Answers are in blue.

1. Why was the Ptolemaic (geocentric) model of the Solar System discarded in favor of the Copernican (heliocentric) model?

a. It made less accurate predictions.
b. Calculations with it were more complex.
c. New observations contradicted it.
d. To abandon epicycles and deferents.
e. All of the above.

2. In the geocentric model, Venus was always between the Earth and Sun. Which phase of Venus would be impossible in this model?

a. New.
b. Full.
c. Crescent phases.
d. Gibbous phases.
e. All phases would be possible.

3. Galileo's observations of the Moon contradicted what aspect of the Aristotelian worldview?

a. Heavenly bodies are eternal.
b. Heavenly bodies move in perfect circle.
c. Heavenly bodies are perfect spheres.
d. The Earth is the center of all motion.
e. All of the above.

4. How did Kepler improve the heliocentric model?

a. He measured the distances from the planets to the Sun.
b. He discovered that gravity kept the planets orbiting the Sun.
c. He described the planetary orbits without epicycles and deferents.
d. He disproved the geocentric model.
e. All of the above.

5. Which of the following were atheists?

a. Nicholas Copernicus.
b. Galileo Galilei.
c. Johannes Kepler.
d. Isaac Newton.
e. None of the above.

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Last modified 19 February, 2007. © Gregory C. Sloan.