Question 1

The contribution of Copernicus to the development of astronomy was a mathematical model for a

Accepted Answer

A)  heliocentric cosmology in which the planets move in circular orbits. 
B)  solar system in which the planets move under the gravitational influence of the Sun. 
C)  heliocentric cosmology in which the planets move in elliptical orbits. 
D)  geocentric cosmology in which the planets move in circular epicycles. 
A)  heliocentric cosmology in which the planets move in circular orbits. 
B)  solar system in which the planets move under the gravitational influence of the Sun. 
C)  heliocentric cosmology in which the planets move in elliptical orbits. 
D)  geocentric cosmology in which the planets move in circular epicycles.

Question 2

The MOST serious flaw in the solar system model of Copernicus was

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth was at the center of the system. 
B)  the orbits were circular rather than elliptical. 
C)  it failed to take precession into account. 
D)  it failed to take retrograde motion into account. 
A)  Earth was at the center of the system. 
B)  the orbits were circular rather than elliptical. 
C)  it failed to take precession into account. 
D)  it failed to take retrograde motion into account.

Question 3

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 which 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 which 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 4

The eccentricity of a planet's orbit describes

Accepted Answer

A)  the tilt of the planet's spin axis with respect to its orbital plane. 
B)  its shape compared to that of a circle. 
C)  its motion at any specific point in its orbit as seen from Earth, that is, whether direct, retrograde, or stationary. 
D)  its tilt with respect to the plane of Earth's orbit (the ecliptic plane). 
A)  the tilt of the planet's spin axis with respect to its orbital plane. 
B)  its shape compared to that of a circle. 
C)  its motion at any specific point in its orbit as seen from Earth, that is, whether direct, retrograde, or stationary. 
D)  its tilt with respect to the plane of Earth's orbit (the ecliptic plane).

Question 5

What is the difference between the synodic and sidereal periods of a planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  The synodic period refers to the planet's period with respect to Earth's motion, whereas the sidereal period is the true period with respect to the background stars. 
B)  There is no difference; they are one and the same time period. The synodic period is the name used in the geocentric theory, whereas the sidereal period is the name used in the heliocentric theory. 
C)  The synodic period refers to the planet's motion with respect to the background stars, whereas the sidereal period is the true period with respect to Earth's motion. 
D)  The synodic period refers to the planet's rotation around its axis, whereas the sidereal period is the time for one orbit. 
A)  The synodic period refers to the planet's period with respect to Earth's motion, whereas the sidereal period is the true period with respect to the background stars. 
B)  There is no difference; they are one and the same time period. The synodic period is the name used in the geocentric theory, whereas the sidereal period is the name used in the heliocentric theory. 
C)  The synodic period refers to the planet's motion with respect to the background stars, whereas the sidereal period is the true period with respect to Earth's motion. 
D)  The synodic period refers to the planet's rotation around its axis, whereas the sidereal period is the time for one orbit.

Question 6

Why were Newton's three laws so important to astronomy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Newton's laws showed that acceleration always results from a change in velocity. 
B)  Newton's laws showed why objects released from rest always fall to the ground. 
C)  Newton's laws showed that planets can move around the Sun by themselves forever, without coming to rest. 
D)  Newton's laws provided a physical basis that did not conflict with the Bible, Aristotle, or Plato. 
A)  Newton's laws showed that acceleration always results from a change in velocity. 
B)  Newton's laws showed why objects released from rest always fall to the ground. 
C)  Newton's laws showed that planets can move around the Sun by themselves forever, without coming to rest. 
D)  Newton's laws provided a physical basis that did not conflict with the Bible, Aristotle, or Plato.

Question 7

Newton's second law of motion states that

Accepted Answer

A)  a force is always required to keep an object in motion. 
B)  a body acted on by a net force will accelerate continually while the force is applied. 
C)  objects orbiting the Sun always move in elliptical orbits. 
D)  a body acted on by a force will move at a constant speed while the force is applied. 
A)  a force is always required to keep an object in motion. 
B)  a body acted on by a net force will accelerate continually while the force is applied. 
C)  objects orbiting the Sun always move in elliptical orbits. 
D)  a body acted on by a force will move at a constant speed while the force is applied.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

A)  58 days. 
B)  116 days. 
C)  232 days. 
D)  impossible. Mercury does not experience superior conjunction. 
A)  58 days. 
B)  116 days. 
C)  232 days. 
D)  impossible. Mercury does not experience superior conjunction.

Question 9

Venus shows changes in angular size and also shows phases similar to the phases of the Moon. According to Galileo, who first saw the phases, these observations showed that Venus

Accepted Answer

A)  orbits Earth in an elliptical orbit. 
B)  moves in epicycles. 
C)  does not rotate on its axis. 
D)  orbits the Sun. 
A)  orbits Earth in an elliptical orbit. 
B)  moves in epicycles. 
C)  does not rotate on its axis. 
D)  orbits the Sun.

Question 10

Not counting Earth, the number of planets known to the ancients was

Accepted Answer

A)  4. 
B)  5. 
C)  7. 
D)  8. 
A)  4. 
B)  5. 
C)  7. 
D)  8.

