Question 1

Which of the following worlds have the thinnest lithospheres?

Accepted Answer

A) Venus and the Moon 
B) Mercury and Venus 
C) Earth and Venus 
D) Earth and Mars 
E) Earth and the Moon 
A) Venus and the Moon 
B) Mercury and Venus 
C) Earth and Venus 
D) Earth and Mars 
E) Earth and the Moon

Question 2

Valles Marineris is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A) large valley on the Moon. 
B) huge series of cliffs on Mercury. 
C) large canyon on Mars. 
D) extensive plain on Mars. 
E) large canyon on Venus. 
A) large valley on the Moon. 
B) huge series of cliffs on Mercury. 
C) large canyon on Mars. 
D) extensive plain on Mars. 
E) large canyon on Venus.

Question 3

Public Policy Informed by Science: Research the Montreal Protocol (1987)that led to a world- wide ban in the use of chlorofluorocarbon compounds (CFCs). What was the scientific case for the ban? Why do you think such coordinated, world- wide action was possible in this case, yet a global consensus has not emerged on how to respond to the challenge of climate change?

Accepted Answer

The scientific case for the ban on chlor

Question 4

Suppose Earth were to cool down a little. How would the carbon dioxide cycle tend to restore temperatures to normal?

Accepted Answer

A) Cooler temperatures allow carbon dioxide to form rain and rain out of the atmosphere. 
B) Cooler temperatures cause volcanoes to become more active, so they release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than they do when temperatures are warmer. 
C) Cooler temperatures lead to slower formation of carbonate minerals in the ocean, so carbon dioxide released by volcanism builds up in the atmosphere and strengthens the greenhouse effect. 
D) Cooler temperatures mean more ice and more erosion, which somehow makes the planet warm up. 
A) Cooler temperatures allow carbon dioxide to form rain and rain out of the atmosphere. 
B) Cooler temperatures cause volcanoes to become more active, so they release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than they do when temperatures are warmer. 
C) Cooler temperatures lead to slower formation of carbonate minerals in the ocean, so carbon dioxide released by volcanism builds up in the atmosphere and strengthens the greenhouse effect. 
D) Cooler temperatures mean more ice and more erosion, which somehow makes the planet warm up.

Question 5

What is one piece of scientific evidence for human contributions to global climate change?

Accepted Answer

A) Humans burn forests, drive cars, and build power plants that directly heat the planet. 
B) There is no compelling evidence for human contributions to climate change; the correlations do not show what causes them. 
C) Humans are responsible for every possible change to the planet, since humans are the only intelligent life forms. 
D) Humans deplete the ozone layer, allowing more ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth. 
E) Climate models show that extra carbon dioxide contributed by humans is enough to match the temperature data. 
A) Humans burn forests, drive cars, and build power plants that directly heat the planet. 
B) There is no compelling evidence for human contributions to climate change; the correlations do not show what causes them. 
C) Humans are responsible for every possible change to the planet, since humans are the only intelligent life forms. 
D) Humans deplete the ozone layer, allowing more ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth. 
E) Climate models show that extra carbon dioxide contributed by humans is enough to match the temperature data.

Question 6

Spacecraft have landed on all the terrestrial worlds except

Accepted Answer

A) Venus. 
B) Mercury. 
C) Moon. 
D) Mars. 
A) Venus. 
B) Mercury. 
C) Moon. 
D) Mars.

Question 7

What are the circumstances under which convection can occur in a substance?

Accepted Answer

A) when the substance is strongly cooled from underneath 
B) when the substance is strongly heated from underneath 
C) when the substance is subjected to a strong magnetic field 
D) when the substance is strongly shaken or disturbed by a strong wind 
E) when dense material is being added to the substance 
A) when the substance is strongly cooled from underneath 
B) when the substance is strongly heated from underneath 
C) when the substance is subjected to a strong magnetic field 
D) when the substance is strongly shaken or disturbed by a strong wind 
E) when dense material is being added to the substance

Question 8

Comparative planetology: Describe at least one way in which comparisons of Earth with the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and / or Mars have helped us to better understand our own planet.

Accepted Answer

Will vary, may include: comparison of ma

Question 9

How is the atmosphere of a planet affected by the rotation rate?

