Astronomy Chapter 3 Quiz

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental difference between the geocentric and Sun-centered models of the solar system?

Retrograde motion is real (planets really go backward) in the geocentric model but only apparent (planets don't really turn around) in the Sun-centered model.

The geocentric model is useless for predicting planetary positions in the sky, whereas even the earliest Sun-centered models worked almost perfectly. (correct)

Stellar parallax is expected in the Sun-centered model but not in the Earth-centered model.

Earth is stationary in the geocentric model but moves around the Sun in Sun-centered model.

An asteroid orbits the Sun at an average distance a = 4 AU. How long does it take to orbit the Sun?

4 years

16 years

8 years (correct)

64 years

Darwin's theory of evolution meets all the criteria of a scientific theory. This means:

There is no longer any doubt that the theory of evolution is absolutely true.

Scientific opinion is about evenly split as to whether evolution really happened.

Scientific opinion runs about 90% in favor of the theory of evolution and about 10% opposed.

After more than 100 years of testing, Darwin's theory stands stronger than ever, having successfully met every scientific challenge to its validity. (correct)

The principle of Occam's Razor states that:

In explaining natural phenomena, the simplest explanation consistent with the observations is to be preferred. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about scientific models is true?

A model can be used to explain and predict real phenomena. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about scientific theories is not true?

A theory cannot be taken seriously by scientists if it contradicts other theories developed by scientists over the past several hundred years. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Geocentric vs. Sun-centered Models

The geocentric model posits a stationary Earth, while the Sun-centered model features a moving Earth.
Retrograde motion is deemed real in the geocentric model, but is only an apparent phenomenon in the Sun-centered model due to perspective.
Stellar parallax is predicted in the Sun-centered model but is absent in the geocentric framework.
The geocentric model is not effective for predicting the positions of planets, in contrast to the early successes of Sun-centered models.

Orbital Period of an Asteroid

An asteroid orbiting at an average distance of 4 AU from the Sun takes 8 years to complete one full orbit, according to Kepler’s Third Law (p^2 = a^3).

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Darwin's theory of evolution has been rigorously tested over more than a century, consistently meeting scientific challenges, thus gaining strong support within the scientific community.

Occam's Razor

Occam's Razor advocates for the simplest explanation that aligns with observations when addressing natural phenomena, highlighting the preference for simpler theories.

Scientific Models

A scientific model aims to explain and predict real-world phenomena, functioning effectively without needing to account for every aspect of nature.

Truth in Scientific Theories

A scientific theory must make testable predictions and adapt or be discarded if new, contradictory evidence arises.
The acceptance of a theory may be hindered by conflicts with established scientific principles.
The nature of scientific theories is such that they can never be wholly proven; they rely on accumulating supportive evidence.

Description

Test your knowledge on the key differences between the geocentric and Sun-centered models of the solar system with this set of flashcards. Explore concepts like retrograde motion and stellar parallax to enhance your understanding of astronomical theories. Perfect for reinforcing the material from Chapter 3 of your astronomy studies.