A)

B)

C)

D)

1. Which diagram best represents Earth's axis positionrelative to Earth's orbital plane?

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.

2. 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) B)

C) D)

3. The graph below shows the varying amount of gravitational attraction between the Sun and an asteroidin 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) 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

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

Compared to planet A, planet B has a

A) Venus will set 1 hour after the Sun because Earthrotates 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.

5. 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?

Base your answers to questions 6 and 7 on the diagram below, which represents the current locationsof two planets, Aand B, orbiting a star. Letter X indicates a position in the orbit of planet A. Numbers1 through 4 indicate positions in the orbit of planet B.

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

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

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

7. 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

8. Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below, which shows positions of the Moonin its orbit and phases of the Moon as viewed from 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) mass B) densityC) eccentricity of orbit D) period of rotation

9. 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) Venus B) EarthC) Mars D) Jupiter

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

A)

B)

C)

D)

11. Which bar graph correctly shows the orbital eccentricity of the planets in our solar system?

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

12. The diagram below shows the elliptical orbit of aplanet revolving around a star. The star and F2 arethe foci of this ellipse.

What is the approximate eccentricity of this ellipse?

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

13. The diagram below represents the elliptical orbit of amoon revolving around a planet. The foci of thisorbit are the points labeled F1 and F2.

What is the approximate eccentricity of this ellipticalorbit?

A) Mercury B) NeptuneC) Pluto D) Venus

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

A) Pluto B) SaturnC) Mars D) Mercury

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

A) Earth B) JupiterC) Pluto D) Saturn

16. Which planet has an orbit with an eccentricity mostsimilar to the eccentricity of the Moon’s orbit aroundEarth?

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

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

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

changes

18. 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) elliptical and very elongatedB) parabolicC) nearly circularD) perfectly circular

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

A) A Foucault pendulum shows predictablechanges in its direction of swing.

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

C) The length of daylight at the poles changesfrom 0 to 24 hours during the year.

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

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

A) Neptune B) JupiterC) Pluto D) Mars

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

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

The student's drawing best represents the

A) B)

C) D)

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

( Key: • = planet * = star )

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

24. 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) A B) B C) C D) D

25. 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) 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A) decrease B) increaseC) remain the same

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

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

31. 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) The shaded sections of the diagram are equalin 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.

32. 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) 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

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

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

34. 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) A B) B C) C D) D

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

At which location is the planet's orbital velocitygreatest?

A)

B)

C)

D)

36. 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 37 and 38 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earthscience. The diagram represents the orbital paths of the four Jovian planets and Halley's comet aroundthe Sun. Halley's comet has a revolution period of 76 years. In 1986, Halley's comet was at perihelion,its closest point to the Sun. Letters A, B, C, and D represent locations of Halley's comet in its orbit.Location D represents Halley's comet at aphelion, its farthest point from the Sun. The comet's tail isshown at perihelion and at locations B and C.

A) less elliptical, with a shorter distance between its fociB) less elliptical, with a greater distance between its fociC) more elliptical, with a shorter distance between its fociD) more elliptical, with a greater distance between its foci

37. Compared to the orbit of the Jovian planets, the orbit of Halley's comet is

A) always less B) always greaterC) always the same D) sometimes less and sometimes greater

38. Compared to the velocity of Jupiter in its orbit, the velocity of Halley's comet is

A) B)

C) D)

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

A) B)

C) D)

40. The symbols below represent star masses and distances.

Which diagram shows two stars that have the greatest gravitational force betweenthem?

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.

41. 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) degree of tilt of the planet's axis

B) distance between the planet and the SunC) planet's period of rotationD) amount of insolation given off by the Sun

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

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.

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

44. The diagram below shows a satellite in four differentpositions as it revolves around a planet.

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

A)

B)

C)

D)

A) winter B) springC) summer D) fall

45. 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?

A)

B)

C)

D)

46. 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) B)

C) D)

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

A) B)

C) D)

48. The table below shows gravitational data for a planet traveling in an elliptical orbit around a star. Thetable shows the relative gravitational force between the star and this planet at eight positions in theorbit (letters A through H). Higher numbers indicate stronger gravitational attraction.

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

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

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

A)

B)

C)

D)

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

Base your answers to questions 51 through 53 on the diagram of the solar system below.

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

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

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

52. Which planet has the most eccentric orbit?

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

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

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

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

At which position is the planet's orbital speedgreatest?

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

55. The force of gravity between two objects is greatestwhen

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

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

57. Differences in Earth's orbital velocity around the Sunare caused primarily by changes in the

Base your answers to questions 58 through 62 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

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

A) P2 and P3 B) P4 and P5

C) P3 and P4 D) P6 and P1

59. 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

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

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

61. 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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

66. 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) B)

C) D)

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

A) B)

C) D)

68. The symbols below represent two planets.

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

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.

69. 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) can be seen at night from planet A, and planet B is moving faster in its orbit

B) can be seen at night from planet A, andplanet B is moving slower in its orbit

C) cannot be seen at night from planet A, andplanet B is moving faster in its orbit

D) cannot be seen at night from planet A, andplanet B is moving slower in its orbit

70. The diagram below represents two planets of equalmass, A and B, revolving around a star. The planetsare represented at specific positions in their orbits.