Accepted Answer

A) The rotation rate determines how much atmosphere a planet has. 
B) Faster rotation rates raise the atmospheric temperature. 
C) Faster rotation rates produce stronger winds. 
D) The rotation rate determines how long the planet is able to retain its atmosphere. 
E) Faster rotation rates raise surface temperatures and thus determine how much material is gaseous versus icy or liquid. 
A) The rotation rate determines how much atmosphere a planet has. 
B) Faster rotation rates raise the atmospheric temperature. 
C) Faster rotation rates produce stronger winds. 
D) The rotation rate determines how long the planet is able to retain its atmosphere. 
E) Faster rotation rates raise surface temperatures and thus determine how much material is gaseous versus icy or liquid.

Question 10

Which of the following describes impact cratering?

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 11

The Sun is gradually increasing in luminosity as it ages. It is 20% more luminous than it was when it was born. Why isn't this considered to be an explanation for global warming?

Accepted Answer

A) The amount of energy the Earth receives from the Sun remains constant regardless of what the Sun does. 
B) The scientists are covering up this potentially valid explanation. 
C) What the Sun was doing millions of years ago is what determines Earth's temperature, since the Earth doesn't respond directly to what the Sun is doing today. 
D) The Sun is increasing in luminosity much too slowly, over many millions of years. 
A) The amount of energy the Earth receives from the Sun remains constant regardless of what the Sun does. 
B) The scientists are covering up this potentially valid explanation. 
C) What the Sun was doing millions of years ago is what determines Earth's temperature, since the Earth doesn't respond directly to what the Sun is doing today. 
D) The Sun is increasing in luminosity much too slowly, over many millions of years.

Question 12

Given the current emission rate of carbon dioxide, how much will the Earth's average temperature increase over the next century?

Accepted Answer

A) 0- 3°C 
B) 3- 5°C 
C) 0°C 
D) 5- 7°C 
E) 7- 10°C 
A) 0- 3°C 
B) 3- 5°C 
C) 0°C 
D) 5- 7°C 
E) 7- 10°C

Question 13

Why is Mars red?

Accepted Answer

A) Its surface is made of ices that absorb red light. 
B) Its surface is made of ices that absorb blue light. 
C) Its atmosphere scatters blue light more effectively than red light. 
D) It is made primarily of red clay. 
E) Its surface rocks were rusted by oxygen. 
A) Its surface is made of ices that absorb red light. 
B) Its surface is made of ices that absorb blue light. 
C) Its atmosphere scatters blue light more effectively than red light. 
D) It is made primarily of red clay. 
E) Its surface rocks were rusted by oxygen.

Question 14

The CO₂ concentration of the atmosphere has increased by about _ since 1750.

Accepted Answer

A) 1000 parts- per- million 
B) 10 parts- per- million 
C) 100 parts- per- million 
D) None. It has decreased. 
A) 1000 parts- per- million 
B) 10 parts- per- million 
C) 100 parts- per- million 
D) None. It has decreased.

Question 15

What is the main visual difference between the lunar maria and the rest of the lunar surface? What are the implications of this observation?

Accepted Answer

The lunar maria are generally smooth com

Question 16

Which of the following most likely explains why Venus does not have a global magnetic field like Earth?

Accepted Answer

A) Unlike Earth, Venus does not have a liquid outer core. 
B) It does not have a metallic core. 
C) It has too thick of an atmosphere. 
D) Its rotation is too slow. 
A) Unlike Earth, Venus does not have a liquid outer core. 
B) It does not have a metallic core. 
C) It has too thick of an atmosphere. 
D) Its rotation is too slow.

Question 17

The footprints left on the moon by the Apollo astronauts will likely last for

Accepted Answer

A) a few decades. 
B) the remaining existence of the Moon. 
C) millions of years. 
D) no time; they were quickly erased by micrometeorites. 
A) a few decades. 
B) the remaining existence of the Moon. 
C) millions of years. 
D) no time; they were quickly erased by micrometeorites.

Question 18

The Gaia Hypothesis: The Gaia hypothesis, due to James Lovelock, maintains that the Earth-its atmosphere, the oceans, the land, and life-represents a complex interacting system that will always seek to maintain a
life- supporting environment. Discuss the operation of the Earth's carbon dioxide cycle and how it might relate to the Gaia hypothesis. The Gaia hypothesis is still quite controversial. Perform some research (either in your library or on reputable internet reference sites)and summarize in a few paragraphs the arguments for and against Gaia.

