PHYS 1600 MIDTERM 1 QUESTIONS | 2026 |
GUATENTEED
Kepler's first law states that a planet moves around the Sun: - Answers -In an elliptical
orbit, with the Sun at one focus.
In the years after Newton published his laws of motion, it was found that the observed
positions of the planet Uranus did not match the predictions of Newton's theory. The
reason for this turned out to be: - Answers -The perturbing effect of Neptune, which at
that time had not yet been discovered.
When Mercury is at its farthest distance from the Earth, it is at: - Answers -Superior
Conjunction
Which of the following statements CORRECTLY states the significance of Galileo's
observation that Jupiter has satellites (moons) ? - Answers -It showed that bodies can
orbit an object other than the Earth.
The eccentricity of a planet's orbit describes: - Answers -Its shape compared to that of
a circle.
The term retrograde motion for a planet refers to the: - Answers -Temporary reversal of
the planet's normal west-to-east motion past the background stars as seen from the
Earth.
Full Moon can be on the horizon: - Answers -Only at sunrise or sunset.
Which of the following statements is correct for eclipses in the Sun-Earth-Moon system?
- Answers -A total eclipse of the Sun occurs only at new Moon.
The pattern of stars that is visible from one position on the Earth gradually shifts from
east to west across the sky over one night. This is caused by: - Answers -The rotation
of the Earth about its own north-south axis.
In the southern hemisphere, summertime occurs when: - Answers -Sunlight falls more
directly on this hemisphere, heating it more than at other times of the year.
Where would you have to be in either the northern or southern hemisphere for the Sun
to remain below the horizon for a 24-hour period for at least part of a year? - Answers -
Above about 66.5° latitude
How often does the Moon rotate to keep one face pointed toward the Earth at all times?
- Answers -Once/month
GUATENTEED
Kepler's first law states that a planet moves around the Sun: - Answers -In an elliptical
orbit, with the Sun at one focus.
In the years after Newton published his laws of motion, it was found that the observed
positions of the planet Uranus did not match the predictions of Newton's theory. The
reason for this turned out to be: - Answers -The perturbing effect of Neptune, which at
that time had not yet been discovered.
When Mercury is at its farthest distance from the Earth, it is at: - Answers -Superior
Conjunction
Which of the following statements CORRECTLY states the significance of Galileo's
observation that Jupiter has satellites (moons) ? - Answers -It showed that bodies can
orbit an object other than the Earth.
The eccentricity of a planet's orbit describes: - Answers -Its shape compared to that of
a circle.
The term retrograde motion for a planet refers to the: - Answers -Temporary reversal of
the planet's normal west-to-east motion past the background stars as seen from the
Earth.
Full Moon can be on the horizon: - Answers -Only at sunrise or sunset.
Which of the following statements is correct for eclipses in the Sun-Earth-Moon system?
- Answers -A total eclipse of the Sun occurs only at new Moon.
The pattern of stars that is visible from one position on the Earth gradually shifts from
east to west across the sky over one night. This is caused by: - Answers -The rotation
of the Earth about its own north-south axis.
In the southern hemisphere, summertime occurs when: - Answers -Sunlight falls more
directly on this hemisphere, heating it more than at other times of the year.
Where would you have to be in either the northern or southern hemisphere for the Sun
to remain below the horizon for a 24-hour period for at least part of a year? - Answers -
Above about 66.5° latitude
How often does the Moon rotate to keep one face pointed toward the Earth at all times?
- Answers -Once/month
