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

The gravity on the surface of Mars is about 1/3 of the gravity on the surface of Earth. This means...

You weigh less on Earth than you would on Mars.
You weigh the same on Earth as you would on Mars.
You weigh more on Earth than you would on Mars.

Question 2

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

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

Question 3

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

Question 4

When I throw a ball while sitting on a spinning carousel, the ball will seem to me to have a curved path. The reason for that is...

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

Question 5

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 6

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

Twice as large.
The same.
Half as large.

Question 7

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 8

The Tropic of Capricorn...

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

Question 9

When the Earth is closest to the Sun...

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

Question 10

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

Latitude 40°
Right ascension 40°
Declination 40°

Question 11

If the Earth had an orbital radius 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 increase by a factor of 4.
It would decrease by a factor of 4.

Question 12

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

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

Question 13

During the winter:

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

Question 14

Galileo's discoveries which supported the Copernican model included:

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.
The moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus.

Question 15

Which of the following is always conserved?

Velocity
Momentum
Mass

Question 16

An object in the Oort cloud...

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

Question 17

What is the rate of change of position called?

Momentum.
Velocity.
Acceleration.

Question 18

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

Question 19

During a new moon...

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

Question 20

Who collected the accurate orbital data on planetary motions?

Johannes Kepler.
Galileo Galilei.
Tycho Brahe.

Question 21

Which is shorter on Earth?

A sidereal day.
A synodic day.
Both are the same length.

Question 22

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

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

Question 23

In which latitudes can the Sun be at the zenith?

Between 23.4° N and 66.6° N.
Between 66.6° N and 90° N.
Between 0° and 23.4° N.

Question 24

The major axis of an ellipse...

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

Question 25

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

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