Class 5 Science HOTS Questions - Earth and its Natural Satellites

Q1: What would happen if the Moon suddenly disappeared from the Earth's orbit?
(a) The Earth's days would become longer.
(b) The Earth's days would become shorter.
(c) The Earth's seasons would be more extreme.
(d) The Earth's seasons would become milder.
Ans: (a)
If the Moon were to suddenly disappear, the conservation of angular momentum would come into play. This would cause the Earth to rotate faster, leading to shorter but more numerous days, not longer ones.

Q2: Which of the following natural satellites of Earth is responsible for the highest tides on our planet?
(a) Moon
(b) Phobos
(c) Deimos
(d) Titan
Ans: (a)
The Moon is responsible for the highest tides on Earth due to its relatively close proximity and significant gravitational pull.

Q3: Suppose a planet has two natural satellites of different sizes, where Satellite A is much larger than Satellite B. How will the gravitational force experienced by the planet differ when these satellites are on opposite sides of the planet compared to when they are aligned on the same side?
(a) The gravitational force will be stronger when the satellites are aligned on the same side.
(b) The gravitational force will be stronger when the satellites are on opposite sides.
(c) The gravitational force will remain the same regardless of their positions.
(d) It is impossible for a planet to have two natural satellites of different sizes.
Ans: (a)When the larger Satellite A and smaller Satellite B are aligned on the same side of the planet,
their combined gravitational force is stronger due to their additive effect. When on opposite sides, their gravitational forces partially cancel out, resulting in a weaker net gravitational force on the planet.

Q4: Astronomers observe that Earth's natural satellite, the Moon, has synchronous rotation. What does this mean?
(a) The Moon doesn't rotate at all.
(b) The Moon rotates around its axis once every 24 hours.
(c) The Moon's rotation period matches its orbital period around the Earth.
(d) The Moon's rotation period is half of its orbital period around the Earth.
Ans: (c)
Synchronous rotation means that the Moon rotates on its axis in the same amount of time it takes to complete one orbit around the Earth. This results in one face of the Moon always facing Earth.

Q5: The Earth's natural satellite, the Moon, has a significant impact on Earth's ecosystems and life. Which of the following is NOT an effect of the Moon on Earth?
(a) Formation of ocean tides
(b) Stabilization of Earth's axial tilt
(c) Regulation of Earth's climate
(d) Generation of geomagnetic storms
Ans: (d)
The Moon does not generate geomagnetic storms. These storms are caused by interactions between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere. The other options are effects of the Moon on Earth.

Q6: Imagine a hypothetical scenario where Earth had two moons instead of one. How would this affect the tides on Earth?
(a) Tides would be lower and less pronounced.
(b) Tides would be higher and more pronounced.
(c) Tides would remain the same as with one moon.
(d) Tides would disappear completely.
Ans: (b)
Having two moons would increase the gravitational forces at play, resulting in higher and more pronounced tides.

Q7: Why do we always see the same side of the Moon from Earth, and what is the term for this phenomenon?
(a) Gravitational lock; tidal locking
(b) Orbital synchronization; synchronous revolution
(c) Lunar equilibrium; rotational symmetry
(d) Celestial alignment; axial congruence
Ans: (a)
The phenomenon is called tidal locking or gravitational lock, where one face of the Moon always faces Earth due to gravitational interactions.

Q8: How does the presence of the Moon affect the Earth's precession?
(a) The Moon causes the Earth's precession to speed up.
(b) The Moon slows down the Earth's precession.
(c) The Moon has no effect on the Earth's precession.
(d) The Moon induces erratic precession patterns on Earth.
Ans: (b)
The presence of the Moon slows down the Earth's precession by exerting gravitational forces on Earth's equatorial bulge.

Q9: Which of the following statements is true regarding Earth's natural satellites?
(a) Earth has only one natural satellite.
(b) Earth's natural satellites are all smaller than the Moon.
(c) Earth's natural satellites are asteroids captured by its gravity.
(d) Earth's natural satellites are collectively known as the solar system's inner planets.
Ans: (a)
Earth has only one natural satellite, which is the Moon. The other options are not accurate.

Q10: The concept of Lagrange points is relevant to the study of Earth's natural satellites. What are Lagrange points, and how do they relate to the Moon's interaction with the Earth?
(a) Lagrange points are locations where the Moon's gravity cancels out the Earth's gravity.
(b) Lagrange points are positions in space where the Moon's gravity causes chaotic movements of Earth's natural satellites.
(c) Lagrange points are stable regions in space where the combined gravitational forces of the Earth and Moon allow for stable orbits of objects.
(d) Lagrange points are areas on the Moon's surface where natural satellites from other planets often collide.
Ans: (c)
Lagrange points are stable regions in space where the combined gravitational forces of two celestial bodies (in this case, Earth and the Moon) allow for stable orbits of objects. They are not locations on the Moon's surface or areas where gravity cancels out; rather, they are points in space where objects can remain relatively stable in their orbits.