Question 1

The scientific method is a process by which scientists:
A)prove theories to be known facts
B)gain confidence in theories by failing to prove them wrong
C)show all theories to be wrong
D)test the ideas of Aristotle
E)survey what the majority of people think about a theory

Accepted Answer

The scientific method involves coming up with a hypothesis or theory, then designing experiments to test that theory. Scientists then gain confidence in the theory if the experiments support it, but also remain open to the possibility of proving the theory wrong. The scientific method does not involve proving theories to be known facts, showing all theories to be wrong, testing the ideas of Aristotle, or surveying what the majority of people think about a theory.

Question 2

(6 × 10⁵)× (3 × 10⁻²)= A)1.8 × 10³ B)1.8 × 10⁴ C)1.8 × 10⁶ D)1.80 × 10³ E)1.8 × 10⁻³

Accepted Answer

The answer of (6 × 10⁵)× (3 × 10⁻²)= A)1.8 ×...

Question 3

The number 123,000 written in scientific notation is: A)1.23 × 10⁶ B)1.23 × 10⁵ C)1.23 × 10⁻³ D)1.23 × 10⁻⁶ E)1.23 × 10³

Accepted Answer

To convert a number to scientific notation, we want to express it as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. In this case, we can move the decimal point five places to the left to get 1.23, and we need to multiply by 10^5 to account for the five places we moved the decimal point. This gives us 1.23 × 10^5, which matches option B.

Question 4

The type of mathematics that deals with infinitesimal changes is called:
A)algebra
B)calculus
C)arithmetic
D)geometry
E)topology

Accepted Answer

Calculus is the branch of mathematics that deals with infinitesimal changes, such as derivatives and integrals. Algebra involves the manipulation of abstract symbols, arithmetic deals with basic operations like addition and subtraction, geometry focuses on the study of shapes and sizes, and topology studies properties of objects that stay the same even when they are stretched or bent.

Question 5

Albert Einstein is best known for his revolutionary theory of:
A)relativity
B)quantum mechanics
C)astronomy
D)electricity
E)mathematics

Accepted Answer

Albert Einstein is best known for his revolutionary theory of relativity, which fundamentally changed our understanding of space, time, and gravity.

Question 6

The language of science is:
A)Greek
B)mathematics
C)calculus
D)Java
E)Latin

Accepted Answer

Mathematics is considered the language of science because it provides a precise and universal way to communicate ideas and theories. It allows scientists to express their findings in a standardized way that can be easily understood and replicated. While other languages such as Latin and Greek have also played a role in the development of scientific terminology, they are not considered the primary language of science. Calculus and Java are specialized languages that can be useful in specific fields of science, but they are not as broadly applicable as mathematics.

Question 7

The figures above show the night sky as it appears for an observer in the United States at the same time of the night but at four different seasons of the year.Which conclusion below is NOT reasonable based on these observations?
A)Constellations do not change their location relative to one another,but which constellations appear in the night sky does change from season to season.
B)There are some constellations such as Ursa Minor,Ursa Major,Cassiopeia,and Cephus that are always seen in the night sky.
C)Some constellations such as Capricornus and Sagittarius are only visible during summer and fall.
D)A good time to harvest crops would be when the constellation Pegasus is directly overhead.
E)A good time to plant crops would be when the constellation Sagittarius is directly overhead.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The figures above show the night sky...

Question 8

Scientific notation is used in astronomy primarily because it allows us to:
A)write very large and very small numbers in a convenient way
B)talk about science in an easy way
C)change easy calculations into hard calculations
D)change hard calculations into easy calculations
E)explain science to engineers

Accepted Answer

Scientific notation allows astronomers to write very large and very small numbers in a convenient way. This is useful in astronomy because many of the numbers involved in astronomical measurements, distances, and calculations are very large or very small.

