Question 1

Identify the falsifiable statement below.

Accepted Answer

A) The laws of nature are magnificent and beautiful. 
B) The universe was created by God. 
C) The Sun is at the center of the solar system. 
D) President Kennedy's murder was orchestrated by an undetectable shadow government of the United States. 
A) The laws of nature are magnificent and beautiful. 
B) The universe was created by God. 
C) The Sun is at the center of the solar system. 
D) President Kennedy's murder was orchestrated by an undetectable shadow government of the United States.

Question 2

Describe how Eratosthenes first measured the size of Earth over 2000 years ago.

Accepted Answer

that the t

Question 3

He discovered what we now call Newton's first law of motion.

Accepted Answer

A) Ptolemy 
B) Tycho Brahe 
C) Galileo 
D) Copernicus 
E) Kepler 
A) Ptolemy 
B) Tycho Brahe 
C) Galileo 
D) Copernicus 
E) Kepler

Question 4

What discoveries or further ideas were most critical for Copernicus' hypothesis that the planets orbit the sun to be promoted to a theory?

Accepted Answer

A) observation of Venus' phases 
B) observation of sunspots 
C) observation of the moons of Jupiter 
D) A and B 
E) A and C 
A) observation of Venus' phases 
B) observation of sunspots 
C) observation of the moons of Jupiter 
D) A and B 
E) A and C

Question 5

What practical value did astronomy offer to ancient civilizations?

Accepted Answer

A) It allowed them to predict eclipses with great accuracy. 
B) It helped them find uses for ancient structures like Stonehenge. 
C) It helped them understand our cosmic origins. 
D) It helped them keep track of time and seasons, and it was used by some cultures for navigation. 
A) It allowed them to predict eclipses with great accuracy. 
B) It helped them find uses for ancient structures like Stonehenge. 
C) It helped them understand our cosmic origins. 
D) It helped them keep track of time and seasons, and it was used by some cultures for navigation.

Question 6

Describe the Ptolemaic model of the solar system. How did Ptolemy account for the apparent retrograde motion of the planets?

Accepted Answer

Although Ptolemy's model was an Earth- c

Question 7

Earth is farthest from the Sun in July and closest to the Sun in January. During which Northern Hemisphere season is Earth moving fastest in its orbit?

Accepted Answer

A) winter 
B) summer 
C) spring 
D) fall 
A) winter 
B) summer 
C) spring 
D) fall

Question 8

Copernicus's model of the solar system gave much better predictions than the model of Ptolemy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Kepler developed his model of elliptical orbits because of an 8- arcminute discrepancy between observations and a model of planetary motion with circular orbits.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following statements about scientific models is true?

Accepted Answer

A) A model tries to represent all aspects of nature. 
B) All current models are correct. 
C) All models that explain nature well are correct. 
D) A model tries to represent only one aspect of nature. 
E) A model can be used to explain and predict real phenomena. 
A) A model tries to represent all aspects of nature. 
B) All current models are correct. 
C) All models that explain nature well are correct. 
D) A model tries to represent only one aspect of nature. 
E) A model can be used to explain and predict real phenomena.

Question 11

Which of the following was not observed by Galileo?

Accepted Answer

A) four moons orbiting Jupiter 
B) phases of Venus 
C) mountains and valleys on the Moon 
D) stellar parallax 
A) four moons orbiting Jupiter 
B) phases of Venus 
C) mountains and valleys on the Moon 
D) stellar parallax

Question 12

Suppose that an ancient civilization had built a stone structure 6000 years ago to point towards a bright star as it rose. Would that structure still point at that star today? If not, why not, and what information would archaeoastronomers need to figure out which star the structure pointed at?

Accepted Answer

Because of the precession of Earth's axi

Question 13

A historical science: Scientists in many fields can test their hypotheses by proposing and carrying out experiments in which they can change variables in a controlled fashion. Astronomers, however, cannot adjust the properties of the objects they study. In what sense, then, can astronomers still conduct experiments?

Accepted Answer

Astronomers can see how well t

Question 14

Astronomy and astrology were often practiced together in ancient cultures, and astrology played an important role in the historical development of astronomy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

What do we mean by a geocentric model of the universe?

Accepted Answer

A) a model designed to explain what we see in the sky while having the Earth orbit the Sun 
B) a model of the Milky Way Galaxy that has our solar system located at its center 
C) a model designed to explain what we see in the sky while having the Earth located in the center of the universe 
D) the name given to sphere- shaped models that show all the constellations as they appear in our sky on the celestial sphere 
A) a model designed to explain what we see in the sky while having the Earth orbit the Sun 
B) a model of the Milky Way Galaxy that has our solar system located at its center 
C) a model designed to explain what we see in the sky while having the Earth located in the center of the universe 
D) the name given to sphere- shaped models that show all the constellations as they appear in our sky on the celestial sphere

Question 16

Which of the following critical features of the heliocentric model leads to Venus exhibiting a full range of phases?

Accepted Answer

A) Venus physically distorts from a sphere as it orbits the sun. 
B) When Venus is closer to the Sun, it moves faster. 
C) Venus passes on the far- side of the sun from the Earth's perspective. 
A) Venus physically distorts from a sphere as it orbits the sun. 
B) When Venus is closer to the Sun, it moves faster. 
C) Venus passes on the far- side of the sun from the Earth's perspective.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes a set of conditions under which archaeoastronomers would conclude that an ancient structure was used for astronomical purposes?

