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Unit 2: Earth in Space Concept Check

Last updated about 5 years ago

8 questions

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Question 1

1.

Paul observed the moon’s appearance on five different nights in May and drew the following diagrams of the moon for each observation:

Paul’s moon diagrams support the fact that:

A. The moon’s changing appearance is caused by clouds.

B. The moon’s changing appearance is caused by Earth’s shadow.

C. The moon’s changing appearance is caused by Earth’s rotation on  its axis.

D. The moon’s changing appearance is caused by the moon’s orbit  around Earth.

Question 2

2.

Scientists recently discovered what they believe is the ninth planet of our solar system. This planet hasn’t yet been seen because it is so far from Earth. However, scientists believe it exists because they have found evidence that multiple small objects are moving in orbit around something far beyond Neptune. Why would this discovery of the orbital motion of objects far beyond Neptune indicate that there is a ninth planet?

A. It suggests that there is a massive object beyond Neptune that is keeping those objects in orbit because of its gravitational force.

B. It suggests that the force of Neptune’s gravity is pulling on the ninth planet to keep it in orbit around the sun.

C. It suggests that something other than gravity must be keeping those objects in orbit beyond Neptune.

D. It suggests that the sun’s gravity is getting stronger.

Question 3

3.

1. Scientists used a powerful telescope to observe seasonal changes on Neptune, the eighth planet from the sun. They observed that a band of clouds surrounding Neptune’s southern hemisphere was becoming brighter. They believe this occurred as the sun warmed the atmosphere in the southern hemisphere more than in the northern hemisphere, causing winter to end in the southern hemisphere. They also know that Neptune is tilted 29 degrees on its axis.
a. In the space below, draw a model of the Neptune-sun system that shows the causes of Neptune’s seasons over the course of a year. Label all relevant parts of the model: tilt, winter, spring, summer, and fall season's tilt. Make sure to include the sun as well.

Question 4

4.

b. Why does Neptune experience seasons? How are the causes of seasons on Neptune similar to those on Earth?

Question 5

5.

c. A single season on Neptune can last for more than 40 years. Using what you know about the solar system, explain why Neptune’s seasons are so much longer than seasons on Earth.

Question 6

6.

There are currently thousands of human-made satellites orbiting Earth. These satellites are scientific instruments used for a variety of reasons. Some collect data on Earth’s weather and climate. Other satellites are used for communication here on Earth. Communication satellites include Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites.
a. What causes these satellites to orbit Earth?

Question 7

7.

Tanisha just bought a bike helmet. She notices that the helmet has a hard outer shell and a soft inner lining. Tanisha has been learning about action-reaction forces in school, and she wonders whether bike helmets are designed with this in mind.
a. What action-reaction forces occur when someone falls off a bicycle and hits their head?

Question 8

8.

a. Use the information from question 7 to answer the following question: How does the structure of a bike helmet protect the bike rider’s head during a collision? Be specific in your answer, applying what you know about forces and energy transfer.