The Universe and Solar System

Earth makes one full rotation on its axis approximately every 24 hours. Suppose Earth’s period of rotation increased to 28 hours. Which of the following changes would occur?

• There would be fewer days in a week.

• The length of daylight and nighttime would increase.

• Earth`s distance from the sun would decrease.

• It would take Earth longer to revolve around the sun.

Current scientific evidence indicates that there is no liquid water on Mars, but there is frozen water. This is due to the fact that temperatures on Mars, even during the summer, are well below 0°C (32°F). Which of the following changes would most likely allow for an increase in temperature and the presence of liquid water on Mars?

• a decrease in the tilt of Mars` axis

• an increase in Mars’ period and rotation

• an increase in Mars` period of revolution

• a decrease in Mars` distance from the sun

Astronomers believe that there are about 100,000 comets that travel through our solar system. Comets are chunks of ice, dust, and gas that orbit around our sun. Which of the following can be observed from Earth as comets get closer to the sun?

• They explode

• Their gasses burn.

• Their tails get longer.

• They begin to slow down

The Milky Way Galaxy would best be classified as…

• Barred Galaxies

• Spiral Galaxies

• Elliptical Galaxies

• Irregular Galaxies

Which of these characteristics of the earth best explains the change of seasons?

• The diameter of the earth

• The tilt of Earth’s axis

• The speed of the earth’s rotation

• The distance from the earth to the sun.

Astronauts weigh more on Earth than they do on the moon because…

• they have less mass on the moon.

• their density decreases on the moon.

• the moon has less gravity than Earth.

• the moon has less friction than Earth.

Which of the following lists Earth, Jupiter, the Moon, and the Sun in order from largest to smallest?

• Jupiter, Earth, Sun, Moon

• Sun, Jupiter, Earth, Moon

• Sun, Jupiter, Moon, Earth

• Jupiter, Sun, Earth, Moon

Venus has the highest surface temperature of all the planets in our solar system. Which is the best explanation for this?

• Venus rotates on its axis very slowly.

• Venus is very close to the Sun.

• Venus revolves around the Sun relatively quickly.

• Venus's atmosphere has thick clouds and carbon dioxide.

The asteroid belt is located between

• the Sun and Earth.

• Mars and Jupiter.

• Neptune and Pluto.

• Saturn and Uranus.

Which planet is closest to the Sun?

• Jupiter

• Mars

• Venus

• Mercury