Accepted Answer

A) They find that, looking out from the center of the building, there are two windows that align with the rise and set points of two bright stars. 
B) The structure has the same dome shape as modern astronomical observatories. 
C) The structure has holes in the ceiling that allow viewing the passage of constellations that figure prominently in the culture's folklore, and many other structures built by the same culture have ceiling holes placed in the same way. 
D) The structure has 29 straight lines pointing out from a center, just like there are 29 days in the lunar cycle. 
A) They find that, looking out from the center of the building, there are two windows that align with the rise and set points of two bright stars. 
B) The structure has the same dome shape as modern astronomical observatories. 
C) The structure has holes in the ceiling that allow viewing the passage of constellations that figure prominently in the culture's folklore, and many other structures built by the same culture have ceiling holes placed in the same way. 
D) The structure has 29 straight lines pointing out from a center, just like there are 29 days in the lunar cycle.

Question 18

Why was a knowledge of the stars so important to Polynesians?

Accepted Answer

The Polynesian people live on a group of

Question 19

The practice of science: In what ways does the modern practice of science establish positive feedback (see table 3.2)to encourage further discoveries? Can you identify elements of the historical accounts of Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler, and Galileo that provide an example of positive feedback?

Accepted Answer

May vary. Example responses include: pub

Question 20

When and where did the Library of Alexandria exist?

Accepted Answer

A) from 300 B.C. to A.D. 400 in Greece 
B) from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1800 in Egypt 
C) from 300 B.C. to A.D. 400 in Rome 
D) from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1800 in Greece 
E) from 300 B.C. to A.D. 400 in Egypt 
A) from 300 B.C. to A.D. 400 in Greece 
B) from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1800 in Egypt 
C) from 300 B.C. to A.D. 400 in Rome 
D) from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1800 in Greece 
E) from 300 B.C. to A.D. 400 in Egypt

Identify the falsifiable statement below.

Describe how Eratosthenes first measured the size of Earth over 2000 years ago.

He discovered what we now call Newton's first law of motion.

What discoveries or further ideas were most critical for Copernicus' hypothesis that the planets orbit the sun to be promoted to a theory?

What practical value did astronomy offer to ancient civilizations?

Describe the Ptolemaic model of the solar system. How did Ptolemy account for the apparent retrograde motion of the planets?

Earth is farthest from the Sun in July and closest to the Sun in January. During which Northern Hemisphere season is Earth moving fastest in its orbit?

Copernicus's model of the solar system gave much better predictions than the model of Ptolemy.

Kepler developed his model of elliptical orbits because of an 8- arcminute discrepancy between observations and a model of planetary motion with circular orbits.

Which of the following statements about scientific models is true?

Which of the following was not observed by Galileo?

Suppose that an ancient civilization had built a stone structure 6000 years ago to point towards a bright star as it rose. Would that structure still point at that star today? If not, why not, and what information would archaeoastronomers need to figure out which star the structure pointed at?

Astronomy and astrology were often practiced together in ancient cultures, and astrology played an important role in the historical development of astronomy.

What do we mean by a geocentric model of the universe?

Which of the following critical features of the heliocentric model leads to Venus exhibiting a full range of phases?

Which of the following best describes a set of conditions under which archaeoastronomers would conclude that an ancient structure was used for astronomical purposes?

Why was a knowledge of the stars so important to Polynesians?

The practice of science: In what ways does the modern practice of science establish positive feedback (see table 3.2)to encourage further discoveries? Can you identify elements of the historical accounts of Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler, and Galileo that provide an example of positive feedback?

When and where did the Library of Alexandria exist?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters

Exam 3: The Science of Astronomy

Identify the falsifiable statement below.

Describe how Eratosthenes first measured the size of Earth over 2000 years ago.

He discovered what we now call Newton's first law of motion.

What discoveries or further ideas were most critical for Copernicus' hypothesis that the planets orbit the sun to be promoted to a theory?

What practical value did astronomy offer to ancient civilizations?

Describe the Ptolemaic model of the solar system. How did Ptolemy account for the apparent retrograde motion of the planets?

Earth is farthest from the Sun in July and closest to the Sun in January. During which Northern Hemisphere season is Earth moving fastest in its orbit?

Copernicus's model of the solar system gave much better predictions than the model of Ptolemy.

Kepler developed his model of elliptical orbits because of an 8- arcminute discrepancy between observations and a model of planetary motion with circular orbits.

Which of the following statements about scientific models is true?

Which of the following was not observed by Galileo?

Suppose that an ancient civilization had built a stone structure 6000 years ago to point towards a bright star as it rose. Would that structure still point at that star today? If not, why not, and what information would archaeoastronomers need to figure out which star the structure pointed at?

Astronomy and astrology were often practiced together in ancient cultures, and astrology played an important role in the historical development of astronomy.

What do we mean by a geocentric model of the universe?

Which of the following critical features of the heliocentric model leads to Venus exhibiting a full range of phases?

Which of the following best describes a set of conditions under which archaeoastronomers would conclude that an ancient structure was used for astronomical purposes?

Why was a knowledge of the stars so important to Polynesians?

The practice of science: In what ways does the modern practice of science establish positive feedback (see table 3.2)to encourage further discoveries? Can you identify elements of the historical accounts of Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler, and Galileo that provide an example of positive feedback?

When and where did the Library of Alexandria exist?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters