Question 1

What do we mean by a runaway greenhouse effect?

Accepted Answer

A) a greenhouse effect that starts on a planet but later disappears as gases are lost to space 
B) a greenhouse effect that heats a planet so much that its surface rock melts 
C) a process that heats a planet like a greenhouse effect, but that involves a completely different mechanism of heating that doesn't actually involve greenhouse gases 
D) a greenhouse effect that keeps getting stronger until all of a planet's greenhouse gases are in its atmosphere 
A) a greenhouse effect that starts on a planet but later disappears as gases are lost to space 
B) a greenhouse effect that heats a planet so much that its surface rock melts 
C) a process that heats a planet like a greenhouse effect, but that involves a completely different mechanism of heating that doesn't actually involve greenhouse gases 
D) a greenhouse effect that keeps getting stronger until all of a planet's greenhouse gases are in its atmosphere

Question 2

Of the four gases CO₂, H2O, N2, and O₂, which are greenhouse gases?

Accepted Answer

A) all except O₂ 
B) CO₂ and H2O 
C) all four 
D) only CO₂ 
E) CO₂ and N2 
A) all except O₂ 
B) CO₂ and H2O 
C) all four 
D) only CO₂ 
E) CO₂ and N2

Question 3

Which internal heat source still generates heat within the terrestrial worlds today?

Accepted Answer

A) heat from differentiation 
B) heat from radioactive decay 
C) heat of accretion. 
D) heat from convection 
A) heat from differentiation 
B) heat from radioactive decay 
C) heat of accretion. 
D) heat from convection

Question 4

Historically, there is no link between increased CO₂ levels and higher average temperatures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Which of the following is not an example of tectonics?

Accepted Answer

A) the gradual disappearance of a crater rim as a result of wind and rain 
B) the slow movement of Earth's lithospheric plates 
C) the formation of a cliff when the lithosphere shrinks 
D) the stretching of the crust by underlying mantle convection 
A) the gradual disappearance of a crater rim as a result of wind and rain 
B) the slow movement of Earth's lithospheric plates 
C) the formation of a cliff when the lithosphere shrinks 
D) the stretching of the crust by underlying mantle convection

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the geological histories of the Moon and Mercury?

Accepted Answer

A) All four geological processes were important in their early histories, but only impact cratering still reshapes their surfaces today. 
B) Impact cratering shaped these worlds early in their histories. Then, during the past few million years, they were reshaped by episodes of volcanism and tectonics. 
C) Impact cratering is the only major geological process that has affected their surfaces. 
D) Early in their histories, they suffered many impacts and experienced some volcanism and tectonics, but they now have little geological activity at all. 
A) All four geological processes were important in their early histories, but only impact cratering still reshapes their surfaces today. 
B) Impact cratering shaped these worlds early in their histories. Then, during the past few million years, they were reshaped by episodes of volcanism and tectonics. 
C) Impact cratering is the only major geological process that has affected their surfaces. 
D) Early in their histories, they suffered many impacts and experienced some volcanism and tectonics, but they now have little geological activity at all.

Question 7

Which of the following describes tectonics?

Accepted Answer

A) the excavation of bowl- shaped depressions by asteroids or comets striking a planet's surface 
B) the eruption of molten rock from a planet's interior to its surface 
C) the disruption of a planet's surface by internal stresses 
D) the wearing down or building up of geological features by wind, water, ice, and other phenomena of planetary weather 
A) the excavation of bowl- shaped depressions by asteroids or comets striking a planet's surface 
B) the eruption of molten rock from a planet's interior to its surface 
C) the disruption of a planet's surface by internal stresses 
D) the wearing down or building up of geological features by wind, water, ice, and other phenomena of planetary weather

Question 8

The relatively few craters that we see within the lunar maria

Accepted Answer

A) were formed by impacts that occurred before those that formed most of the craters in the lunar highlands. 
B) were created by the same large impactor that led to the formation of the maria. 
C) were formed by impacts that occurred after those that formed most of the craters in the lunar highlands. 
D) are volcanic in origin, rather than from impacts. 
E) are sinkholes that formed when sections of the maria collapsed. 
A) were formed by impacts that occurred before those that formed most of the craters in the lunar highlands. 
B) were created by the same large impactor that led to the formation of the maria. 
C) were formed by impacts that occurred after those that formed most of the craters in the lunar highlands. 
D) are volcanic in origin, rather than from impacts. 
E) are sinkholes that formed when sections of the maria collapsed.

