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100 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Internally, the Earth consists of spherical shells with different compositions and densities.
a) true b) false |
a) true
Internally, the Earth consists of spherical shells with different compositions and densities |
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The asthenosphere is a relatively cool and rigid cell that overlies the litosphere.
a) true b) false |
b) false
The asthenosphere is a relatively cool and rigid shell that is UNDERNEATH the lithosphere. |
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Tycho Brache discovered the three laws of planetary motion.
a) true b) false |
b) false
Kepler, not Brache, discovered the three laws of planetary motion. |
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Galileo believed in a Sun-centered view of the solar system.
a) true b) false |
a) true
Galileo believed that the Sun was the center of the universe though popular belief was that the Earth was the center of the universe. |
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The Earth is closest to the Sun in July.
a) true b) false |
b) false
The Earth is closest to the Sun in January not July. |
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The days of the week are named after the five planets visible to the unaided eye, the Sun and Moon.
a) true b) false |
a) true
The days of the week are named after the five planets visible to the unaided eye, the Sun, and Moon. |
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Using the telescope, Galileo discovered that the planet Mars had polar ice caps not unlike those on Earth.
a) true b) false |
b) false
Galileo made several important discoveries with his telescope including the moons of Jupiter and the texture of the Moon's surface, but he never visualized the polar ice caps of Mars. |
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When Earth is farthest from the Sun, it is said to be in the perihelion position.
a) true b) false |
b) false
Perihelion means "close" to the "sun" |
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The angular distance north and south of the celestial equator is called right ascension.
a) true b) false |
b) false
Right ascension is the East-west distance around the celestial equator. |
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The distance from Earth to the sun is used to measure distances in the solar system and is called a light year.
a) true b) false |
b) false
The distance from the Earth to the Sun is used to measure distances in the solar system but it is called an Astronomical Unit (AU) not a light year. |
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The period of the Moon's rotation is equal to its period of revolution.
a) true b) false |
a) true
The period of the Moon's rotation IS equal to its period of revolution. |
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The dark tail of a comet is called a coma.
a) true b) false |
b) false
The dark HEAD of a comet is called a coma. |
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The four largest moons of Jupiter are known as Galilean moons.
a) true b) false |
a) true
The four largest moons of Jupiter ARE known as Galilean moons. |
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The Cassini gap refers to the planetless belt of asteroids between Mars and Earth.
a) true b) false |
b) false
The Cassini Gap refers to the spaces between the rings around Saturn |
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The study of Earth's Atmosphere is known as __________.
a) astronomy b) oceanography c) meteorology d) cosmology |
c) meteorology
The study of Earth's atmosphere is known as meteorology. |
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A __________ is a well-tested and widely accepted view that best explains certain scientific observations.
a) hypothesis b) generalization c) law d) theory |
d) theory
A theory is a well-tested and widely accepted view that best explains certain scientific observations. |
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What is the source of the energy that powers the Earth system?
a) the Sun b) heat from the Earth's interior c) both A and B d) none of the above |
c) both A and B
The Sun and heat from the Earth's interior are the sources of energy that power the Earth systems. |
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Which of the following energy sources is thought to drive the lateral motions of Earth's litospheric plates?
a) gravitational attractive forces of the Sun and Moon b) electrical and magnetic fields localized in the inner core c) export of heat from deep in the mantle to the top of the asthenosphere d) swirling movements of the molten iron particles in the outer core |
c) export of heat from deep in the mantle to the top if the astenosphere.
