Multiple Choice
Identify the
letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
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1.
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The
model in which Earth is at the center of the system of planets is called the a. | solar
system. | b. | heliocentric system. | c. | geocentric
system. | d. | Copernican system. | | |
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2.
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Copernicus explained that a. | the sun is at the center of the system of
planets. | b. | the sun and the planets revolve around
Earth. | c. | the geocentric system is correct. | d. | there are only
six planets. | | |
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3.
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The
heliocentric system gained support when Galileo observed that a. | one side of the
moon always faces Earth. | b. | most of the smaller planets are closer to the
sun. | c. | Venus goes
through phases similar to those of Earth's moon. | d. | the orbit of
each planet is an ellipse. | | |
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4.
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The
two factors that combine to keep the planets in orbit are a. | gravity and
orbital speed. | b. | orbital speed and mass. | c. | mass and
inertia. | d. | gravity and inertia. | | |
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5.
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The
sun produces energy by a. | attracting it with the force of
gravity. | b. | nuclear fission. | c. | burning fuels
such as oil. | d. | nuclear fusion. | | |
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6.
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What
do all of the inner planets have in common? a. | They have the same period of
revolution. | b. | They have the same period of
rotation. | c. | They have the same diameter. | d. | They are small
and have rocky surfaces. | | |
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7.
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What
do the first four outer planets have in common? a. | They are much larger than Earth and do not have solid
surfaces. | b. | They are about the same size as Earth and do not have solid
surfaces. | c. | They are much larger than Earth and are
solid. | d. | They are about the same size as Earth and are
solid. | | |
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8.
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Uranus is different from most other planets because it a. | is the farthest
from the sun. | b. | is mostly nitrogen and helium. | c. | rotates on its
side. | d. | has the most moons. | | |
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9.
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Pluto
is different from the other outer planets because it a. | is almost
entirely made of gases. | b. | is much larger than the others. | c. | has the most
moons. | d. | is small and has a solid surface. | | |
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10.
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What
shape are the orbits of most comets? a. | long, narrow ellipses | b. | circles | c. | nearly circular ellipses | d. | spherical | | |
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11.
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The
asteroid belt is located a. | between Earth and Mars. | b. | between Mars and
Jupiter. | c. | between Jupiter and Saturn. | d. | between Saturn
and Uranus. | | |
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12.
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Meteoroids usually come from a. | debris from other planets. | b. | solar
winds. | c. | beyond the solar system. | d. | comets or
asteroids. | | |
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13.
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When
a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it produces a streak of light called a a. | meteor. | b. | asteroid. | c. | meteorite. | d. | comet. | | |
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Completion
Complete each sentence or
statement.
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14.
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Most
ancient astronomers thought that all celestial objects revolved around
____________________.
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15.
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The
force that pulls the moon toward Earth is called ____________________.
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16.
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Nuclear fusion occurs in the ____________________, or center, of the
sun.
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17.
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The
tendency for an object in motion to remain in motion is called ____________________.
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18.
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The
only outer planet with a solid surface is ____________________.
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19.
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A
meteoroid that hits Earth's surface is called a ____________________.
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20.
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When
a large ____________________ strikes Earth, it can create a crater.
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21.
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Kepler discovered that Mars' orbit is a(n) ____________________.
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22.
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The
sun's energy comes from the process of _________________________, in which hydrogen atoms form
helium.
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23.
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The
atmospheres of the gas giants are composed mainly of the element ____________________.
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Short Answer
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24.
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Write
the name of the planet that is labeled with each number.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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25.
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Which
planet is closer to the sun, the one labeled 10 or the one labeled 11? Is it always closer to the
sun?
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26.
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What
objects are found at 5? Why are they not considered to be planets?
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27.
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What
is object 7? Compare its size and orbit to those of the planets.
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28.
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Name
object 9 and explain why it appears different from the other gas giant planets.
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29.
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Explain how inertia and gravity combine to keep the planets in their
orbits.
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Essay (Answer Question #36 using a thinking map for 10 extra credit
points)
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30.
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How
are Earth and Venus similar? How is Venus different from Earth?
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31.
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Describe the differences among a meteoroid, a meteor, and a meteorite.
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32.
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Why
do scientists think Europa might be a good place to look for extraterrestrial life?
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33.
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Explain why the outer planets did not lose the gases in their
atmospheres.
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34.
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What
caused Galileo to accept the theory that the planets revolve around the sun?
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35.
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Name
three conditions needed for life as we know it to exist. Where in the solar system are these
conditions found?
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36.
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Explain why some scientists do not consider Pluto to be a planet.
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