Our Place in Space – Pre Test ANSWERS
Name: Class:
Level 7-8: I can describe how the Earth orbits the sun
- What is at the centre of the solar system?
the Sun
1MARK
- Is Earth stationary in space? Explain your answer.
No – Rotates around sun (1MARK) rotates around itself (1MARK)
2MARKS
Level 9: I can describe the link between gravity and orbits
- What force keeps planets rotating around the sun?
Gravity
1MARK
- Explain why people in space appear to “float” around?
Gravity pulls you towards earth (1MARK), as move away from centre of earth less gravity (1MARK)
2MARKS
Level 7-8: I can identify events involved in the change of seasons and/or eclipses
- Explain how the Earths rotation around the sun causes the changing seasons.
Earth tilts on its axis (1MARK), sometimes pointed towards sun more rays = summer (1MARK), sometimes pointed away from sun, less rays – winter (1MARK)
3MARKS
- Describe the difference between a lunar and solar eclipse.
Lunar - Earth is between moon and sun, earth stops suns rays reaching the moon (1MARK)
Solar- Moon between earth and sun and moon appears to cover sun. (1MARK)
2MARKS
Level 7-8: I can describe SOME of the features of our solar system
- List the planets in the solar system in order from closest to furthest away from the sun.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune (1/4 Mark each in correct order)
2MARKS
- What else is there in the solar system apart from planets and moons?
Stars, satellites (man made objects), asteroids, comets, meteoroids/meteors/meteorites dwarf planets (Pluto) etc. (½ MARK each up to 3 marks)
3MARKS
Level 9: I can describe MOST of the features of our solar system and SOME of the features of the wider universe.
- What is a galaxy?
Collection of stars in a star system
1MARK
- What is a light year?
Distance a bean of light could travel in space in 1 year
1MARK
- What is a black hole?
Remains if a star, force of gravity so string not even light can escape
1MARK
Level 10: I can describe ALL of the main features of the universe, such as galaxies, stars and solar systems.
- Describe the life cycle of a star.
Gravity pulls gas & dust together (1mark), star expands as nuclear reactions occur involving helium and hydrogen, (1mark) when it runs out of gasses it cools to a red giant, (1mark) eventually collapses and explodes (1Mark)
4MARKS
Level 9: I can list features of the Big Bang Theory and Solid State Theory
- What is the Doppler effect?
Change in pitch (1mark that results from a sound approaching or moving away (1mark)
2MARKS
- The big bang theory is one theory that describes how the universe began. According to this theory, what was the origin of the universe?
Before big bang all that existed was energy (1Mark) and this concentrated to single point – singularity.(1Mark) Explosive expansion occurred creating matter over billions of years. (1Mark)
3MARKS
Level 10: I can identify evidence that supports the Big Bang Theory
- What evidence supports the Big Bang Theory?
Red Shift, (1Mark) amount of hydrogen and helium in universe, (1Mark) “afterglow” radiation 1(Mark)
3MARKS
Level 10: I can explain how different theories can be used to explain the origins of the universe
- How have alternate theories described the origins of the universe?
Steady State – galaxies continually moving and new starts/galaxies are created in the space left between them OR Creation – god or spiritual entity created the universe. (1Mark)
People form different opinions based on interpretation of evidence (1MARK)
2MARKS
Level 7-8: I can describe how knowledge of the universe has changed as new evidence became available.
- Why has our knowledge of other planets increased so rapidly during the past 30 years?
Development of technologye.g, telescopes & spacecraft, to explore.
1MARK
Level 9: I can explain how knowledge and understanding of the universe has been refined and review by the scientific community
- How are science theories, such as the big bang theory, developed?
Different evidence is collected and reviewed and refined over time
1MARK
Level 10: I can explain how advances in scientific understanding of the universe rely on developments in technology
- Using Pluto as an example, how has scientific understanding changed over time?
Technology developments allow for new discoveries, (1Mark) definitions and theories reviewed and redefined e.g. definition of a planet (1Mark), therefore Pluto renamed (1Mark)
3MARK