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1. Which evidence best supports scientists' inferences
about the origin and age of the universe?
A)
B)
C)
D)
the existence of planets
cosmic background radiation
formation of star constellations
similar composition of Earth and the Moon
2. According to astronomers, the age of the universe is
estimated to be
A) 1.3 billion years
C) 7.9 billion years
B) 4.6 billion years
D) 13.8 billion years
3. The timeline below represents time from the present to 20 billion years ago. Letters A, B, C, and D
represent specific times.
Which letter on the timeline best represents the time when scientists estimate that the Big Bang
occurred?
A) A
B) B
C) C
4. Earth, the Sun, and billions of stars are contained
within
A)
B)
C)
D)
D) D
6. The photograph below shows a feature of the universe
as seen through a telescope.
a single constellation
the Milky Way galaxy
the solar system
a giant cloud of gas
5. Fourteen billion years represents the approximate age
of
A) Earth
C) our solar system
B) Earth's Moon
D) the universe
This feature is best identified as
A) a galaxy
C) an asteroid
B) a comet
D) a star
7. The theory that the universe is expanding is supported
by data from the
A)
B)
C)
D)
nuclear decay of radioactive materials
nuclear fusion of radioactive materials
blue shift of light from distant galaxies
red shift of light from distant galaxies
8. Which evidence best supports the theory that the
universe was created by an explosion called the Big
Bang?
A) impact craters found on Earth
B) cosmic background radiation
C) the different compositions of terrestrial and
Jovian planets
D) the blue shift of light from distant galaxies
9. Which evidence best supports the theory that the
universe began with a massive explosion?
A)
B)
C)
D)
cosmic background radiation in space
parallelism of planetary axes
radioactive dating of Earth’s bedrock
life cycle of stars
10. A red shift in the light from very distant galaxies
suggests that the universe is
A)
B)
C)
D)
fixed and stationary
moving randomly
contracting
expanding
11. Which evidence best supports the Big Bang theory?
A)
B)
C)
D)
rate of rotation of the Sun
existence of cosmic background radiation
uniform radioactive decay of uranium-238
separation of Earth's interior into different layer
12. The current temperature indicated by the cosmic
microwave background radiation is
A) higher than the temperature at which water
boils
B) between the temperature at which water boils
and room temperature
C) between room temperature and the temperature
at which water freezes
D) lower than the temperature at which water
freezes
13. Cosmic microwave background radiation is
classified as a form of electromagnetic energy
because it
A)
B)
C)
D)
travels in waves through space
moves faster than the speed of light
is visible to humans
moves due to particle collisions
Base your answers to questions 14 and 15 on
the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth Science.
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
In the 1920s, Edwin Hubble's discovery of a pattern in the red shift of light from galaxies
moving away from Earth led to the theory of an expanding universe. This expansion implies that
the universe was smaller, denser, and hotter in the past. In the 1940s, scientists predicted that heat
(identified as cosmic microwave background radiation) left over from the Big Bang would fill the
universe. In the 1960s, satellite probes found that cosmic microwave background radiation fills
the universe uniformly in every direction, and indicated a temperature of about 3 kelvins (K). This
radiation has been cooling as the universe has been expanding.
14. Which graph best shows the relationship of the size of the universe to the temperature indicated by
the cosmic microwave background radiation?
A)
B)
C)
D)
15. Scientists infer that the universe began approximately
A) 1.0 billion years ago
C) 8.2 billion years ago
B) 3.3 billion years ago
D) 13.7 billion years ago
16. Which information best supports the inference that
the universe began with an explosion?
A) measurements of rates of decay using
carbon-14
B) measurements of cosmic background
radiation
C) calculations of the distance from the Sun to
each asteroid in the asteroid belt
D) calculations of the temperature and luminosity
of stars
17. The Sun revolves around the center of
A)
B)
C)
D)
Polaris
Aldebaran
Earth
the Milky Way Galaxy
18. Cosmic background radiation provides direct
evidence for the origin of
A)
B)
C)
D)
the universe
our solar system
Earth’s ozone layer
Earth’s earliest atmosphere
19. The diagram below represents the development of
our universe from the time of the Big Bang until the
present. Letter A indicates two celestial objects.
The present-day celestial objects labeled A are best
identified as
A) asteroid belts
C) spiral galaxies
B) terrestrial planets
D) eccentric comets
20. In which sequence are the items listed from least
total mass to greatest total mass?
A)
B)
C)
D)
solar system, Milky Way, universe
Milky Way, solar system, universe
universe, Milky Way, solar system
Milky Way, universe, solar system
21. Which time line most accurately indicates when this sequence of events in earth's history occurred?
A)
B)
C)
D)
22. Which statement best describes the age of our solar
system and the universe?
