Question

New models are often developed when old models fail to supply answers to important questions. Which of the following is a question answered by the heliocentric solar system model that could NOT be answered with a geocentric model?

A. Why does the size of the Moon change during the month?
B. Why do Mercury and Venus always appear near the Sun?
C. Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky?
D. Why do the constellations change each season?

What was used as evidence to develop the big bang theory and the origin of the universe?
A. The existence of planets revolving around the Sun
B. The observation that galaxies are moving away from each other
C. The existence of planets revolving around stars other than the Sun
D. The observation that stars are still being produced in other galaxies
Scientists have documented that galaxies they observe seem to be moving farther away. Which concept best explains this?
A. Black holes because an unseen force is pulling objects away from the center of the universe
B. Big bang theory because the universe exploded from a single point in space and is always expanding
C. Gravitational force because objects are being drawn toward the edges of the universe
D. Solar system because the mass of the Sun pushes other galaxies away
Why is Earth capable of supporting life, unlike many other planets?
A. Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere help maintain the conditions necessary to sustain life.
B. Earth has a gaseous atmosphere for only a part of the year.
C. Earth is a terrestrial body.
D. is located inside the asteroid belt.

Answer 1

The heliocentric solar system model, specifically the Copernican model, answered questions such as the behavior of Mercury and Venus near the Sun which could not be explained by the geocentric model. The Big Bang theory is supported by the observation that galaxies are moving away from each other. Earth supports life due to its hydrosphere and atmosphere maintaining life-sustaining conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question regarding the heliocentric solar system model that could not be answered with a geocentric model is: Why do Mercury and Venus always appear near the Sun? The Ptolemaic geocentric model had Earth at the center and could not explain the observed behaviors of Mercury and Venus without adding increasingly complex circles or epicycles. In contrast, the Copernican heliocentric model with the Sun at the center provided a simpler and more accurate explanation, describing the planets, including Mercury and Venus, orbiting the Sun. The Copernican model also predicted Venus would exhibit a full range of phases similar to the Moon, which could not be accounted for in the geocentric model. This was later confirmed with the invention of the telescope.

The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe began from a single point and has been expanding ever since. The evidence to support this includes the observation that galaxies are moving away from each other, which is key to understanding why scientists believe in the Big Bang theory (Option B). Finally, Earth is capable of supporting life primarily because Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere help maintain the necessary conditions for life (Option A).