Question 9

If Earth had no atmosphere, its temperature would be

Accepted Answer

A) about the same temperature it is now. 
B) somewhat warmer than the freezing temperature of water. 
C) well below freezing, about - 50 degrees Celsius. 
D) somewhat below the freezing temperature of water. 
E) extremely hot, about 50 degrees Celsius. 
A) about the same temperature it is now. 
B) somewhat warmer than the freezing temperature of water. 
C) well below freezing, about - 50 degrees Celsius. 
D) somewhat below the freezing temperature of water. 
E) extremely hot, about 50 degrees Celsius.

Question 10

Why can we not depend on the natural CO₂ cycle to lower carbon- dioxide levels?

Accepted Answer

A) It only removes small amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere. 
B) It operates too slowly. 
C) There is no natural CO₂ cycle. 
A) It only removes small amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere. 
B) It operates too slowly. 
C) There is no natural CO₂ cycle.

Question 11

Which of the following can act like a long- term "thermostat" for the Earth's average temperature?

Accepted Answer

A) heat stored in the Earth's liquid core 
B) radioactive elements trapped in the Earth's mantle 
C) heat stored in the Earth's magnetosphere 
D) the carbon dioxide cycle 
A) heat stored in the Earth's liquid core 
B) radioactive elements trapped in the Earth's mantle 
C) heat stored in the Earth's magnetosphere 
D) the carbon dioxide cycle

Question 12

The rise of life on the planet Earth some 4 billion years ago was made possible, in part, by the plentiful oxygen in Earth's early atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

There is no erosion of surface features on the Moon.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Suppose that Earth's atmosphere had no greenhouse gases. Then Earth's average surface temperature would be _ .

Accepted Answer

A) slightly cooler, but still above freezing 
B) slightly warmer, but still well below the boiling point of water 
C) about the same as it is now 
D) well below the freezing point of water 
A) slightly cooler, but still above freezing 
B) slightly warmer, but still well below the boiling point of water 
C) about the same as it is now 
D) well below the freezing point of water

Question 15

Why do we think Mercury has so many tremendous cliffs?

Accepted Answer

A) They probably formed when a series of large impacts hit Mercury one after the other. 
B) They represent one of the greatest mysteries in the solar system, as no one has suggested a reasonable hypothesis for their formation. 
C) They were probably carved in Mercury's early history by running water. 
D) They are almost certainly volcanic in origin, carved by flowing lava. 
E) They were probably formed by tectonic stresses when the entire planet shrank as its core cooled. 
A) They probably formed when a series of large impacts hit Mercury one after the other. 
B) They represent one of the greatest mysteries in the solar system, as no one has suggested a reasonable hypothesis for their formation. 
C) They were probably carved in Mercury's early history by running water. 
D) They are almost certainly volcanic in origin, carved by flowing lava. 
E) They were probably formed by tectonic stresses when the entire planet shrank as its core cooled.

Question 16

Which of the following is the most basic definition of a greenhouse gas?

Accepted Answer

A) a gas that makes a planet much hotter than it would be otherwise, even in small amounts 
B) a gas that reflects a lot of sunlight 
C) a gas that absorbs infrared light 
D) a gas that keeps warms air from rising, and therefore warms the surface 
A) a gas that makes a planet much hotter than it would be otherwise, even in small amounts 
B) a gas that reflects a lot of sunlight 
C) a gas that absorbs infrared light 
D) a gas that keeps warms air from rising, and therefore warms the surface

Question 17

The processes responsible for virtually all surface geology are .

Accepted Answer

A) impact cratering, volcanisms, tectonics, and erosion 
B) accretion, differentiation, and radioactive decay 
C) eruptions, lava flows, and outgassing 
D) convection, conduction, and radiation 
A) impact cratering, volcanisms, tectonics, and erosion 
B) accretion, differentiation, and radioactive decay 
C) eruptions, lava flows, and outgassing 
D) convection, conduction, and radiation

Question 18

The Antarctic ice- core plot of carbon dioxide (ppm)shows peaks and valleys at about the same times as the temperature plot has peaks and valleys, over 400,000 years. What can we conclude based on this fact alone?