A) The universe is at least twice as old as our
solar system.
B) Our solar system is at least twice as old as the
universe.
C) Our solar system and the universe are estimated
to be 5 billion years old.
D) Our solar system and the universe are estimated
to be 10 billion years old.
23. The explosion associated with the theory and the
formation of the universe inferred to have occurred
how many billion ago?
A) less than 1
C) 4.6
B) 2.5
D) over 10
Base your answers to questions 24 through 27 on the table below, which shows eight inferred stages
describing the formation of the universe from its beginning to the present time.
24. Between which two stages did our solar system form?
A) 1 and 3
B) 3 and 5
C) 6 and 7
D) 7 and 8
25. According to this table, the average temperature of the universe since stage 3 has
A) decreased, only
C) remained the same
B) increased, only
D) increased, then decreased
26. What is the most appropriate title for this table?
A) The Big Bang Theory
C) The Law of Superposition
B) The Theory of Plate Tectonics
D) The Laws of Planetary Motion
27. How soon did protons and neutrons form after the beginning of the universe?
A) 10 -43 second
C) 10 -6 second
B) 10 -32 second
D) 13.7 billion years
28. The symbols below are used to represent different
regions of space.
31. The diagram below represents the shape of the
Milky Way Galaxy.
Which diagram shows the correct relationship
between these four regions? [If one symbol is within
another symbol, that means it is part of, or included
in, that symbol.]
A)
B)
C)
D)
29. Most scientists believe the Milky Way Galaxy is
A)
B)
C)
D)
spherical in shape
4.6 billion years old
composed of stars revolving around Earth
one of billions of galaxies in the universe
30. Which sequence correctly lists the relative sizes
from smallest to largest?
A) our solar system, universe, Milky Way Galaxy
B) our solar system, Milky Way Galaxy,
universe
C) Milky Way Galaxy, our solar system, universe
D) Milky Way Galaxy, universe, our solar system
The Milky Way Galaxy is best described as
A) elliptical
C) circular
B) irregular
D) spiral
32. Compared to Earth's solar system, the universe is
inferred to be
A)
B)
C)
D)
younger and larger
younger and smaller
older and larger
older and smaller
33. Which celestial feature is largest in actual size?
A) the Moon
C) the Sun
B) Jupiter
D) the Milky Way
34. The Milky Way galaxy is best described as
A) a type of solar system
B) a constellation visible to everyone on Earth
C) a region in space between the orbits of Mars
and Jupiter
D) a spiral-shaped formation composed of
billions of stars
35. The Sun's position in space is best described as the
approximate center of
A)
B)
C)
D)
41. The symbols below represent the Milky Way galaxy,
the solar system, the Sun, and the universe.
a constellation
the universe
the Milky Way galaxy
our solar system
36. A light year is
A) the distance traveled by light in one year
B) the distance the Earth moves in one year
C) the time it takes light to go once around the
Earth's orbit
D) the time it takes light to travel one year
37. What is the name usually given to the group of
objects consisting of a sun and any planets, comets,
and other objects that orbit it?
A) a solar system
C) a galaxy
B) a universe
D) an ecosystem
38. The unit most used by astronomers to express the
distances to other galaxies is
A)
B)
C)
D)
miles
kilometers
astronomical unit (AU)
Lightyears (LY)
galaxy ® solar system ® universe ® planet
solar system ® galaxy ® planet ® universe
planet ® solar system ® galaxy ® universe
universe ® galaxy ® solar system ® planet
40. The diagram below represents a side view of the
Milky Way Galaxy.
At approximately which position is Earth's solar
system located?
A) A
B) B
C) C
A)
B)
C)
D)
42. Billions of stars in the same region of the universe
are called
A) solar systems
C) constellations
B) asteroid belts
D) galaxies
43. Which statement best describes galaxies?
39. In which list are celestial features correctly shown in
order of increasing size?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Which arrangement of symbols is most accurate?
D) D
A) They are similar in size to the solar system.
B) They contain only one star but hundreds of
planets.
C) They may contain a few hundred stars in a
space slightly larger than the solar system.
D) They may contain billions of stars in a space
much larger than our solar system.
44. Light from distant galaxies most likely shows a
A) red shift, indicating that the universe is
expanding
B) red shift, indicating that the universe is
contracting
C) blue shift, indicating that the universe is
expanding
D) blue shift, indicating that the universe is
contracting
45. The red shift of light from most galaxies is evidence
that
A) most galaxies are moving away from Earth
B) a majority of stars in most galaxies are red
giants
C) the light slows down as it nears Earth
D) red light travels faster than other colors of light
46. A blue shift of the light from a star indicates that the
star
A)
B)
C)
D)
will soon become a main sequence star
will soon become a giant star
is moving closer to Earth
is moving away from Earth
47. According to the Big Bang theory, which graph best represents the relationship between time and the
size of the universe from the beginning of the universe to the present?