Question 11

Suppose that an object has a certain speed, kinetic energy, and momentum. If the object's speed increases until it has 4 times the kinetic energy that it had before, then its momentum is

Accepted Answer

A)  2 times greater than before. 
B)  unchanged. 
C)  16 times greater than before. 
D)  4 times greater than before. 
A)  2 times greater than before. 
B)  unchanged. 
C)  16 times greater than before. 
D)  4 times greater than before.

Question 12

An inferior planet is farthest from Earth when it is at

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Retrograde motion of a planet against the background stars is always

Accepted Answer

A)  apparent motion of the planet away from Earth. 
B)  movement northward away from the ecliptic plane. 
C)  movement from west to east. 
D)  movement from east to west. 
A)  apparent motion of the planet away from Earth. 
B)  movement northward away from the ecliptic plane. 
C)  movement from west to east. 
D)  movement from east to west.

Question 14

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 one another. 
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 one another. 
D)  orbit one another in circles.

Question 15

Suppose that, at the same time on the same night, an astronomer sees 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 Earth, which of these statements concerning the actual explosion times of these supernovas is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is not possible to determine 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)  Both stars exploded at the same time because the explosions were observed at the same time. 
D)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred before the one in M82. 
A)  It is not possible to determine 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)  Both stars exploded at the same time because the explosions were observed at the same time. 
D)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred before the one in M82.

Question 16

Before the invention of the telescope, the known planets were

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. 
B)  Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus. 
C)  Jupiter, Venus, Neptune, Mars, and Saturn. 
D)  Mars, Neptune, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus. 
A)  Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. 
B)  Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus. 
C)  Jupiter, Venus, Neptune, Mars, and Saturn. 
D)  Mars, Neptune, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus.

Question 17

According to the Ptolemaic model of the solar system, during retrograde motion a planet would be

Accepted Answer

A)  at varying distances from Earth, sometimes closer and sometimes farther away than the average distance. 
B)  farther away from Earth than average. 
C)  closer to Earth than average. 
D)  always at the same distance from Earth because the planet orbits Earth in a circle in this model. 
A)  at varying distances from Earth, sometimes closer and sometimes farther away than the average distance. 
B)  farther away from Earth than average. 
C)  closer to Earth than average. 
D)  always at the same distance from Earth because the planet orbits Earth in a circle in this model.

Question 18

Place these 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 19

Which concept in Newton's mechanics provides an answer to the question: Why don't the planets fall into the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  conservation of energy 
B)  conservation of mass 
C)  conservation of momentum 
D)  conservation of angular momentum 
A)  conservation of energy 
B)  conservation of mass 
C)  conservation of momentum 
D)  conservation of angular momentum

Question 20

The angular diameter of Venus appears largest when its phase is

Accepted Answer

A)  crescent. 
B)  half. 
C)  gibbous. 
D)  full. 
A)  crescent. 
B)  half. 
C)  gibbous. 
D)  full.

The contribution of Copernicus to the development of astronomy was a mathematical model for a

The MOST serious flaw in the solar system model of Copernicus was

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

The eccentricity of a planet's orbit describes

What is the difference between the synodic and sidereal periods of a planet?

Why were Newton's three laws so important to astronomy?

Newton's second law of motion states that

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

Venus shows changes in angular size and also shows phases similar to the phases of the Moon. According to Galileo, who first saw the phases, these observations showed that Venus

Not counting Earth, the number of planets known to the ancients was

Suppose that an object has a certain speed, kinetic energy, and momentum. If the object's speed increases until it has 4 times the kinetic energy that it had before, then its momentum is

An inferior planet is farthest from Earth when it is at

Retrograde motion of a planet against the background stars is always

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

Before the invention of the telescope, the known planets were

According to the Ptolemaic model of the solar system, during retrograde motion a planet would be

Place these events in chronological order, from earliest to latest.

Which concept in Newton's mechanics provides an answer to the question: Why don't the planets fall into the Sun?

The angular diameter of Venus appears largest when its phase is

Discovering the Night Sky

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 2: Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

The contribution of Copernicus to the development of astronomy was a mathematical model for a

The MOST serious flaw in the solar system model of Copernicus was

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

The eccentricity of a planet's orbit describes

What is the difference between the synodic and sidereal periods of a planet?

Why were Newton's three laws so important to astronomy?

Newton's second law of motion states that

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

Venus shows changes in angular size and also shows phases similar to the phases of the Moon. According to Galileo, who first saw the phases, these observations showed that Venus

Not counting Earth, the number of planets known to the ancients was

Suppose that an object has a certain speed, kinetic energy, and momentum. If the object's speed increases until it has 4 times the kinetic energy that it had before, then its momentum is

An inferior planet is farthest from Earth when it is at

Retrograde motion of a planet against the background stars is always

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

Before the invention of the telescope, the known planets were

According to the Ptolemaic model of the solar system, during retrograde motion a planet would be

Place these events in chronological order, from earliest to latest.

Which concept in Newton's mechanics provides an answer to the question: Why don't the planets fall into the Sun?

The angular diameter of Venus appears largest when its phase is

Discovering the Night Sky

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters