Question 1

The allowed shapes for orbits under the force of gravity are

Accepted Answer

A)   ellipses only.
B)   ellipses and spirals.
C)   ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas.
D)   ellipses, spirals, and parabolas.
E)   spirals, circles, and squares.F) A) and D)
G) All of the above

Question 2

The Moon is constantly falling toward Earth.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Imagine another solar system, with a star more massive than the Sun. Suppose a planet with the same mass as Earth orbits at a distance of 1 AU from the star. How would the planet's year (orbital period)  compare to Earth's year?

Accepted Answer

A)   The planet's year would be shorter than Earth's.
B)   The planet's year would be longer than Earth's.
C)   The planet's year would be the same as Earth's.
D)   An orbit at a distance of 1 AU would not be possible around a star more massive than the Sun.E) C) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 4

According to what we now know from Newton's laws, which of the following best explains why Kepler's second law is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   A planet's total orbital energy must be conserved as it moves around its orbit.
B)   Orbits must be elliptical in shape.
C)   Gravity is an inverse cube law.
D)   This effect happens because of the influence of other planets on a particular planet's orbit.E) B) and C)
F) All of the above

Question 5

Consider the elliptical orbit of a comet around the Sun. Where in its orbit does it have the largest amount of total orbital energy?

Accepted Answer

A)   When it is farthest from the Sun
B)   It always has the same total orbital energy.
C)   When it is closest to the SunD) B) and C)
E) A) and C)

Question 6

Which statement must be true in order for a rocket to travel from Earth to another planet?

Accepted Answer

A)   It must attain escape velocity from Earth.
B)   It must carry a lot of extra fuel.
C)   It must have very large engines.
D)   It must be launched from space, rather than from the ground.E) A) and B)
F) A) and D)

Question 7

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its temperature increases,

Accepted Answer

A)   because gravitational potential energy is converted to thermal energy.
B)   because kinetic energy is converted to radiative energy.
C)   because thermal energy is converted to radiative energy.D) All of the above
E) A) and C)

Question 8

The planets never travel in a straight line as they orbit the Sun. According to Newton's second law of motion, this must mean that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   a force is acting on the planets
B)   the planets are always accelerating
C)   the planets have angular momentum
D)   the planets will eventually fall into the SunE) A) and B)
F) B) and D)

Question 9

What does temperature measure?

Accepted Answer

A)   The average kinetic energy of particles in a substance
B)   The average mass of particles in a substance
C)   The total potential energy of particles in a substance
D)   The total amount of heat in a substanceE) A) and B)
F) C) and D)

Question 10

Explain what synchronous rotation is. What is it caused by? Give an example.

Accepted Answer

Synchronous rotation is when the rotatio...

Question 11

Newton's Second Law of Motion tells us that the net force applied to an object equals its ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   mass times acceleration
B)   mass times energy
C)   momentum times velocity
D)   mass times velocityE) All of the above
F) C) and D)

Question 12

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its rate of rotation

Accepted Answer

A)   increases, because its angular momentum is conserved.
B)   decreases, because its angular momentum is conserved.
C)   increases, because its total energy is conserved.
D)   increases, because the force of gravity strengthens as the cloud shrinks.
E)   decreases, because the force of gravity strengthens as the cloud shrinks.F) B) and E)
G) C) and D)

Question 13

Suppose a satellite is in a low-Earth orbit. Is it possible that the satellite will eventually fall to the ground? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

To fall to Earth, the satellite must los...

Question 14

The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The energy attributed to an object by virtue of its motion is known as ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   kinetic energy
B)   potential energy
C)   radiative energy
D)   mass-energyE) B) and D)
F) A) and D)

Question 16

At which lunar phase(s)  are tides most pronounced (for example, the highest high tides) ?

Accepted Answer

A)   Both new and full moons
B)   Both first and third quarters
C)   Full moon only
D)   New moon onlyE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 17

State Newton's three laws of motion.

Accepted Answer

1. In the absence of a net force, an obj...

Question 18

Suppose that a lone asteroid happens to be passing Jupiter on an unbound orbit (well above Jupiter's atmosphere and far from all of Jupiter's moons.)  Which of the following statements would be true?

