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

Practice Exam #2

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

If the Sun had a mass half 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 4.
It would increase by a factor of 2.

Question 2

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.

Question 3

The far side of the Moon is...

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

Question 4

When the Earth is farthest from the Sun...

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

Question 5

An object in the Kuiper belt...

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

Question 6

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 7

Where on Earth can a lunar eclipse be seen from?

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

Question 8

If I double the mass of an object, its momentum will be...

Twice as large.
The same.
Half as large.

Question 9

A sidereal 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 10

Which book was the first to describe a heliocentric model?

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

Question 11

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

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

Question 12

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 13

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

Declination 40°
Right ascension 40°
Longitude 40°

Question 14

An ellipse has...

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

Question 15

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 16

Who collected the accurate orbital data on planetary motions?

Johannes Kepler.
Galileo Galilei.
Tycho Brahe.

Question 17

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

Question 18

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

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

Question 19

Which is shorter on Earth?

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

Question 20

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

Question 21

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

It assumed the planets orbited the Sun.
It assumed the epicycles moved at a constant speed.
It assumed the planets moved in epicycles.

Question 22

A lunar eclipse is created...

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

Question 23

What is the rate of change of velocity called?

Position.
Acceleration.
Momentum.

Question 24

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 25

Which of the following is always conserved?

Momentum
Velocity
Mass