Question 1

A major contribution of Ptolemy to the development of astronomy was:

Accepted Answer

A)  origination of the idea of a geocentric (Earth-centered) cosmology, which was later developed by Aristarchus. 
B)  derivation of a model for the solar system in which the planets move around the Sun in circular orbits. 
C)  derivation of the model for the solar system in which the planets move around Earth in elliptical orbits, moving fastest when closest to Earth. 
D)  derivation of a model for the solar system in which the planets moved in epicycles and the epicycles orbited Earth. 
A)  origination of the idea of a geocentric (Earth-centered) cosmology, which was later developed by Aristarchus. 
B)  derivation of a model for the solar system in which the planets move around the Sun in circular orbits. 
C)  derivation of the model for the solar system in which the planets move around Earth in elliptical orbits, moving fastest when closest to Earth. 
D)  derivation of a model for the solar system in which the planets moved in epicycles and the epicycles orbited Earth.

Question 2

The groundwork for modern science was laid by the first investigators who used mathematics to describe natural phenomena.These investigators were:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Babylonians, about 1800 b.c. 
B)  the Ionians, about 600 b.c. 
C)  the Pythagoreans, about 550 b.c. 
D)  Ptolemy and his associates, about 150 a.d. 
A)  the Babylonians, about 1800 b.c. 
B)  the Ionians, about 600 b.c. 
C)  the Pythagoreans, about 550 b.c. 
D)  Ptolemy and his associates, about 150 a.d.

Question 3

When observing planetary motions from Earth,the term direct motion refers to the:

Accepted Answer

A)  slow westward motion of the planet from night to night compared with the background stars. 
B)  apparent westward motion of the planet (and the Sun, the Moon, and stars) across the sky due to the rotation of Earth. 
C)  motion of the planet directly toward or away from Earth in certain parts of the planet's orbit. 
D)  slow eastward motion of the planet from night to night compared with the background stars. 
A)  slow westward motion of the planet from night to night compared with the background stars. 
B)  apparent westward motion of the planet (and the Sun, the Moon, and stars) across the sky due to the rotation of Earth. 
C)  motion of the planet directly toward or away from Earth in certain parts of the planet's orbit. 
D)  slow eastward motion of the planet from night to night compared with the background stars.

Question 4

When observing planetary motions from Earth,the term retrograde motion refers to the:

Accepted Answer

A)  apparent westward motion of the planet (and the Sun, the Moon, and stars) across the sky due to the rotation of Earth. 
B)  motion of the planet away from Earth during part of its orbit. 
C)  slow eastward motion of the planet from night to night compared with the background stars. 
D)  slow westward motion of the planet from night to night compared with the background stars. 
A)  apparent westward motion of the planet (and the Sun, the Moon, and stars) across the sky due to the rotation of Earth. 
B)  motion of the planet away from Earth during part of its orbit. 
C)  slow eastward motion of the planet from night to night compared with the background stars. 
D)  slow westward motion of the planet from night to night compared with the background stars.

Question 5

What did Galileo see when he observed Venus through his telescope?

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus has an angular size, which increases and decreases markedly but does not show phases (e.g., crescents). 
B)  Venus has phases like the Moon and, also like the Moon, is almost constant in angular size. 
C)  Venus has phases like the Moon, and its largest angular diameter is at gibbous phase. 
D)  Venus has phases like the Moon, and its largest angular diameter is at crescent phase. 
A)  Venus has an angular size, which increases and decreases markedly but does not show phases (e.g., crescents). 
B)  Venus has phases like the Moon and, also like the Moon, is almost constant in angular size. 
C)  Venus has phases like the Moon, and its largest angular diameter is at gibbous phase. 
D)  Venus has phases like the Moon, and its largest angular diameter is at crescent phase.

Question 6

Retrograde motion was a major source of difficulty in designing a theoretical model of the solar system.What is the explanation for retrograde motion?

Accepted Answer

A)  The planets actually stop and reverse direction in their orbits. 
B)  The planets move not in uniform circular motion about the Sun, but rather in circular orbits (epicycles) about points that themselves move about the Sun in circular orbits. 
C)  Retrograde motion is an apparent motion of other planets, which we observe only because we are viewing their motion from Earth, itself in motion around the Sun. 
D)  Retrograde motion is an apparent motion caused by the precession of Earth's rotation axis. 
A)  The planets actually stop and reverse direction in their orbits. 
B)  The planets move not in uniform circular motion about the Sun, but rather in circular orbits (epicycles) about points that themselves move about the Sun in circular orbits. 
C)  Retrograde motion is an apparent motion of other planets, which we observe only because we are viewing their motion from Earth, itself in motion around the Sun. 
D)  Retrograde motion is an apparent motion caused by the precession of Earth's rotation axis.

