Module 1 Flashcards
What was the dominant belief about the universe in the 15th century? A) Heliocentrism B) Geocentrism C) Multiverse Theory D) Quantum Mechanics
B) Geocentrism
Which model of the universe places the Sun at the center? A) Geocentric B) Ptolemaic C) Heliocentric D) Aristotelian
C) Heliocentric
Who proposed the heliocentric model? A) Galileo Galilei B) Nicholas Copernicus C) Johannes Kepler D) Isaac Newton
B) Nicholas Copernicus
Which book did Copernicus publish in 1543? A) Principia Mathematica B) The Starry Messenger C) De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium D) Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems
C) De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium
Which principle supports choosing the simpler model when explaining phenomena? A) Newton’s Laws B) Occam’s Razor C) Kepler’s Third Law D) Law of Universal Gravitation
B) Occam’s Razor
Who was known for precise astronomical observations but did not fully accept the heliocentric model? A) Johannes Kepler B) Tycho Brahe C) Galileo Galilei D) Isaac Newton
B) Tycho Brahe
Which scientist formulated the three laws of planetary motion? A) Galileo Galilei B) Isaac Newton C) Johannes Kepler D) Copernicus
C) Johannes Kepler
Kepler’s first law states that planetary orbits are: A) Circular B) Elliptical C) Rectangular D) Spiral
B) Elliptical
Kepler’s second law is also known as: A) Law of Orbits B) Law of Equal Areas C) Law of Periods D) Law of Gravity
B) Law of Equal Areas
According to Kepler’s third law, the square of a planet’s orbital period is proportional to: A) Its gravitational pull B) Its average distance from the Sun cubed C) Its orbital speed D) Its mass
B) Its average distance from the Sun cubed
Who was the first to use a telescope for astronomical observations? A) Johannes Kepler B) Galileo Galilei C) Isaac Newton D) Copernicus
B) Galileo Galilei
What did Galileo discover that supported the heliocentric model? A) The Moon’s craters B) The Sun’s rotation C) Jupiter’s moons D) All of the above
D) All of the above
Which celestial phenomenon could not be explained by the geocentric model? A) Retrograde motion B) The phases of Venus C) The movement of Mercury and Venus D) All of the above
D) All of the above
Which scientist formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation? A) Galileo Galilei B) Isaac Newton C) Nicholas Copernicus D) Johannes Kepler
B) Isaac Newton
Newton’s first law is also called the law of: A) Gravity B) Acceleration C) Inertia D) Action-Reaction
C) Inertia
Newton’s second law states that force is equal to: A) Mass divided by acceleration B) Mass times acceleration C) Velocity squared D) Momentum times velocity
B) Mass times acceleration
Newton’s third law states that: A) Objects at rest stay at rest B) Every action has an equal and opposite reaction C) Force equals mass times acceleration D) Planets move in elliptical orbits
B) Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
Which of the following is NOT an observation by Galileo? A) Jupiter’s moons B) Phases of Venus C) Existence of Neptune D) Sunspots
C) Existence of Neptune
The Ptolemaic model included: A) The Sun at the center B) The Earth at the center C) The Moon at the center D) A flat Earth
B) The Earth at the center
What was one major flaw in the Ptolemaic model? A) It could not explain retrograde motion B) It placed the Sun at the center C) It relied on elliptical orbits D) It included Newton’s laws
A) It could not explain retrograde motion
The heliocentric model explained retrograde motion by: A) Introducing epicycles B) Proposing that planets orbit the Sun C) Using Newton’s laws D) Suggesting a flat Earth
B) Proposing that planets orbit the Sun
What was the significance of Newton’s universal law of gravitation? A) It explained why planets orbit the Sun B) It proved geocentrism C) It eliminated the need for telescopes D) It introduced the concept of epicycles
A) It explained why planets orbit the Sun
Which of the following is a scientific law rather than a theory? A) Law of Gravity B) Theory of Evolution C) Theory of Relativity D) Big Bang Theory
A) Law of Gravity
How did the Copernican model influence later scientists? A) It led to more accurate astronomical observations B) It was rejected by Kepler and Galileo C) It was disproven quickly D) It was accepted without evidence
A) It led to more accurate astronomical observations
What is the difference between a scientific theory and a law? A) Laws describe phenomena, theories explain them B) Theories are guesses, laws are proven C) Laws are unchangeable, theories are not D) There is no difference
A) Laws describe phenomena, theories explain them
Why was Galileo’s work controversial? A) It contradicted religious beliefs B) It disproved gravity C) It proved the Earth was flat D) It suggested the Moon was made of gas
A) It contradicted religious beliefs
What happened to Galileo for supporting the heliocentric model? A) He was awarded a Nobel Prize B) He was executed C) He was placed under house arrest D) He was ignored by scientists
C) He was placed under house arrest
What does the term ‘aether’ refer to in the old geocentric model? A) A form of energy B) A mysterious force C) The material celestial bodies were made of D) A type of telescope
C) The material celestial bodies were made of
Which of the following best summarizes the impact of the Copernican Revolution? A) It replaced geocentrism with heliocentrism B) It proved the Earth was flat C) It supported astrology D) It disproved all previous scientific ideas
A) It replaced geocentrism with heliocentrism
