Structure of the Solar System

What did astronomers who supported the heliocentric model observe that supporters of the geocentric model did not?

• Earth Orbits the Sun.

• The Moon orbits Earth.

• Earth is a fixed object in space.

• The planets move around Earth's night sky.

Which statement fits the heliocentric model of the solar system?

• Planetary orbits are circular.

• Earth revolves around the Sun.

• The Sun revolves around Earth.

• The planets are made of unchanging matter.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Which statement describes a difference between the geocentric model and the heliocentric model of the solar system?

• The geocentric model states that planetary orbits are circular, and the heliocentric model states that they are elliptical.

• The geocentric model states that planetary orbits are elliptical, and the heliocentric model states they are circular.

• The geocentric model states that Earth is moving, and the heliocentric model states that Earth is stationary.

• The heliocentric model states that both the Sun and the Moon orbit Earth, and the geocentric model states that only the Moon orbits Earth.

Mr. Luna asked his science class to work in groups to compare the heliocentric and geocentric models of the solar system. The students developed the chart shown below.

Which group provided answers that most accurately compared the models?

• Group 1

• Group 2

• Group 3

• Group 4

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Scientific knowledge changes over time due to old theories being replaced by new theories. Revisions are made as new knowledge becomes available. Consider the geocentric theory of Earth which was once accepted as an explanation of how objects were positioned in our solar system. Which statement best explains this theory?

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

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

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

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

How did the planets in our solar system form?

• The planets formed from an explosion on the Sun's surface.

• The planets from other solar systems were trapped by the Sun's gravitational force.

• The Sun's gravitational force pulled rocks and other debris together to form the planets.

• The Sun's gravitational force trapped planet-sized pieces of rock that formed after a massive asteroid collided with a mega-sized planet.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

A balance of inertia and gravity keeps a moon in orbit around a planet. What would result if the inertia of this moon were greater than the gravitational attraction to the planet? SC.8.E.5.4

• The moon would move out of orbit.

• The moon would crash into the planet.

• The moon would orbit the planet with greater speed.

• The moon would orbit the planet with a lesser speed.

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Scientists believe that before the Solar System formed, it was a nebula, or cloud of gas and dust, which slowly began to become concentrated and rotate. Which force is responsible for causing the formation of the Solar System?

• Electricity

• Friction

• Gravity

• Magnetism

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

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A small asteroid is passing very close to a large planet with a much greater mass. Which of the following is the best prediction of how the asteroid will be affected by the gravity of the planet, according to the law of universal gravitation?

• The asteroid will attract the large planet ot it.

• The asteroid will be attracted to the large planet.

• The asteroid will not be affected by the large planet.

• The asteroid will be repelled from the large planet.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A group of students listed the factors that they thought affected the strength of the gravitational force between the Sun and any one of its planets. Which of these items belongs on the list?

I. The mass of the Sun

II. The mass of the planet

III. The distance between the Sun and the planet

IV. The time it takes the planet to revolve around the Sun

• II only

• IV only

• I and III only

• I, II, and III only

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4