The export of heat from deep in the mantle to the top of the asthenosphere is thought to drive the lateral motions of Earth's litospheric plates. |
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The asthenosphere is actually a part of the ___ of the Earth.
a) outer core b) crust c) inner core d) mantle |
d) mantle
The astenosphere is actually a part of the mantle of the Earth. |
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In correct order from the center outward, Earth includes which units?
a) core, inner mantle, outer mantle, crust b) inner core, outer core, mantle, crust c) inner core, crust, mantle, hydrosphere d) core, crust, mantle hydrosphere |
b) inner core, outer core, mantle, crust
The correct order from the center outward of the Earth's units are Inner Core, Outer Core, Mantle, and Crust. |
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The _________ refers to the sum total of life on Earth.
a) hydrosphere b) atmosphere c) biosphere d) asthenosphere |
c) biosphere
All life on Earth is in the biosphere. |
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The ___________ explains how our solar system probably formed from a giant cloud of gases and dispersed solid particles.
a) protogalactic theory b) nebular hypothesis c) extrastellar solar hypothesis d) planetary compression theory |
b) nebular hypothesis
The NEBULAR HYPOTHESIS explains how our solar system probably formed from a giant cloud of gases and dispersed solid particles. |
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All of the following are possible steps of scientific investigation except for ______.
a) collection of scientific facts through observation and measurement b) assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation c) development of one or more working hypotheses or models to explain facts d) development of observations and experiments to test the hypotheses |
b) assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation
Making assumptions without any evidence (experiments/observations) are never part of a real scientific investigation. |
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The_____ forms the relatively cool, brittle plates of plate tectonics.
a) asthenosphere b) lithosphere c) astrophere d) eosphere |
b) lithosphere
The LITHOSPHERE forms the relatively cool, brittle plates of plate tectonics. |
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The composition of the core of the Earth is thought to be ________.
a) basalt b) granite c) peridotite d) solid iron-nickel alloy |
d) solid iron-nickel alloy
The core of the Earth is thought to be composed of solid iron-nickel alloy. |
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The _________ is thought to be a liquid, metallic region in the Earth's interior.
a) inner core b) litosphere c) mantle d) outer core |
d) outer core
The OUTER CORE is thougth to be a liquid, metallic region in the Earth's interior. |
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The _______ is the thinnest layer of the Earth.
a) crust b) outer core c) mantle d) inner core |
a) crust
The CRUST is the thinnest layer of the Earth. |
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The most prominent feature on the ocean floor are the __________.
a) deep-ocean trenches b) oceanic ridges c) seamounts d) lava plateaus |
b) oceanic ridges
The most prominent features on the ocean floor are the OCEANIC RIDGES. |
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One of the discoveries which led to the modern view of the solar system was that the orbits of planets are ___________.
a) circles b) hyperbolas c) ellipses d) parabolas |
c) ellipses
One of the discoveries which led to the modern view of the solar system was that the orbits of the planets are ELLIPSES. |
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Galileo observed several features using the telescope. Which of the following did the NOT discover?
a) sunspots b) phases of Venus c) Jupiter's four largest moons d) the two moons of Mars |
d) the two moons of Mars
While Galileo made many important discoveries with his telescope the TWO MOONS OF MARS were not among them. He did however discover sun spots, phases of Venus, and Jupiter's four largest moons. |
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This scientist determined the nature of the forces that kept the planets in their orbits.
a) Sir Isaac Newton b) Galileo c) Tyco Brahe d) Nicolaus Copernicus |
a) Sir Isaac Newton
SIR ISAAC NEWTON determined the nature of the forces that kept the planets in their orbits. |
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Three laws of planetary motion were discovered by _________.
a) Galileo b) Johannes Kepler c) Tycho Brahe d) Nicolaus Copernicus |
b) Johannes Kepler
The three laws of planetary motion were discovered by Johannes Kepler. |
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The apparent westward "drift" of the planets compared to the background stars is called _________.
a) Ptolemaic motion b) occultation c) precession d) retrograde motion |
d) retrograde motion
The apparent westward "drift" of the planets compared to the background stars is called RETROGRADE MOTION. |
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A very slow motion of Earth's axis that requires 26,000 years to complete is called ___________.
a) Ptolemaic motion b) perturbation c) precession d) retrograde motion |
c) precession
A very slop motion of Earth's axis that requires 26,000 years to complete is called PRECESSION. |
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The apparent path of the Sun upon the celestial sphere is called the _________.
