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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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Students are making a model of planetary motion. The students tie a tennis ball to a string. The string passes through a spool and is attached to a 1 kilogram mass. The mass pulls down on the string as the students spin the tennis ball around the spool. If the students wish to change the model to show what would happen if the sun had a greater gravitational pull, what change should they make?

• Spin the tennis ball at an increased speed

• Replace the 1 kg mass with a 2 kg mass

• Tie the tennis ball with a longer string

• Change the spool to a longer one

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Earth and its solar system are a part of which of the following galaxies?

• Andromeda

• Black Eye

• Milky Way

• Cartwheel

The strength of the force of gravity depends on

• the masses of the objects and their speeds.

• the masses of the objects and the distance between them.

• the weight of the objects and their speeds.

• the masses of the objects and their weights.

Answer explanation

The strength of gravity is determined by the masses of the objects and the distance between them, as described by Newton's law of universal gravitation. The other options incorrectly include speed or weight.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Explain how gravity influences the motion of planets in our solar system.

• Gravity causes planets to move in a straight line.

• Gravity keeps planets in orbit around the Sun.

• Gravity has no effect on the motion of planets.

• Gravity pushes planets away from the Sun.

Answer explanation

Gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the Sun. It pulls them towards the Sun, preventing them from moving in a straight line and instead causing them to follow curved paths in their orbits.

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FL.SC.8.E.5.4

Describe the role of gravity in the formation of stars.

• Gravity pulls gas and dust together to form stars.

• Gravity pushes gas and dust away, preventing star formation.

• Gravity has no role in star formation.

• Gravity only affects planets, not stars.

Answer explanation

Gravity plays a crucial role in star formation by pulling together gas and dust in space. This accumulation leads to increased density and temperature, eventually resulting in the birth of a star.

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FL.SC.8.E.5.4

Using the Law of Universal Gravitation, explain why planets closer to the Sun have shorter orbital periods than those farther away.

• Planets closer to the Sun experience weaker gravitational forces.

• Planets closer to the Sun experience stronger gravitational forces, resulting in faster orbits.

• The distance from the Sun does not affect orbital periods.

• Planets farther from the Sun have stronger gravitational forces.

Answer explanation

Planets closer to the Sun experience stronger gravitational forces, which pull them in more tightly. This increased gravitational pull results in faster orbital speeds, leading to shorter orbital periods compared to planets farther away.

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FL.SC.8.E.5.4

How does gravity contribute to the formation of solar systems?

• Gravity prevents the formation of solar systems by dispersing matter.

• Gravity pulls together gas and dust to form stars and planets, creating solar systems.

• Gravity only affects the motion of planets, not their formation.

• Gravity has no role in the formation of solar systems.

Answer explanation

Gravity is essential in the formation of solar systems as it pulls together gas and dust, leading to the creation of stars and planets. This process is fundamental to the development of solar systems.

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FL.SC.8.E.5.4

Analyze how the gravitational pull between two celestial bodies changes as the distance between them increases.

• The gravitational pull increases.

• The gravitational pull decreases.

• The gravitational pull remains constant.

• The gravitational pull becomes zero.

Answer explanation

The gravitational pull between two celestial bodies decreases as the distance between them increases, following the inverse square law. This means that as they move apart, the force of gravity weakens.

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FL.SC.8.E.5.4

Explain why the gravitational force is essential for maintaining the structure of a galaxy.

• It prevents stars from forming.

• It keeps stars and other celestial bodies in orbit around the galactic center.

• It has no effect on the structure of a galaxy.

• It causes galaxies to expand indefinitely.

Answer explanation

The gravitational force is essential as it keeps stars and other celestial bodies in orbit around the galactic center, maintaining the galaxy's structure and preventing it from dispersing.

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FL.SC.8.E.5.4