ASTR 1P01/02: Introduction to Astronomy I/II

Practice Exam

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

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 2

The major axis of an ellipse...

Is a line connecting any two points on the ellipse.
Is a line that passes through both focal points.
Is any line that passes through the center of the ellipse.

Question 3

During the summer:

The Sun is low in the sky.
The Sun is high in the sky.
The Sun is closest to the Earth.

Question 4

Foucault's pendulum demonstrates...

The Coriolis force.
That Earth is rotating around its axis.
That Earth is rotating around the Sun.

Question 5

What is the difference between mass and weight?

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

Question 6

An object in the Oort cloud...

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

Question 7

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

The same.
Half as large.
Twice as large.

Question 8

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 9

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 10

A solar eclipse is created...

When the Moon is hidden behind the Sun.
When Earth casts a shadow on the Moon.
When the Moon casts a shadow on Earth.

Question 11

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

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

Question 12

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

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

Question 13

Why can't we feel the Earth moving?

Because, according to the geocentric model, it's not 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.

Question 14

The far side of the Moon is...

Always facing towards Earth.
Always facing away from Earth.
Sometimes facing away from Earth and sometimes towards it.

Question 15

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

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

Question 16

Which book was the first to describe a heliocentric model?

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

Question 17

Which of the following is always conserved?

Mass
Angular momentum
Force

Question 18

According to Galileo, a rolling ball slows down because...

It experiences no friction.
Its natural state is being at rest.
It experiences friction.

Question 19

A star is 40° north of the celestial equator. This means the star is at ...

Declination 40°
Latitude 40°
Right ascension 40°

Question 20

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?

Both objects will reach the ground at the same time.
The 1 kg object will reach the ground first.
The 2 kg object will reach the ground first.

Question 21

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 22

What is the rate of change of velocity called?

Position.
Acceleration.
Momentum.

Question 23

Who collected the accurate orbital data on planetary motions?

Galileo Galilei.
Johannes Kepler.
Tycho Brahe.

Question 24

Galileo's discoveries which supported the Copernican model included:

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

Question 25

During the December solstice, in the northern hemisphere...

The day is the shortest day of the year.
The day and night are the same length.
The day is the longest day of the year.