a) parallax b) ecliptic c) precession d) declination |
b) ecliptic
The apparent path of the Sun upon the celestial sphere is called the ECLIPTIC. |
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The length of daylight on the Moon is about _________.
a) 24 hours b) 48 hours c) two weeks d) one month |
c) two weeks
The length of daylight on the Moon is about TWO WEEKS. |
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Which pair of solar system bodies comes closest to approximating a "double planet," that is, two bodies of roughly equal mass close enough to revolve around each other as they orbit around the Sun?
a) Earth; Venus b) Pluto; Charon c) Uranus; Saturn d) Venus; Mars |
b) Pluto; Charon
PLUTO AND CHARON are a "double planet," that is, two bodies of roughly equal mass close enough to revolve around each other as they orbit around the sun. |
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Pluto is now classified as a ______ in our solar system.
a) terrestrial planet b) Jovian planet c) dwarf planet d) comet |
c) dwarf planet
Pluto is now classified as a DWARF PLANET in our solar system. |
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________ meteorites are thought to be analogous in composition to Earth's core.
a) Calcareous b) Iron c) Stony d) Ammonical |
b) Iron
IRON meteorites are thought to be analogous in composition to Earth's core. |
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___________ has the great, dark spot on its surface.
a) Mars b) Neptune c) Venus d) Uranus |
b) Neptune
NEPTUNE is the planet with a great, dark spot on its surface. |
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How did the lunar maria most likely originate?
a) huge impact basins that were nearly filled with basaltic lava flows b) huge impact craters filled with frozen carbon dioxide and dark-colored silt and dust c) massive, basaltic comets melted when they hit the lunar surface d) the solar wind eroded very wide, shallow basins that filled with lunar dust |
a) huge impact basins that were nearly filled with basaltic lava flows
Lunar maria were likely formed by huge impact basins that were nearly filled with basaltic lava flows |
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Which one of the following is not found on Mars?
a) polar ice caps b) H2O rich atmosphere c) sand dunes d) extinct volcanoes |
b) H2O rich atmosphere
Mars has polar ice caps, sand dunes, and extinct volcanoes, but it does NOT have an H2O rich atmosphere. |
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The surface features of __________ are known only through satellite radar mapping.
a) Jupiter b) Mercury c) Venus d) Mars |
c) Venus
The surface features of VENUS are known only through satellite radar mapping because the atmosphere is so thick. |
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__________ is a moon of Mars.
a) Ajo b) Miranda c) Callisto d) Phobos |
d) Phobos
Phobos is a moon of Mars, the other is Diemos. |
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Which one of the following is NOT true of Jupiter?
a) largest and most massive planet b) rotational speed slower than Mercury c) dominantly composed of hydrogen d) a very dense atmosphere |
b) rotational speed slower than Mercury.
Jupiter is the largest and most massive planet, is mostly composed of hydrogen, and has a very dense atmosphere. |
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____________ has a hot, turbulent atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide.
a) Earth b) Jupiter c) Mercury d) Venus |
d) Venus
VENUS has a hot, turbulent atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide. |
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The largest known volcano in the solar system is __________.
a) Mauna Loa, HI on Earth b) Vulcan on Venus c) Solfatara on Jupiter d) Mons Olympus on Mars |
d) Mons Olympus on Mars
That's right! Mars holds the solar system record for the largest volcano with Mons Olympus. |
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The belt (orbit) of the asteroids is located between ___________.
a) Venus and Mercury b) Earth and Mars c) Jupiter and Mars d) Saturn and Uranus |
c) Jupiter and Mars
The belt (orbit) of asteroids is located between JUPITER AND MARS. |
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Which of these lunar features is the oldest?
a) maria basins b) lunar highlands c) rayed craters like Copernicus d) lunar soil |
b) lunar highlands
LUNAR HIGHLANDS are the oldest lunar features. |
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The highest surface temperatures of this planet have been attributed to the greenhouse effect.
a) Venus b) Uranus c) Mercury d) Mars |
a) Venus
VENUS's high surface temperatures have been attributed to the greenhouse effect. |
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Which color has the longest wavelength?
