Question 1

Who was the first astronomer to use a telescope for viewing the sky?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ptolemy 
B)  Newton 
C)  Brahe 
D)  Galileo 
A)  Ptolemy 
B)  Newton 
C)  Brahe 
D)  Galileo

Question 2

In a.d.2012,an inhabitant of a planet orbiting a distant star observed the flash of the first nuclear explosion on Earth,which occurred in July 1945.Approximately how far away is his solar system from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  219 pc 
B)  20.6 pc 
C)  about 0.07 pc 
D)  2.06 pc 
A)  219 pc 
B)  20.6 pc 
C)  about 0.07 pc 
D)  2.06 pc

Question 3

When a planet is seen at opposition,it is always at its:

Accepted Answer

A)  most distant point from the Sun. 
B)  closest point to the Sun. 
C)  most distant point from Earth. 
D)  closest point to Earth. 
A)  most distant point from the Sun. 
B)  closest point to the Sun. 
C)  most distant point from Earth. 
D)  closest point to Earth.

Question 4

According to the heliocentric theory,which of the following objects can NEVER transit (pass in front of)the Sun as seen from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Moon 
B)  Mercury 
C)  Venus 
D)  Mars 
A)  the Moon 
B)  Mercury 
C)  Venus 
D)  Mars

Question 5

When Jupiter is at opposition,it will rise at:

Accepted Answer

A)  sunrise. 
B)  noon. 
C)  sunset. 
D)  midnight. 
A)  sunrise. 
B)  noon. 
C)  sunset. 
D)  midnight.

Question 6

Tycho made angular measurements with an accuracy of one arc minute.If Mars takes 2.136 years to complete one orbit of the Sun as viewed from Earth (a synodic period),how long on the average does it take Mars to move through one arc minute?

Accepted Answer

A)  one second 
B)  a little less than one hour 
C)  about a day and a half 
D)  17 days 
A)  one second 
B)  a little less than one hour 
C)  about a day and a half 
D)  17 days

Question 7

Place the following events in chronological order,from earliest to latest.

Accepted Answer

A)  Copernicus's heliocentric model, Kepler's third law, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons 
B)  Kepler's third law, Copernicus's heliocentric model, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons 
C)  Copernicus's heliocentric model, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons, Kepler's third law 
D)  Kepler's third law, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons, Copernicus's heliocentric model 
A)  Copernicus's heliocentric model, Kepler's third law, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons 
B)  Kepler's third law, Copernicus's heliocentric model, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons 
C)  Copernicus's heliocentric model, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons, Kepler's third law 
D)  Kepler's third law, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons, Copernicus's heliocentric model

Question 8

In the years after Newton published his laws of motion,it was found that the observed positions of the planet Uranus did not match the predictions of Newton's theory.The reason for this turned out to be:

Accepted Answer

A)  the gravitational influence of a previously unknown planet. 
B)  the perturbing effects of previously unknown satellites (moons) of Uranus. 
C)  inaccuracies in the observations. 
D)  inaccuracies in Newton's laws (later corrected by general relativity). 
A)  the gravitational influence of a previously unknown planet. 
B)  the perturbing effects of previously unknown satellites (moons) of Uranus. 
C)  inaccuracies in the observations. 
D)  inaccuracies in Newton's laws (later corrected by general relativity).

Question 9

One light-year is a distance of approximately:

Accepted Answer

A)  6.3 × 10⁴ km. 
B)  3 × 10⁵ km. 
C)  9.5 × 10¹² km. 
D)  1.5 × 10⁸ km. 
A)  6.3 × 10⁴ km. 
B)  3 × 10⁵ km. 
C)  9.5 × 10¹² km. 
D)  1.5 × 10⁸ km.

Question 10

An apparent westward motion of a planet from night to night compared with the background stars (as viewed from Earth)is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A)  retrograde motion. 
B)  precession. 
C)  rising (if in the east) or setting (if in the west). 
D)  direct motion. 
A)  retrograde motion. 
B)  precession. 
C)  rising (if in the east) or setting (if in the west). 
D)  direct motion.

Question 11

In Ptolemy's description of the solar system,the deferent is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A)  elliptical path along which a planet moves around the Sun. 
B)  circular path (around the Sun) along which the center of a planet's epicycle moves. 
C)  circular path (around a point near Earth) along which the center of a planet's epicycle moves. 
D)  circular path along which a planet moves while the center of the path moves in a circle around Earth. 
A)  elliptical path along which a planet moves around the Sun. 
B)  circular path (around the Sun) along which the center of a planet's epicycle moves. 
C)  circular path (around a point near Earth) along which the center of a planet's epicycle moves. 
D)  circular path along which a planet moves while the center of the path moves in a circle around Earth.

