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- 1. Multiple Choice
Astronomers use _____ of the origin of the solar system based on current observations.
scale drawings
models
experimental theories
their knowledge
- 2. Multiple Choice
Our solar system with 8 known major planets, asteroids & comets may or may not be
as large as astronomers think it is.
as full of gas & dust as other solar systems.
correct.
unique.
- 3. Multiple Choice
In science, all _____ can change or become modified with new discoveries.
theories
knowledge
history
reality
- 4. Multiple Choice
In our solar system, all major planets lie (roughly) in the same ____ & orbit in the same ____.
plane, direction
direction, plane
space, direction
area, space
- 5. Multiple Choice
The fact that all of the planets orbit in the same direction as the Sun rotates indicates that
the solar system is 5 billion years old.
there is no such thing as retrograde motion.
they all formed at about the same time & relative space.
Pluto may have formed somewhere else.
- 6. Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes the terrestrial planets?
no or very few moons; solid surfaces; moderate atmospheres
no moons; non-solid surfaces; hot atmospheres
many moons; solid surfaces; extreme atmospheres
they all orbit pretty close in to the Sun
- 7. Multiple Choice
Why do terrestrial planets have high densities and solid surfaces?
because they are made of rock
heavier elements were blasted away by the Sun
lighter elements were stripped away by the Sun
no one really knows
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes Jovian or gas giant planets?
few moons; low densities; moderate spin rates
many moons; thick atmospheres; rapid spin rates
no moons; thick atmospheres; rapid spin rates
high densities; many moons; slow spin rates
- 9. Multiple Choice
Why do Jovian planets have relatively low densities?
their spin rates are fast
they formed relatively close to the Sun & migrated outward
they formed farther from the Sun & kept lighter elements
because they have many moons to make up for it
- 10. Multiple Choice
A ____ is a cloud of gas & dust that has contracted under gravity to form a star & planets.
nebula region
hydrogen dust field
solar nebula
galaxy
- 11. Multiple Choice
Each planet’s distance is roughly twice that as its next inward neighbor.
True
False
- 12. Multiple Choice
Our solar system (so far) is pretty much the same as others in the galaxy.
True
False
- 13. Multiple Choice
The condensation theory & the solar nebula theory adequately explains today's solar system.
True
False
- 14. Multiple Choice
According to the condensation theory, the Sun formed at the center of a nebula cloud with
the planets, asteroids, comets etc. forming as leftovers.
a mass that is just a little less than the planets etc.
a mass that is equivalent to the rest of the solar system.
Jupiter almost attaining enough mass to become a star.
- 15. Multiple Choice
How did the Sun form from a nebula cloud (according to the condensation theory)?
matter built up and became hotter & hotter at the center
the central nucleus of the gas cloud expanded
electromagnetic forces caused matter to clump together
gravity collapsed the cloud slowly at first & then rapidly
- 16. Multiple Choice
Why do most astronomers think the condensation theory of solar system formation is correct?
it is the only theory currently available
the star system Beta Pictoris is an example
various stages of solar system formation have been observed
they don't really think it's correct - just a best guess
- 17. Multiple Choice
Beta Pictoris is a "new" star system (20 million years old) and has recently been found to
be a lot closer to us than astronomers thought.
have a planet orbiting it.
have collided & condensed with another star.
not conform to the condensation theory.
- 18. Multiple Choice
Many small, moon-like bodies collided to form the inner planets. They are known as _____.
meteors
asteroids
planetesimals
small moons
- 19. Multiple Choice
When the Sun became a star, it blew out the lighter elements and gases to form the
Kuiper Belt.
outer planets.
Oort Cloud.
asteroid belt.
- 20. Multiple Choice
The Kepler spacecraft has discovered _____ of extrasolar planets (so far).
thousands
millions
hundreds
billions
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