a) red b) blue c) green d) orange |
a) red
Red has the longest wave length: remember ROY G BIV (longest to shortest and MIVUXG (shortest to longest. |
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Gamma rays, X-rays, visible light, and radio waves are all types of ___________.
a) nuclear energy b) chromatic aberration c) ultraviolet radiation d) electromagnetic radiation |
d) electromagnetic radiation
Gamma rays, X-rays, visible light, and radio waves are all types of ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION. |
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The fact that light can exert a pressure on matter suggests that it is made of particles called _________.
a) electrons b) protons c) photons d) neutrons |
c) photons
The fact that light can exert a pressure on matter suggests that it is made of particles called PHOTONS. |
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Which color has the most energetic photons?
a) red b) orange c) blue d) violet |
d) violet
VIOLET colored light has the most energetic photons. |
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What information does a star's spectrum offer about the star?
a) size b) chemical composition c) age d) none of the above |
b) chemical composition
A star's spectrum gives information about the CHEMICAL COMPOSITION of the star. |
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Which of the following refers to the change in wavelength that occurs when an object moves toward or away from a source?
a) Doppler effect b) chromatic aberration c) spectroscopy d) wave theory of light |
a) Doppler effect
DOPPLER EFFECT refers to the change in wavelength that occurs when an object moves toward or away from a source. |
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What will happen to an object's wavelength as the object moves toward you?
a) the wavelength will be shortened b) the wavelength will be lengthened c) the wavelength will not change d) the wavelength will vary |
a) the wavelength will be shortened
When an object moves towards you the WAVELENGTH WILL BE SHORTENED. |
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Large Doppler shifts indicate ________.
a) low speeds b) high speeds c) low temperatures d) high temperatures |
b) high speeds
A large Doppler shift indicates the object is moving at HIGH SPEEDS. |
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Using the Doppler effect, astronomers can determine a star's __________.
a) temperature b) chemical composition c) movement toward or away from Earth d) age |
c) movement toward or away from Earth
Astronomers can use the Doppler effect to determine how fast a star is MOVING TOWARD OR AWAY FROM EARTH. |
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A refracting telescope produces an image using a(n) ____________.
a) mirror b) spectroscope c) objective lens d) prism |
c) objective lens
A refracting telescope produces an image using an OBJECTIVE LENS. |
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A reflecting telescope produces an image using a(n) ____________.
a) concave mirror b) lens c)prism d) antenna |
a) concave mirror
A reflecting telescope produces an image using a CONCAVE MIRROR. |
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When several radio telescopes are wired together, the resulting network is called a radio ________.
a) interferometer b) receiver c) antenna d) refractor |
a) interferometer
When several radio telescopes are wired together, the resulting network is called a RADIO INTERFEROMETER. |
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Which property of an optical telescope is associated with sharper images?
a) light-gathering power b) resolving power c) magnifying power d) chromatic aberration |
b) resolving power
RESOLVING POWER is a property of an optical telescope associated with sharper images. |
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Which of the following is NOT an advantage of radio telescopes over optical telescopes?
a) radio telescopes are less affected by atmospheric conditions b) Radio telescopes are less expensive c) Radio telescopes can operate 24 hours a day d) radio telescopes have better resolution |
d) Radio telescopes have better resolution.
Radio telescopes are less affected by atmospheric conditions, can operate 24 hours a day, and are less expensive than optical telescopes, but optical telescopes HAVE BETTER RESOLUTION. |
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Which of the following is NOT true about large optical telescopes?
a) they are refracting telescopes b) they have greater light-gathering power c) they have greater resolving power d) they are reflecting telescopes |
a) they are refracting telescopes
Large optical telescopes have greater light-gathering power, have greater resolving power, and are reflecting telescopes but they are not REFRACTING TELESCOPES. |
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What advantage to space telescopes have over telescopes used on Earth?
