A) A B) B C) C D) D

1. The diagram below shows a planet's orbit around theSun.

At which location is the planet's orbital velocitygreatest?

A) the Sun in slightly elliptical orbitsB) the Sun in circular orbitsC) Earth in slightly elliptical orbitsD) Earth in circular orbits

2. The modern heliocentric model of planetary motionstates that the planets travel around

A) the Moon is closest to EarthB) Earth’s distance from the Sun is greatestC) Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are located along a

straight line in spaceD) the highest maximum temperatures occur in the

Northern Hemisphere

3. Earth’s orbital velocity is slowest on July 5 because

A) B)

C) D)

4. Which graph best shows the general relationship between a planet's distance from the Sun and theSun's gravitational attraction to the planet?

A) 0.3 B) 0.5 C) 0.7 D) 1.4

5. The diagram below represents the elliptical orbit of amoon revolving around a planet. The foci of this orbitare the points labeled F1 and F2.

What is the approximate eccentricity of this ellipticalorbit?

A) A Foucault pendulum shows predictable changesin its direction of swing.

B) The apparent diameter of the Sun showspredictable changes in size.

C) The length of daylight at the poles changes from0 to 24 hours during the year.

D) Summer occurs in the Northern Hemisphere atthe same time that winter occurs in the SouthernHemisphere.

6. Which observation is a direct result of changes indistance between Earth and the Sun?

A) B)

C) D)

7. Which graph best represents the change ingravitational attraction between the Sun and a cometas the distance between them increases?

A) The Sun follows an apparent daily path, rising inthe east and setting in the west.

B) A Foucault pendulum appears to shift itsdirection of swing in a predictable manner.

C) The stars appear to follow circular paths aroundthe North Star (Polaris).

D) The seasons of spring, summer, fall, andwinter repeat in a pattern.

8. Which statement provides the best evidence that Earthrevolves around the Sun?

A) B)

C) D)

9. The symbols below represent two planets.

Which combination of planet masses and distances produces the greatest gravitational force betweenthe planets?

Base your answers to questions 10 through 13 on the diagram of the solar system below.

A) Venus B) Mars C) Saturn D) Pluto

10. Which planet has the most eccentric orbit?

A) shorter its period of rotation B) shorter its period of revolutionC) longer its period of rotation D) longer its period of revolution

11. According to Kepler's Harmonic Law of Planetary Motion, the farther a planet is located from theSun, the

A) heliocentric model B) geocentric modelC) sidereal model D) lunar model

12. Which kind of model of the solar system is represented by the diagram?

A) one-ninth as great B) nine times as greatC) one-fourth as great D) four times as great

13. If the Earth's distance from the Sun were doubled, the gravitational attraction between the Sun andEarth would be

A) heliocentric model B) tetrahedral modelC) concentric model D) geocentric model

14. In which type of model are the Sun, other stars, andthe Moon in orbit around the Earth?

Base your answers to questions 15 through 19 on thediagram below which represents a planet, P, in anelliptical orbit around a star located at F1. The foci ofthe elliptical orbit are F1 and F2. Orbital locations arerepresented by P1 through P6.

A) remain the sameB) be two times greaterC) be three times greaterD) be nine times greater

15. If the mass of planet P were tripled, the gravitationalforce between the star and planet P would

A) P2 and P3 B) P4 and P5C) P3 and P4 D) P6 and P1

16. If the shaded portions of the orbital plane are equalin area, the time period between P1 and P2 will beequal to the time period between

A) 0.52 B) 0.83 C) 2.11 D) 4.47

17. What is the approximate eccentricity of planet P'sorbit?

A) P1 B) P2 C) P3 D) P4

18. When observed from the planet, the star would haveits greatest apparent angular diameter when theplanet is located at position

A) P1 B) P2 C) P3 D) P4

19. The gravitational attraction between planet P and thestar is greatest when the planet is located at position

A) B)

C) D)

20. The graph below shows the varying amount of gravitational attraction between the Sun and anasteroid in our solar system. Letters A, B, C, and D indicate four positions in the asteroid's orbit.

Which diagram best represents the positions of the asteroid in its orbit around the Sun? [Note: Thediagrams are not drawn to scale.]