Question 7

Which of the following is a critical component of the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

A)  belief that a theory accepted by leading scientists is correct 
B)  rejection of new scientific results when they disagree with the presently accepted theory 
C)  automatic rejection of a theory when new results disagree with its predictions 
D)  testing of predictions from a scientific theory or theoretical model 
A)  belief that a theory accepted by leading scientists is correct 
B)  rejection of new scientific results when they disagree with the presently accepted theory 
C)  automatic rejection of a theory when new results disagree with its predictions 
D)  testing of predictions from a scientific theory or theoretical model

Question 8

The purpose of describing planetary orbits in terms of epicycles and deferents was to account for the:

Accepted Answer

A)  fact that a planet's speed in its orbit is fastest when it is closest to the Sun. 
B)  pattern of alternating conjunctions and oppositions. 
C)  pattern of alternating direct and retrograde motion. 
D)  general motion of all objects toward the west in the sky each day. 
A)  fact that a planet's speed in its orbit is fastest when it is closest to the Sun. 
B)  pattern of alternating conjunctions and oppositions. 
C)  pattern of alternating direct and retrograde motion. 
D)  general motion of all objects toward the west in the sky each day.

Question 9

An astronomer discovers an object at a distance of 28 Mpc from Earth.At this distance,what is the object MOST likely to be?

Accepted Answer

A)  a comet in our solar system 
B)  a star in our Galaxy 
C)  an artificial satellite orbiting Earth 
D)  a distant galaxy 
A)  a comet in our solar system 
B)  a star in our Galaxy 
C)  an artificial satellite orbiting Earth 
D)  a distant galaxy

Question 10

Which of the following objects could transit (pass in front of)the Sun as seen from Saturn?

Accepted Answer

A)  Uranus 
B)  Neptune 
C)  Pluto 
D)  Jupiter 
A)  Uranus 
B)  Neptune 
C)  Pluto 
D)  Jupiter

Question 11

Kepler's third law,the harmonic law,provides a relationship between a planet's orbital:

Accepted Answer

A)  period and the length of the semimajor axis. 
B)  eccentricity and the length of the semimajor axis. 
C)  period and orbital eccentricity. 
D)  period and mass. 
A)  period and the length of the semimajor axis. 
B)  eccentricity and the length of the semimajor axis. 
C)  period and orbital eccentricity. 
D)  period and mass.

Question 12

A force can give a certain mass a certain acceleration.If you double the force and double the mass,the acceleration of this object will be:

Accepted Answer

A)  one-quarter of the original acceleration. 
B)  one-half the original acceleration. 
C)  the same as the original acceleration. 
D)  twice the original acceleration. 
A)  one-quarter of the original acceleration. 
B)  one-half the original acceleration. 
C)  the same as the original acceleration. 
D)  twice the original acceleration.

Question 13

When viewed from Earth,the celestial sphere (the background of stars)moves east to west on a daily basis.This motion is caused by the:

Accepted Answer

A)  rotation of Earth on its axis. 
B)  revolution of Earth around the Sun. 
C)  motion of the Sun through the Galaxy. 
D)  motion of the stars around the galactic center. 
A)  rotation of Earth on its axis. 
B)  revolution of Earth around the Sun. 
C)  motion of the Sun through the Galaxy. 
D)  motion of the stars around the galactic center.

Question 14

A planet will be observed (through a telescope)to have a crescent shape whenever it is close to which point as seen from Earth?  (It may help to draw a diagram and show the sunlit side of the planet on it.)

Accepted Answer

A)  perihelion 
B)  superior conjunction 
C)  opposition 
D)  inferior conjunction 
A)  perihelion 
B)  superior conjunction 
C)  opposition 
D)  inferior conjunction

Question 15

If two massive bodies,initially held at rest in space,are released,then they will begin to:

Accepted Answer

A)  move away from each other with constant acceleration. 
B)  move toward one another. 
C)  move in elliptical orbits around each other. 
D)  orbit one another in circles. 
A)  move away from each other with constant acceleration. 
B)  move toward one another. 
C)  move in elliptical orbits around each other. 
D)  orbit one another in circles.

Question 16

The time from one inferior conjunction of Mercury to the next is 116 days.The time from inferior conjunction of Mercury to the next superior conjunction is:

Accepted Answer

A)  58 days. 
B)  116 days. 
C)  174 days. 
D)  365 days. 
A)  58 days. 
B)  116 days. 
C)  174 days. 
D)  365 days.

Question 17

Which of the following planetary configurations is IMPOSSIBLE for an inferior planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  superior conjunction 
B)  greatest elongation 
C)  inferior conjunction 
D)  opposition 
A)  superior conjunction 
B)  greatest elongation 
C)  inferior conjunction 
D)  opposition

Question 18

If you travel from Earth to the Moon,which of the following quantities will be unchanged?