A)
B)
C)
D)
48. The theory that the universe is expanding is
supported by the
A)
B)
C)
D)
blue shift of light from distant galaxies
red shift of light from distant galaxies
nuclear fusion occurring in the Sun
radioactive decay occurring in the Sun
49. The diagram below represents the bright-line
spectrum for an element.
The spectrum of the same element observed in the
light from a distant star is shown below.
The shift in the spectral lines indicates that the star is
moving
A)
B)
C)
D)
toward Earth
away from Earth
in an elliptical orbit around the Sun
in a circular orbit around the Sun
50. The red shift of visible light waves that is observed
by astronomers on Earth is used to determine the
A)
B)
C)
D)
sizes of nearby galaxies
relative motions of distant galaxies
densities of the planets
rotation periods of the planets
51. What does a red shift in light from distant celestial
objects indicate to a scientist on Earth?
A)
B)
C)
D)
The gravitational force on Earth changes.
The universe appears to be expanding.
The Jovian planets are aligned with the Sun.
Galaxies are becoming more numerous.
52. Evidence that the universe is expanding is best
provided by the
A) red shift in the light from distant galaxies
B) change in the swing direction of a Foucault
pendulum on Earth
C) parallelism of Earth's axis in orbit
D) spiral shape of the Milky Way Galaxy
53. The diagram below shows the spectral lines for an
element.
Which diagram best represents the spectral lines of
this element when its light is observed coming from
a star that is moving away from Earth?
A)
C)
B)
D)
54. Astronomers viewing light from distant galaxies
observe a shift of spectral lines toward the red end of
the visible spectrum. This shift provides evidence
that
A)
B)
C)
D)
orbital velocities of stars are decreasing
Earth’s atmosphere is warming
the Sun is cooling
the universe is expanding
55. When viewed from Earth, the light from very distant
galaxies shows a red shift. This is evidence that
these distant galaxies are
A)
B)
C)
D)
revolving around the Sun
revolving around the Milky Way
moving away from Earth
moving toward Earth
56. The Big Bang Theory, describing the creation of the
universe, is most directly supported by the
A)
B)
C)
D)
redshift of light from distant galaxies
presence of volcanoes on Earth
apparent shape of star constellations
presence of craters on Earth's Moon
57. Starlight from distant galaxies provides evidence
that the universe is expanding because this starlight
shows a shift in wavelength toward the
A) red-light end of the visible spectrum
B) blue-light end of the visible spectrum
C) ultraviolet-ray end of the electromagnetic
spectrum
D) gamma-ray end of the electromagnetic
spectrum
58. The diagram below shows a standard spectrum
60. In the diagram below, the spectral lines of hydrogen
compared to a spectrum produced from a distant star.
gas from three galaxies, A, B, and C, are compared
to the spectral lines of hydrogen gas observed in a
laboratory.
Which conclusion can be made by comparing the
standard spectrum to the spectrum produced from
this distant star?
A) The star's spectral lines have shifted toward the
ultraviolet end of the spectrum and the star is
moving toward Earth.
B) The star's spectral lines have shifted toward the
ultraviolet end of the spectrum and the star is
moving away from Earth.
C) The star's spectral lines have shifted toward the
infrared end of the spectrum and the star is
moving toward Earth.
D) The star's spectral lines have shifted toward
the infrared end of the spectrum and the
star is moving away from Earth.
59. The redshift of light from distant galaxies provides
evidence that the universe is
A)
B)
C)
D)
shrinking, only
expanding, only
shrinking and expanding in a cyclic pattern
remaining the same size
What is the best inference that can be made
concerning the movement of galaxies A, B, and C?
A) Galaxy A is moving away from Earth, but
galaxies B and C are moving toward Earth.
B) Galaxy B is moving away from Earth, but
galaxies A and C are moving toward Earth.
C) Galaxies A, B, and C are all moving toward
Earth.
D) Galaxies A, B, and C are all moving away
from Earth.
61. The diagram below illustrates three stages of a
current theory of the formation of the universe.
63. The diagram below represents a standard dark-line
spectrum for an element.
The spectral lines of this element are observed in
light from a distant galaxy. Which diagram
represents these spectral lines?
