Astronomy Quiz: Earth's Motion & Stellar Formation

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Questions and Answers

In which direction does Earth rotate?

  • Counterclockwise around the Sun
  • Eastward around its axis (correct)
  • In an ellipse around the Sun
  • From north to south around its axis

Whose data did Kepler use to construct the laws of planetary motion?

  • Brahe's (correct)
  • Aristotle's
  • Aristarchus's
  • Copernicus's

Which is the final event that occurs when a star is forming?

  • Gravity pulls gas and dust together.
  • A black hole forms as the core collapses.
  • The outer layer of the star expands.
  • Nuclear fusion begins under high pressure. (correct)

Which is one physical property that all stars have?

<p>They are made of gases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What force acts between Earth and the moon?

<p>Gravity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which discovery did Galileo make to support the theory that the planets, including Earth, orbit the Sun?

<p>Venus has phases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which causes objects in the universe to resist a change in speed or direction?

<p>Inertia (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic do Mercury and Mars share?

<p>Rocky surfaces (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which remains the same as the distance of an object from Earth changes?

<p>Mass of the object (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which list correctly orders the outer planets from least to greatest distance from the Sun?

<p>Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are there two high tides a day about 12 hours apart from each other?

<p>Earth rotates entirely on its axis once during that time. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Observable matter makes up about what percentage of the universe?

<p>5% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was discovered in 1965 and is believed to be leftover thermal energy from the Big Bang?

<p>Background radiation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when Earth's shadow covers the moon?

<p>Lunar eclipse (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which planet in the solar system is least dense?

<p>Saturn (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Earth's Rotation and Motion

  • Earth rotates eastward around its axis, leading to the daily cycle of day and night.
  • Gravity acts between Earth and the moon, creating the tides through its gravitational pull.

Historical Contributions to Astronomy

  • Johannes Kepler formulated the laws of planetary motion using data collected by Tycho Brahe.
  • Galileo Galilei discovered that Venus has phases, supporting the heliocentric model of the solar system.

Stellar Formation and Characteristics

  • Nuclear fusion initiates under high pressure as the final event in star formation.
  • All stars are composed of gases, primarily hydrogen and helium; they glow due to nuclear fusion in their cores.

Inertia and Forces in the Universe

  • Inertia describes the property of objects in the universe to resist changes in speed or direction unless acted upon by external forces.
  • The mass of an object remains constant regardless of its distance from Earth, while weight can vary due to gravity.

Solar System Composition

  • Mercury and Mars both possess rocky surfaces, distinguishing them as terrestrial planets.
  • The outer planets, in order of their distance from the Sun, are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Tides and Lunar Events

  • High tides occur roughly every 12 hours as Earth rotates on its axis, allowing for two tidal cycles per day.
  • A lunar eclipse happens when Earth's shadow casts over the moon, aligning them in the same plane.

Universal Matter and Cosmology

  • Observable matter constitutes approximately 5% of the universe, suggesting a vast amount of dark matter and energy.
  • Background radiation, discovered in 1965, is interpreted as residual thermal energy from the Big Bang, providing insights into the universe's origins.

Planetary Density

  • Saturn is the least dense planet in the solar system, mainly composed of gas and exhibiting a low density compared to its size.

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