A) They have the same period of revolution.B) They are perfect spheres.C) They exert the same gravitational force on

each other.D) They have elliptical orbits with the Sun at

one focus.

21. In what way are the planets Mars, Mercury, andEarth similar?

A) Venus will set 1 hour after the Sun becauseEarth rotates at 45° per hour.

B) Venus will set 2 hours after the Sun becauseVenus orbits Earth faster than the Sun orbitsEarth.

C) Venus will set 3 hours after the Sun becauseEarth rotates at 15° per hour.

D) Venus will set 4 hours after the Sun becauseVenus orbits Earth slower than the Sun orbitsEarth.

22. An observer on Earth measures the angle of sightbetween Venus and the setting Sun.

Which statement best describes and explains theapparent motion of Venus over the next few hours?

A) Mercury B) NeptuneC) Pluto D) Venus

23. Which planet’s orbit around the Sun is most nearlycircular?

A) Neptune B) JupiterC) Pluto D) Mars

24. The constructed ellipse below is a true scale modelof the orbit of a planet in our solar system. Thisellipse best represents the orbit of the planet

A) B)

C) D)

25. Which diagram shows a planet with the least eccentric orbit?

( Key: • = planet * = star )

A) the Sun B) BetelgeuseC) Earth D) Jupiter

26. Which object is located at one foci of the ellipticalorbit of Mars?

A) B) C) D)

27. The diagram below shows a satellite in four different positions as it revolves around a planet.

Which graph best represents the changes in this satellite's orbital velocity as it revolves around theplanet?

A) B)

C) D)

28. The table below shows gravitational data for a planettraveling in an elliptical orbit around a star. Thetable shows the relative gravitational force betweenthe star and this planet at eight positions in the orbit(letters A through H). Higher numbers indicatestronger gravitational attraction.

Which diagram best represents the positions of theplanet in its orbit that would produce thegravitational forces shown in the data table?

A) The gravitational force between the Earth andthe Sun decreases.

B) The Sun's apparent diameter decreases.C) The Sun's rate of rotation increases.D) The Earth's orbital speed increases.

29. Which change always occurs as the distance betweenthe Earth and the Sun decreases?

A) B)

C) D)

30. Which graph best represents the force of gravity between Earth and the Sun during one revolution ofEarth around the Sun?

A) geocentric model with the Sun near the centerB) geocentric model with Earth near the centerC) heliocentric model with the Sun near the

centerD) heliocentric model with Earth near the center

31. This diagram of our solar system represents a

A) The Earth is located at the center of themodel.

B) All planets revolve around the Sun.C) The Sun is located at the center of the model.D) All planets except the Earth revolve around the

Sun.

32. Which statement best describes the geocentric modelof our solar system?

A) a very eccentric ellipseB) a slightly eccentric ellipseC) an oblate spheroidD) a perfect circle

33. The actual shape of the Earth's orbit around the Sunis best described as

A) 1.3 B) 0.8 C) 0.5 D) 0.3

34. The diagram below represents the construction of amodel of an elliptical orbit of a planet travelingaround a star.The focal point and the center of the star representthe foci of the orbit.

The eccentricity of this orbit is approximately

A) less elliptical, with a shorter distance betweenits foci

B) less elliptical, with a greater distance betweenits foci

C) more elliptical, with a shorter distance betweenits foci

D) more elliptical, with a greater distancebetween its foci

35. Compared to the orbit of the Jovian planets, the orbitof Halley’s comet is

A) decrease, then increaseB) increase, then decreaseC) continually decreaseD) remain the same

36. The diagram below represents a planet revolving inan elliptical orbit around a star.

As the planet makes one complete revolution aroundthe star, starting at the position shown, thegravitational attraction between the star and theplanet will

A) less than 40 daysB) greater than 40 daysC) 40 days

37. The diagram below shows the orbits of planets A and B in a star-planet system.

The period of revolution for planet B is 40 days. Theperiod of revolution for planet A most likely is

A) elliptical and very elongatedB) parabolicC) nearly circularD) perfectly circular

38. The shape of the orbits of most of the planets in thesolar system would best be described as

39. Base your answer to the following question on thediagram below which represents nine positions of theEarth in orbit around the Sun during one completeorbit of the Moon around the Earth.