When both planets are at the positions represented,planet B

A)

B)

C)

D)

71. Which diagram best represents the correct orientation of the North Pole [NP] as Earth revolvesaround the Sun? [Diagrams are not drawn to scale.]

Base your answers to questions 72 through 76 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earthscience. The diagram represents Earth's revolution around the Sun. Points A, B, C, and D representEarth's positions in its orbit on the first day of each of the four seasons. The major axis and the foci(the center of the Sun and the other focus) of Earth's orbit are shown.

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

72. At which two positions will an observer in New York State experience approximately 12 hours ofdaylight during one rotation of Earth?

A) nighttime is shorter when Earth is at position AB) period of rotation is shorter than its period of revolutionC) distance to Orion is too great for the constellation to be seenD) nighttime side is facing toward a different portion of space

73. The constellation Orion is visible at night in New York State when Earth is at position A, but not atposition C because Earth's

A) Betelgeuse B) PolarisC) the center of the Milky Way D) the center of our solar system

74. At positions A, B, C, and D, the north end of Earth's axis of rotation is pointing toward

A) distance between the Sun and Earth variesB) distance between the Sun and the other focus variesC) length of Earth's major axis variesD) length of Earth's period of revolution varies

75. Since Earth has an elliptical orbit, the

A) 91 d B) 182 d C) 274 d D) 365 d

76. Approximately how many days (d) does it take Earth to travel from position A to position C?

A) noncyclic and unpredictableB) noncyclic and predictableC) cyclic and unpredictableD) cyclic and predictable

77. Which terms describe the motion of most objects inour solar system?

A) a volcano erupting above a subducting tectonicplate

B) an earthquake occurring at the San AndreasFault

C) Jupiter's apparent movement across thenight sky

D) an asteroid striking Earth's surface

78. Which event is cyclic and predictable?

A) Mercury B) VenusC) Jupiter D) Saturn

79. Which planet's day (period of rotation) is longer thanits year (period of revolution)?

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

80. The diagram below shows Earth and the Moon in four locations during their orbits. Arrows A throughD represent different motions of Earth, the Moon, and the Sun.

Which arrow represents a rate of movement of approximately 1° per day?

81. Base your answer to the following question on the passage below.

A Newly Discovered Planet

Scientists studying a Sun-like star named Ogle-Tr-3 discovered a planet that is, on the average,3.5 million kilometers away from the star's surface. The planet was discovered as a result ofobserving a cyclic decrease in the brightness of Ogle-Tr-3 every 28.5 hours. The changingbrightness is the result of the planet blocking some of the starlight when it is between Ogle-Tr-3and Earth. This observation allowed scientists to find not only the planet, but also to determine theplanet's mass and density The mass has been calculated to be approximately 159 times the mass ofEarth. The planet is only 20% as dense as Jupiter. Scientists think that this low density is the resultof being very close to Ogle-Tr-3.

A) shorter than both Mercury's and Venus'B) longer than both Mercury's and Venus'C) shorter than Mercury's but longer than Venus'D) longer than Mercury's but shorter than Venus'

Compared to the period of revolution of Mercury and Venus, this newly discovered planet's period ofrevolution is

A) one revolution of Earth around the SunB) one revolution of Venus around the SunC) one rotation of the Moon on its axisD) one rotation of Venus on its axis

82. Which event takes the most time?

A) B)

C) D)

83. The table below shows the altitude and compass direction of one planet, as viewed by an observer inNew York State at 10 p.m. on the first day of each month from April through November.

Which graph best represents a plot of this planet's apparent path, as viewed by the observer over the7-month period?

Base your answers to questions 84 and 85 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

84. The actual orbits of the planets are

A) revolve around the Sun inside Earth's orbitB) rotate more slowly than Earth doesC) are eclipsed by Earth's shadowD) pass behind the Sun in their orbit

85. Mercury and Venus are the only planets that show phases when viewed from Earth because bothMercury and Venus

A) Mercury B) VenusC) Mars D) Jupiter

86. The diagram below shows several planets at variouspositions in their orbits at a particular time.

Which planet would be visible from the Earth atnight for the longest period of time when the planetsare in these positions?

A) decrease constantlyB) increase constantlyC) remain unchangedD) vary in a cyclic manner

87. If viewed from the Earth over a period of severalyears, the apparent diameter of Mars will

A) tilted on its axis B) changing seasonsC) revolving D) rotating

88. A planet was viewed from Earth for several hours.The diagrams below represent the appearance of theplanet at four different times.

The best inference that can be made based on thediagrams is that this planet is

A) B)

C) D)

89. Which diagram best represents the correct orientation of the North Pole [NP] as Earth revolvesaround the Sun? [Diagrams are not drawn to scale.]

Answer KeyECCENTRICITY AND ORBITS

1. B2. D3. A4. B5. C6. A7. A8. B9. C10. A11. A12. C13. C14. D15. B16. D17. A18. B19. C20. B21. C22. B23. A24. B25. A26. D27. B28. D29. D30. B31. B32. A33. A34. A35. A36. C

37. D38. D39. D40. C41. A42. B43. C44. C45. A46. B47. C48. B49. B50. A51. D52. D53. C54. B55. C56. A57. C58. C59. B60. A61. B62. B63. B64. D65. D66. A67. D68. C69. A70. B71. B72. D

73. D74. B75. A76. B77. D78. C79. B80. A81. A82. A83. A84. B85. A86. C87. D88. D89. B