Question 9

If the radius of circle B is 5 times the radius of circle A,then the ratio of the area of circle B to that of circle A is:
A)25
B)5
C)0.2
D)0.04
E)0.025

Accepted Answer

We know that the formula for the area of a circle is A=πr^2.
Let the radius of circle A be "r". Then the radius of circle B would be 5r.
The area of circle A would be A = πr^2.
The area of circle B would be A = π(5r)^2 = π25r^2.
So the ratio of the area of circle B to that of circle A would be (π25r^2) / (πr^2) = 25.
Therefore, the correct answer is A) 25.

Question 10

If the radius of circle B is twice the radius of circle A,and the area of a circle is proportional to the radius squared (A ∝ r²),then the ratio of the area of circle B to that of circle A is: A)4 B)0.5 C)0.25 D)2 E)1.414

Accepted Answer

The area of a circle is proportional to the square of its radius. If the radius of circle B is twice that of circle A, then the area of circle B is 2^2 = 4 times the area of circle A.

Question 11

If the radius of sphere B is 5 times the radius of sphere A,then the ratio of the volume of sphere B to the volume of sphere A is:
A)0.008
B)0.2
C)5
D)25
E)125

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the radius of sphere B is...

Question 12

Because of _____________,we can conclude that gravity works the same way on Earth as it does on Mars.
A)Newton's theory of relativity
B)Einstein's special theory of relativity
C)Sagan's planetary principle
D)the principle of universality
E)the hypothetical statute

Accepted Answer

The principle of universality states that the laws of physics are the same everywhere in the universe. Therefore, we can conclude that gravity works the same way on Earth as it does on Mars.

Question 13

If the speed of light is 3 × 10⁵ km/s and 1 km = 0.62 miles,what is the speed of light in miles/hr? A)670 million miles/hr B)670 thousand miles/hr C)186 miles/hr D)186 thousand miles/hr E)3.2 billion miles/hr

Accepted Answer

Firstly, we need to convert km/s to miles/s. We know that 1 km = 0.62 miles, therefore:
Speed in miles/s = (Speed in km/s) x (0.62 miles/1 km)
Speed in miles/s = (3 × 10^5 km/s) x 0.62
Speed in miles/s = 1.86 × 10^5 miles/s

Now, we can convert miles/s to miles/hr:
Speed in miles/hr = (Speed in miles/s) x (3600 seconds/hour)
Speed in miles/hr = (1.86 × 10^5 miles/s) x 3600
Speed in miles/hr = 6.696 × 10^8 miles/hr

Therefore, the answer is A) 670 million miles/hr.

Question 14

(1.2 × 10⁹ )× (4 × 10⁻³)= A)3 × 10⁶ B)3 × 10⁵ C)3 × 10¹⁰ D)3 × 10¹¹ E)3 × 10¹²

Accepted Answer

To multiply scientific notation, we first multiply the two numbers and then add the exponents. 
(1.2 × 10^19) × (4 × 10^-13) = 4.8 × 10^6
The exponent is the sum of exponents (19 + (-13) = 6)
Therefore, the answer is 3 × 10^111. The correct option is D.

Question 15

If you have a stuffy nose,a fever,chills,and body aches and a doctor treats you for the flu rather than four separate diseases that account for each of your symptoms,this is an application of:
A)Newton's hypothesis
B)Occam's razor
C)Aristotle's test
D)Einstein's relativity
E)Copernican principle

Accepted Answer

Occam's razor, also known as the principle of parsimony, states that when presented with multiple explanations for a phenomenon, one should select the explanation that makes the fewest assumptions. In the given scenario, treating the flu as the cause of all the symptoms is the simplest explanation rather than assuming four separate diseases.

Question 16

_________ is the idea that the simplest explanation for a phenomenon is usually the correct one.
A)Newton's hypothesis
B)Occam's razor
C)Aristotle's test
D)Einstein's excuse
E)The Copernican principle

Accepted Answer

Occam's razor is a philosophical principle named after William of Ockham that states that, given multiple explanations for a phenomenon, the simplest one is usually the best. It is often used in science to choose between competing theories or hypotheses.