A)
B)
A major piece of scientific evidence supporting this
theory is the fact that wavelengths of light from
galaxies moving away from Earth in stage 3 are
observed to be
A)
B)
C)
D)
shorter than normal (a red shift)
shorter than normal (a blue shift)
longer than normal (a red shift)
longer than normal (a blue shift)
62. In a Doppler red shift, the observed wavelengths of
light from distant celestial objects appear closer to
the red end of the spectrum than light from similar
nearby celestial objects. The explanation for the red
shift is that the universe is presently
A)
B)
C)
D)
contracting, only
expanding, only
remaining constant in size
alternating between contracting and expanding
C)
D)
64. The more that the spectral lines of a star are shifted
to the red end of the spectrum
A)
B)
C)
D)
the larger it is.
the faster it is rotating
the hotter it is
the faster it is moving away from us
65. The velocity of a star toward or away from the Earth
can be determined by measuring the
A)
B)
C)
D)
color of the star
shift of its spectral lines
brightness of the star
its change in apparent size
66. If we observe a Doppler blue shift from a star, the
star must be
A)
B)
C)
D)
relatively cool in temperature
moving away from us
moving toward us
a blue star
67. A star moving away from the Earth will have a
spectrum containing
A) red shifted lines
C) unshifted lines
B) blue shifted lines
D) dim lines
68. Compared to light from from a stationary source at
the same point, light from an object moving toward
you is
A)
B)
C)
D)
brighter
bluer
redder
unchanged in both color and brightness
69. The Doppler effect predicts that light from a source
moving away from Earth will be
A)
B)
C)
D)
shifted to shorter wavelengths.
shifted to longer wavelengths.
appear blue.
appear red.
70. Most astronomers agree that at the present time
universe is
A)
B)
C)
D)
contracting
expanding
staying the same size
expanding and contracting regularly
71. The major evidence supporting the "Big Bang"
theory is
A) observations of supernova explosions.
B) the discovery of black holes.
C) observations that the Doppler red shift
becomes greater as we look at more distant
galaxies.
D) observations that most galaxies are rotating
72. According to Hubbell’s law more rapidly moving
galaxies are now
A)
B)
C)
D)
further away from us
closer to us
accelerating rapidly
already contracting toward another big bang
73. According to the big bang theory, the universe began
as an explosion and is still expanding. This theory is
supported by observations that the stellar spectra of
distant galaxies show a
A) concentration in the yellow portion of the
spectrum
B) concentration in the green portion of the
spectrum
C) shift toward the blue end of the spectrum
D) shift toward the red end of the spectrum
74. A major piece of evidence supporting the Big Bang
theory is the observation that wavelengths of
light from stars in distant galaxies show a
A)
B)
C)
D)
redshift, appearing to be shorter
redshift, appearing to be longer
blueshift, appearing to be shorter
blueshift, appearing to be longer
75. Base your answer to the following question on the diagram and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The diagram represents the Moon at four positions, A through D, in its orbit around Earth as viewed
from above the North Pole (NP). The shaded parts of the Moon and Earth represent darkness.
Identify the celestial object in our solar system that has a period of rotation that is most similar to the
period of rotation of Earth's Moon.
Base your answers to questions 76 through 78 on the data table below and on your knowledge of
Earth science. The data table shows five galaxies, A through E, their distances from Earth, and their
recession velocities, the velocities at which they are moving away from Earth.
76. Identify the nuclear process that produces the energy released by stars within these galaxies.
77. Another galaxy has a recession velocity of 30,000 kilometers per second. What is this galaxy's
approximate distance from Earth in million light years if it follows the same pattern shown on the
data table?
78. State the general relationship between the galaxies' distances from Earth and their recession
velocities.
Base your answers to questions 79 and 80 on the data table below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The data table lists four constellations in which star clusters are seen from Earth. A star
cluster is a group of stars near each other in space. Stars in the same cluster move at the same
velocity. The length of the arrows in the table represents the amount of redshift of two wavelengths of
visible light emitted by these star clusters.
79. Identify the name of the nuclear process that is primarily responsible for producing energy in stars.
80. Write the chemical symbol for the element, shown in the table, that absorbs the two wavelengths of
light.
Base your answers to questions 81 through 84 on the Characteristics of Stars graph below and on your
knowledge of Earth science.
81. Describe how the relative surface temperature and the relative luminosity of Aldebaran would change
if it collapses and becomes a white dwarf like Procyon B.
82. Describe one characteristic of the star Spica that causes it to have a greater luminosity than Barnard's
Star.
83. Identify two stars from the Characteristics of Stars graph that are at the same life-cycle stage as the
Sun.
84. The star Canopus has a surface temperature of 7400 K and a luminosity (relative to the Sun) of 1413.
Use an X to plot the position of Canopus on the graph above, based on its surface temperature and
luminosity.