Accepted Answer

A)  the gravitational force acting on you 
B)  your mass 
C)  your weight in pounds 
D)  your weight in Newtons 
A)  the gravitational force acting on you 
B)  your mass 
C)  your weight in pounds 
D)  your weight in Newtons

Question 19

How was the planet Uranus discovered?

Accepted Answer

A)  Uranus was discovered accidentally during a telescopic survey of the sky. 
B)  Uranus was discovered by mathematical prediction using Newton's laws. 
C)  Uranus happened to pass close to Jupiter in the sky and was discovered by an astronomer studying Jupiter. 
D)  No one knows-Uranus has been known since ancient times. 
A)  Uranus was discovered accidentally during a telescopic survey of the sky. 
B)  Uranus was discovered by mathematical prediction using Newton's laws. 
C)  Uranus happened to pass close to Jupiter in the sky and was discovered by an astronomer studying Jupiter. 
D)  No one knows-Uranus has been known since ancient times.

Question 20

The semimajor axis of an ellipse is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the distance from the center of the ellipse to one end, along the largest diameter of the ellipse. 
B)  the distance from the center to one side of the ellipse, along the shortest diameter of the ellipse. 
C)  the distance from one focus to any point on the circumference of the ellipse. 
D)  half the distance between the foci of the ellipse. 
A)  the distance from the center of the ellipse to one end, along the largest diameter of the ellipse. 
B)  the distance from the center to one side of the ellipse, along the shortest diameter of the ellipse. 
C)  the distance from one focus to any point on the circumference of the ellipse. 
D)  half the distance between the foci of the ellipse.

A major contribution of Ptolemy to the development of astronomy was:

The groundwork for modern science was laid by the first investigators who used mathematics to describe natural phenomena.These investigators were:

When observing planetary motions from Earth,the term direct motion refers to the:

When observing planetary motions from Earth,the term retrograde motion refers to the:

What did Galileo see when he observed Venus through his telescope?

Retrograde motion was a major source of difficulty in designing a theoretical model of the solar system.What is the explanation for retrograde motion?

Which of the following is a critical component of the scientific method?

The purpose of describing planetary orbits in terms of epicycles and deferents was to account for the:

An astronomer discovers an object at a distance of 28 Mpc from Earth.At this distance,what is the object MOST likely to be?

Which of the following objects could transit (pass in front of)the Sun as seen from Saturn?

Kepler's third law,the harmonic law,provides a relationship between a planet's orbital:

A force can give a certain mass a certain acceleration.If you double the force and double the mass,the acceleration of this object will be:

When viewed from Earth,the celestial sphere (the background of stars)moves east to west on a daily basis.This motion is caused by the:

A planet will be observed (through a telescope)to have a crescent shape whenever it is close to which point as seen from Earth? (It may help to draw a diagram and show the sunlit side of the planet on it.)

If two massive bodies,initially held at rest in space,are released,then they will begin to:

The time from one inferior conjunction of Mercury to the next is 116 days.The time from inferior conjunction of Mercury to the next superior conjunction is:

Which of the following planetary configurations is IMPOSSIBLE for an inferior planet?

If you travel from Earth to the Moon,which of the following quantities will be unchanged?

How was the planet Uranus discovered?

The semimajor axis of an ellipse is:

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

A major contribution of Ptolemy to the development of astronomy was:

The groundwork for modern science was laid by the first investigators who used mathematics to describe natural phenomena.These investigators were:

When observing planetary motions from Earth,the term direct motion refers to the:

When observing planetary motions from Earth,the term retrograde motion refers to the:

What did Galileo see when he observed Venus through his telescope?

Retrograde motion was a major source of difficulty in designing a theoretical model of the solar system.What is the explanation for retrograde motion?

Which of the following is a critical component of the scientific method?

The purpose of describing planetary orbits in terms of epicycles and deferents was to account for the:

An astronomer discovers an object at a distance of 28 Mpc from Earth.At this distance,what is the object MOST likely to be?

Which of the following objects could transit (pass in front of)the Sun as seen from Saturn?

Kepler's third law,the harmonic law,provides a relationship between a planet's orbital:

A force can give a certain mass a certain acceleration.If you double the force and double the mass,the acceleration of this object will be:

When viewed from Earth,the celestial sphere (the background of stars)moves east to west on a daily basis.This motion is caused by the:

A planet will be observed (through a telescope)to have a crescent shape whenever it is close to which point as seen from Earth? (It may help to draw a diagram and show the sunlit side of the planet on it.)

If two massive bodies,initially held at rest in space,are released,then they will begin to:

The time from one inferior conjunction of Mercury to the next is 116 days.The time from inferior conjunction of Mercury to the next superior conjunction is:

Which of the following planetary configurations is IMPOSSIBLE for an inferior planet?

If you travel from Earth to the Moon,which of the following quantities will be unchanged?

How was the planet Uranus discovered?

The semimajor axis of an ellipse is:

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