(Stnd 15) Quiz-Gravity & Our Solar System WS

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Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

When our solar system was forming from a nebula about 4.6 billion years ago, there were two large masses of matter. The largest mass became the Sun. The second largest mass became planet Jupiter.

The Sun	Planet Jupiter

The largest cluster of atoms that became the Sun had a mass of about 1.989 x 10³⁰ kilograms, and the mass that became Jupiter had a mass of about 1.898 x 10²⁷ kilogram
What most likely would have happened if the mass of atoms that formed into Jupiter had been equal to the mass that formed into our Sun?

a.	The masses would have canceled each other out so that no star would have formed.
b.	Electrostatic repulsion would have forced one mass to leave our solar system.
c.	Each mass would have formed a separate star resulting in a binary system.
d.	They would have combined to form a black hole at the center of our galaxy.

The graphic shows the stages in the development of the solar system.

Which statement best describes the process of the formation of the solar system?

a.	Magnetism attracted the gas and dust together.
b.	An explosion pushed the gas and dust together.
c.	Gravity pulled the gas and dust together.
d.	A black hole pulled the gas and dust together.

Gravity formed our solar system from a cloud of elemental particles (mostly hydrogen and helium) about 4.6 billion years ago. The force of gravity continues to affect objects in our solar system today including the Earth and the Moon.

Earth-Moon System

What are two cause and effect connections that accurately describes gravity’s role concerning the Earth-Moon system?

a.	One: The Moon orbits around the Earth at the speed of light. Two: The Earth’s gravitation pull on the Moon causes the earth to rotate.
b.	One: In the Earth-Moon system, the Moon revolves around the Earth. Two: Since the Moon has more mass then the Earth, the Moon’s gravity causes tides.
c.	One: The Moon’s primary motion in the Earth-Moon system is called rotation. Two: Since the Moon is moving away from the Earth, it is red shifted.
d.	One: The Moon’s gravity causes tides to occur on Earth’s oceans. Two: Since the Moon has less mass than our planet, the Moon orbits around the Earth.

The Nebular Theory describes and explains how solar systems start as huge clouds of cosmic dust called nebulas and are changed into stars and planets by gravity.

4.6 Billion Years Ago	Now

Select the choice below that correctly orders the steps of the Nebular Theory.

a.	Step One: Gravitational attraction in a nebula pulled together clumps of atoms. Step Two: The largest clump formed into Jupiter, our largest planet. Step Three: One of the smaller clumps formed into planet Earth. Step Four: After the planets formed, nuclear fusion occurred to form the Sun.
b.	Step One: The Big Bang occurred resulting in the rapid expansion of our universe. Step Two: Solar systems began to form not long after the Big Bang. Step Three: Our solar system was the very first one to form. Step Four: Today, dark energy is pushing all other solar systems away from our sun.
c.	Step One: Our entire universe existed as a tiny point of energy. Step Two: This tiny point rapidly expanded/inflated (The Big Bang Theory). Step Three: Sub-atomic particles formed into the first atoms (helium and oxygen). Step Four: Gravity compressed clouds of helium to form the first stars.
d.	Step One: Gravity pulled together atoms in a nebula into larger and larger clumps. Step Two: The largest clump of matter (mostly hydrogen) began to heat up. Step Three: Nuclear fusion occurred in this largest clump, and a star was formed. Step Four: Smaller clumps of matter around the star formed into planets.

According to the Nebular Theory, the largest mass of matter in a nebula will form into a star
and the smaller masses of matter will form into planets.

Earth In Orbit Around the Sun

How does the Nebular Theory explain why planet Earth revolves around the Sun instead of the Sun orbiting around the Earth?

a.	*Cause:* Dark matter in space, *Effect:* Earth is forced to revolve around the Sun
b.	The Sun orbits around Earth. This can be observed by watching a sunrise or sunset.
c.	The Nebular theory states that non-contact forces (pushing forces) cause this effect.
d.	The Sun contains the most matter in our Solar System, so it also has the most gravity.

In the Earth-Moon system, our planet’s gravitational force affects the Moon while at the same time the Moon’s gravitational force affects the Earth.

Earth-Moon System

How does the Moon’s gravity cause the rise and fall of Earth’s ocean levels?

a.	The Moon’s gravitational force “pulls” on the oceans as planet Earth rotates.
b.	The Moon’s gravity “pulls” on Earth’s air causing winds to form large ocean waves.
c.	Earth’s revolves on its axis, which causes oceans levels to rise facing the Moon.
d.	The Sun’s gravitation force “pulls” on both the Earth and the Moon at different times.

When the solar system was very young, the sun was just being formed and planets had not yet been made. The solar system was mostly gas and dust.

Which statement best explains how planets formed in the early solar system?

a.	Planets formed from magnetism in space that interacted with light from the stars.
b.	Planets formed from molten metal in volcanic eruptions.
c.	Planets formed from large asteroids that had broken apart.
d.	Planets formed from clusters of debris that were attracted together because of gravity.

Multiple Response
Identify one or more choices that best complete the statement or answer the question.

Our solar system contains eight planets: The first four planets are called terrestrial planets.

What do the three terrestrial planets shown in the illustration above have in common?
(Select 2 choices.)

a.	The gravitational pull of the Sun holds these planets in their orbits.
b.	The magnetic pull from the Sun holds them in orbits as they revolve around the galaxy.
c.	These planets each formed in different solar systems millions of light years away.
d.	They remained close to the Sun after the sun’s radiation blew cosmic gas outwards.

Spring Tides: refers to the 'springing forth' of the tide during new and full moons.
Neap Tides: occurs seven days after a spring tide, refers to a period of moderate tides.

Spring Tide	Neap Tide

Contrast Spring Tides and Neap Tides, and select the cause and effect choice that correctly explains how these tides are formed. (Select two choices).

a.	Cause: The Moon’s gravity plus the Sun’s gravity pulls on Earth’s oceans. Effect: The oceans bulge upwards creating high and low tides around the planet.
b.	Low Tides occur when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other, but High Tides occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in alignment.
c.	Cause: The Moon’s gravity causes the Earth to rotate and revolve. Effect: The Earth’s spinning motion results in ocean bulges called tides.
d.	Neap Tides occur when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other, but Spring Tides occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in alignment.

10.

Below are three celestial objects from our solar system (Saturn, Earth, and The Moon).

What two motions, caused by gravity, do all three of the celestial objects shown above have in common? (Select 2 choices.)

a.	The all revolve in elliptical orbital paths around the Sun due to gravity.
b.	They all rotate on their axes due to the force of gravity.
c.	They all spin due to the force of electromagnetism.
d.	Saturn orbits the Earth, and at the same time, the Moon revolves around the Earth.