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Astronomy Study Guide

Test Date: 12/19/14
Textbook Pages: 4-37
ISN Pages: 38-58
Chapter 1 Section 1: Earth in Space
Key Terms: Astronomy, Axis, Rotation, Revolution, Orbit, Solstice, Equinox
1. How does Earth move in space?
The earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun.
2. What does rotation of Earth cause?
Earths rotation causes day and night.
3. What causes the cycle of seasons on Earth?
Earths seasons are caused by the tilt of Earths axis as it revolves around the sun.
4. What is true about the position of the sun in the sky during a solstice? Equinox?
During a solstice the suns direct light is farthest from the equator. During an equinox, the suns direct
light is pointed directly at the equator.

Chapter 1 Section 2: Gravity and Motion

Key Terms: Force, Gravity, Law of Universal Gravitation, Mass, Weight, Inertia, Newtons Laws of Motion
1. What determines the strength of the force of gravity between two objects?
Mass and Distance. The greater the mass the stronger the force of gravity. The farther the distance
between two objects the weaker the force of gravity.
2. What two factors combine to keep the moon and Earth in orbit? Explain how
Inertia and gravity work together to keep the moon and Earth in orbit. Inertia forces the planetary body
to move in a straight line, while tries to pull the planet inward. This causes the planetary body to move
on an angle at each point, causing an elliptical orbit.
3. What are Newtons three laws of motion? Be able to identify each.
1st Law An object in motion tends to stay in motion while an object at rest tends to stay at rest unless
acted on by an outside force.
2nd Law Force = Mass x Acceleration
3rd Law For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
4. What are Keplers Laws of Planetary Motion?
Planets orbit the sun in an elliptical shape
When a planet is closer to the sun it moves faster.
The farther a planet is from the sun, the greater the distance is must travel, the slower it moves, and
the longer it takes to travel around the sun.

Chapter 1 Section 3: Phases, Eclipses, and Tides

Key Terms: Phases, eclipse, solar eclipse, umbra, penumbra, lunar eclipse, tide, spring tide, neap tide
1. What causes the phases of the moon?
The moon looks different from Earth based on the amount of the sunlit side of the moon is visible.
2. Be able to identify the phases and order of phases.
3. What are solar and lunar eclipses?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks the light of the sun from reaching the Earth. A lunar eclipse
occurs when the Earth blocks the light of the sun from reaching the moon.
4. What causes the tides?
Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on Earths water
5. How does the position of the Earth, Moon, and Sun affect the tides?
When the sun, moon, and Earth are in a line there are Spring Tides (the greatest difference between
High and Low Tides). When the sun and moon are at a right angle there are neap tides (the lowest
difference between High and Low Tides)

Chapter 1 Section 4: Earths Moon

Key Terms: Telescope, Maria, Craters, Meteoroids
1. What features are found on the moons surface?
Maria- Dark flat surfaces created by hardened lava flow
Craters Caused by the impact of meteroids
Highlands Mountain-like regions on the moon
2. What are some characteristics of the moon?
The moon is much less dense than Earth, and has a much lower mass. The lower mass causes the moon
to have very little gravity. Because there is little gravity, the moon does not have an atmosphere.
Without an atmosphere there are very drastic temperature changes on the moon. There is no liquid
water.
3. How did the moon form?
The moon formed because of a collision between ancient Earth and another planet. The debris formed a
ring around Earth, and then coalesced to create the moon.