Question 12

A certain object in space is accelerating.From this,we know for certain that its speed:

Accepted Answer

A)  or its direction of travel is changing, or possibly both. 
B)  is changing. 
C)  and its direction of travel are both changing. 
D)  or its direction of travel is changing, but not both. 
A)  or its direction of travel is changing, or possibly both. 
B)  is changing. 
C)  and its direction of travel are both changing. 
D)  or its direction of travel is changing, but not both.

Question 13

The first person to realize that the force holding us onto Earth is the same force that holds the solar system together was apparently:

Accepted Answer

A)  Plato. 
B)  Aristotle. 
C)  Newton. 
D)  Einstein. 
A)  Plato. 
B)  Aristotle. 
C)  Newton. 
D)  Einstein.

Question 14

Ptolemy's model for the solar system was:

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth-centered, with the Sun, the Moon, and the planets moving in ellipses in the sky. 
B)  Sun-centered, with elliptical planetary orbits. 
C)  Sun-centered, with the planets moving in circles around it. 
D)  Earth-centered, with planetary orbits composed of deferents and epicycles. 
A)  Earth-centered, with the Sun, the Moon, and the planets moving in ellipses in the sky. 
B)  Sun-centered, with elliptical planetary orbits. 
C)  Sun-centered, with the planets moving in circles around it. 
D)  Earth-centered, with planetary orbits composed of deferents and epicycles.

Question 15

In which direction would Earth move if the Sun's gravitational force were suddenly removed from it?

Accepted Answer

A)  in a straight line toward the Sun 
B)  in a circular orbit around the Sun because of its spin 
C)  in a straight line directly away from the Sun 
D)  in a straight line along a tangent to its circular orbit 
A)  in a straight line toward the Sun 
B)  in a circular orbit around the Sun because of its spin 
C)  in a straight line directly away from the Sun 
D)  in a straight line along a tangent to its circular orbit

Question 16

The motions of the planets against the background stars in our sky can best be described as:

Accepted Answer

A)  regular patterns with general eastward motion interrupted by periods of westward motion. 
B)  regular and uniform eastward motion. 
C)  general eastward motion but with occasional stationary periods with no motion at all. 
D)  regular patterns with general westward motion interrupted by periods of eastward motion. 
A)  regular patterns with general eastward motion interrupted by periods of westward motion. 
B)  regular and uniform eastward motion. 
C)  general eastward motion but with occasional stationary periods with no motion at all. 
D)  regular patterns with general westward motion interrupted by periods of eastward motion.

Question 17

In following the principles of the scientific method,a theory proposed to explain a given phenomenon must:

Accepted Answer

A)  agree with and build on previous theories but need not explain all observations because some of the observations may be erroneous. 
B)  predict new and different experiments that will extend the scope of the theoretical understanding but need not explain all the previous observations because no theory is expected to explain everything completely. 
C)  explain all previous reliable observations in a consistent manner but need not suggest new tests for the theory because a theory should be complete in itself. 
D)  explain all known reliable observations and predict new experiments and observations. 
A)  agree with and build on previous theories but need not explain all observations because some of the observations may be erroneous. 
B)  predict new and different experiments that will extend the scope of the theoretical understanding but need not explain all the previous observations because no theory is expected to explain everything completely. 
C)  explain all previous reliable observations in a consistent manner but need not suggest new tests for the theory because a theory should be complete in itself. 
D)  explain all known reliable observations and predict new experiments and observations.

Question 18

Suppose that,at the same time on the same night,we see two supernovas (exploding stars)explode in the night sky.If one is in the Andromeda Galaxy,2 million light-years away from us,and the other is in the galaxy M82,6 million light-years away from us,which of the following statements concerning the actual explosion times of these supernovas is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  We cannot tell which star actually exploded first because both stars are so far away. 
B)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred after the one in M82. 
C)  We know both stars exploded at the same time because we saw the explosions at the same time. 
D)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred before the one in M82. 
A)  We cannot tell which star actually exploded first because both stars are so far away. 
B)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred after the one in M82. 
C)  We know both stars exploded at the same time because we saw the explosions at the same time. 
D)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred before the one in M82.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is a CORRECT version of Newton's third law?

