A
B
C
D
E
100
The Sun produces many types of energy. Some of these can be harmful to life on Earth.
Select the BEST answer describing a danger from the Sun and a way people have found to protect themselves from that danger.
A. Gamma rays cause damage to cells of living organisms. To protect themselves people wear lead-lined clothes.
B. Ultraviolet radiation causes damage to cells of living organisms, which can cause certain types of cancers. To protect themselves, people wear hats and use sunscreens on their skin when they go outside.
C. Infrared radiation is produced by the Sun and causes things to heat up. People protect themselves by wearing warm jackets to prevent sunburn.
D. Visible light is produced by the Sun. People can protect themselves by living deep underground.
B. Ultraviolet radiation causes damage to cells of living organisms, which can cause certain types of cancers. To protect themselves, people wear hats and use sunscreens on their skin when they go outside.
100
What physical characteristic do the Earth and the Moon share?
A. They both are homes to bacteria.
B. They both produce light.
C. They both experience weather.
D. They both have a solid surface.
D. They both have a solid surface.
100
A student is attempting to sort various celestial objects of the universe in terms of their mass. Which of the following has more mass than a solar system?
Select TWO correct answers.
A. planet
B. nebula
C. moon
D. galaxy
E. star
B. nebula
D. galaxy
100
If there were absolutely no gravitational force acting on the moon, what would most likely happen?
A. The moon would quickly crash into the Earth.
B. It would continue at a constant speed in a straight line through space.
C. The moon would still orbit Earth as it does now.
D. The moon would have no inertia and would remain stationary at a fixed distance from Earth.
B. It would continue at a constant speed in a straight line through space.
100
Which planet has the greatest gravitational pull in our solar system?
A. Earth because it is the only planet with people on it.
B. Earth because it moves faster than the other planets.
C. Saturn because it has rings around it.
D. Jupiter because has the most mass.
D. Jupiter because has the most mass.
200
atmosphere surface gravity orbit
Pluto was discovered by an astronomer in 1930. Until 2006, Pluto was considered a planet. Then, astronomers designated Pluto to be a dwarf planet. Pluto is a dwarf planet because its ____________ is not strong enough to pull other objects into its ______________ .
Pluto is a dwarf planet because its _gravity___ is not strong enough to pull other objects into its orbit_ .
200
Scientists have developed theories about the Moon's origin. One theory is that the Moon was formed millions of miles away from Earth but was captured by Earth's gravity. Another theory is that Earth was struck by a huge asteroid billions of years ago, and a piece broke off and formed the Moon.
What are two reasons scientists would support the asteroid collision theory?
A. because of the similar composition of Earth's mantle and the Moon
B. because of the Moon's relatively small iron core
C. because of the Moon's size and orbit
D. because of the unusual orbital characteristics
E. because of the Moon's large nickel core
A. because of the similar composition of Earth's mantle and the Moon
B. because of the Moon's relatively small iron core
200
Which of the following celestial bodies is irregular in shape and made of rock and mineral?
A. Sun
B. Earth's Moon
C. Comets
D. Asteroids
D. Asteroids
200
Doug ranked the following objects in order from most mass to least mass: Sun, Jupiter, Earth, Moon.
Based on this information, which object has the most gravity?
A. Sun
B. Jupiter
C. Earth
D. Moon
A. Sun
200
What do the Earth and Moon have in common?
A. They both have the same gases in their atmospheres.
B. Gravity is the force that keeps them both in their orbits.
C. The surface gravity of the Earth and Moon is the same.
D. Earth and Moon both have one natural satellite.
B. Gravity is the force that keeps them both in their orbits.
300
Enter the correct answer in the box.
The Earth is one of the inner planets in our solar system. The inner planets are considered terrestrial planets. What are terrestrial planets composed of? ________
rock
300
Enter the correct answer in the box.
The Earth has similar characteristics to another body in space. They are both made of rock and both shaped like a sphere. They are both considered natural satellites, one a natural satellite of Earth, and the other a natural satellite of the Sun. Which body in space is similar to the Earth, as described here?
