probe Exploring Stars and Shadows Quiz

The sun is a _______.

• star

• planet

• satellite

Answer explanation

The sun is classified as a star because it is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity, undergoing nuclear fusion. It is not a planet or a satellite.

The sun is our closest ___________.

• North Star

• Star

• Mars

• Orion

Answer explanation

The sun is a star, specifically the closest one to Earth. The other options, like North Star, Mars, and Orion, refer to different celestial objects or constellations, making 'Star' the correct choice.

The sun and everything that revolves around it.

• solar system

• galaxy

• universe

• rotation

Answer explanation

The phrase 'The sun and everything that revolves around it' specifically describes the solar system, which includes the sun and its orbiting planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. A galaxy and the universe are much larger concepts.

All visible stars in the night sky are many times larger than Earth. Why do they look like tiny points of light?

• They are moving very fast.

• The atmosphere blocks most of their light.

• The stars visible at night are located very far from Earth.

• Most of the light from stars is absorbed by galaxies, so it does not reach Earth.

Answer explanation

The stars visible at night are located very far from Earth, which causes them to appear as tiny points of light despite their actual size. Their immense distance diminishes the light we receive from them.

What causes the sun to look like it moves across the sky?

• the rotation of the Earth

• the seasons of the Earth

• the sun revolving around the Earth

• the moon revolving around the Earth

Answer explanation

The sun appears to move across the sky due to the rotation of the Earth on its axis. As the Earth spins, different parts of its surface face the sun, creating the illusion of the sun moving.

The Earth is rotating on its axis, creating _____

• the 12 months

• the years

• the seasons

• day and night

Answer explanation

The Earth rotates on its axis, which causes different parts of the planet to face the Sun and then move away from it, resulting in the cycle of day and night. This is the correct answer, as the other options relate to different astronomical phenomena.

From November to February, the constellation Orion is clearly visible in the night sky from Mississippi. Orion appears to rise from the east and set in the west. The stars do not actually move through the sky. They appear to change positions due to the Earth's Movement. What factor is responsible for the changes in Orion's position when viewed during the winter month?

• the rotation of the Sun

• the rotation of Earth on its axis

• the revolution of the Sun around the Earth

• the revolution of the moon around the Sun

Answer explanation

The changes in Orion's position during winter months are due to the rotation of Earth on its axis. As Earth rotates, it causes the stars, including Orion, to appear to move across the night sky.

A student draws a model showing the movements of Earth, the moon, and the sun. Which arrow shows the movement that causes day and night on Earth? (5.8C)

• Arrow 1, because it shows the rotation of the sun

• Arrow 2, because it shows the orbit of Earth around the sun

• Arrow 3, because it shows the orbit of the moon around Earth

• Arrow 4, because it shows the rotation of Earth

Answer explanation

Arrow 4 shows the rotation of Earth, which is responsible for the cycle of day and night. As Earth rotates on its axis, different parts face the sun, creating daylight, while the opposite side experiences night.

In order to break free of a planet's gravity, an object must be moving faster than the _____

• escape velocity

• getaway acceleration

• break-away pace

• liberation altitude

Answer explanation

To escape a planet's gravity, an object must reach a specific speed known as escape velocity. This is the minimum speed needed to break free from the gravitational pull, making 'escape velocity' the correct choice.

What increases as a rock falls to the ground?

• the density of the rock

• the pull of gravity on the rock

• the inertia of the rock

• the momentum of the rock

Answer explanation

As a rock falls, the pull of gravity on the rock increases, causing it to accelerate towards the ground. The other options do not increase in the same way during the fall.