trillion stars

e. a spiral galaxy with a disk about 100,000 light-years in diameter and containing between 100 billion and 1 trillion stars

Where are most of the known asteroids found? Select one: a. between the orbits of the jovian planets b. between the orbits of the terrestrial planets c. in the Kuiper belt d. in the Oort cloud e. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

e. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

Which of the following best describes the modern definition of a constellation? a. a group of stars that all lie at about the same distance from Earth b. a pattern of bright stars in the sky c. a Greek mythological figure d. a collection of stars that are near one another in space e. a region of the celestial sphere

e. a region of the celestial sphere

Which of the following statements about the celestial sphere is NOTtrue? a. The celestial sphere does not exist physically b. From any location on Earth, we can see only half the celestial sphere at any one time c. When we look in the sky, the stars all appear to be located on the celestial sphere. d. Earth is placed at the center of the celestial sphere. e. The "celestial sphere" is just another name for our universe.

e. the "celestial Sphere" is just another name for our universe

At midnight it is sometimes possible to observe the crescent Moon on the meridian. true or false

false

Speed and velocity are the same thing. true or false

false

Rank the following in order of smallest to largest: -size of a typical galaxy - the width of a human hair - size of Pluto's orbit - distance to nearest star (other than the Sun) - one (1) light year

the width of a human hair, size of Pluto's orbit, one (1) light year, distance to nearest star (other than the Sun), size of a typical galaxy

If the distance between Earth and the Sun were smaller, the gravitational force between these two objects would be larger. true or false

true

The Moon is constantly falling towards Earth. true or false

true

While, night after night, the stars seem not to move relative to each other, they are actually moving in random directions with relative to each other with typical velocities of about 70,000 km/hr. true or false

true