Question 1

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its temperature increases,

Accepted Answer

A)  because gravitational potential energy is converted to thermal energy. 
B)  because kinetic energy is converted to radiative energy. 
C)  because thermal energy is converted to radiative energy. 
A)  because gravitational potential energy is converted to thermal energy. 
B)  because kinetic energy is converted to radiative energy. 
C)  because thermal energy is converted to radiative energy.

Question 2

Which statement must be true in order for a rocket to travel from Earth to another planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  It must attain escape velocity from Earth. 
B)  It must carry a lot of extra fuel. 
C)  It must have very large engines. 
D)  It must be launched from space, rather than from the ground. 
A)  It must attain escape velocity from Earth. 
B)  It must carry a lot of extra fuel. 
C)  It must have very large engines. 
D)  It must be launched from space, rather than from the ground.

Question 3

The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its rate of rotation

Accepted Answer

A)  increases, because its angular momentum is conserved. 
B)  decreases, because its angular momentum is conserved. 
C)  increases, because its total energy is conserved. 
D)  increases, because the force of gravity strengthens as the cloud shrinks. 
E)  decreases, because the force of gravity strengthens as the cloud shrinks. 
A)  increases, because its angular momentum is conserved. 
B)  decreases, because its angular momentum is conserved. 
C)  increases, because its total energy is conserved. 
D)  increases, because the force of gravity strengthens as the cloud shrinks. 
E)  decreases, because the force of gravity strengthens as the cloud shrinks.

Question 5

Explain what synchronous rotation is. What is it caused by? Give an example.

Accepted Answer

Synchronous rotation is when the rotatio

Question 6

The energy attributed to an object by virtue of its motion is known as ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  kinetic energy 
B)  potential energy 
C)  radiative energy 
D)  mass-energy 
A)  kinetic energy 
B)  potential energy 
C)  radiative energy 
D)  mass-energy

Question 7

Imagine another solar system, with a star more massive than the Sun. Suppose a planet with the same mass as Earth orbits at a distance of 1 AU from the star. How would the planet's year (orbital period) compare to Earth's year?

Accepted Answer

A)  The planet's year would be shorter than Earth's. 
B)  The planet's year would be longer than Earth's. 
C)  The planet's year would be the same as Earth's. 
D)  An orbit at a distance of 1 AU would not be possible around a star more massive than the Sun. 
A)  The planet's year would be shorter than Earth's. 
B)  The planet's year would be longer than Earth's. 
C)  The planet's year would be the same as Earth's. 
D)  An orbit at a distance of 1 AU would not be possible around a star more massive than the Sun.

Question 8

According to what we now know from Newton's laws, which of the following best explains why Kepler's second law is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  A planet's total orbital energy must be conserved as it moves around its orbit. 
B)  Orbits must be elliptical in shape. 
C)  Gravity is an inverse cube law. 
D)  This effect happens because of the influence of other planets on a particular planet's orbit. 
A)  A planet's total orbital energy must be conserved as it moves around its orbit. 
B)  Orbits must be elliptical in shape. 
C)  Gravity is an inverse cube law. 
D)  This effect happens because of the influence of other planets on a particular planet's orbit.

Question 9

What does temperature measure?

Accepted Answer

A)  The average kinetic energy of particles in a substance 
B)  The average mass of particles in a substance 
C)  The total potential energy of particles in a substance 
D)  The total amount of heat in a substance 
A)  The average kinetic energy of particles in a substance 
B)  The average mass of particles in a substance 
C)  The total potential energy of particles in a substance 
D)  The total amount of heat in a substance

Question 10

The planets never travel in a straight line as they orbit the Sun. According to Newton's second law of motion, this must mean that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a force is acting on the planets 
B)  the planets are always accelerating 
C)  the planets have angular momentum 
D)  the planets will eventually fall into the Sun 
A)  a force is acting on the planets 
B)  the planets are always accelerating 
C)  the planets have angular momentum 
D)  the planets will eventually fall into the Sun

Question 11

Suppose that a lone asteroid happens to be passing Jupiter on an unbound orbit (well above Jupiter's atmosphere and far from all of Jupiter's moons.) Which of the following statements would be true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The asteroid's orbit around Jupiter would not change, and it would go out on the same unbound orbit that it came in on. 
B)  Jupiter's gravity would capture the asteroid, making it a new moon of Jupiter. 
C)  Jupiter's gravity would suck in the asteroid, causing it to crash into Jupiter. 
D)  There is no way to predict what would happen. 
A)  The asteroid's orbit around Jupiter would not change, and it would go out on the same unbound orbit that it came in on. 
B)  Jupiter's gravity would capture the asteroid, making it a new moon of Jupiter. 
C)  Jupiter's gravity would suck in the asteroid, causing it to crash into Jupiter. 
D)  There is no way to predict what would happen.

Question 12

At which lunar phase(s) are tides most pronounced (for example, the highest high tides)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both new and full moons 
B)  Both first and third quarters 
C)  Full moon only 
D)  New moon only 
A)  Both new and full moons 
B)  Both first and third quarters 
C)  Full moon only 
D)  New moon only

Question 13

The Moon is constantly falling toward Earth.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

State Newton's three laws of motion.

