Questions and answers for exam Preparation

MCQs

Total Questions : 10

Question 1.

Only one of the statements below uses the term theory in its correct scientific sense. Which one?

Evolution is only a theory, so there's no reason to think it really happened.
Einstein's theory of relativity has been tested and verified thousands of times.
I wrote a theory that is 152 pages long.
I have a new theory about the cause of earthquakes, and I plan to start testing it soon.

Discuss Question

Answer: Option B. -> Einstein's theory of relativity has been tested and verified thousands of times.
:
B

Question 2.

When Copernicus first created his Sun-centered model of the universe, it did not lead to substantially better predictions of planetary positions than the Ptolemaic model. Why not?

Copernicus used perfect circles for the orbits of the planets.
Copernicus placed the Sun at the center, but did not realize that the Moon orbits Earth.
Copernicus misjudged the distances between the planets.
Copernicus placed the planets in the wrong order going outward from the Sun.

Discuss Question

Answer: Option A. -> Copernicus used perfect circles for the orbits of the planets.
:
A

Question 3.

Which of the following is not part of a good scientific theory?

A scientific theory must explain a wide variety of phenomena observed in the natural world.
A scientific theory should be based on natural processes and should not invoke the supernatural or divine.
A scientific theory cannot be accepted until it has been proven true beyond all doubt.
A scientific theory must make testable predictions that, if found to be incorrect, could lead to its own modification or demise.

Discuss Question

Answer: Option C. -> A scientific theory cannot be accepted until it has been proven true beyond all doubt.
:
C

Question 4.

Galileo observed all of the following. Which observation offered direct proof of a planet orbiting the Sun?

phases of Venus
patterns of shadow and sunlight near the dividing line between the light and dark portions of the Moon's face
four moons orbiting Jupiter
the Milky Way is composed of many individual stars

Discuss Question

Answer: Option A. -> phases of Venus
:
A

Question 5.

Earth is farthest from the Sun in July and closest to the Sun in January. During which Northern Hemisphere season is Earth moving fastest in its orbit?

winter
spring
summer
fall

Discuss Question

Answer: Option A. -> winter
:
A

Question 6.

Which of the following is not consistent with the major hallmarks of science?

Scientific explanations should be based solely on natural causes.
A scientific model must make testable predictions.
Science progresses through the creation and testing of models that explain observation as simply as possible.
Science consists of proven theories that are understood to be true explanations of reality.

Discuss Question

Answer: Option D. -> Science consists of proven theories that are understood to be true explanations of reality.
:
D

Question 7.

Which of the following best describes how modern astronomers view astrology?

Astrology is a synonym for astronomy.
Astrology played an important part in the development of astronomy in ancient times, but it is not a science by modern standards.
Astrology was a great idea until it was disproved by the work of Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler, and Galileo.
Astrology is new age mumbo-jumbo that was a waste of time when it was invented thousands of years ago and remains a waste of time today.

Discuss Question

Answer: Option B. -> Astrology played an important part in the development of astronomy in ancient times, but it is not a science by modern standards.
:
B

Question 8.

Scientific models are used to

make specific predictions that can be tested through observations or experiments
present the solar system to the general public
prove that past paradigms no longer hold true
make miniature representations of the universe

Discuss Question

Answer: Option A. -> make specific predictions that can be tested through observations or experiments
:
A

Question 9.

In science, a broad idea that has been repeatedly verified so as to give scientists great confidence that it represents reality is called