1.
Our solar system is approximately:
Correct Answer
B. 4.6 billion years old
Explanation
The correct answer is 4.6 billion years old. This is because scientists have determined the age of the solar system through various methods, including radiometric dating of meteorite samples and studying the formation of the oldest rocks on Earth. These studies indicate that the solar system formed around 4.6 billion years ago, when a giant molecular cloud collapsed under its own gravity, leading to the formation of the Sun and the planets.
2.
All planets orbit around the sun on the:
Correct Answer
C. Plane of the Ecliptic
Explanation
All planets orbit around the sun on the Plane of the Ecliptic. The Plane of the Ecliptic is the flat, disk-like region in space where most of the objects in our solar system are found. It is the same plane in which the Earth orbits around the sun. This plane is determined by the initial rotation of the protoplanetary disk from which the solar system formed. The other options, such as the asteroid belt and Kuiper belt, are specific regions within the solar system and not the plane on which the planets orbit.
3.
When the moon is waxing, it is:
Correct Answer
A. Getting bigger, from right to left
Explanation
During the waxing phase of the moon, it appears to be getting bigger. This is because the illuminated portion of the moon is increasing in size. The moon appears to be getting bigger from right to left when viewed from the Earth. This is because as the moon orbits around the Earth, the angle at which we see the illuminated portion changes, resulting in the appearance of the moon growing from right to left.
4.
The chemical reaction that is constantly going on in the sun is called:
Correct Answer
D. Fusion
Explanation
The correct answer is "fusion" because fusion is the process in which two or more atomic nuclei come together to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This process is what powers the sun and other stars, as the intense heat and pressure in their cores cause hydrogen atoms to combine and form helium through fusion reactions. Fission, on the other hand, is the process of splitting an atomic nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei, and it is not the main process occurring in the sun. Evaporation and flaring are unrelated processes to the chemical reaction happening in the sun.
5.
The outer planets share these common characteristics:
Correct Answer
C. They are gaseous
Explanation
The correct answer is "they are gaseous" because it is the only characteristic mentioned in the options that is true for all outer planets. The statement that they are made up of mostly rock and metal is incorrect as outer planets are predominantly composed of gases like hydrogen and helium. The statement that they have 3 moons is also incorrect as the number of moons can vary for each outer planet. Therefore, the only accurate characteristic shared by all outer planets is that they are gaseous.
6.
Other than our sun, the closest star to our solar system is:
Correct Answer
A. 4.25 light years away
Explanation
The correct answer is 4.25 light years away. This means that the closest star to our solar system is located at a distance of 4.25 times the distance that light travels in one year. Since light travels at a speed of about 186,282 miles per second, this distance is incredibly vast. It indicates that the closest star is very far from our solar system.
7.
If you can pick up a rock-like item that fell from space, it is known as a:
Correct Answer
D. Meteorite
Explanation
A rock-like item that falls from space and lands on Earth is known as a meteorite. This is different from a meteor, which is the streak of light that is produced when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up. NEO stands for Near-Earth Object and refers to any asteroid or comet that comes within 1.3 astronomical units of the Earth. An asteroid is a small rocky object that orbits the Sun, typically found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. A meteoroid is a smaller object that is in space and can become a meteor or meteorite when it enters Earth's atmosphere.
8.
Our Earth is tilted on its axis at an inclination of:
Correct Answer
C. 23.5 degrees
Explanation
The correct answer is 23.5 degrees. This is the inclination of Earth's axis, also known as its axial tilt or obliquity. It refers to the angle between the Earth's rotational axis and its orbital plane around the Sun. This tilt is responsible for the changing seasons and the variation in sunlight received at different latitudes throughout the year.
9.
The region of our solar system that is home to comets and is approximately 1 light year away is:
Correct Answer
C. The Kuiper belt
Explanation
The Kuiper belt is the correct answer because it is a region in our solar system that is approximately 1 light year away and is home to comets. It is located beyond the orbit of Neptune and is composed of icy bodies, including dwarf planets like Pluto. The other options, such as the Asteroid belt and the Milky Way belt, are not specific to comets or located at the same distance as the Kuiper belt. The option "the leather belt" is unrelated and not a part of our solar system.
10.
The Northern and Southern lights are caused when solar wind interacts with:
Correct Answer
A. Earth's magnetospHere
Explanation
The Northern and Southern lights, also known as Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis, occur when charged particles from the Sun's solar wind collide with particles in Earth's magnetosphere. The magnetosphere is the region surrounding Earth where its magnetic field interacts with the solar wind. As the charged particles enter the magnetosphere, they get trapped and guided along the magnetic field lines towards the poles. When these particles collide with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere, they emit light, creating the beautiful displays of colorful lights in the sky.
11.
Canada is federally divided into:
Correct Answer
C. 10 provinces and 3 territories
Explanation
Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The provinces have a higher level of autonomy and are responsible for areas such as education and healthcare. The territories have less autonomy and are governed more directly by the federal government. The provinces are British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The territories are Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.