A) changes in the gravitational attractionbetween the Moon and the Earth

B) the Earth to have an equatorial bulgeC) the Moon's period of rotation to equal its period

of revolutionD) the 23 ° tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation

The elliptical shape of the Moon's orbit around theEarth causes

A) Moon is rotatingB) Moon’s orbit is ellipticalC) atmospheric transparency of the Moon changesD) distance between the Moon and the Sun

changes

40. An observer on Earth determines that the apparentdiameter of the Moon as viewed from Earth varies ina cyclic manner. The best explanation for thisobservation is that the

A) rotation rateB) massC) insolation from the SunD) distance from the Sun

41. The period of time a planet takes to make onerevolution around the Sun is most dependent on theplanet's average

A) small and they are far apartB) small and they are close togetherC) large and they are far apartD) large and they are close together

42. The force of gravity between two objects will begreatest if their masses are

43. Base your answer to the following question on thediagram below, which represents an exaggeratedview of Earth revolving around the Sun. Letters A, B,C, and D represent Earth's location in its orbit on thefirst day of each of the four seasons.

A) Stars seen from Earth appear to circle Polaris.B) Earth's planetary winds are deflected by the

Coriolis effect.C) The change from high ocean tide to low ocean

tide is a repeating pattern.D) Different star constellations are seen from

Earth at different times of the year.

Which observation provides the best evidence thatEarth revolves around the Sun?

A) The Earth would revolve around the Sun.B) The Earth would rotate on its axis.C) The Moon would revolve around the Sun.D) The Sun would revolve around the Earth.

44. In the geocentric model (the Earth at the center ofthe universe), which motion would occur?

A) 0.22 B) 0.47 C) 0.68 D) 1.47

45. The diagram below shows the elliptical orbit of aplanet revolving around a star. The star and F2arethe foci of this ellipse.

What is the approximate eccentricity of this ellipse?

A) Earth B) JupiterC) Pluto D) Saturn

46. Which planet has an orbit with an eccentricity mostsimilar to the eccentricity of the Moon’s orbitaround Earth?

A) Earth B) SunC) Moon D) Polaris

47. The diagram below represents a simple geocentricmodel. Which object is represented by the letter X?

A) Kinetic energy is increasing and potentialenergy is decreasing.

B) Kinetic energy is decreasing and potentialenergy is increasing.

C) Both kinetic and potential energy aredecreasing.

D) Both kinetic and potential energy areincreasing.

48. The diagram below represents a planet in orbitaround a star.

Which statement best describes how the planet'senergy is changing as it moves from point A to point B?

A)

B)

C)

D)

49. The symbols below represent star masses anddistances.

Which diagram shows two stars that have thegreatest gravitational force betweenthem?

50. Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below, which shows positions of the Moon in its orbit and phases of the Moon as viewedfrom New York State.

A) 0.017 B) 0.055 C) 0.386 D) 0.723

What is the eccentricity of the Moon’s orbit?

A) Constellations move within our galaxy.B) Constellations have elliptical orbits.C) Earth revolves around the Sun.D) Earth rotates on its axis.

51. Why are some constellations visible to New YorkState observers at midnight during April, but not visible at midnight during October?

52. Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below, which shows a portion of the solarsystem.

A) elliptical, with Earth at one of the fociB) elliptical, with the Sun at one of the fociC) circular, with Earth at the centerD) circular, with the Sun at the center

The actual orbits of the planets are

A) inclination of Earth's axisB) rate of rotation of EarthC) distance between Earth and the SunD) oblate spheroid shapes of Earth and the Sun

53. Differences in Earth's orbital velocity around theSun are caused primarily by changes in the

A) masses are small and the objects are closetogether

B) masses are small and the objects are far apartC) masses are large and the objects are close

togetherD) masses are large and the objects are far apart

54. The force of gravity between two objects is greatestwhen

A) A B) B C) C D) D

55. Base your answer to the question below on thediagram below. The diagram represents the path of aplanet orbiting a star. Points A, B, C, and D indicatefour orbital positions of the planet.

