Exam 1 Study Questions Flashcards
Example Questions
What time does the 3rd quarter moon rise? (Assuming you're observing from HPU) A. Sunset (~6pm) B. Midnight (12am) C. Noon (12pm) D. Sunrise (~6am)
B. Midnight (12am)
Which of the following do NOT constitute a good scientific hypothesis? Select all that apply.
A. There is a group of particles in the Universe called “whatevertrons” that are invisible, but they do interact with matter gravitationally (they tug on other objects because of their gravity)
B. The universe is actually part of a “Multiverse” (set of multiple universes) with which we can have no contact at all.
C. The moon is made entirely of cheese.
D. There is a group of particles in the Universe called “invisitrons” that are undetectable in every way possible (invisible, doesn’t interact with light or matter, etc.).
E. The Earth is flat.
B. The universe is actually part of a “Multiverse” (set of multiple universes) with which we can have no contact at all.
D. There is a group of particles in the Universe called “invisitrons” that are undetectable in every way possible (invisible, doesn’t interact with light or matter, etc.).
Looking West at sunset, you notice a bright planet close to the Sun in the sky. The next night, you find that the planet has moved WESTWARD with respect to the background stars. Which planet(s) could you be looking at? Select all that apply. A. Saturn B. Mercury C. Mars D. Venus E. Jupiter
B. Mercury
D. Venus
Which list of moon phases below is in the correct chronological order, when read from left to right?
A. New Moon, Full Moon, 1st Quarter, 3rd Quarter
B. New Moon, 1st Quarter Moon, Full Moon, 3rd Quarter Moon
C. 1st Quarter Moon, New Moon, 3rd Quarter Moon, Full Moon
D. Full Moon, 1st Quarter, New Moon, 3rd Quarter
B. New Moon, 1st Quarter Moon, Full Moon, 3rd Quarter Moon
What is the most direct cause of Earth’s four seasons? (Choose the most accurate explanation of those provided.)
A. The changing luminosity of the Sun (more luminous in summer, less luminous in winter).
B. The changing North-South position of the Sun in the sky throughout the year.
C. The changing position of the Moon with respect to the Sun and Earth.
D. The changing Earth-Sun distance during the year (Earth is closer to Sun in summer, farther away in winter).
B. The changing North-South position of the Sun in the sky throughout the year.
If the sun takes 365 days to circle completely around the ecliptic, what is its approximate angular speed in the Eastward direction with respect to the background stars? (You can do this without a calculator.) A. 24 deg/day B. 0.0027 deg/day C. 2 deg/day D. 1 deg/day E. 56 deg/day F. 365 deg/day
D. 1 deg/day
One sidereal day, the time it takes the stars to return to the same relative position night after night, is closest to which of the following? (assume you're on Earth) A. 12 months B. 1 year C. 24 hours D. 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4 seconds E. 23.5 days F. 23 hours
D. 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4 seconds
A solar eclipse occurs: (choose the most correct answer)
A. whenever the Sun is between the moon and Earth.
B. whenever there is a NEW moon.
C. whenever there is a FULL moon AND the moon is on the ecliptic.
D. whenever there is a NEW moon AND the moon is on the ecliptic.
E. Solar eclipses are never visible on Earth.
F. whenever there is a FULL moon.
D. whenever there is a NEW moon AND the moon is on the ecliptic.
You go outside one night ("Night A") and see the moon high in the sky, almost directly overhead. Very close to the moon you see Saturn; both are close to a bright star. The next night ("Night B") you observe Saturn again and notice it has moved WESTWARD with respect to the bright star. Approximately what time did the moon rise on the first night ("Night A")? Assume you were observing both nights from High Point, NC.
A. Midnight
B. Sunset (~6pm)
C. Sunrise (~6am)
D. NoonB. Sunset (~6pm)
If the circumference of the earth is 24000 miles (approximately true) and the earth rotates once every 24 hours (also approximately true), what is the speed of a person standing at the equator due to the rotation of Earth? Answer in miles per hour (mph). (NOTE: Type your answer WITHOUT commas and WITHOUT the UNITS) (OTHER NOTE: You should be able to do this in your head, without a calculator!)
1000 mph
Which of the following are TRUE statements concerning lunar phases and eclipses. Select all that apply. (NOTE: Pretend you are observing from HPU)
A. A third quarter moon occurs approximately 1 week AFTER a new moon.
B. Lunar eclipses only occur near the full moon phase.
C. A full moon can rise at midnight.
D. The new moon rises and sets when the sun does.
E. The moon is NEVER visible in the sky during the daytime.
B. Lunar eclipses only occur near the full moon phase.
D. The new moon rises and sets when the sun does.
Where in the sky would you find a 1st quarter moon at midnight? (Assume you’re observing from High Point University)
A. Overhead, high in the sky (near the meridian).
B. West, near the horizon (setting)
C. East, near the horizon (rising)
D. The 1st quarter moon is not visible then.
B. West, near the horizon (setting)
The image below shows the location of the Sun and several constellations at noon on a particular day. (On this day, the Sun is in Gemini.) Which constellation will the Sun mostly likely be in, a few hours later on that same day? A. Aries B. Gemini C. Taurus D. Leo E. Cancer
B. Gemini
The image below shows the location of the Sun and several constellations at noon on a particular day. (On this day, the Sun is in Gemini.) Which constellation will the Sun mostly likely be in one month later? ("East" is to the left in this image, "West" is to the right.)
A. Gemini
B. Taurus
C. Cancer
D. AriesC. Cancer
In the heliocentric model (shown below), if you were observing the stars and planets FROM THE SURFACE OF MARS, which of the following planets could NEVER be found opposite the Sun in the Martian sky? (Check all that apply) A. Mercury B. Saturn C. Earth D. Jupiter
A. Mercury
C. Earth