____________
The moon
300
Objects made of ice, gas and dust and orbit our sun are called -
A. asteroids
B. meteors
C. comets
D. planets
C. comets
300
Based on the orbits of the objects, which object is affected the least by the gravitational pull of its star?
Select the correct answer in the diagram.
C
300
Astronauts need to maintain their cardiovascular exercise when they are on extended trips in space. One of the easiest ways to do this on Earth is by running, but astronauts have a much harder time doing this in space. Why would it be more difficult for the astronauts to run while they are in space?
A. lack of gravity
B. running in a spacesuit
C. its cold in space
D. lack of area
A. lack of gravity
400
The Moon is a dry, airless body. Moon rocks brought back by astronauts are about 4.6 billion years old. Many scientists believe that the Moon has always been dry. Which of the following would BEST explain why scientists believe this?
A. The Moon is currently dry and airless.
B. The Moon does not have an atmosphere.
C. The Moon rocks show no traces of water.
D. The Moon rocks are about as old as Earth.
C. The Moon rocks show no traces of water.
400
Enter the correct answer in the box.
An object in space is described below.
- This object is a star.
- This object is made of gas.
- This object has several natural satellites.
Which object in space is being described? _______
The Sun
400
One similarity between asteroids, comets and meteoroids is that they all -
A. are made of rock.
B. come from the Oort Cloud.
C. come from the Asteroid Belt.
D. orbit the sun.
D. orbit the sun.
400
The picture below shows the Earth's orbit around the Sun and the Moon's orbit around Earth.
What effect does the sun's gravitational pull have on the earth?
A. it influences earthquakes
B. it drives weather patterns
C. it determines the earth's revolution
D. it determines the earth's rotation
What effect does the moon's gravitational pull have on the earth?
A. it influences earthquakes
B. it influences volcanic activity
C. it drives weather patterns
D. it drives tidal movement
C. it determines the earth's revolution
D. it drives tidal movement
400
Which characteristic of our solar system is most crucial to support life on Earth?
A. the length of time of Earth’s revolution
B. distance between the Earth and Sun
C. the distance between the Sun and other stars
D. the composition of Earth’s Moon
B. distance between the Earth and Sun
500
Some scientists think that there were once glaciers on the surface of Mars. Which observation BEST supports this idea?
A. The surface of Mars is very cold.
B. Mars has landforms that look like they were carved from its surface.
C. There are many ancient volcanoes on the surface of Mars.
D. There is probably water in the ground below the surface on Mars.
B. Mars has landforms that look like they were carved from its surface.
500
Enter the correct answer in the box.
The following statements are descriptions of an object in space.
- This object is a planet covered in red dust.
- This object is a natural satellite of the Sun.
- This object has two natural satellites.
- This object has water on its surface.
- This object rotates on its axis.
Which object in space is described here?
Mars
500
Juan listed the planets in the order that is closest to the sun to furthest from the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
According to this order, which has the shortest year?
A. Jupiter
B. Earth
C. Saturn
D. Mercury
D. Mercury
500
Identify 3 properties that the Sun and the Earth have in common.
A. They both have mass.
B. They both share the same composition.
C. They both have gravity.
D. They both have a spherical shape.
E. They both share the same size.
F. They both share the same primary state of matter.
A. They both have mass.
C. They both have gravity.
D. They both have a spherical shape.
500
Earth and Mars are similar in their proximity to the sun. Why is Earth capable of sustaining life while Mars is not?
A. Mars is in the habitable zone, but it is a bit smaller than earth, making it impossible to support life.
B. Mars is in the habitable zone, but made of gas instead of rock, making it impossible to support life.
C. Mars is in the habitable zone, but is a bit further from the sun than earth, making it too cold to support life.
D. Mars is in the habitable zone, but it is a bit further from the sun than earth, making it too hot to support life.
C. Mars is in the habitable zone, but is a bit further from the sun than earth, making it too cold to support life.