ASTRONOMY 5 PRACTICE FINAL
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Astronomy has shown us that the fundamental laws of physics are the same
everywhere, and that Earth is - ANSWER just one planet orbiting an ordinary
star in a vast universe
Extraterrestrial life is defined to be - ANSWER any kind of life found
anywhere beyond Earth
Occam's Razor is a philosophical principle that states if we have two models
that agree equally well with observations, then the ________ one is most likely
to be
the correct one. - ANSWER simplest
Which one of these statements is NOT a hallmark of the Scientific Method?
a. Science seeks explanations for observed phenomena that rely solely on
natural causes.
b. Scientific models must make testable predictions about natural
phenomena.
c. Science progresses through the creation and testing of models of nature
that explain observations as simply as possible.
d. Science seeks explanations for observed phenomena that rely solely on
supernatural causes. - ANSWER d. Science seeks explanations for observed
phenomena that rely solely on supernatural causes.
Darwin's Theory of Evolution meets all the criteria of a scientific theory
because: - ANSWER After more than 100 years, the theory stands stronger
than ever, having successfully met every scientific challenge to its validity.
, In a search for life in the universe, which of the following is NOT relevant?
a. The universe is vast and old
b. The same physical laws operate throughout the universe
c. Carl Sagan believed that there is life elsewhere
d. The elements of life are widespread - ANSWER c. Carl Sagan believed that
there is life elsewhere
Radioactive dating of meteorites, relics from the era of formation of the Solar
System, reveal that Earth and the other planets formed _______ years ago. -
ANSWER 4.6 Billion
The Solar System is mostly empty space. Consider a model in which the Sun,
with a diameter of 1.4 million km, is reduced to the size of a grapefruit. This is a
reduction of 10 billion to one. Earth would be the size of a __________ located
_____ m from the grapefruit. - ANSWER Ball point; 15
On the same scale, if a grapefruit representing the Sun is placed in the center of
Los Angeles, roughly where would we put another grapefruit to represent the
next nearest star system (Alpha Centauri)? - ANSWER Washington, D.C.
According to the Nebular Theory, as a giant interstellar cloud forms a new star
and planetary system it _______, _________ and spins _______. - ANSWER
Contracts; heats up; faster
The Frost Line is an imaginary boundary in the early Solar Nebula beyond
which - ANSWER the temperature drops low enough for hydrogen compounds
like water,
ammonia and methane to freeze out
Earth owes its habitability primarily to - ANSWER a combination of its size
and its distance from the Sun
Which of the following processes is believed to have been an important source
of Earth's early atmosphere - ANSWER outgassing by volcanoes on Earth's
surface
Which component of Earth's geology is believed to have been largely
responsible for the long-term climate stability? - ANSWER plate tectonics
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Astronomy has shown us that the fundamental laws of physics are the same
everywhere, and that Earth is - ANSWER just one planet orbiting an ordinary
star in a vast universe
Extraterrestrial life is defined to be - ANSWER any kind of life found
anywhere beyond Earth
Occam's Razor is a philosophical principle that states if we have two models
that agree equally well with observations, then the ________ one is most likely
to be
the correct one. - ANSWER simplest
Which one of these statements is NOT a hallmark of the Scientific Method?
a. Science seeks explanations for observed phenomena that rely solely on
natural causes.
b. Scientific models must make testable predictions about natural
phenomena.
c. Science progresses through the creation and testing of models of nature
that explain observations as simply as possible.
d. Science seeks explanations for observed phenomena that rely solely on
supernatural causes. - ANSWER d. Science seeks explanations for observed
phenomena that rely solely on supernatural causes.
Darwin's Theory of Evolution meets all the criteria of a scientific theory
because: - ANSWER After more than 100 years, the theory stands stronger
than ever, having successfully met every scientific challenge to its validity.
, In a search for life in the universe, which of the following is NOT relevant?
a. The universe is vast and old
b. The same physical laws operate throughout the universe
c. Carl Sagan believed that there is life elsewhere
d. The elements of life are widespread - ANSWER c. Carl Sagan believed that
there is life elsewhere
Radioactive dating of meteorites, relics from the era of formation of the Solar
System, reveal that Earth and the other planets formed _______ years ago. -
ANSWER 4.6 Billion
The Solar System is mostly empty space. Consider a model in which the Sun,
with a diameter of 1.4 million km, is reduced to the size of a grapefruit. This is a
reduction of 10 billion to one. Earth would be the size of a __________ located
_____ m from the grapefruit. - ANSWER Ball point; 15
On the same scale, if a grapefruit representing the Sun is placed in the center of
Los Angeles, roughly where would we put another grapefruit to represent the
next nearest star system (Alpha Centauri)? - ANSWER Washington, D.C.
According to the Nebular Theory, as a giant interstellar cloud forms a new star
and planetary system it _______, _________ and spins _______. - ANSWER
Contracts; heats up; faster
The Frost Line is an imaginary boundary in the early Solar Nebula beyond
which - ANSWER the temperature drops low enough for hydrogen compounds
like water,
ammonia and methane to freeze out
Earth owes its habitability primarily to - ANSWER a combination of its size
and its distance from the Sun
Which of the following processes is believed to have been an important source
of Earth's early atmosphere - ANSWER outgassing by volcanoes on Earth's
surface
Which component of Earth's geology is believed to have been largely
responsible for the long-term climate stability? - ANSWER plate tectonics
