Solar system
How long does one full rotation of Earth take?
24 hours (1 day).
What is the difference between a full moon and a new moon?
Full Moon - the entire sunlit side faces Earth
New Moon - the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun
What is a force? Give one example.
A force is a push or pull on an object. Example: pushing a door open.
What happens when like poles of two magnets are brought close together?
They repel each other.
Name three types of simple machines.
Lever, pulley, inclined plane.
What is the difference between the geocentric and heliocentric model?
Geocentric: Old model - Earth-centered, the idea that Earth is at the center of the universe.
Heliocentric: New model- Sun-centered, the Sun is at the center, and planets orbit around it.
Why do we have leap years?
To account for the extra ¼ day each year by adding one day every 4 years.
What device is used to measure force, and what unit is it measured in?
A spring balance measures force, and the unit is newtons (N).
What does a magnetic field look like around a bar magnet? Draw or describe it.
Magnetic field lines curve from the north pole to the south pole, forming loops.
How does an inclined plane help reduce the force needed to move an object?
It spreads the force over a longer distance, reducing the effort needed.
Name two of the four gas planets in our solar system.
Bonus points:
What is a gas planet?
He connected gravity to planetary orbits, showing it’s the same force that causes objects to fall on Earth.
Bonus point:
A large planet that lacks a solid surface, being primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
What causes seasons on Earth?
The tilt of Earth’s axis and its revolution around the Sun, causing the hemispheres to receive different amounts of direct sunlight at different times of the year.
What is the difference between direct and indirect forces? Give examples.
Direct forces involve contact (e.g., pushing), while indirect forces act at a distance (e.g., gravity, magnetism).
What factors affect the strength of an electromagnet?
Number of coils, strength of current, and type of core material.
What is the difference between a force multiplier and a speed multiplier?
Force multipliers increase force; speed multipliers increase speed.
Name two of the four terrestrial planets in our solar system.
Bonus points:
What is a terrestrial planet?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
Bonus points:
A rocky, planet with a solid surface, a core of heavy metals, and a silicate mantle.
What causes tides on Earth?
The gravitational pull of the Moon (and Sun) on Earth’s oceans.
How do balanced and unbalanced forces affect the motion of an object?
Balanced forces result in no change in motion; unbalanced forces cause acceleration or change in direction.
How are magnets and electromagnets used in everyday devices? Give two examples.
Used in speakers and electric motors.
How did Indigenous Australians use levers like woomeras to increase speed in everyday tasks?
Woomeras acted as speed multipliers to throw spears farther and faster.
What observation did Galileo make that supported the heliocentric model?
He observed moons orbiting Jupiter.
What is the difference between a full moon and an eclipse?
A new moon occurs when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, so the side facing us is not illuminated, making it dark. An eclipse is a specific type of alignment that involves blocking light; a solar eclipse happens at the new moon phase when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun, and a lunar eclipse happens at the full moon phase when Earth passes directly between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.
How can you calculate the weight of an object using its mass and gravitational field strength?
Weight = mass × gravitational field strength (W = m × g).
How do magnetic forces differ from electrostatic forces? Include examples.
Magnetic forces act between poles; electrostatic forces act between charged objects. Example: magnets vs. static cling.
How does a system of multiple pulleys reduce the amount of force needed to lift an object?
A system of pulleys distributes the weight across multiple ropes, reducing the force needed to lift the object. The more pulleys used, the less force is required, because the load is shared.