Practice Test

Please solve the following questions. This is not a real exam, it will not be graded, and you do not need to submit your solutions to anyone. The questions are simply intended to help you practice for the real exam.

These questions will not appear in the exam itself. Students who don't genuinely attempt to solve the questions on their own, and only memorize the solutions, will have a very hard time in the actual exam!

This sample exam is online, but the real exam will be given in person, at a time and place indicated on the course website.

THIS IS NOT THE ACTUAL EXAM!
THIS IS JUST A PRACTICE EXAM!
THE REAL EXAM IS IN PERSON!

If you need any clarifications for these questions, you can ask for them on the course Teams channel.

Question 1

I drop two objects in a vacuum. One has a mass of 1 kg and the other has a mass of 2 kg. What will happen?

The 1 kg object will fall faster.
The 2 kg object will fall faster.
Both objects will fall at the same rate.

Question 2

Which of the following is always conserved?

Mass
Velocity
Momentum

Question 3

Why can't we feel the Earth moving?

Because it's moving at a constant speed, and we only feel acceleration.
Because it's accelerating, and we only feel movement at constant speed.
Because, according to the geocentric model, it's not moving.

Question 4

Where on Earth can a lunar eclipse be seen from?

Anywhere.
Only inside the shadow of the Moon.
Anywhere where the Moon is visible.

Question 5

What was the content of the book "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems"?

It presented arguments against the heliocentric model.
It was the first book to introduce the heliocentric model.
It presented arguments in favor of the heliocentric model.

Question 6

Planet A has an orbital period of 200 Earth days. Planet B has an orbital period of 100 Earth days. Which planet is closer to the Sun?

Planet B.
There is not enough information to answer this question.
Planet A.

Question 7

If the Sun had a mass twice as large, how would the force of gravity between the Earth and the Sun change?

It would increase by a factor of 2.
It would decrease by a factor of 2.
It would increase by a factor of 4.

Question 8

Which book was the first to accurately describe how gravity works?

Almagest.
On the Revolution of the Celestial Spheres.
Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy.

Question 9

According to Aristotle, the natural state of matter is...

Either being at rest or moving at a constant speed.
Moving at a constant speed.
Being at rest.

Question 10

A star is 40° east of the March equinox. This means the star is at ...

Longitude 40°
Right ascension 40°
Declination 40°

Question 11

What is the difference between mass and weight?

Mass is the amount of matter in the object, weight is the gravitational force on the object.
Mass is the gravitational force on the object, weight is the amount of matter in the object.
There is no difference; they are two words that mean the same thing.

Question 12

During a full moon...

The Moon is between Earth and the Sun.
The Sun is between Earth and the Moon.
Earth is between the Moon and the Sun.

Question 13

Galileo's discoveries which supported the Copernican model included:

The moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus.
The phases of Venus and the phases of the Moon.
The phases of the Moon and the fact that the Milky Way is composed of many individual stars.

Question 14

What is the rate of change of position called?

Momentum.
Acceleration.
Velocity.

Question 15

During the winter:

The Sun is low in the sky.
The Sun is high in the sky.
The Sun is farthest away from the Earth.

Question 16

When the Earth is farthest from the Sun...

It moves the fastest.
It moves at the same rate as when it is at any other point.
It moves the slowest.

Question 17

Who collected the accurate orbital data on planetary motions?

Nicolaus Copernicus.
Tycho Brahe.
Johannes Kepler.

Question 18

Which of the following aspects of Copernicus's heliocentric model was incorrect?

It assumed the planets moved in epicycles.
It assumed the planets orbited the Sun.
It assumed the Sun was at the center of the solar system.

Question 19

During the summer:

The Sun's rays hit the ground at a zero angle relative to the surface.
The Sun's rays hit the ground at a large angle relative to the surface.
The Sun's rays hit the ground at a small angle relative to the surface.

Question 20

The Tropic of Cancer...

Is at a latitude of approximately 23° S.
Is at a latitude of approximately 23° N.
Is at a longitude of approximately 23° W.

Question 21

If the Earth had an orbital radius half as large, how would the force of gravity between the Earth and the Sun change?

It would decrease by a factor of 4.
It would increase by a factor of 2.
It would increase by a factor of 4.

Question 22

An object in the Kuiper belt...

Experiences less gravity from the Sun than an object of the same mass in the Oort cloud.
Experiences more gravity from the Sun than an object of the same mass in the Oort cloud.
Experiences the same amount of gravity from the Sun as an object of the same mass in the Oort cloud.

Question 23

An ellipse has...

Two focal points.
Three focal points.
One focal point.

Question 24

A synodic day is...

A body's rotation period with respect to itself.
A body's rotation period with respect to the fixed stars.
A body's rotation period with respect to the Sun.

Question 25

If I halve the velocity of an object, its momentum will be...

Twice as large.
Half as large.
The same.