Accepted Answer

A)   The asteroid's orbit around Jupiter would not change, and it would go out on the same unbound orbit that it came in on.
B)   Jupiter's gravity would capture the asteroid, making it a new moon of Jupiter.
C)   Jupiter's gravity would suck in the asteroid, causing it to crash into Jupiter.
D)   There is no way to predict what would happen.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 19

Approximately where is it currently high tide on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)   On the portion of Earth facing directly toward the Moon and on the portion of Earth facing directly away from the Moon
B)   Only on the portion of the Earth facing directly toward the Moon
C)   Wherever it is currently noon
D)   Anywhere that ocean water laps upon the shoreE) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 20

Imagine another solar system, with a star of the same mass as the Sun. Suppose there is a planet in that solar system with a mass double that of Earth orbiting at a distance of 1 AU from the star. Thinking about Newton's version of Kepler's third law, what (approximately) is the orbital period of this planet? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The orbital period of the planet would b...

Exam 4: Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Imagine another solar system, with a star more massive than the Sun. Suppose a planet with the same mass as Earth orbits at a distance of 1 AU from the star. How would the planet's year (orbital period) compare to Earth's year?

Correct Answer
verified

The planets never travel in a straight line as they orbit the Sun. According to Newton's second law of motion, this must mean that ________.

Correct Answer
verified

The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth.

Correct Answer
verified

Explain what synchronous rotation is. What is it caused by? Give an example.

Correct Answer
verified
Synchronous rotation is when the rotatio...
View Answer

Suppose a satellite is in a low-Earth orbit. Is it possible that the satellite will eventually fall to the ground? Why or why not?

Correct Answer
verified
To fall to Earth, the satellite must los...
View Answer

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its temperature increases,

Correct Answer
verified

Suppose that a lone asteroid happens to be passing Jupiter on an unbound orbit (well above Jupiter's atmosphere and far from all of Jupiter's moons.) Which of the following statements would be true?

Correct Answer
verified

The allowed shapes for orbits under the force of gravity are

Correct Answer
verified

At which lunar phase(s) are tides most pronounced (for example, the highest high tides) ?

Correct Answer
verified

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its rate of rotation

Correct Answer
verified

According to what we now know from Newton's laws, which of the following best explains why Kepler's second law is true?

Correct Answer
verified

Consider the elliptical orbit of a comet around the Sun. Where in its orbit does it have the largest amount of total orbital energy?

Correct Answer
verified

The Moon is constantly falling toward Earth.

Correct Answer
verified

State Newton's three laws of motion.

Correct Answer
verified
1. In the absence of a net force, an obj...
View Answer

Which statement must be true in order for a rocket to travel from Earth to another planet?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
The orbital period of the planet would b...
View Answer

The energy attributed to an object by virtue of its motion is known as ________.

Correct Answer
verified

What does temperature measure?

Correct Answer
verified

Approximately where is it currently high tide on Earth?

Correct Answer
verified

Newton's Second Law of Motion tells us that the net force applied to an object equals its ________.

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 4: Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Imagine another solar system, with a star more massive than the Sun. Suppose a planet with the same mass as Earth orbits at a distance of 1 AU from the star. How would the planet's year (orbital period) compare to Earth's year?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The planets never travel in a straight line as they orbit the Sun. According to Newton's second law of motion, this must mean that ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Explain what synchronous rotation is. What is it caused by? Give an example.

Correct AnswerverifiedSynchronous rotation is when the rotatio...View AnswerShow Answer

Suppose a satellite is in a low-Earth orbit. Is it possible that the satellite will eventually fall to the ground? Why or why not?

Correct AnswerverifiedTo fall to Earth, the satellite must los...View AnswerShow Answer

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its temperature increases,

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Suppose that a lone asteroid happens to be passing Jupiter on an unbound orbit (well above Jupiter's atmosphere and far from all of Jupiter's moons.) Which of the following statements would be true?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The allowed shapes for orbits under the force of gravity are

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

At which lunar phase(s) are tides most pronounced (for example, the highest high tides) ?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its rate of rotation

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to what we now know from Newton's laws, which of the following best explains why Kepler's second law is true?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Consider the elliptical orbit of a comet around the Sun. Where in its orbit does it have the largest amount of total orbital energy?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Moon is constantly falling toward Earth.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

State Newton's three laws of motion.

Correct Answerverified1. In the absence of a net force, an obj...View AnswerShow Answer

Which statement must be true in order for a rocket to travel from Earth to another planet?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedThe orbital period of the planet would b...View AnswerShow Answer

The energy attributed to an object by virtue of its motion is known as ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What does temperature measure?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Approximately where is it currently high tide on Earth?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Newton's Second Law of Motion tells us that the net force applied to an object equals its ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified
Synchronous rotation is when the rotatio...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
To fall to Earth, the satellite must los...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
1. In the absence of a net force, an obj...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
The orbital period of the planet would b...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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