Space & Solar System Quiz for 8L

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Questions and Answers

What phenomenon occurs on March 21st and September 23rd globally?

Summer solstice

Magnetic north pole

Winter solstice

Equinox (correct)

What is the effect of the Earth's magnetic field on compass needles?

They align themselves with the Earth's magnetic south pole.

They point toward the Earth's magnetic north pole. (correct)

They float in space without direction.

They point to the Earth’s geographic north pole.

What does the term 'mass' refer to in physics?

The weight of an object under Earth's gravity.

The density of an object.

The volume that an object occupies.

The amount of matter in an object or substance. (correct)

When does the Northern Hemisphere experience long nights and short days?

22nd December Signup and view all the answers

What creates the Earth's magnetic field?

The movement of molten metal in Earth's outer core. Signup and view all the answers

What happens at the magnetic north pole?

The magnetic field points vertically downward. Signup and view all the answers

What forces act when the north end of a compass is attracted to the Earth?

Opposite magnetic poles attract each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is the weight of an object?

The force exerted on the object due to gravity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for calculating weight?

Weight = Mass x Gravity Signup and view all the answers

What defines a gravitational field?

A region around a mass where another mass experiences a force due to gravity Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about mass and gravity is true?

Gravity changes based on the location of the mass exerting the force Signup and view all the answers

Which type of galaxy is characterized by a flat, rotating disk with spiral arms?

Spiral Galaxy Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is typical of elliptical galaxies?

Composed mostly of older stars with little gas Signup and view all the answers

What type of galaxy lacks defined shape and is often chaotic or distorted?

Irregular Galaxy Signup and view all the answers

Which galaxy serves as an example of a lenticular galaxy?

Sombrero Galaxy Signup and view all the answers

How do scientists measure distances between stars?

In light years Signup and view all the answers

What causes the phases of the Moon to be experienced differently across the globe?

The curvature of the Earth and the observer's position Signup and view all the answers

How does the orientation of the Moon differ between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

The dark side is at the top in the Northern Hemisphere Signup and view all the answers

What angle is the Earth's axis tilted at, which affects the seasons?

23.5 degrees Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon causes the variation in sunlight received by different parts of the Earth throughout the year?

The tilt of the Earth's axis Signup and view all the answers

When does the Northern Hemisphere experience long days and short nights?

On 22nd June when the hemisphere points towards the Sun Signup and view all the answers

What major event billions of years ago affected the Earth’s axial tilt?

A collision with a large asteroid Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT affect the Moon’s orbit around the Earth?

The axial tilt of the Earth Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the seasons on Earth is correct?

The tilt of the Earth’s axis results in seasons Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

8L Space & The Solar System

The Moon appears differently depending on location on Earth, due to the planet's curvature and your position relative to the Moon's orbit.
The phases of the Moon (new, waxing, full, waning) are the same globally, but the timing differs based on location and time zone.
In England (Northern Hemisphere): The Moon appears upright with the dark side at the top during a full moon.
In Australia (Southern Hemisphere): The Moon looks upside down, with the dark side at the bottom. This difference is due to the Earth's curvature and your viewpoint from different hemispheres.

Night-time and Daytime

Night-time is when Britain is in Earth's shadow, and daytime is when Britain is in sunlight.
Earth spins or rotates on its axis, causing day and night.

Planets and Their Orbits

The table below shows information about five planets and their distance from the Sun and the time it takes for them to orbit the Sun.
The greater the distance from the Sun, the longer it takes for a planet to orbit the Sun.

Observing the Moons of Jupiter

Galileo observed four bright moons near Jupiter in 1610.
The moons moved each night.
Light from the Sun, reflected from the moons' surfaces, travels to our eyes.

8La Gathering Evidence

Ptolemy (2000 years ago) thought Earth was the center of the universe (geocentric model).
Copernicus (500 years ago) suggested the Sun was the center (heliocentric model). Religious scholars were unhappy about this.
Kepler (450 years ago) realised planetary orbits are elliptical, not circular.
Herschel (300 years ago) thought stars are like the Sun.
Galileo invented the first telescope, allowing him to see planets/moons.

8Lb Seasons

Seasons occur because the Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees from the vertical.
This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
When the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it is summer in Europe. When tilted away from the Sun, winter is in Europe.

8Lc Magnetic Earth

The Earth has a magnetic field which is created by the movement of molten metal inside the Earth's outer core.
This field protects us from harmful Sun radiation.
The Earth's geographic and magnetic north poles are not in the same place.
The magnetic north pole is a point where the planet's magnetic field points vertically downward.

8Ld Gravity

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object.
Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity (Weight = Mass x Gravity).
A gravitational field is a region of space around a mass where another mass would experience a force.

8Le Beyond the Solar System

Constellations are patterns of stars.
Stars are huge balls of gas.
Galaxies are vast systems of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound by gravity.
Galaxies are the largest structures in the universe, containing billions or trillions of stars.
The sun is in the Milky Way galaxy.
Distances between stars are measured in light years. (One light-year is the distance light travels in one year, approximately 10 million million km).
Galaxies come in different shapes: spiral, elliptical, irregular, and lenticular. Features of each galaxy type are described.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the solar system, including the Moon's phases and how they differ by hemisphere. Explore concepts of day and night as well as planet orbits around the Sun. This quiz covers key details relevant for 8L students studying space science.