Base your answers to questions 85 through 89 on the side-view model of the solar system in your
answer booklet and on your knowledge of Earth science. The planets are shown in their relative order
of distance from the Sun. Letter A indicates one of the planets.
85. Identify the process that occurs within the Sun that converts mass into large amounts of energy.
86. Calculate how many times larger the equatorial diameter of the Sun is than the equatorial diameter of
Venus.
87. How many million years ago did Earth and the solar system form?
88. State the period of rotation at the equator of planet A. Label your answer with the correct units.
89. The center of the asteroid belt is approximately 503 million kilometers from the Sun. Draw an X on
the model between two planets to indicate the center of the asteroid belt.
Base your answers to questions 90 and 91 on the flowchart below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The flowchart shows the evolution of stars.
90. Describe how the diameter and luminosity of a main sequence star change as the star becomes
either a giant or a supergiant.
91. Identify the force responsible for the contraction of a nebula (a gas cloud of molecules) to form a
protostar.
Base your answers to questions 92 through 94 on
the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the present
position of our solar system in a side view of the Milky Way Galaxy. The distance across the Milky
Way Galaxy is measured in light-years.
92. List the following astronomical features, in order of relative size, from smallest to largest.
Sun
Jupiter
Milky Way Galaxy
Universe
Our solar system
93. Galaxies are classified based on their shape. What is the shape of the Milky Way Galaxy when
viewed from directly above?
94. What is the distance, in light-years, from the center of the Milky Way Galaxy to our solar system?
Base your answers to questions 95 through 99 on the table below, which lists some information about
Barnard's Star.
95. If a planet with the same mass as Earth were discovered orbiting Barnard's Star at the same distance
that Earth is orbiting the Sun, why would there be less gravitational attraction between this new
planet and Barnard's Star than there is between Earth and the Sun?
96. List Barnard's Star, the Sun, and the universe in order by age from oldest to youngest.
97. Compared to the surface temperature and luminosity of the Sun, describe the relative surface
temperature and the relative luminosity of Barnard's Star.
98. The distance from point A to point S on the line belowrepresents the equatorial diameter of the Sun.
On this line, place a point labeled B at the correct scale distance from point A to represent the
equatorial diameter of Barnard's Star.
99. The diagram below shows four spectral lines produced by glowing hydrogen gas in a laboratory and
four spectral lines produced by hydrogen gas as seen in the light from Barnard's Star.
Explain why the positions of the spectral lines of Barnard's Star are all shifted toward the blue end of
the
spectrum.
100. Base your answer to the following question on the table below, which shows information about five
large objects in the Kuiper Belt. The Kuiper Belt is located approximately 30 to 1000 astronomical
units (AU) from the Sun. An astronomical unit is the average distance between Earth and the Sun,
149.6 million kilometers.
The diagram shows the orbits of some of the planets in our solar system. The approximate average
distances from the Sun, in astronomical units, are indicated. On the diagram, place an X to show the
closest distance of Ixion to the Sun.
Base your answers to questions 101 through 103 on
the passage below.
Extrasolar Planets
Astronomers have discovered more than 400
planets outside of our solar system. The first
extrasolar planet was detected in 1995 orbiting a
star known as 51 Pegasi, which is similar in color
and luminosity to our Sun. Astronomers can
detect planets by identifying stars that move in
response to the gravitational pull of planets
revolving around them. Other planets have been
discovered by finding stars whose luminosity
varies as orbiting planets block outgoing
starlight. Nearly all of these discovered planets
are thought to be Jovian-like planets similar to
Jupiter.
101. State the color and luminosity of 51 Pegasi.
102. Compared to Jupiter, state how Earth’s equatorial
diameter and density are different.
103. Other than Jupiter, identify one Jovian planet in our
solar system.
Base your answers to questions 104 and 105 on the graph below, which shows the distance from the
Sun and the period of revolution for four planets in our solar system labeled A, B, C, and D.
104. Describe the relationship between the distance from the Sun and the period of revolution for these
four planets.
105. State the name of each of the planets represented by A, B, C, and D.
Base your answers to questions 106 and 107 on the diagram below, which shows Earth’s orbit and the
orbit of a comet within our solar system.
106. Explain why the time required for one revolution of the comet is more than the time
required for one revolution of Earth.
107. Explain how this comet’s orbit illustrates the heliocentric model of our solar system.
Base your answers to questions 108 through 110 on the diagram in your answer booklet, which shows
the relative diameter sizes of the planets compared to the radius of the Sun.
108. How many times larger is the diameter of the Sun than the diameter of Jupiter?
109. On the diagram above, place an X on the planet with the lowest density.
110. On the diagram above, circle only the terrestrial planets.
111. Base your answer to the following question on the data table below, which lists six stars, numbered
1 through 69 found in the constellation Taurus. The table shows the celestial coordinates for these
six stars.
