Earth Science Unit Review

Which of the following best describes the formation of the solar system?

• The Sun ejected rocky material, which later went on to form the planets.

• A rotating disk of gas and dust was drawn together by the force of gravity.

• One very large planetary body broke apart into several smaller planets.

• Several stars of different masses cooled and formed the planets and the Sun

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Earth’s orbit around the Sun is determined by the balance of the Sun’s gravitational pull on Earth and Earth’s forward momentum as it travels around the Sun. If the Sun remained in place but no longer exerted a gravitational pull on Earth, what would be the resulting motion of Earth?

• Earth would rotate at the same speed, but in the opposite direction.

• Earth would continue in the same orbit around the Sun, at the same speed.

• Earth would stop orbiting the Sun and begin moving in a straight line.

• Earth would continue in the same orbit around the Sun, but begin to slow down.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Gravity is a force of attraction between two or more masses. The gravitational attraction between the Sun and each of the planets is responsible for which of the following?

• The amount of sunlight reaching the planets.

• The presence or absence of water on the planets

• The number of planets that can orbit the Sun

• The orbital motions of the planets around the Sun

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following aspects of the solar system contributes most to the motion of the planets?

• Friction with the atmosphere

• Magnetic field around the planets

• Gravitational attraction of the Sun

• Radiation from nearby stars

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Planets tend to have a spherical (round) shape. Which of the following best explains this aspect of planet formation?

• Gravity

• Thermal Energy

• Magnetism

• Chemical Reactions

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The orbital motions of the objects in the solar system are the direct result of which of the following features of the Sun?

• Its magnetic field

• Its brightness

• Its gravitational pull

• Its chemical composition

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Gravitational attraction is an important force in the universe and is responsible for many things. Which of the following is NOT the result of gravitational attraction?

• the motion of stars

• the number of stars

• the orbit of planets

• the formation of planets

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

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Which of these observations does NOT provide evidence for the heliocentric model of our solar system?

• Planets move in elliptical orbits.

• Comets move in regular, elliptical orbits.

• Venus shows phases, just like the Moon

• Earth's gravitational pull keeps its moon in orbit.

The geocentric theory was once accepted as an explanation of how objects were positioned in our solar system. Which statement best explains this theory?

• The orbits of the planets are elliptical and not circular.

• The Sun is considered to be the center of the Universe.

• Earth is considered to be the center of the revolving planets and stars.

• The Sun is considered to be the center of the revolving planets and stars.

What would most likely happen to the motion of the planets without the force of gravity from the Sun?

• The planets would continue to move in large ellipses

• The planets would drift away from the Sun into outer space.

• The planets would slow down, eventually stopping all motion.

• The planets would gradually make smaller and smaller ellipses.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2