Physical Science Test 1

Question 1

Why did the Greeks call the planets wanderers?

Answer 1

The “stars” seemed to wander relative to fixed stars

Question 2

What’s the difference between a geocentric and heliocentric model of the solar system

Answer 2

Geocentric has the earth as the center, heliocentric has the sun as the center

Question 3

What would happen to the planets if it wasn’t for gravity

Answer 3

They would fly off into space

Question 4

What would happen to the planets if it weren’t for inertia?

Answer 4

The planets would fall into the sun

Question 5

What is an astronomical unit

Answer 5

The average distance from the earth to the sun. Average because ellipse isn’t a circle.

Question 6

Why does a golf ball travel so far on the moon

Answer 6

The moon has 1/6 of the earth’s gravity and it has almost no atmosphere

Question 7

Why is there such a big difference in temperature between the side of the moon facing the sun and the side of the moon opposite to the sun

Answer 7

The moon doesn’t have an atmosphere to keep the temp. Constant and the rotation matches the revolution speed.

Question 8

What is one scientific theory for the formation of the moon?

Answer 8

A mars sized object called Orpheus crashed into the earth 14.6 billion years ago. The chunk it knocked out became the moon.

Question 9

How many days does it take for the moon to revolve around the earth? How many days make up the lunar phase cycle

Answer 9

It takes 27.3 days for the moon to go around the Earth. The lunar cycle is 29.5 days.

Question 10

Why is the same side of the moon always visible from earth

Answer 10

The moon makes one full rotation while making I full revolution around the earth.

Question 11

List the 8 moon phases

Answer 11

New moon, waxing crescent, 1st quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, 3rd quarter, waning crescent.

Question 12

Be able to draw an earth/moon/sun diagram for any of the eight moon phases, including what the moon would look like in that stage

Answer 12

Study 8 moon phases sheet

Question 13

Draw a diagram of how a solar eclipse happens

Answer 13

Drawing

Question 14

Why is it difficult to see a total solar eclipse?

Answer 14

The umbra only hits a small part of the Earth

Question 15

Draw a diagram of a lunar eclipse

Answer 15

Drawing

Question 16

Why is it easier to see a lunar eclipse

Answer 16

You can see the moon through the umbra

Question 17

Why do most coastal areas experience two high and two low tides per day? Be able to explain why water bulges on both sides of the earth during high tide

Answer 17

Gravity causes the ocean to bulge at the closest and farthest points. As the Earth rotates it goes over these two bulges twice

Question 18

Draw a diagram showing a spring and neap tide

Answer 18

Drawing

Question 19

How many inches is the moon moving away per year. How do scientists determine this?

Answer 19

1.5 inches per year. They know this because there’s a reflector on the moon. They shoot lasers at it and time it.

Question 20

What would happen to the earth’s tilt if we had no moon

Answer 20

The earth wouldn’t have any stability

Question 21

What’s the difference between rotation and revolution of a planet

Answer 21

Rotation is the earth spinning on its axis. Revolution is its orbit around the sun

Question 22

How many degrees is the earth tilted

Answer 22

23.5 degrees

Question 23

How is the tilt of the earth responsible for its seasons

Answer 23

When it tilts toward the sun- summer

When it tilts away from the sun- winter

Question 24

What’s the difference between a solstice and an equinox? Be able to give dates of the two solstices and the two equinoxes

Answer 24

An equinox is when neither hemisphere is pointed toward the sun. Dates of equinoxes are: March 21-22 and September 22-23. A solstice is when the sun is directly overhead. Dates of solstices are: June 21-22 and December 21-22