Accepted Answer

1. In the absence of a net force, an obj

Question 15

Consider the elliptical orbit of a comet around the Sun. Where in its orbit does it have the largest amount of total orbital energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  When it is farthest from the Sun 
B)  It always has the same total orbital energy. 
C)  When it is closest to the Sun 
A)  When it is farthest from the Sun 
B)  It always has the same total orbital energy. 
C)  When it is closest to the Sun

Question 16

Suppose a satellite is in a low-Earth orbit. Is it possible that the satellite will eventually fall to the ground? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

To fall to Earth, the satellite must los

Question 17

The allowed shapes for orbits under the force of gravity are

Accepted Answer

A)  ellipses only. 
B)  ellipses and spirals. 
C)  ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas. 
D)  ellipses, spirals, and parabolas. 
E)  spirals, circles, and squares. 
A)  ellipses only. 
B)  ellipses and spirals. 
C)  ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas. 
D)  ellipses, spirals, and parabolas. 
E)  spirals, circles, and squares.

Question 18

Approximately where is it currently high tide on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  On the portion of Earth facing directly toward the Moon and on the portion of Earth facing directly away from the Moon 
B)  Only on the portion of the Earth facing directly toward the Moon 
C)  Wherever it is currently noon 
D)  Anywhere that ocean water laps upon the shore 
A)  On the portion of Earth facing directly toward the Moon and on the portion of Earth facing directly away from the Moon 
B)  Only on the portion of the Earth facing directly toward the Moon 
C)  Wherever it is currently noon 
D)  Anywhere that ocean water laps upon the shore

Question 19

Imagine another solar system, with a star of the same mass as the Sun. Suppose there is a planet in that solar system with a mass double that of Earth orbiting at a distance of 1 AU from the star. Thinking about Newton's version of Kepler's third law, what (approximately) is the orbital period of this planet? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The orbital period of the planet would b

Question 20

Newton's Second Law of Motion tells us that the net force applied to an object equals its ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  mass times acceleration 
B)  mass times energy 
C)  momentum times velocity 
D)  mass times velocity 
A)  mass times acceleration 
B)  mass times energy 
C)  momentum times velocity 
D)  mass times velocity

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its temperature increases,

Which statement must be true in order for a rocket to travel from Earth to another planet?

The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth.

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its rate of rotation

Explain what synchronous rotation is. What is it caused by? Give an example.

The energy attributed to an object by virtue of its motion is known as ________.

Imagine another solar system, with a star more massive than the Sun. Suppose a planet with the same mass as Earth orbits at a distance of 1 AU from the star. How would the planet's year (orbital period) compare to Earth's year?

According to what we now know from Newton's laws, which of the following best explains why Kepler's second law is true?

What does temperature measure?

The planets never travel in a straight line as they orbit the Sun. According to Newton's second law of motion, this must mean that ________.

Suppose that a lone asteroid happens to be passing Jupiter on an unbound orbit (well above Jupiter's atmosphere and far from all of Jupiter's moons.) Which of the following statements would be true?

At which lunar phase(s) are tides most pronounced (for example, the highest high tides)?

The Moon is constantly falling toward Earth.

State Newton's three laws of motion.

Consider the elliptical orbit of a comet around the Sun. Where in its orbit does it have the largest amount of total orbital energy?

Suppose a satellite is in a low-Earth orbit. Is it possible that the satellite will eventually fall to the ground? Why or why not?

The allowed shapes for orbits under the force of gravity are

Approximately where is it currently high tide on Earth?

Newton's Second Law of Motion tells us that the net force applied to an object equals its ________.

Our Place in the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

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

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

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

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

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Exam 4: Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its temperature increases,

Which statement must be true in order for a rocket to travel from Earth to another planet?

The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth.

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its rate of rotation

Explain what synchronous rotation is. What is it caused by? Give an example.

The energy attributed to an object by virtue of its motion is known as ________.

Imagine another solar system, with a star more massive than the Sun. Suppose a planet with the same mass as Earth orbits at a distance of 1 AU from the star. How would the planet's year (orbital period) compare to Earth's year?

According to what we now know from Newton's laws, which of the following best explains why Kepler's second law is true?

What does temperature measure?

The planets never travel in a straight line as they orbit the Sun. According to Newton's second law of motion, this must mean that ________.

Suppose that a lone asteroid happens to be passing Jupiter on an unbound orbit (well above Jupiter's atmosphere and far from all of Jupiter's moons.) Which of the following statements would be true?

At which lunar phase(s) are tides most pronounced (for example, the highest high tides)?

The Moon is constantly falling toward Earth.

State Newton's three laws of motion.

Consider the elliptical orbit of a comet around the Sun. Where in its orbit does it have the largest amount of total orbital energy?

Suppose a satellite is in a low-Earth orbit. Is it possible that the satellite will eventually fall to the ground? Why or why not?

The allowed shapes for orbits under the force of gravity are

Approximately where is it currently high tide on Earth?

Newton's Second Law of Motion tells us that the net force applied to an object equals its ________.

Our Place in the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

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

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

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

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

Filters