8th Grade: Unit 2 Assessment/Beyond Our World

The Andromeda Galaxy is the nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way Galaxy. Which unit would BEST be used to represent the distance between the Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy?

• astronomical unit

• kilometer

• light year

• mile

Satellites such as the one shown are a very important technological advancement. Which of the following is NOT an example of the use of satellites in science?

• studying Earth’s features

• collecting weather information

• wireless communication

• collecting samples on other planets

Sarah and her father used their telescope to look at Venus and various stars. The stars looked like tiny points of light while Venus looked much larger. Why?

• There are more stars than planets in our solar system.

• Stars are much smaller than planets.

• Venus is much closer to Earth than are the stars.

• Stars reflect less light than planets.

This chart shows the average distance in astronomical units (AU) between each planet and the Sun. Which planet would make the closest approach to Earth as the planet orbits the sun? 

• Mercury

• Jupiter

• Venus

• Mars

Rachel is learning about electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun. What types of electromagnetic radiation does the sun emit?

• gamma rays and ultraviolet radiation

• ultraviolet radiation only

• infrared, visible, and ultraviolet radiation

• all types of electromagnetic radiation

As part of his job at the U.S. Forestry Service, Scott uses satellite images to identify forest areas that have been cleared due to logging. The satellite images, which show forests appearing cooler and cleared areas appearing warmer, are produced using electromagnetic radiation. Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum does Scott's technology MOST LIKELY use?

• radio waves

• visible

• infrared radiation

• gamma rays

Carla is learning about types of electromagnetic waves. What is the difference between a microwave and a gamma wave?

• Microwaves are common and gamma waves are rare.

• Microwaves are silent and gamma rays are audible (you can hear them).

• Microwaves were invented by humans and gamma waves were not.

• Microwaves and gamma waves have different wavelengths.

Wavelength and frequency are related. Gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, and infrared rays all have different frequencies. Which of the following lists them in the correct order from longest wavelength to shortest wavelength?

• visible light, microwaves, infrared rays, gamma rays

• infrared rays, microwaves, visible light, gamma rays

• gamma rays, infrared rays, microwaves, visible light

• microwaves, infrared, visible light, gamma rays

How is ultraviolet light different from the light emitted by a flashlight?

• Ultraviolet light is brighter than the light from a flashlight.

• Only light from a flashlight can travel through space.

• Ultraviolet light has a longer wavelength than the light from a flashlight.

• Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye.

When NASA scientists communicate with the Mars rover, they use electromagnetic radiation with a long wavelength and low energy. Which type of radiation do they MOST LIKELY use?

• X-rays

• visible light

• radio waves

• infrared waves