On the table below, complete the data table that provides additional information about two of the
stars in Taurus.
Base your answers to questions 112 through 114 on the graph below, which shows the early
formation of main sequence stars of different masses (M). The arrows represent temperature and
luminosity changes as each star becomes part of the main sequence. The time, needed for each star to
develop into a main sequence star is shown on the main sequence line.
112. Identify the force that causes the accumulation of matter that forms the stars.
113. Describe the change in luminosity of a star that has an original mass of 0.5 M as it progresses to a
main sequence star.
114. Describe the relationship between the original mass of a star and the length of time necessary for it
to become a main sequence star.
Base your answers to questions 115 through 117 on on the passage below and on your knowledge of
stars and galaxies.
Stars
Stars can be classified according to their properties, such as diameter, mass, luminosity, and
temperature. Some stars are so large that the orbits of the planets in our solar system would easily
fit inside them.
Stars are grouped together in galaxies covering vast distances. Galaxies contain from 100
billion to over 300 billion stars. Astronomers have discovered billions of galaxies in the universe.
115. The star Betelgeuse is farther from Earth than the star Aldebaran. Explain why Betelgeuse appears
brighter or more luminous than Aldebaran.
116. Complete the table by placing an X in the boxes that indicate the temperature and luminosity of
each star compared to our Sun.
117. Arrange the terms galaxy, star, and universe in order from largest to smallest.
Base your answers to questions 118 through 120 on
the diagram below, which shows the heliocentric model of a part of our solar system. The planets
closest to the Sun are shown. Point B is a location on Earth's equator.
118. Identify one feature of the geocentric model of our solar system that differs from the heliocentric
model shown.
119. Explain why location B experiences both day and night in a 24-hour period.
120. State the name of planet A.
Base your answers to questions 121 and 122 on the
Luminosity and Temperature of Stars graph in the
Earth Science Reference Tables.
121. In which group of stars would a star with a
temperature of 5000°C and a luminosity of
approximately 100 times that of the Sun be
classified?
122. Describe the relationship between temperature and
luminosity of main sequence stars.
Base your answers to questions 123 through 125 on the passage below.
Is Earth Gaining Weight?
Scientists belive that Earth may gain more than 100 tons of dust from space every day. The
dust comes from thawing comets as they orbit the Sun and from pieces of asteroids that collided
with other asteroids. Most asteroids orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Each dust particle
dates back to the days when our solar system was created. So in a way, each tiny speck of dust
holds clues to how our solar system formed.
All the space dust produced by comets and asteroids in our solar system is drawn to the Sun by
its gravitational force. However, space dust that passes within about 60 miles of Earth's surface
may be slowed enough by friction with Earth's atmosphere to be pulled to the surface by Earth's
gravity.
123. Approximately how many million kilometers from the Sun are most asteroids located?
124. In which temperature zone of Earth's atmosphere is space dust first slowed enough by friction to be
pulled to Earth's surface?
125. State one reason why more space dust is attracted to the Sun than to Earth.
Base your answers to questions 126 and 127 on
the data table below, which shows the average distance from the Sun, the average surface
temperature, and the average orbital velocity for each planet in our solar system.
126. Venus has an atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide. Mercury has almost no atmosphere.
Explain how the presence of the carbon dioxide in Venus’ atmosphere causes the average surface
temperature on Venus to be higher than the average surface temperature on Mercury.
127. State the relationship between the average distance from the Sun and the average surface
temperature of the Jovian planets.
Base your answers to questions 128 and 129 on the star chart below, which shows part of the winter
sky visible from New York State. Some of the brighter stars are labeled and the constellation Orion is
outlined.
128. In the space below, list the stars, other than Bellatrix, found on the chart in order of decreasing
luminosity.
129. Identify the color of the star Bellatrix, which has a surface temperature of approximately 21,000°C.
Base your answers to questions 130 and 131 on the
data table below, which provides information about
four of Jupiter's moons.
130. In 1610, Galileo was the first person to observe,
with the aid of a telescope, these four moons
orbiting Jupiter. Explain why Galileo's observation
of this motion did not support the geocentric model
of our solar system.
131. Identify the planet in our solar system that is closest
in diameter to Callisto.
132. Complete the table by identifying the color and
classification of the star Procyon B. The data for
the Sun have been completed as an example.
Base your answers to questions 133 through 136 on the graph below, which shows two conditions
responsible for the formation and composition of some planets in our solar system. The distances of
Earth and Neptune from the Sun, in astronomical units (AU), are shown beneath the horizontal axis.
