The Solar System – ASTR 121

First Midterm – October 20, 2014, 9:00-9:50

Instructions:  Print your name and student identification number at the top of this page.  Answer each of the questions A through J in the space provided.  Be clear and thorough in your answers using sentences, sketches, and formulas where appropriate.  Each question is worth two points.

 

A.  Define astronomical unit.  You don't need to give its value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.  What happens at a solstice?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.  Can you ever see a full moon at noon?  Explain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D.  Describe one way precession (of the Earth's rotation) changes what we see in the sky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E.  Briefly describe the geocentric model of the universe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F.  Give two ways Copernicus changed our view of the universe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G.  State Kepler's first law of planetary motion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H.  Why does free fall make you weightless?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I.  Give an example of conservation of angular momentum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.  Why are there two high tides per day?