Physics 110

Introduction to Astronomy

Practice for Exam #1

This is designed for students taking the Physics 110 course at California State University at Bakersfield. Anyone is welcome to attempt the problems. Answers can be found in the popup boxes following each question.

These questions cover the material for our first exam, covering the sky and the history of astronomy.

(Q1) THE NEXT PLANET AFTER MARS OUTWARD FROM THE SUN IS

(a) Earth.

(b) Jupiter

(c) Saturn

(d) Venus

And The Answer Is (b) Jupiter

(Q2) FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT ACCORDING TO OUR CLOCKS, A STAR WILL SET

(a) 4 minutes earlier.

(b) 4 minutes later.

(c) 48 minutes earlier.

(d) 48 minutes later.

And The Answer Is (a) 4 min earlier

(Q3) AT DAWN ON THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, AS SEEN FROM BAKERSFIELD (OR ANY MID-NORTHERN LATITUDE), THE SUN RISES

(a) due east.

(b) due west.

(c) north of due east.

(d) south of due west.

And The Answer Is (c) north

(Q4) IN WHICH WAY DID THE MODEL OF COPERNICUS DIFFER FROM PTOLEMY'S MODEL?

(a) Celestial motions should be circular.

(b) The earth is spherical.

(c) The earth revolves around the sun.

(d) The moon revolves around the earth.

And The Answer Is (c) earth & sun

(Q5) IN A LUNAR ECLIPSE, THE

(a) Earth is between the Sun and Moon.

(b) Moon is between the Earth and Sun.

(c) Sun is between the Earth and Moon.

(d) None of the above, a lunar eclipse cannot occur.

And The Answer Is (a) Earth in-between

And now for a sample math question:

(Q6) CONVERT THE SPEED OF 45 mi/hr INTO UNITS OF m/s.
[HINT: 1 mi = 1609 m]

(a) 20.1 m/s

(b) 100.7 m/s

(c) 260.7 m/s

(d) 72 405 m/s

And The Answer Is (a) 20.1 m/s

There will also be a math question taken directly from the homework, identical except that the numbers will be changed.

Astronomy Homepage

Try Exam #2 Practice

Try Exam #3 Practice