(1 AU = 149.6 million kilometers). The plotted line on this graph shows the relationship between a
planet’s distance from the Sun and the inferred temperature at its formation. The regions within the
graph indicate the composition of planets formed within these zones.
133. What is Jupiter’s distance from the Sun, in astronomical units? Express your answer to the nearest
tenth.
___________________ AU
134. State the relationship between a planet’s distance from the Sun and the temperature at which that
planet formed.
135. Saturn is located 9.5 AU from the Sun. State the approximate temperature at which Saturn formed.
_________________ K
136. According to the graph, Neptune was mainly composed of which material at the time of its
formation?
Base your answers to questions 137 through 139 on the passage below.
The Future of the Sun
Hydrogen gas is the main source of fuel that powers the nuclear reactions that occur in the Sun.
But just like many sources of fuel, the hydrogen is in limited supply. As the hydrogen gas is used
up, scientists predict that the helium created as an product of earlier nuclear reactions will begin to
fuel new nuclear reactions. When this happens, the Sun is expected to become a red giant star with
a radius that would extend out past the orbit of Venus and possibly out as far as Earth's orbit.
Earth will probably not survive this change in the Sun's size. But no need to worry at this time.
The Sun is not expected to expand to this size for a few billion years.
137. Explain why a red giant star, similar to Aldebaran, has a greater luminosity than the Sun.
138. On the diagram of the planets and the Sun's surface, draw a vertical line to represent the inferred
location of the Sun's surface when it becomes a red giant star.
139. Identify the nuclear reaction referred to in this passage that combines hydrogen gas to form helium
and produces most of the Sun’s energy.
Base your answers to questions 140 through 143 on the two diagrams. Diagram I shows the orbits of
the four inner planets. Black dots in diagram I show the positions of the orbits where each planet is
closest to the Sun. Diagram II shows the orbits of the six planets that are farthest from the Sun. The
distance scale in diagram II is different that the distance scale in diagram I.
140. Describe how the orbits of each of the nine planets are similar in shape.
141. How long does it take the planet Uranus to complete one orbit around the Sun? Units must be
included in your answer.
142. On diagram II circle the names of the two largest Jovian planets.
143. On diagram I, place the letter W on Mars’ orbit to represent the position of Mars where the Sun’s
gravitational force on Mars would be weakest.
Base your answers to questions 144 and 145 on the calendar model shown below of the inferred
history of the universe and on your knowledge of Earth science. The 12-month time line begins with
the Big Bang on January 1 and continues to the present time, which is represented by midnight on
December 31. Several inferred events and the relative times of their occurrence have been placed in
the appropriate locations on the time line.
144. How many million years of Earth’s geologic history elapsed between the event that occurred on
September 10 and the event that occurred on September 25 in this model?
145. State one piece of evidence used by scientists to support the theory that the Big Bang event
occurred.
Answer Key
intro universe review
1.
B
37.
A
73.
D
82.
2.
D
38.
D
74.
B
3.
D
39.
C
75.
4.
B
40.
B
Allow credit for the
Sun.
5.
D
41.
D
76.
6.
A
42.
D
7.
D
43.
D
8.
B
44.
A
— fusion/nuclear
fusion — Light
elements combine to
form heavier
elements.
9.
A
45.
A
77.
10.
D
46.
C
83.
Any value from
1800 to 2200 million
light years.
11.
B
47.
A
78.
12.
D
48.
B
13.
A
49.
B
14.
B
50.
B
15.
D
51.
B
16.
B
52.
A
17.
D
53.
B
18.
A
54.
D
19.
C
55.
C
— As the
84.
Earth-to-galaxy
distance increases,
the recession
velocity increases.
— Galaxies closer to
Earth are moving
more slowly. —
direct
relationship/positive 85.
relationship
20.
A
56.
A
21.
B
57.
22.
A
23.
79.
fusion or nuclear
fusion
A
80.
Ca
58.
D
81.
D
59.
B
24.
D
60.
D
25.
A
61.
C
26.
A
62.
B
27.
C
63.
B
28.
A
64.
D
29.
D
65.
B
30.
B
66.
C
Relative surface
temperature:
87.
–Alderbaran's
surface temperature
will increase. –It
will get hotter.
88.
Relative luminosity:
–Its luminosity will
89.
be reduced.
–Luminosity will
decrease.
31.
D
67.
A
32.
C
68.
B
33.
D
69.
B
34.
D
70.
B
35.
D
71.
C
36.
A
72.
A
86.
–more
massive/larger/giant
size/supergiant –
Spica emits energy
at a greater rate than
Barnard's Star.
–hot- ter/greater
surface temperature
–Spica is a
blue-colored star.
