Do NOT write on this paper! Write your answers on your answer sheet!
Unit A Quiz 1 - Activity 1 and 2
FORM A
Multiple Choice – On your answer sheet write the letter of the ‘BEST’ answer to each question below.
1.
According to current theory used to explain the origin of our solar system, the
planets in our solar system:
a) Formed from the same nebular cloud as the Sun.
b) Were captured into orbit by the Sun's gravity.
c) Contain about one-half the mass of the Sun.
d) Formed by fusion of hydrogen in their cores.
2.
You are asked to make a scale model of two objects that are 50,000,000 km apart.
If you used a scale of 1m = 10,000,000 km, how far apart will the two objects be
on the model?
a) 5 m
b)5km
c) 50,000,000 m
d) 50,000,000 km
3.
The force that creates the ocean tides is:
a) The gravitational attraction of the Moon. c) The gravitational attraction of nearby planets.
b) The gravitational attraction of the Sun.
d) The gravitational attraction of the Moon & Sun.
4.
When measuring the distance between the dwarf planet Pluto and the sun, what unit would be used?
a) Parsec
b) astronomical unit c) light year
d) nanometer
5.
How was the moon formed?
a) Voldemort threw a chunk of blue cheese at Dumbledore and missed.
b) A large object (size of Mars) collided into the Earth shattering it and forming a ring of debris which later clumped
together.
c) Leftover pieces from the original solar system formation clumped together and started orbiting the earth.
d) A cloud of gas and dust starting collapsing and spinning, eventually forming a star.
6.
Which of the following has the greatest impact on the Earth’s tides?
a) Gravitational pull of the sun – because the sun is so large compared to the moon
b) Gravitational pull of the moon – because the moon is so large compared to the sun
c) Gravitational pull of the sun – because the sun is closer to the earth than the moon
d) Gravitational pull of the moon – because the moon is closer to the earth than the sun.
7.
Which letter on the diagram of the Milky Way galaxy best represents the location of our solar
system?
a) A
b) B
c) C
d) D
A
8.
According to the big bang theory, our universe started from
a) energy
c) an explosion
b) cloud of gas and dust
d) grain of sand
B
C
D
Refer to the diagram below to answer questions 9 and 10.
E = Earth
M=Moon
S= Sun
9.
Which of the four configurations shown correspond to the new moon phase
a) A
b) B
c) C
d) D
10.
Which of the following best describes the tidal conditions associated with part B of the diagram?
a) high tide
c) the difference between high tide and low tide is greatest
b) low tide
d) the difference between high tide and low tide is least
EXTRA CREDIT
EC 1 What is the age of our solar system?
a) 93 million years
b) 150 million years
EC 2
c) 4.5 billion years
d) 10 billion years
What is the name given when the high tides are highest and low tides are lowest?
a) spring tide
c) equilateral tide
b) neap tide
d) median tide
e) 12-14 billion years
Open Response – Answer each question below on your answer sheet. Use complete sentences.
1.
Describe the nebular theory of the formation of our solar system ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET. Use and underline
these key terms in your writing (nebula, gravity, planetesimals (chunks), nuclear fusion, swirling/rotation,
star/sun, mass/matter )
2.
Complete the Ven n Diagram ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET to show the similarities and differences between the
terrestrial planets and the gas giants. Include at least three characteristics. Names of specific planets don’t count
towards points. (To earn the most points, make your responses paired. )
3.
Information about the change in rotation of the Earth Due to Tidal Forces is presented in the chart and graph
below. Use this information to answer the questions ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET:
Precambrian
Cambrian
Ordovician
Silurian
Devonian
Mississippian
Pennsylvanian
Permian
Triassic
Jurassic
Cretaceous
Present
Date
(millions
years
ago)
600
500
425
405
345
310
280
230
180
135
65
0
Length of
Year (days)
Day Length Graph
424
412
404
402
396
393
390
385
381
377
371
365.25
y = 0.0961x + 363.87
R² = 0.996
440
420
400
380
360
340
320
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Years before present (millions of years ago)
Use the information above to answer the questions ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET:
a)
b)
c)
d)
The title of this graph is inappropriate. What would be the best title for this graph?
What was the number of days in an Earth Year 550 million years ago?
State how the earth year has changed through time. Cite 2 pieces of specific evidence to support your claim.
What do you predict will happen to the length of an earth year in 100 million years from now? Why do you
think that?
4. The asteroid belt is made up of many small objects left over from the formation of the solar system. The size of the
asteroids ranges from very small (size of dust) to very large (900 km).
a) What is a scale model and why are they useful?
b) Complete the table ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET to determine the distance from the sun of the very largest
asteroid, Ceres – at 448,000,000 km– using the three different scale models in the chart provided. You may
use a calculator (no sharing!).
c) If you had to actually place this asteroid on the rope model of our solar system, where – relative to the planets
- would the asteroid be placed? Support your answer with specific evidence (numbers!) from your Activity 1.
Number of Days in an Earth Year
Time Period