FINAL: CH9 Flashcards
The ecliptic
A.) occurs during a solar or lunar eclipse
B.) is the average distance between the Sun & Earth
C.) is the plane of Earth’s orbit
D.) refers to the gases from which our solar system formed.
C.) is the plane of Earth’s orbit
How long does it take for Earth to revolve around the Sun? A.) one week B.) one day C.) one month D.) one year
D.) one year
Each second, the burning sun’s mass
A.) decreases
B.) increases
C.) remains unchanged
A.) decreases
The age of the Sun is about A.) 7000 years B.) 5.5 million years C.) 5.5 billion years D.) 5.5 trillion years E.) more than 5.5 trillion years
C.) 5.5 billion years
The planet with a mass most like Earth's is A.) Mercury B.) Venus C.) Mars D.) Saturn E.) Neptune
B.) Venus
The predominant gas in the atmosphere of Earth is A.) oxygen B.) nitrogen C.) water vapor D.) carbon dioxide E.) methane
B.) nitrogen
What is the likely cause of the 98 degree tilt of Uranus’ axis?
A.) a collision with a large body early in the solar system’s evolution
B.) Distorted magnetic poles due to its large molten iron core
C.) Fluid wave dynamics due to its large molten core
D.) Neptune’s effect on Uranus’ gravitational field
A.) a collision with a large body early in the solar system’s evolution
Is the rate of Earth’s rotation increasing or decreasing?
A.) increasing
B.) decreasing
C.) remaining relatively steady
D.) increasing and decreasing in cyclic fashion
B.) decreasing
Which explanation best describes why Earth observers always see the same face of the moon?
A.) The Moon’s rate of spin matches the rate at which the Moon revolves around Earth.
B.) The Moon does not rotate as it circles Earth.
C.) We tend only to observes the Moon at night, not during the day.
D.) Earth and Moon are partially gravity locked
A.) The Moon’s rate of spin matches the rate at which the Moon revolves around Earth.
Why should one not stare at the Sun during a partial eclipse?
A.) Because, whether there is an eclipse or not, the Sun’s intense radiation can easily damage our eyes
B.) Because the eclipse event itself creates a lensing effect, which greatly magnifies and intensifies the Suns rays.
C.) Because Sunspots, which are excited by the eclipse event, can easily erupt during the eclipse
D.) Because Ultraviolet radiation is intensified during the event.
E.) Because coronas and corneas are always a bad mix
A.) Because, whether there is an eclipse or not, the Sun’s intense radiation can easily damage our eyes.
Why is the moon still visible during a fall lunar eclipse?
A.) Earth’s atmosphere acts as a lens that refracts light into the shadowed region.
B.) There is a minor component of a phosphorescent minerals distributed fairly evenly on the lunar surface.
C.) The moon’s thin atmosphere acts as a mirror, reflecting light being cast from neighboring stars.
D.) Background microwave radiation becomes excited during the lunar eclipse,and shifts toward visual light, which then slightly illuminates the eclipsed moon.
A.) Earth’s atmosphere acts as a lens that refracts light into the shadowed region
The Earth rotates about its axis once per 24 hours, while the Moon rotates about its axis once per A.) 24 hours also B.) half month C.) month D.) year E.) none of these
C.) month
The fact that one side of the Moon always faces Earth is evidence that while revolving about the Earth it
A.) does not rotate about its axis
B.) rotates about its axis
B.) rotates about its axis
When the moon assumes its characteristic thin crescent shape, the position of the Sun is
A.) almost directly behind the Earth, so Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.
B.) almost directly in the back of the moon
C.) at right angles to the line between the Moon and Earth.
B.) almost directly in back of the moon
When we see a half-moon, the position of the Sun is
A.) almost directly behind the moon
B.) almost directly behind the Earth
C.) at right angles to a line from Earth to the Moon
D.) about 45degrees from a line from Earth to the Moon
C.) at right angles to a line from Earth to the Moon
When the alignment of the sun, moon, and earth produce a solar eclipse, the body between the other two is the:
B.) moon
When the alignment of the sun, moon, and earth produce a lunar eclipse, the body that is between the other two is the:
C.) Earth
When the sun passes between the moon and the earth, we have:
A.) a solar eclipse
B.) a lunar eclipse
C.) met our end
C.) met our end
The reason we dont have solar and lunar eclipses monthly is because of the
A.) relatively close distance of the Moon and Earth
B.) relatively long distance to the sun
C.) tapering of the sun’s rays
D.) different orbital planes for Earth and Moon
E.) 23degree tilt of Earth’s axis
D.) different orbital planes for Earth and Moon