–Spica –Sirius –
Alpha Centauri –
Barnard's Star –
Proxima Centauri
– fusion, – nuclear
fusion, – conversion
of hydrogen to
helium/H to He
– any value from
115 to 115.003305
times larger
– value equivalent to
4600 million years
ago.
— 16 h, — 16 hrs,
— 16 hours
Answer Key
intro universe review
90.
91.
Diameter:
99.
— increases —
becomes larger
Luminosity:
— increases —
higher rate of energy
emission — The star
appears brighter.
— gravity —
gravitational
attraction
92.
93.
94.
96.
97.
98.
107. – The comet orbits
the Sun, – The
comet doesn’t orbit
Earth.
108. Between 9.5 to 11.5
109. There should be an
X on Saturn
110. Mercury, Venus,
Earth, and Mars are
circled.
100. – X is drawn
anywhere on the
orbit of Neptune ± 2 111.
mm.
101. Color: yellow,
Luminosity: 1
– a spiral galaxy, – a
dense center of stars 102. Diameter: smaller,
Density: greater
with spiral arms, –
pinwheel-shaped
103. Saturn, Uranus, or
Neptune
– 25,000 light-years
to 35,000
light-years.
95.
— Barnard's Star is
moving toward
Earth. — Earth and
Barnard's Star are
moving closer
together. —
Barnard's Star is
moving closer to the
Sun.
112. gravity or
gravitational
113. — The luminosity
will decrease.
— The star will be
less luminous.
118. – The geocentric
model has Earth in
the center.
– In geocentric
model Earth does
not rotate.
– Planets revolve
around Earth instead
of the Sun.
119. – Earth's rotation
causes day and
night.
– The daily change
from day to night
results from Earth's
spin on its axis.
120. Jupiter
121. red giants or giants
122. – As temperature
increases,
luminosity increases.
104. – the farther from
114. — Stars with larger
the Sun, the greater
masses reach the
the
period
of
main sequence
— Barnard's Star is
– This is direct
revolution,
–
Planets
faster.
a smaller star than
relationship
closer to the Sun
— Small stars take
the Sun. — The Sun
take less time to
123. between 227.9 and
more time to
has more mass.
complete an orbit. –
778.3 million
become main
direct relationship
kilometers
sequence stars.
— inverse
105. A: Jupiter, B:
124. thermosphere
relationship between
Saturn, C: Uranus,
125. – The Sun has a
Relative surface
mass and time.
D: Neptune
greater gravitational
temperature: —
115.
Examples:
attraction for
cooler — Barnard's 106. – The comet moves
–Betelgeuse is
farther
from
the
Sun
particles than Earth
Star has a lower
larger.
–Betelgeuse
than Earth’s greatest
does.
surface temperature.
is more massive
distance
from
the
– The Sun has a
Relative luminosity:
than Aldebaran.
Sun. – During most
larger mass than
— is less luminous
–Aldebaran has less
of
its
orbit
the
comet
Earth.
— Barnard's Star is
volume.
is moving slower
– The more massive
less luminous than
than Earth. – The
object has more
116.
the Sun. — emits
comet’s
average
gravity.
energy at a lower
distance from the
rate
Sun is greater. – The
comet has a larger
117. universe, galaxy, star
orbit.
Answer Key
intro universe review
126. Examples: —
Carbon dioxide
causes a greenhouse
effect on Venus. —
Carbon dioxide is an
excellent absorber of
infrared radiation.
— Carbon dioxide
traps heat and keeps
it from escaping. —
The carbon
dioxide-rich
atmosphere absorbs
energy in Venus’
atmosphere and
reradiates it.
127. Examples: — The
greater the average
distance a Jovian
planet is from the
Sun, the colder the
temperature. — An
inverse relationship
exists between
distance and
temperature for the
Jovian planets. —
The closer the
Jovian planet is to
the Sun, the warmer
the average surface
temperature.
134. Examples: — As
144. 1300 ( 200)
distance from the
million years
Sun increases,
145. Examples: – Cosmic
temperature
background
decreases. — There
radiation remains. –
is an inverse
There is a redshift in
relationship between
the light from stars
distance and
in distant galaxies. –
temperature.
the apparent
135. Any value from 150
expansion of the
K to 200 K.
universe –
More-distant stars
136. Frozen gases
are moving away
137. Examples: –
from Earth at a
Aldebaran is larger
greater rate than
than the Sun. – The
nearby stars.
Sun is smaller than
Aldebaran.
138.
139. Examples: – fusion –
nuclear fusion
140. The orbits are
elliptical or oval
shaped; The orbits
are nearly circular.
141. 84 years
142.
128.
129. blue.
130. – These moons orbit
Jupiter, not Earth.
131. – Mercury
132.
133. 5.2 AU
143.