Accepted Answer

A) Higher global average temperatures cause higher global carbon dioxide concentrations. 
B) Higher carbon dioxide concentrations cause higher global average temperatures. 
C) There is a correlation between the carbon dioxide concentration and the average temperature. 
D) The carbon dioxide concentration is inversely related to the global average temperature. 
A) Higher global average temperatures cause higher global carbon dioxide concentrations. 
B) Higher carbon dioxide concentrations cause higher global average temperatures. 
C) There is a correlation between the carbon dioxide concentration and the average temperature. 
D) The carbon dioxide concentration is inversely related to the global average temperature.

Question 19

What are fossil fuels?

Accepted Answer

A) the carbon- rich remains of plants that died millions of years ago 
B) any fuel that releases CO₂ into the atmosphere upon burning 
C) any fuel that is extracted from the interior of the Earth 
D) mineral- rich deposits from ancient seabeds 
E) carbonate- rich deposits from ancient seabeds 
A) the carbon- rich remains of plants that died millions of years ago 
B) any fuel that releases CO₂ into the atmosphere upon burning 
C) any fuel that is extracted from the interior of the Earth 
D) mineral- rich deposits from ancient seabeds 
E) carbonate- rich deposits from ancient seabeds

Question 20

Why is Venus so much hotter than the Earth?

Accepted Answer

A) because it is closer to the Sun 
B) because its clouds have a very high reflectivity 
C) because it rotates backwards compared to its orbital rotation 
D) because it has much more carbon dioxide in its atmosphere 
A) because it is closer to the Sun 
B) because its clouds have a very high reflectivity 
C) because it rotates backwards compared to its orbital rotation 
D) because it has much more carbon dioxide in its atmosphere

What do we mean by a runaway greenhouse effect?

Of the four gases CO₂, H2O, N2, and O₂, which are greenhouse gases?

Which internal heat source still generates heat within the terrestrial worlds today?

Historically, there is no link between increased CO₂ levels and higher average temperatures.

Which of the following is not an example of tectonics?

Which of the following best describes the geological histories of the Moon and Mercury?

Which of the following describes tectonics?

The relatively few craters that we see within the lunar maria

If Earth had no atmosphere, its temperature would be

Why can we not depend on the natural CO₂ cycle to lower carbon- dioxide levels?

Which of the following can act like a long- term "thermostat" for the Earth's average temperature?

The rise of life on the planet Earth some 4 billion years ago was made possible, in part, by the plentiful oxygen in Earth's early atmosphere.

There is no erosion of surface features on the Moon.

Suppose that Earth's atmosphere had no greenhouse gases. Then Earth's average surface temperature would be _ .

Why do we think Mercury has so many tremendous cliffs?

Which of the following is the most basic definition of a greenhouse gas?

The processes responsible for virtually all surface geology are .

The Antarctic ice- core plot of carbon dioxide (ppm)shows peaks and valleys at about the same times as the temperature plot has peaks and valleys, over 400,000 years. What can we conclude based on this fact alone?

What are fossil fuels?

Why is Venus so much hotter than the Earth?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

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Exam 7: Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

What do we mean by a runaway greenhouse effect?

Of the four gases CO₂, H2O, N2, and O₂, which are greenhouse gases?

Which internal heat source still generates heat within the terrestrial worlds today?

Historically, there is no link between increased CO₂ levels and higher average temperatures.

Which of the following is not an example of tectonics?

Which of the following best describes the geological histories of the Moon and Mercury?

Which of the following describes tectonics?

The relatively few craters that we see within the lunar maria

If Earth had no atmosphere, its temperature would be

Why can we not depend on the natural CO₂ cycle to lower carbon- dioxide levels?

Which of the following can act like a long- term "thermostat" for the Earth's average temperature?

The rise of life on the planet Earth some 4 billion years ago was made possible, in part, by the plentiful oxygen in Earth's early atmosphere.

There is no erosion of surface features on the Moon.

Suppose that Earth's atmosphere had no greenhouse gases. Then Earth's average surface temperature would be _ .

Why do we think Mercury has so many tremendous cliffs?

Which of the following is the most basic definition of a greenhouse gas?

The processes responsible for virtually all surface geology are .

The Antarctic ice- core plot of carbon dioxide (ppm)shows peaks and valleys at about the same times as the temperature plot has peaks and valleys, over 400,000 years. What can we conclude based on this fact alone?

What are fossil fuels?

Why is Venus so much hotter than the Earth?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters