Multiple Choice
What causes the different seasons on Earth according to Newton's Law of Gravity?
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8. Centripetal Forces & Gravitation
Newton's Law of Gravity
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Which of the following observations provided evidence against the geocentric view of the universe?
A
The phases of Venus as observed by Galileo
B
The precession of the equinoxes
C
The discovery of Neptune
D
The retrograde motion of Mars
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the geocentric model: The geocentric model posits that Earth is at the center of the universe, and all celestial bodies, including the Sun and planets, revolve around it.
Identify the key observation: The phases of Venus, as observed by Galileo, provided evidence against the geocentric model. In the geocentric model, Venus would not show a full set of phases similar to the Moon.
Explain the phases of Venus: Galileo observed that Venus exhibited a full set of phases, from new to full, which is only possible if Venus orbits the Sun, not Earth. This observation supports the heliocentric model, where planets orbit the Sun.
Discuss the other options: The precession of the equinoxes is a slow change in the orientation of Earth's axis and does not directly challenge the geocentric model. The discovery of Neptune and the retrograde motion of Mars can be explained by both geocentric and heliocentric models, though the latter provides a simpler explanation.
Conclude the reasoning: The observation of the phases of Venus was crucial because it directly contradicted the geocentric model's predictions, providing strong evidence for the heliocentric model where planets, including Venus, orbit the Sun.
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