When viewed by an observer on the planet, the starhas the largest apparent diameter at position

A) eccentricity =299,000,000 km5,000,000 km

B) eccentricity = 5,000,000 km 299,000,000 km

C) eccentricity = 299,000,000 km - 5,000,000 kmD) eccentricity =

5,000,000 km 299,000,000 km - 5,000,000 km

56. The diagram below represents the elliptical orbit ofthe Earth around the Sun.

Which equation should be used to find theeccentricity of the Earth's orbit?

A) B)

C) D)

57. Which graph best represents the relationshipbetween the gravitational attraction of two objectsand their distance from each other?

A) circular, with the planet at the centerB) circular, with the Sun at the centerC) elliptical, with the planet at one of the fociD) elliptical, with the Sun at one of the foci

58. In our solar system, the orbits of the planets are bestdescribed as

A) mass B) densityC) eccentricity of orbit D) period of rotation

59. The bar graph below shows one planetary characteristic, identified as X, plotted for the planets of oursolar system.

Which characteristic of the planets in our solar system is represented by X?

A) The geocentric model no longer predicted thepositions of the constellations.

B) The geocentric model did not predict the phasesof the Moon.

C) The heliocentric model provided a simplerexplanation of the motions of the planets.

D) The heliocentric model proved that the Earthrotates.

60. For what reason did the heliocentric model of theuniverse replace the geocentric model of theuniverse?

A) direction of revolutionB) distance from the SunC) polar circumferenceD) axial tilt

61. The speed of a planet in its orbit around the Sundepends primarily on the planet's

A) geocentric, with elliptical orbitsB) geocentric, with circular orbitsC) heliocentric, with elliptical orbitsD) heliocentric, with circular orbits

62. The diagram below represents our solar system.

This system is best classified as

A) shape of Earth's MoonB) shape of an elliptical orbitC) path of an earthquake waveD) path of a projectile deflected by Earth's rotation

63. The diagram below represents a student'sconstructed laboratory drawing.

The student's drawing best represents the

A) Venus B) EarthC) Mars D) Jupiter

64. Which planet has the least distance between the twofoci of its elliptical orbit?

A) weaker gravitational attraction to the star and a shorter period of revolutionB) weaker gravitational attraction to the star and a longer period of revolutionC) stronger gravitational attraction to the star and a shorter period of revolutionD) stronger gravitational attraction to the star and a longer period of revolution

65. The diagram below represents planets A and B, of equal mass, revolving around a star.

Compared to planet A, planet B has a

A) Gravitational pull would decrease andperiod of revolution would increase.

B) Gravitational pull would decrease and period ofrevolution would decrease.

C) Gravitational pull would increase and period ofrevolution would increase.

D) Gravitational pull would increase and period ofrevolution would decrease.

66. If the average distance between Earth and the Sunwere doubled, what changes would occur in theSun's gravitational pull on Earth and Earth's periodof revolution? A) always less

B) always greaterC) always the sameD) sometimes less and sometimes greater

67. Compared to the velocity of Jupiter in its orbit, thevelocity of Halley’s comet is

A) a heliocentric model, in which celestial objectsorbit Earth

B) a heliocentric model, in which celestial objectsorbit the Sun

C) a geocentric model, in which celestial objectsorbit Earth

D) a geocentric model, in which celestial objectsorbit the Sun

68. The diagram below shows one model of a portion ofthe universe.

What type of model does the diagram bestdemonstrate?

A)

B)

C)

D)

69. Which diagram represents a geocentric model? [Key: E = Earth, P = Planet, S = Sun]

A) Earth's orbit and the comet's orbit have the same distance between foci.B) Earth's orbit has a greater distance between foci than the comet's orbit.C) The comet's orbit has one focus, while Earth's orbit has two foci.D) The comet's orbit has a greater distance between foci than Earth's orbit.

70. The diagram below represents the position of Earth in its orbit and the position of a comet in its orbitaround the Sun.

Which inference can be made about the comet's orbit, when it is compared to Earth's orbit?

A) the Moon B) the SunC) Venus D) Polaris

71. Which object orbits Earth in both the Earth-centered(geocentric) and Sun-centered (heliocentric) modelsof our solar system?

