1.
The earth orbits the sun at an average distance of _____
Correct Answer
C. 149.60 million km
Explanation
The correct answer is 149.60 million km. This is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun. The Earth's orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse, so the distance varies slightly throughout the year. However, the average distance is approximately 149.60 million km.
2.
How long does one complete orbit take?
Correct Answer
D. 365.25 days
Explanation
One complete orbit around the sun takes approximately 365.25 days. This is because the Earth's orbit is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. As a result, the Earth moves at different speeds at different points in its orbit. To account for this, we have a leap year every four years with an extra day (February 29th) to make up for the extra time. This averages out to 365.25 days per orbit.
3.
What total distance does the earth travel to orbit the sun?
Correct Answer
A. 940 million km
Explanation
The correct answer is 940 million km. This is the approximate distance that the Earth travels in its orbit around the Sun. This distance is not fixed, as the Earth's orbit is elliptical, but on average it is about 940 million km.
4.
What is the orbital speed of the earth?
Correct Answer
B. 30 km/s
Explanation
The orbital speed of the Earth is 30 km/s. This refers to the speed at which the Earth revolves around the Sun in its elliptical orbit. It is a constant speed that keeps the Earth in its orbit and prevents it from either falling into the Sun or drifting away from it. This speed allows the Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun in approximately 365.25 days, resulting in the length of a year.
5.
The earth's revolution results in one of the following
Correct Answer
C. Seasons
Explanation
The earth's revolution, or its orbit around the sun, is responsible for the occurrence of seasons. As the earth revolves around the sun, its axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane. This tilt causes different parts of the earth to be exposed to varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to changes in temperature and weather conditions. This results in the four distinct seasons - spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
6.
The earth's revolution results in one of the following
Correct Answer
D. Leap Years
Explanation
The Earth's revolution around the Sun takes approximately 365.25 days, which is why we have leap years. Leap years occur every four years to account for the extra 0.25 days. During a leap year, an extra day, February 29th, is added to the calendar. This ensures that our calendar stays synchronized with the Earth's revolution around the Sun, preventing it from drifting over time. Therefore, leap years are a direct result of the Earth's revolution.
7.
_____ demonstrated that the earth revolves around the sun
Correct Answer
A. Nicolaus Coppernicus
Explanation
Nicolaus Copernicus demonstrated that the earth revolves around the sun. He proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system, which challenged the prevailing belief that the earth was the center of the universe. Copernicus's work laid the foundation for modern astronomy and our understanding of the solar system. His book "De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres) presented his findings and sparked a scientific revolution. Copernicus's work was later confirmed and expanded upon by other scientists, including Galileo Galilei.
8.
The earth orbits the sun in _____
Correct Answer
C. An elliptical orbit
Explanation
The correct answer is an elliptical orbit. This is because the Earth's orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. An elliptical orbit means that the Earth's distance from the Sun varies throughout the year. This variation in distance is what causes the change in seasons on Earth.
9.
The orbital pattern of the earth was first described by _____
Correct Answer
A. Johannes Kepler
Explanation
Johannes Kepler is the correct answer because he was the first to accurately describe the orbital pattern of the Earth. Kepler's laws of planetary motion, published in the early 17th century, provided a mathematical explanation for how the Earth and other planets move around the Sun. His work built upon the observations of his predecessor, Nicolaus Copernicus, and laid the foundation for modern astronomy. Kepler's laws are still widely used today to understand the motion of celestial bodies.
10.
The earths orbit has an eccentricity of _____
Correct Answer
D. Less than 0.02
Explanation
The eccentricity of an orbit determines how much it deviates from a perfect circle. An eccentricity of less than 0.02 indicates that the Earth's orbit is almost circular. This means that the Earth's distance from the Sun remains relatively constant throughout its orbit, resulting in relatively stable seasons and climate patterns.