ISP 205 Exam MSU (Practice Test) with
correct answers 2026
Which of the following statements best explains why
the planets orbit in nearly a single plane and in the same
direction around the Sun?
1.A It's a mysterious coincidence: the planets form randomly,
so it's a puzzle how they orbit that way.
B The Sun rotates in the same direction, and spun out
the planets as it formed.
C The planets formed from a disk of rotating gas.
D The planets all rotate in same direction as they orbit. - correct-answers -c
Why are rocky planets close to the Sun and gas giants
farther out?
2.A Because rocks settled to the center of the solar nebula
and not farther out.
B Because the center of the solar nebula was too hot for
hydrogen ices to form.
C Because iron atoms preferentially moved to the center
, of the solar nebula.
D Because of the Sun's strong magnetic fields. - correct-answers -B (maybe)
What is the leading scenario for the formation of the
Moon?
3.A It formed from the material ejected in a giant impact.
B It formed as an asteroid and was captured by the
Earth.
C It split out of a rapidly rotating Earth.
D It formed from the solar nebula along with the Earth - correct-answers -A
Why did the solar nebula heat up as it collapsed?
4.A As the cloud shrank, its gravitational potential energy
was converted to thermal energy.
B Nuclear fusion occurring in the core of the protosun
produced energy that heated the nebula.
C Radiation from other nearby stars that had formed
earlier heated the nebula.
D Collisions among planetesimals generated friction and
heat.
E The shock wave from a nearby supernova heated the
gas. - correct-answers -A
Why do asteroids and comets differ in composition?
5.A Comets formed from the jovian nebula, while asteroids
did not.
correct answers 2026
Which of the following statements best explains why
the planets orbit in nearly a single plane and in the same
direction around the Sun?
1.A It's a mysterious coincidence: the planets form randomly,
so it's a puzzle how they orbit that way.
B The Sun rotates in the same direction, and spun out
the planets as it formed.
C The planets formed from a disk of rotating gas.
D The planets all rotate in same direction as they orbit. - correct-answers -c
Why are rocky planets close to the Sun and gas giants
farther out?
2.A Because rocks settled to the center of the solar nebula
and not farther out.
B Because the center of the solar nebula was too hot for
hydrogen ices to form.
C Because iron atoms preferentially moved to the center
, of the solar nebula.
D Because of the Sun's strong magnetic fields. - correct-answers -B (maybe)
What is the leading scenario for the formation of the
Moon?
3.A It formed from the material ejected in a giant impact.
B It formed as an asteroid and was captured by the
Earth.
C It split out of a rapidly rotating Earth.
D It formed from the solar nebula along with the Earth - correct-answers -A
Why did the solar nebula heat up as it collapsed?
4.A As the cloud shrank, its gravitational potential energy
was converted to thermal energy.
B Nuclear fusion occurring in the core of the protosun
produced energy that heated the nebula.
C Radiation from other nearby stars that had formed
earlier heated the nebula.
D Collisions among planetesimals generated friction and
heat.
E The shock wave from a nearby supernova heated the
gas. - correct-answers -A
Why do asteroids and comets differ in composition?
5.A Comets formed from the jovian nebula, while asteroids
did not.