Accepted Answer

The Earth's carbon dioxide cycle is a cr

Question 19

Which of the following best describes how the greenhouse effect works?

Accepted Answer

A) Greenhouse gases absorb X- rays and ultraviolet light from the Sun, and this absorbed radiation then heats the atmosphere and the surface. 
B) Greenhouse gases absorb infrared light coming from the Sun, and this absorbed sunlight heats the lower atmosphere and the surface. 
C) The greenhouse effect is caused primarily by ozone, which absorbs ultraviolet light and thereby makes the atmosphere much hotter than it would be otherwise. 
D) A planet's surface absorbs visible sunlight and returns this absorbed energy to space as infrared light. Greenhouse gases slow the escape of this infrared radiation, which thereby heats the lower atmosphere. 
A) Greenhouse gases absorb X- rays and ultraviolet light from the Sun, and this absorbed radiation then heats the atmosphere and the surface. 
B) Greenhouse gases absorb infrared light coming from the Sun, and this absorbed sunlight heats the lower atmosphere and the surface. 
C) The greenhouse effect is caused primarily by ozone, which absorbs ultraviolet light and thereby makes the atmosphere much hotter than it would be otherwise. 
D) A planet's surface absorbs visible sunlight and returns this absorbed energy to space as infrared light. Greenhouse gases slow the escape of this infrared radiation, which thereby heats the lower atmosphere.

Question 20

Based on all we know about the terrestrial worlds, what single factor appears to play the most important role in a terrestrial planet's geological destiny?

Accepted Answer

A) its composition 
B) whether or not it has liquid water 
C) its distance from the Sun 
D) its size 
A) its composition 
B) whether or not it has liquid water 
C) its distance from the Sun 
D) its size

Which of the following worlds have the thinnest lithospheres?

Valles Marineris is a(n)

Suppose Earth were to cool down a little. How would the carbon dioxide cycle tend to restore temperatures to normal?

What is one piece of scientific evidence for human contributions to global climate change?

Spacecraft have landed on all the terrestrial worlds except

What are the circumstances under which convection can occur in a substance?

Comparative planetology: Describe at least one way in which comparisons of Earth with the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and / or Mars have helped us to better understand our own planet.

How is the atmosphere of a planet affected by the rotation rate?

Which of the following describes impact cratering?

The Sun is gradually increasing in luminosity as it ages. It is 20% more luminous than it was when it was born. Why isn't this considered to be an explanation for global warming?

Given the current emission rate of carbon dioxide, how much will the Earth's average temperature increase over the next century?

Why is Mars red?

The CO₂ concentration of the atmosphere has increased by about _ since 1750.

What is the main visual difference between the lunar maria and the rest of the lunar surface? What are the implications of this observation?

Which of the following most likely explains why Venus does not have a global magnetic field like Earth?

The footprints left on the moon by the Apollo astronauts will likely last for

Which of the following best describes how the greenhouse effect works?

Based on all we know about the terrestrial worlds, what single factor appears to play the most important role in a terrestrial planet's geological destiny?

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

Which of the following worlds have the thinnest lithospheres?

Valles Marineris is a(n)

Suppose Earth were to cool down a little. How would the carbon dioxide cycle tend to restore temperatures to normal?

What is one piece of scientific evidence for human contributions to global climate change?

Spacecraft have landed on all the terrestrial worlds except

What are the circumstances under which convection can occur in a substance?

Comparative planetology: Describe at least one way in which comparisons of Earth with the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and / or Mars have helped us to better understand our own planet.

How is the atmosphere of a planet affected by the rotation rate?

Which of the following describes impact cratering?

The Sun is gradually increasing in luminosity as it ages. It is 20% more luminous than it was when it was born. Why isn't this considered to be an explanation for global warming?

Given the current emission rate of carbon dioxide, how much will the Earth's average temperature increase over the next century?

Why is Mars red?

The CO₂ concentration of the atmosphere has increased by about _ since 1750.

What is the main visual difference between the lunar maria and the rest of the lunar surface? What are the implications of this observation?

Which of the following most likely explains why Venus does not have a global magnetic field like Earth?

The footprints left on the moon by the Apollo astronauts will likely last for

Which of the following best describes how the greenhouse effect works?

Based on all we know about the terrestrial worlds, what single factor appears to play the most important role in a terrestrial planet's geological destiny?

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