A) deflection of the windB) curved path of projectilesC) motion of a Foucault pendulumD) the sun's path through the sky

72. Which apparent motion can be explained by ageocentric model?

A) changes in the orbital velocity of the EarthB) tilting of the Earth's axisC) the oblate spheroid shape of the EarthD) the phases of the Moon

73. The elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit results in

A) A B) B C) C D) D

74. The diagram below shows four positions of a planetin its orbit around the Sun.

At which position is the planet's orbital speedgreatest?

A) B)

C) D)

75. In each diagram below, the mass of the star is the same. In which diagram is the force of gravitygreatest between the star and the planet shown?

A) winter B) springC) summer D) fall

76. Earth is farthest from the Sun during the NorthernHemisphere's summer, and Earth is closest to theSun during the Northern Hemispheres winter.During which season in the Northern Hemisphere isEarth's orbital velocity greatest?

Base your answers to questions 77 and 78 on the diagram below, which represents the currentlocations of two planets, Aand B, orbiting a star. Letter X indicates a position in the orbit of planet A.Numbers 1 through 4 indicate positions in the orbit of planet B.

A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4

77. As planet A moves in orbit from its current location to position X, planet B most likely moves in orbitfrom its current location to position

A) Mercury B) Jupiter C) Earth D) Mars

78. If the diagram represents our solar system and planet B is Venus, which planet is represented byplanet A?

A)

B)

C)

D)

79. Which bar graph correctly shows the orbitaleccentricity of the planets in our solar system?

A) Pluto B) SaturnC) Mars D) Mercury

80. Which planet has an orbital eccentricity most likethe orbital eccentricity of the Moon?

A) degree of tilt of the planet’s axisB) distance between the planet and the SunC) planet’s period of rotationD) amount of insolation given off by the Sun

81. One factor responsible for the strength ofgravitational attraction between a planet and the Sunis the

A) B)

C) D)

82. Which diagram best represents a portion of theheliocentric model of the solar system? [S = Sun, E = Earth, and M = Moon]

A) decrease B) increaseC) remain the same

83. When the distance between the foci of an ellipse isincreased, the eccentricity of the ellipse will

A) B)

C) D)

84. Which graph best represents the relationshipbetween the gravitational attraction of two objectsand their distance from each other?

A) Stars in constellations revolve around Earth.B) Stars in constellations revolve around the Sun.C) Earth revolves around the Sun.D) Earth rotates on its axis.

85. Which motion causes some constellations to bevisible in New York State only during winter nightsand other constellations to be visible only duringsummer nights?

A) Earth’s axis is tilted at 23.5°.B) Earth’s rotational speed varies with the seasons.C) The Moon has an elliptical orbit.D) The Moon has a spherical shape.

86. What is the main reason that the gravitationalattraction between Earth and the Moon changes eachday?

A) The shaded sections of the diagram areequal in area.

B) The distance from the Sun to the Earth is thesame at point A and at point D.

C) The orbital velocity of the Earth at point A equals its orbital velocity at point C.

D) The gravitational force between the Earth andthe Sun at point B is the same as thegravitational force at point D.

87. The diagram below represents the Earth's orbitalpath around the Sun. The Earth takes the sameamount of time to move from A to B as from C to D.

Which values are equal within the system?

A) B)

C) D)

88. Which diagram best represents the motions ofcelestial objects in a heliocentric model?

A) degree of tilt of the planet's axisB) distance between the planet and the SunC) planet's period of rotationD) amount of insolation given off by the Sun

89. One factor responsible for the strength ofgravitational attraction between a planet and the Sunis the

Answer KeyOrbits and Eccentricity

1. A2. A3. B4. D5. C6. B7. A8. D9. C10. D11. D12. A13. C14. D15. C16. B17. A18. B19. B20. A21. D22. C23. D24. C25. A26. A27. C28. B29. D30. C31. C32. A33. B34. B35. D

36. A37. A38. C39. A40. B41. D42. D43. D44. D45. C46. D47. A48. A49. C50. B51. C52. B53. C54. C55. A56. B57. D58. D59. C60. C61. B62. C63. B64. A65. B66. A67. D68. C69. C70. D

71. A72. D73. A74. B75. B76. A77. A78. A79. A80. B81. B82. C83. B84. A85. C86. C87. A88. D89. B