a) they are much cheaper to build b) they are not affected by Earth's atmosphere c) they do to need lenses or mirrors to gather light d) they last longer |
b) they are not affected by Earth's atmosphere
One advantage space telescopes have over other telescopes used on Earth is that they ARE NOT AFFECTED BY EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. |
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The layer of the sun that radiates most of the light that reaches Earth is the _______.
a) photosphere b) corona c) chromosphere d) ionosphere |
a) photosphere
The PHOTOSPHERE radiates most of the light that reaches the Earth. |
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The outermost layer of the sun is called the __________.
a) ionosphere b) photosphere c) corona d) chromosphere |
c) corona
The CORONA is the outermost layer of the sun. |
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The sun's surface has a grainy texture produced by numerous bright markings called ____________.
a) granules b) unbras c) sunspots d) solar flares |
a) granules
The sun's surface has a grainy texture produced by numerous bright markings called GRANULES. |
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Streams of electrons and protons that shoot out from the sun's corona make up the solar ____________.
a) atmosphere b) wind c) rays d) granules |
b) wind
Streams of electrons and protons that shoot out from the sun's corona make up the SOLAR WIND. |
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Sunspots appear dark because they are _________.
a) relatively cool b) relatively hot c) deep holes d) solid areas |
a) relatively cool
Sunspots appear dark because they are RELATIVELY COOL. |
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What effect do solar flares have on Earth?
a) auroras b) global warming c) magnetic pole reversals d) tides |
a) auroras
Solar flares produce the AURORAS on Earth. |
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The product of nuclear fusion in the sun is __________.
a) hydrogen b) oxygen c) helium d) nitrogen |
c) helium
The product of nuclear fusion in the Sun is HELIUM. |
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The source of the sun's energy is _______.
a) chemical burning b) nuclear fission c) nuclear fusion d) photosynthesis |
c) nuclear fusion
The source of the sun's energy is NUCLEAR FUSION. |
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The sun can continue to exist in its present stable state for about another ____________.
a) 5.5 billion years b) 10 billion years c) 15.5 billion years d) 100 billion years |
a) 5.5 billion years.
The sun can continue to exist in its present stable state for about another 5.5 BILLION YEARS. |
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Stars of which color have the highest surface temperature?
a) red b) orange c) yellow d) blue |
d) blue
BLUE colored stars have the highest surface temperatures. |
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A star with a surface temperature between 5000 k and 6000K appears ___________.
a) blue b) red c) yellow d) white |
c) yellow
YELLOW stars have surface temperatures between 5000 K and 6000 K. |
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The mass of a star can be determined by studying _______________.
a) the wavelength emitted by the star b) the color of the star c) the distance between the star and Earth d) binary star systems |
d) binary star systems
The mass of a star can be determined by studying BINARY STAR SYSTEMS. |
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Stars of which color have the coolest surface temperature?
a) red b) orange c) yellow d) blue |
a) red
RED stars have the coolest surface temperatures. |
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A light-year is approximately ______________.
a) 9.5 trillion km b) 95 trillion km c) 150 million km d) 150 billion km |
a) 9.5 trillion km
A light-year is approximately 9.5 trillion km. |
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Stellar distances are usually expressed in what units?
a) miles b) kilometers c) light-years d) none of the above |
c) light-years
Stellar distances are expressed in light-years. |
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Which of the following is true about parallax?
a) It is used to measure distances to stars b) the parallax angles of distant stars are too small to measure c) the nearest stars have the smallest parallax angles d) both a and b |
d) both a and b
The parallax angles of distant stars are too small to measure and parallax is used to measure distant stars. |
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The measure of a star's brightness is called its ______________.
a) magnitude b) parallax c) intensity d) color index |
a) magnitude
The measure of a star's brightness is its MAGNITUDE. |
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Which of the following does NOT affect the apparent brightness of a star?
a) how old the star is b) how big the star is c) how hot the star is d) how far away the star is |
a) how old the star is
The apparent brightness of a star is affected by how big the star is, how hot the star is, and by how far away the star is; but it is not affected by HOW OLD THE STAR IS. |
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If star A is farther from Earth than star B, but both stars have the same absolute magnitude, what is true about their apparent magnitude?
a) both stars have the same apparent magnitude b) Star A has the greater apparent magnitude c) Star B has the greater apparent magnitude d) apparent magnitude is not related to distance |
c) star B has the greater apparent magnitude.
