FREE Astronomy MCQ Questions and Answers
The temperature of an element is a measurement of:
Correct Answer: How rapidly the microscopic particles that create up the object are moving
The temperature of an object reflects the speed at which the tiny constituent particles within it are in motion. This is because temperature quantifies the average kinetic energy possessed by these particles. As the particles increase their speed, their kinetic energy also increases, resulting in a higher temperature.
Which planet is the least dense among these?
Correct Answer: Uranus
Out of all the planets, Uranus has the lowest density. This is because Uranus is a gas giant primarily made of low-density hydrogen and helium. It is thought to have a dense atmosphere encircling a solid core. Compared to Uranus, the rocky planets Venus, Mars, and Mercury have higher densities.
Remembering that impact causes greater temperatures and pressures, what is a strong indicator (vital evidence) that an effect rather than volcanic activity formed a particular crater on Earth?
Correct Answer: The presence of coesite (shocked quarts) near the crater
Coesite, or shocked quartz, is a form of quartz that can only form under extreme pressure and temperature conditions, like those brought on by a meteorite impact. Its presence near the crater indicates that the impact's intense heat and pressure converted the quartz into coesite, proving that an effect rather than volcanic activity formed the crater.
An object is a comet if it has a highly eccentric orbit, a high tilt with respconcerningptic, and it approaches the sun very closely.
Correct Answer: Comet
A comet is most likely the object in question if it has a highly eccentric orbit, a high tilt concerning the ecliptic, and approaches the sun very closely. Comets are distinguished by their remarkably elliptical orbits that bring them near the sun; after that, they warm up and expel gas and dust, sometimes forming a tail or visible coma. Planets, trans-Neptunian objects, and asteroids do not usually exhibit this behavior.
Put these planets in ascending mass order.
Correct Answer: Mercury, Earth, Neptune, Jupiter
It is accurate to place Mercury, Earth, Neptune, and Jupiter in that order. This is due to Mercury's smaller size and lower mass among the four planets. Earth, the second-smallest planet, weighs slightly more than Mercury. Because Neptune is more significant than both Mercury and Earth, it has a greater mass. Jupiter is the most giant and most massive planet among those on the list.
"Spring Tides" fall on days of the new and full moons. How long does it take between spring tides?
Correct Answer: 29.53/2 days
Spring tides occur on the new moon and full moon days. The period between spring tides is approximately 29.53/2 days. This is because it takes about 29.53 days for the moon to complete one orbit around the Earth, known as a lunar month. Half of this time, or 29.53/2 days, represents the period between two consecutive new moons or complete moon phases when spring tides occur.
Of the following characteristics, only one applies to light and the other to other signal types, such as sound or seismic waves?
Correct Answer: Does not need a medium. i.e. it can travel through the vacuum
Artificial devices can produce light, have properties like wavelength and frequency, and carry carry information. However, its ability to propagate through space or a vacuum distinguishes it from other types of signals. Different signals, like sound or seismic waves, require a medium (like air or water) to travel through.