The Solar System Quiz

Question 1

Copernicus' heliocentric model was much simpler than Ptolemy's because

Accepted Answer

it showed only the Moon going around the Earth.

Question 2

Many early Greek scientists assumed that the Earth was ___ because everything went around it.

Accepted Answer

at the center of the Universe

Question 3

The inner planets (terrestrials) formed from heavier materials closer to the Sun because

Accepted Answer

of the Sun's stronger gravitational force.

Question 4

The Sun is the central object in the solar system because of its mass & gravitational pull.

Accepted Answer

TRUE

Question 5

The Sun & the solar system formed near the beginning of the Big Bang.

Accepted Answer

FALSE

Question 6

After the Sun formed, the leftover debris eventually formed all the planets & moons around it.

Accepted Answer

TRUE

Question 7

Polish astronomer Nicholas Copernicus published his ___ view of the solar system in 1543.

Accepted Answer

heliocentric

Question 8

Jovian (Jupiter-like) planets probably formed farther from the new Sun because

Accepted Answer

they are made of lighter materials (gases & ice).

Question 9

Copernicus' model also explained retrograde motion as the apparent motion of the planets due to

Accepted Answer

Earth "catching up" or passing other planets in their orbits

Question 10

We now know that the solar system consists of ___ major planets that orbit the Sun.

Accepted Answer

eight

Question 11

By 140 A.D. the scientist ___ developed a geocentric model using over 80 deferents & epicycles.

Accepted Answer

Ptolemy

Question 12

Which statement best describes an "extrasolar" planet?

Accepted Answer

a planet that orbits another star other than our Sun

Question 13

The ancient Greek model (geocentric) explained retrograde motion of the planets by using

Accepted Answer

smaller circles called "epicycles" on top of larger circles.

Question 14

Astronomers have observed planetary disk material around

Accepted Answer

other, younger stars than our Sun.

Question 15

The Earth-centered (or "geocentric") model of the solar system was accepted by most people

Accepted Answer

for centuries.

Question 16

The vast majority of new exoplanet discovery has come from

Accepted Answer

the Kepler Space Telescope (KST).

Question 17

___ are smaller, moon-like bodies observed around other stars that eventually form planets.

Accepted Answer

Planetesimals

Question 18

Most extrasolar (or "exoplanets") discovered so far have been

Accepted Answer

Jupiter-size planets orbiting very close to their stars.

Question 19

Which statement best describes "retrograde motion?"

Accepted Answer

the apparent "loop" planets would make in the night sky

Question 20

Later, scientists like Galileo, Kepler, Newton (and others) proved the Copernican model by

Accepted Answer

making observations of the planets using better technology.

Questions 20