Solar System Regents Questions

The diagram below represents the inferred stages in the formation of our solar system. Stage 1 shows a contracting gas cloud. The remaining stages show the gas cloud flattening into a spinning disk as planets formed around our Sun. Which force was mostly responsible for the contraction of the gas cloud shown?

• A) magnetism

• B) friction

• C) radiation

• D) radioactive decay

Which process was occurring during some of the given stages that resulted in the formation of heavier elements from lighter elements? Approximately how long ago did stage 4 on the given diagram end and stage 5 begin?

• A) 20 billion years

• B) 1 billion years

• C) 5 billion years

• D) 100 billion years

The reaction below represents an energy-producing process. Hydrogen + Hydrogen → Helium + Energy. The reaction represents how energy is produced

• A) when water condenses in Earth's atmosphere

• B) during nuclear decay

• C) in the Sun by fusion

• D) om the movement

Which object orbits Earth in both the Earth-centered (geocentric) and Sun-centered (heliocentric) models of our solar system?

• A) Polaris

• B) the Moon

• C) Moon

• D) Sun

The diagram below represents a simple geocentric model. Which object is represented by the letter X?

• A) Betelgeuse

• B) Barnard's Star

• C) our solar system

• D) the Milky Way galaxy

Which star is cooler and many times brighter than Earth's Sun? The Sun's position in space is best described as the approximate center of

• A) Venus

• B) the Sun

• C) Polaris

• D) Earth

Which apparent motion can be explained by a geocentric model? The Sun revolves around the center of

• A) Polaris

• B) the Milky Way Galaxy

• C) Earth

• D) Aldebaran

From stage B to stage C in the given diagram, the young Sun was created

• A) by outgassing from Earth's interior

• B) when gravity caused the center of the cloud to contract

• C) when gravity caused heavy dust particles to split apart

• D) by outgassing from the spinning interstellar cloud

After the young Sun shown in the given diagram formed, the disk of gas and dust

• A) eventually formed into planets

• B) formed a central bulge

• C) became spherical in shape

• D) became larger in diameter

Which statement should the cartoon characters use to accurately describe the Earth's turning motion?

• A) Earth revolves in the geocentric model.

• B) Earth rotates in the heliocentric model.

• C) Earth revolves in the heliocentric model.

• D) Earth rotates in the geocentric model.