Because star A is farther from Earth than star B, star B will have the GREATER APPARENT MAGNITUDE OR BRIGHTNESS, because it is closer to Earth (the observer). |
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Which magnitude would be associated with the brightest star?
a) 15 b) 10 c) 5 d) -5 |
d) -5
Lower numbers are brighter stars, therefore a -5 would have the brightest star out of the choices given. |
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A Herzsprung-Russle (H-R) diagram shows the relationship between ___________.
a) absolute magnitude and apparent magnitude b) temperature and absolute magnitude c) parallax and temperature d) apparent magnitude and parallax |
b) temperature and absolute magnitude
A H-R diagram shows the relationship between TEMPERATURE AND ABSOLUTE MAGNITUDE. |
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About 90 percent of stars on the H-R diagram are _________.
a) supergiants b) main-sequence stars c) white dwarfs d) black holes |
b) main-sequence stars
Most, 90 percent of stars on the H-R diagram are MAIN-SEQUENCE stars. |
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Another name for the interstellar matter that will eventually form a star is _________.
a) supernova b) red giant c) black hole d) nebula |
d) nebula
Another name for the interstellar matter that will eventually form a star is a NEBULA. |
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A star is said to be born when ______________.
a) a protostar reaches a temperature high enough for nuclear fusion to begin b) a red giant collapses on itself and becomes a black hole c) pressure within a protostar becomes so great that a supernova occurs d) a dark, cool interstellar cloud begins to contract |
a) a protostar reaches a temperature high enough for nuclear fusion to begin.
A star is said to be born when a PROTOSTAR reaches a TEMPERATURE HIGH ENOUG for NUCLEAR FUSION to begin. |
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Which energy force is most responsible for the formation of a star?
a) gravity b) nuclear force c) interstellar force d) electromagnetic force |
a) gravity
GRAVITY is the force most responsible for the formation of a star. |
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Massive stars terminate in a brilliant explosion called a ____________.
a) red giant b) protostar c) neutron star d) supernova |
d) supernova
Massive stars terminate in a brilliant explosion called a SUPERNOVA. |
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The sun is a ___________.
a) black hole b) black dwarf c) main-sequence star d) red giant |
c) main-sequence star
The Sun is a MAIN-SEQUENCE STAR. |
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What is the next stage in the sun's life cycle?
a) white dwarf b) red giant c) planetary nebula d) black dwarf |
b) red giant
Our sun will become a RED GIANT in the next stage of its life cycle. |
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Light cannot escape the intense gravitational pull of a _________.
a) black hole b) black dwarf c) main-sequence star d) red giant |
a) black hole
Light cannot escape the intense gravitational pull of a BLACK HOLE. |
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Our galaxy is called the ______________.
a) local group b) Orion c) Andromeda d) Milky Way |
d) Milky Way
Attention! You are living in the MILKY WAY galaxy. |
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Where is our sun located in the Milky Way?
a) within one of the spiral arms b) at the exact center c) in the galactic halo d) at the tip of one of the spiral arms |
a) within one of the spiral arms
The sun in located WITHIN ONE OF THE SPIRAL ARMS of the Milky Way galaxy. |
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Which of the following indicates that the universe is expanding?
a) red shift of distant galaxies b) red shift of the galaxies in the Local Group c) blue shift of distant galaxies d) blue shift of the Milky Way |
a) red shift of distant galaxies
The RED SHIFT OF DISTANT GALAXIES indicates the universe is expanding. |
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Which of the following is not a type of galaxy?
a) nebular b) irregular c) spiral d) elliptical |
a) nebular
There is no such thing as a NEBULAR GALAXY. |
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Which property of a star can be determined by its color?
a) age b) distance from Earth c) temperature d) chemical composition |
c) temperature
A Star's temperature can be determined by it's color. |