Question 17

When you see a pattern in nature,it is usually evidence of:
A)a theory being displayed
B)quantum mechanics in action
C)a breakdown of random clustering
D)an underlying physical law
E)A decrease in entropy

Accepted Answer

A pattern in nature indicates an underlying physical law that is governing the behavior of the natural phenomenon, such as the pattern of leaves on a plant or the pattern of waves in the ocean.

Question 18

A _________ becomes a _________ when repeated testing of its predictions does not disprove it.
A)hypothesis;scientific method
B)theory;scientific revolution
C)phenomenon;theory
D)hypothesis;theory
E)law;theory

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is an educated guess or explanation for a phenomenon, while a theory is a well-supported explanation that has been repeatedly tested and not disproven. Therefore, a hypothesis can become a theory when repeated testing does not disprove it.

Question 19

The cosmological principle states that:
A)the universe is expanding in all directions at the same rate
B)a unique center of the universe exists
C)the universe looks the same everywhere and in all directions as long as you look on large enough spatial scales
D)physical laws change from place to place in the universe
E)the universe is in a "steady state"

Accepted Answer

The cosmological principle states that the universe looks the same everywhere and in all directions as long as you look on large enough spatial scales. This is known as homogeneity and isotropy. It does not imply the universe is expanding in all directions at the same rate, a unique center of the universe exists, physical laws change from place to place in the universe, or that the universe is in a "steady state".

Question 20

A scientific theory can be shown to be wrong if:
A)cultural beliefs evolve to contradict it
B)scientists gather new data that contradicts its predictions
C)it cannot explain all phenomena
D)it was first proposed as a conjecture
E)a majority of people do not accept it

Accepted Answer

A scientific theory is always tentative and subject to modification or even rejection with the emergence of new empirical evidence. If new data contradicts the predictions made by a theory, it may have to be revised or rejected altogether. Cultural beliefs, popularity, or insufficient explanatory power alone do not constitute sufficient grounds for rejecting a scientific theory. The fact that a theory was initially proposed as a conjecture is also not enough to dismiss it, because all scientific theories begin as conjectures that require further scrutiny and empirical testing.

Quiz 1: Why Learn Astronomy

The scientific method is a process by which scientists:

(6 × 10⁵) × (3 × 10⁻²) =

The number 123,000 written in scientific notation is:

The type of mathematics that deals with infinitesimal changes is called:

Albert Einstein is best known for his revolutionary theory of:

The language of science is:

The figures above show the night sky as it appears for an observer in the United States at the same time of the night but at four different seasons of the year.Which conclusion below is NOT reasonable based on these observations?

Scientific notation is used in astronomy primarily because it allows us to:

If the radius of circle B is 5 times the radius of circle A,then the ratio of the area of circle B to that of circle A is:

If the radius of circle B is twice the radius of circle A,and the area of a circle is proportional to the radius squared (A ∝ r²) ,then the ratio of the area of circle B to that of circle A is:

If the radius of sphere B is 5 times the radius of sphere A,then the ratio of the volume of sphere B to the volume of sphere A is:

Because of _____________,we can conclude that gravity works the same way on Earth as it does on Mars.

If the speed of light is 3 × 10⁵ km/s and 1 km = 0.62 miles,what is the speed of light in miles/hr?

(1.2 × 10⁹ ) × (4 × 10⁻³) =

If you have a stuffy nose,a fever,chills,and body aches and a doctor treats you for the flu rather than four separate diseases that account for each of your symptoms,this is an application of:

_________ is the idea that the simplest explanation for a phenomenon is usually the correct one.

When you see a pattern in nature,it is usually evidence of:

A _ becomes a _ when repeated testing of its predictions does not disprove it.

The cosmological principle states that:

A scientific theory can be shown to be wrong if: