Science Knowledge Quiz #2

1. The lowest amount of solar energy incident upon a square meter of land in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on or about December 21st.

True

False

During December 21st, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. This means that there are fewer daylight hours, resulting in a lower amount of solar energy reaching the land. As a square meter of land receives less sunlight during this time, it can be concluded that the lowest amount of solar energy incident upon a square meter of land in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on or about December 21st.

Explanation

During December 21st, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. This means that there are fewer daylight hours, resulting in a lower amount of solar energy reaching the land. As a square meter of land receives less sunlight during this time, it can be concluded that the lowest amount of solar energy incident upon a square meter of land in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on or about December 21st.

2. Absolute zero is the temperature at which atoms have no remaining energy from which we can extract heat.

True

False

It is found at about minus 270 degrees Celsius.

Explanation

It is found at about minus 270 degrees Celsius.

3. It is warmer in the summer because the earth is closer to the sun in summer.

True

False

The earth is actually closer to the sun in the Northern Hemisphere's winter. The reason it is warmer in the NH summer has to do with the orientation of the hemisphere, facing more directly into the sun.

Explanation

The earth is actually closer to the sun in the Northern Hemisphere's winter. The reason it is warmer in the NH summer has to do with the orientation of the hemisphere, facing more directly into the sun.

4. A geosynchronous orbit of an object is one in which the object orbits around the earth during one rotational period of the earth.

True

False

A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit in which an object orbits around the Earth at the same rate as the Earth's rotation. This means that the object takes the same amount of time to complete one orbit as it takes for the Earth to complete one rotation. As a result, the object appears to stay in a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface. Therefore, the statement that a geosynchronous orbit of an object is one in which the object orbits around the Earth during one rotational period of the Earth is true.

Explanation

A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit in which an object orbits around the Earth at the same rate as the Earth's rotation. This means that the object takes the same amount of time to complete one orbit as it takes for the Earth to complete one rotation. As a result, the object appears to stay in a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface. Therefore, the statement that a geosynchronous orbit of an object is one in which the object orbits around the Earth during one rotational period of the Earth is true.

5. A total lunar eclipse can only occur during a full moon.

True

False

A total lunar eclipse can only occur during a full moon because a lunar eclipse happens when the Earth is directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun's light from reaching the Moon. During a full moon, the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, allowing for the alignment necessary for a lunar eclipse to occur. If the Moon is not in the full moon phase, it will not be in the correct position for a total lunar eclipse to happen.

Explanation

A total lunar eclipse can only occur during a full moon because a lunar eclipse happens when the Earth is directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun's light from reaching the Moon. During a full moon, the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, allowing for the alignment necessary for a lunar eclipse to occur. If the Moon is not in the full moon phase, it will not be in the correct position for a total lunar eclipse to happen.

6. The two most abundant elements in the sun are hydrogen and oxygen.

True

False

Hydrogen and HELIUM.

Explanation

Hydrogen and HELIUM.

7. During the month of December the north celestial pole points to the star Polaris, but during June it points to the star Vega.

True

False

The north celestial sphere always points to Polaris, at least until the earth's wobble (precession) points it to another star, which won't happen in your lifetime.

Explanation

The north celestial sphere always points to Polaris, at least until the earth's wobble (precession) points it to another star, which won't happen in your lifetime.

8. Stars in the same constellation were formed at about the same time.

True

False

Constellations are comprised of stars that only appear from us on earth to be in the same place, but actually can be very distant from each other in space and were likely formed at different times.

Explanation

Constellations are comprised of stars that only appear from us on earth to be in the same place, but actually can be very distant from each other in space and were likely formed at different times.

9. The model of Copernicus for the solar system was no more accurate than that of Ptolemy in making predictions about the future positions of objects such as the planets in the sky.

True

False

And Copernicus was aware of this. He didn't want his book to appear until after his death so he wouldn't have to take flack about this. Copernicus' error was in not conceptualizing the orbits of planets as ellipses. He was stuck on circles. It took Kepler to correct the model.

Explanation

And Copernicus was aware of this. He didn't want his book to appear until after his death so he wouldn't have to take flack about this. Copernicus' error was in not conceptualizing the orbits of planets as ellipses. He was stuck on circles. It took Kepler to correct the model.

10. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation can't be seen by the human eye because they have shorter wavelengths than visible light.

True

False

True about ultraviolet but infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light.

Explanation

True about ultraviolet but infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light.