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

In which latitudes does the Sun shine for 24 or more hours?

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

Question 2

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

Question 3

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

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

Question 4

Why were Galileo's books banned?

Because the Catholic Church feared the wrath of God due to his blasphemy against the holy scriptures.
Because the Catholic Church feared his scientific discoveries would undermine the Church's authority.
Because scientists of the time rejected his theories.

Question 5

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

Question 6

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

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

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

Question 8

Galileo's discoveries which supported the Copernican model included:

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.
The phases of Venus and the phases of the Moon.

Question 9

The far side of the Moon is...

Sometimes dark and sometimes not dark.
Always dark.
Never dark.

Question 10

An ellipse has...

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

Question 11

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

The same.
Half as large.
Twice as large.

Question 12

The law of inertia says that...

Objects naturally tend to keep moving at a constant speed unless a force acts on them.
Objects naturally tend to speed up with time unless a force acts on them.
Objects naturally tend to slow down with time unless a force acts on them.

Question 13

Who collected the accurate orbital data on planetary motions?

Galileo Galilei.
Johannes Kepler.
Tycho Brahe.

Question 14

When the Earth is closest to the Sun...

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

Question 15

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

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

Question 16

During the winter:

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

Question 17

The Tropic of Capricorn...

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

Question 18

During the June 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.

Question 19

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 20

Which of the following is always conserved?

Momentum
Velocity
Mass

Question 21

What is the rate of change of position called?

Momentum.
Acceleration.
Velocity.

Question 22

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 23

A synodic day is...

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

Question 24

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

Longitude 40°
Right ascension 40°
Declination 40°

Question 25

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?

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