Accepted Answer

A)  Whenever some object A exerts a force on some other object B, B must exert a force of equal magnitude on A in the same direction. 
B)  Whenever some object A exerts a force on some other object B, B must exert a force of equal magnitude on A in the opposite direction. 
C)  Whenever two forces act, they must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. 
D)  Whenever any object feels some force, it must also feel another force of equal magnitude in the opposite direction from some other source. 
A)  Whenever some object A exerts a force on some other object B, B must exert a force of equal magnitude on A in the same direction. 
B)  Whenever some object A exerts a force on some other object B, B must exert a force of equal magnitude on A in the opposite direction. 
C)  Whenever two forces act, they must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. 
D)  Whenever any object feels some force, it must also feel another force of equal magnitude in the opposite direction from some other source.

Question 20

The planet Jupiter travels in an elliptical orbit.The Sun is at one focus of this ellipse.What is at the other focus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth 
B)  Ganymede, the largest of Jupiter's moons 
C)  Trojan asteroids 
D)  nothing 
A)  Earth 
B)  Ganymede, the largest of Jupiter's moons 
C)  Trojan asteroids 
D)  nothing

Who was the first astronomer to use a telescope for viewing the sky?

In a.d.2012,an inhabitant of a planet orbiting a distant star observed the flash of the first nuclear explosion on Earth,which occurred in July 1945.Approximately how far away is his solar system from Earth?

When a planet is seen at opposition,it is always at its:

According to the heliocentric theory,which of the following objects can NEVER transit (pass in front of)the Sun as seen from Earth?

When Jupiter is at opposition,it will rise at:

Tycho made angular measurements with an accuracy of one arc minute.If Mars takes 2.136 years to complete one orbit of the Sun as viewed from Earth (a synodic period),how long on the average does it take Mars to move through one arc minute?

Place the following events in chronological order,from earliest to latest.

In the years after Newton published his laws of motion,it was found that the observed positions of the planet Uranus did not match the predictions of Newton's theory.The reason for this turned out to be:

One light-year is a distance of approximately:

An apparent westward motion of a planet from night to night compared with the background stars (as viewed from Earth)is referred to as:

In Ptolemy's description of the solar system,the deferent is a(n):

A certain object in space is accelerating.From this,we know for certain that its speed:

The first person to realize that the force holding us onto Earth is the same force that holds the solar system together was apparently:

Ptolemy's model for the solar system was:

In which direction would Earth move if the Sun's gravitational force were suddenly removed from it?

The motions of the planets against the background stars in our sky can best be described as:

In following the principles of the scientific method,a theory proposed to explain a given phenomenon must:

Which of the following statements is a CORRECT version of Newton's third law?

The planet Jupiter travels in an elliptical orbit.The Sun is at one focus of this ellipse.What is at the other focus?

Discovering the Night Sky

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 2: Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Who was the first astronomer to use a telescope for viewing the sky?

In a.d.2012,an inhabitant of a planet orbiting a distant star observed the flash of the first nuclear explosion on Earth,which occurred in July 1945.Approximately how far away is his solar system from Earth?

When a planet is seen at opposition,it is always at its:

According to the heliocentric theory,which of the following objects can NEVER transit (pass in front of)the Sun as seen from Earth?

When Jupiter is at opposition,it will rise at:

Tycho made angular measurements with an accuracy of one arc minute.If Mars takes 2.136 years to complete one orbit of the Sun as viewed from Earth (a synodic period),how long on the average does it take Mars to move through one arc minute?

Place the following events in chronological order,from earliest to latest.

In the years after Newton published his laws of motion,it was found that the observed positions of the planet Uranus did not match the predictions of Newton's theory.The reason for this turned out to be:

One light-year is a distance of approximately:

An apparent westward motion of a planet from night to night compared with the background stars (as viewed from Earth)is referred to as:

In Ptolemy's description of the solar system,the deferent is a(n):

A certain object in space is accelerating.From this,we know for certain that its speed:

The first person to realize that the force holding us onto Earth is the same force that holds the solar system together was apparently:

Ptolemy's model for the solar system was:

In which direction would Earth move if the Sun's gravitational force were suddenly removed from it?

The motions of the planets against the background stars in our sky can best be described as:

In following the principles of the scientific method,a theory proposed to explain a given phenomenon must:

Which of the following statements is a CORRECT version of Newton's third law?

The planet Jupiter travels in an elliptical orbit.The Sun is at one focus of this ellipse.What is at the other focus?

Discovering the Night Sky

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters