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Earth-Moon-Sun
Gravity & Planets
Our Sun
Properties of Stars
Nature of Science
100

Sonali's class is learning about the Moon and its gravity. Which Earth feature occurs because of the Moon's gravity? (8.E.5.9)

  • Tides
  • Seasons
  • Eclipses
  • Day and night

Tides

100

Which of the factors listed has an influence on gravity? (8.E.5.7)

  • Weight
  • Mass
  • Height
  • Altitude

Mass

100

Which layer of the Sun is characterized by hot gases rising toward the surface and cooler gases sinking back down, helping to transfer energy?   (8.E.5.6)

  • Core
  • Corona
  • Convection zone
  • Radiative zone

Convection zone

100

Marlee uses a telescope to observe a red star. What does its color tell her about the star?  (8.E.5.5)

  • the star’s age
  • the star’s temperature
  • the star’s distance from Earth
  • the star’s location relative to other stars

the star’s temperature

100

Which statement best describes a scientific hypothesis?

  • A hypothesis must always be correct.
  • A hypothesis is useful only if supported by data.
  • A hypothesis can lead to further investigations even if not supported.
  • A hypothesis is the final conclusion of an investigation.

A hypothesis can lead to further investigations even if not supported.

200

Nancy observes the Moon from the same location outside each night for one week. She notices that when it first appears each night, the Moon is a little farther east than it was the night before. Which of the following is one explanation for her observation? (8.E.5.9)

  • The Moon's speed of rotation changes as it revolves around Earth.
  • The Moon revolves around Earth as Earth revolves around the Sun.
  • The Moon and Earth take the same amount of time to complete one rotation.
  • The Moon completes one rotation each time Earth completes one revolution.

The Moon revolves around Earth as Earth revolves around the Sun.

200

The planet Saturn takes 10,747 Earth days to complete one orbit around the Sun. Why does Saturn take longer to complete one orbit around the Sun than Earth does? (8.E.5.7)

  • Saturn has stronger gravity.
  • Saturn is farther from the Sun.
  • Saturn has a thicker atmosphere.
  • Saturn is the only planet with rings.

Saturn is farther from the Sun.

200

An astronomer observes a sunspot. Which of the following describes this feature of the Sun?  (8.E.5.6)

  • a location where heat rises to the Sun's surface
  • a location that produces most of the Sun's heat energy
  • a location that is cooler than the other parts of the Sun's surface
  • a location where energy and matter leave the Sun's atmosphere

a location that is cooler than the other parts of the Sun's surface

200

Two stars are the same distance from you. Star A seems much brighter than Star B. You are  measuring the brightness of these two stars using _______________.  (8.E.5.5)

  • Absolute magnitude
  • The brightness scale for science
  • Apparent magnitude
  • Astronomy

Apparent magnitude

200

Which statement best describes the number of stars in a single galaxy? (8.E.5.2)

  • Each galaxy has a few dozen stars.
  • Each galaxy contains thousands of stars.
  • Each galaxy contains billions of stars.
  • Stars are not found in galaxies, only in solar systems.

Each galaxy contains billions of stars.

300

The gravitational pull of the Moon has the greatest influence on the water levels of the Earth’s ocean tides. If the distance between the Moon and Earth were to decrease steadily for one week, which water-level  changes would be expected to occur? (8.E.5.9)

  • High tides would get higher and low tides would get lower
  • Both high tides and low tides would get higher
  • Both high tides and low tides would get lower
  • High tides would get lower and low tides would get higher

High tides would get higher and low tides would get lower

300

On which of the following planets would a person weigh the least? Why? (8.E.5.7) 

  • Jupiter because it has the most mass
  • Mars because it has the least mass
  • Saturn because it is made of gas
  • Venus because it is the smallest planet

Mars

300

What is the main difference between a solar prominence and a solar flare? (8.E.5.6)

  • A solar prominence releases a sudden burst of energy; while a solar flare is a cooler, looping stream of gas.
  • A solar prominence is a cooler, looping stream of gas; a solar flare is a sudden burst of energy.
  • A solar prominence causes sunspots; while a solar flare forms in the core.
  • A solar prominence is found in the convection zone; while a solar flare is on the surface.

A solar prominence is a cooler, looping stream of gas; a solar flare is a sudden burst of energy.

300

Eduardo looks at stars through his telescope. He says that the star Sirius is brighter than the star  Rigel. In reality, Rigel has a greater absolute brightness than Sirius. What can explain Eduardo’s  observation?  (8.E.5.5)

  • Sirius is much closer to Earth than Rigel.
  • Rigel is much closer to Earth than Sirius.
  • Sirius is a hotter star than Rigel.
  • Rigel is a hotter star than Sirius.

Sirius is much closer to Earth than Rigel.

300

Which of the following is the best description of a galaxy? (8.E.5.2)

  • A large collection of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity.
  • A large planetary body that is orbited by one or more moons.
  • A supergiant star that is orbited by planets, comets, and asteroids.
  • A star system that has more than one star in it.

A large collection of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity

400

Ping’s class is studying the Sun/Moon/Earth system. He studies a diagram of the Sun, Moon, and Earth in that order. What event would occur when the Moon is casting a shadow on the Earth?

  • Winter solstice
  • Lunar eclipse
  • Full moon
  • Solar eclipse

Solar Eclipse

400

Which unit would best be used to represent the distance between Mercury and Neptune? (8.E.5.1)

  • astronomical unit
  • kilometer
  • light year
  • mile

AU

400

Which description correctly identifies the differences between the heliocentric and geocentric  models of the solar system? (8.E.5.8)

  • The heliocentric model places Earth at the center of the universe, supported by Galileo, while the geocentric model places the Sun at the center, supported by Copernicus.
  • The heliocentric model places Earth at the center of the solar system and was supported by Ptolemy, while the geocentric model places the Sun at the center and was supported by Galileo.
  • The heliocentric model and geocentric model both place Earth at the center, but differ in how the Moon and Sun move around it, as supported by Kepler.
  • The heliocentric model places the Sun at the center of the solar system and was supported by Copernicus, while the geocentric model places Earth at the center and was supported by Ptolemy.

The heliocentric model places the Sun at the center of the solar system and was supported by Copernicus, while the geocentric model places Earth at the center and was supported by Ptolemy.

400

Which comparison of electromagnetic waves is accurate and correctly identifies one of their  practical uses? (8.E.5.11)

  • Radio waves have the shortest wavelengths on the spectrum and are used to observe the surface of the Sun in detail.
  • Visible light has higher frequency and shorter wavelength than ultraviolet light, making it useful for viewing heat emitted from planets.
  • X-rays have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies than microwaves, making them useful for detecting weather patterns.
  • Gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies; they are used to detect high-energy events in space like supernovas.

Gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies; they are used to detect high-energy events in space like supernovas.

400

Which of the following correctly lists the order of objects in space from largest to smallest?  (8.E.5.3)

  • Earth, Milky Way, Universe, Solar System
  • Universe, Solar System, Earth, Milky Way
  • Universe, Milky Way, Solar System, Earth
  • Earth, Universe, Solar System, Milky Way

Universe, Milky Way, Solar System, Earth

500

When the Earth, Moon, and Sun form a right angle, which Moon phase occurs?

  • New Moon
  • Full Moon
  • First Quarter or Third Quarter
  • Waxing Crescent

First Quarter or Third Quarter

500

There are several factors that affect the force of gravity between two objects. Which of the following accurately identifies and explains the pair of objects that would have the largest gravitational force between them?  (8.E.5.7)

  • The largest gravitational force would be between the Earth and Jupiter because they are close together.
  • The largest gravitational force would be between the Earth and Jupiter because Jupiter has a high mass.
  • The largest gravitational force would be between the Earth and the Moon because they are made of similar material.
  • The largest gravitational force would be between the Earth and Moon because of their size and proximity.

The largest gravitational force would be between the Earth and Moon because of their size and proximity.

500

Which observation provided strong evidence that led scientists to support the heliocentric model over the geocentric model of the solar system?  (8.E.5.8)

  • The Sun appeared to rise and set each day, proving that it revolved around Earth.
  • Telescopic observations showed that Venus goes through phases, which can only be explained if Venus orbits the Sun.
  • The Moon’s consistent orbit around Earth proved that all celestial bodies orbit our planet.
  • Stars appeared fixed in the sky, indicating that neither Earth nor the Sun moves in space.

Telescopic observations showed that Venus goes through phases, which can only be explained if Venus orbits the Sun

500

On an H–R diagram, stars are classified based on their temperature and brightness. Which of the following correctly describes the location of a star on the diagram?

  • A cool, dim star would be found in the lower right.
  • A hot, bright star would be found in the lower left.
  • A cool, bright star would be found in the upper left.
  • A hot, dim star would be found in the upper right.

A cool, dim star would be found in the lower right.

500

Which statement best explains how scientific models change over time?

  • Scientific models never change once accepted.
  • Scientific models are based on opinion and rarely updated.
  • Scientific models are revised when new evidence is discovered.
  • Scientific models change only when scientists disagree.

Scientific models are revised when new evidence is discovered