Question 1

Which of these statements about the similarities of Mercury and Earth's Moon is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both Mercury and the Moon have heavily cratered surfaces. 
B)  Both Mercury and the Moon have very dark surfaces, or low reflectivity, or albedos. 
C)  Both Mercury and the Moon have large, circular, and relatively flat basins, or maria, on parts of their surfaces. 
D)  Mercury and the Moon have no atmospheres. 
A)  Both Mercury and the Moon have heavily cratered surfaces. 
B)  Both Mercury and the Moon have very dark surfaces, or low reflectivity, or albedos. 
C)  Both Mercury and the Moon have large, circular, and relatively flat basins, or maria, on parts of their surfaces. 
D)  Mercury and the Moon have no atmospheres.

Question 2

Why is it relatively difficult to observe details on the surface of Mercury from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The surface of Mercury is always completely covered in clouds. 
B)  The surface of Mercury appears very bright from reflected ultraviolet sunlight and emitted infrared radiation from its very hot surface. 
C)  Mercury is a small object that always appears close to the Sun in the sky. 
D)  Mercury's orbit always keeps it on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth. 
A)  The surface of Mercury is always completely covered in clouds. 
B)  The surface of Mercury appears very bright from reflected ultraviolet sunlight and emitted infrared radiation from its very hot surface. 
C)  Mercury is a small object that always appears close to the Sun in the sky. 
D)  Mercury's orbit always keeps it on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth.

Question 3

Mercury is unique among the inner planets in having

Accepted Answer

A)  one hemisphere with many craters and few volcanoes and the other hemisphere with few craters and many volcanoes. 
B)  extensive volcanic activity and crustal deformation over most of its history but no evidence of plate tectonics. 
C)  no evidence of an iron core. 
D)  an iron core that occupies almost half its volume. 
A)  one hemisphere with many craters and few volcanoes and the other hemisphere with few craters and many volcanoes. 
B)  extensive volcanic activity and crustal deformation over most of its history but no evidence of plate tectonics. 
C)  no evidence of an iron core. 
D)  an iron core that occupies almost half its volume.

Question 4

An observer is on the surface of Venus (suitably protected). Looking about, what kind of weather will the observer see?

Accepted Answer

A)  The air is filled with fog and haze, no matter which direction one looks. 
B)  The surface is fogged over, but if a break in this surface layer could be found, one would see that the atmosphere is clear above it. If it were night, the obseerver could see the stars through a break in this surface layer. 
C)  If the observer is within about 30 degrees of the equator, the atmosphere will be perfectly clear. North or south of this, the atmosphere will be an unbroken layer of clouds. 
D)  Near the surface the air is clear, but looking up the observer will see a solid bank of clouds extending from horizon to horizon. 
A)  The air is filled with fog and haze, no matter which direction one looks. 
B)  The surface is fogged over, but if a break in this surface layer could be found, one would see that the atmosphere is clear above it. If it were night, the obseerver could see the stars through a break in this surface layer. 
C)  If the observer is within about 30 degrees of the equator, the atmosphere will be perfectly clear. North or south of this, the atmosphere will be an unbroken layer of clouds. 
D)  Near the surface the air is clear, but looking up the observer will see a solid bank of clouds extending from horizon to horizon.

Question 5

The inner planets, in order of increasing planetary radius, are

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. 
B)  Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Earth. 
C)  Mercury, Earth, Venus, and Mars. 
D)  Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Earth. 
A)  Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. 
B)  Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Earth. 
C)  Mercury, Earth, Venus, and Mars. 
D)  Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Earth.

Question 6

The Caloris Basin, a huge circular region on Mercury surrounded by rings of mountains, appears to have been produced by

Accepted Answer

A)  the impact of a massive object in the early phases of the planet's formation, soon after the initial cratering period. 
B)  successive expansion and contraction of the planet's surface by intense solar heating and severe cooling as the planet rotated, causing buckling in a similar way to the formation of the North American Rocky Mountains or the South American Andes. 
C)  wind erosion from huge atmospheric storms, similar to enormous hurricanes on Earth. 
D)  the eruption of a large and long-lived volcano that formed the mountains in a similar manner to the formation of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth. 
A)  the impact of a massive object in the early phases of the planet's formation, soon after the initial cratering period. 
B)  successive expansion and contraction of the planet's surface by intense solar heating and severe cooling as the planet rotated, causing buckling in a similar way to the formation of the North American Rocky Mountains or the South American Andes. 
C)  wind erosion from huge atmospheric storms, similar to enormous hurricanes on Earth. 
D)  the eruption of a large and long-lived volcano that formed the mountains in a similar manner to the formation of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth.

Question 7

What is the relationship between Mercury's rotation about its axis (measured relative to the distant stars) and its revolution around the Sun

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury rotates once for every 3 revolutions around the Sun. 
B)  Mercury rotates exactly once during each revolution around the Sun. 
C)  Mercury rotates approximately 88 times during each revolution around the Sun. 
D)  Mercury rotates 3 times for every 2 revolutions around the Sun. 
A)  Mercury rotates once for every 3 revolutions around the Sun. 
B)  Mercury rotates exactly once during each revolution around the Sun. 
C)  Mercury rotates approximately 88 times during each revolution around the Sun. 
D)  Mercury rotates 3 times for every 2 revolutions around the Sun.

Question 8

In 2011 a major event in the exploration of Mercury took place, namely

Accepted Answer

A)  sending a radar pulse to bounce off Mercury's surface. 
B)  putting the MESSENGER spacecraft in orbit around the planet. 
C)  a soft, unmanned landing. 
D)  a manned landing. 
A)  sending a radar pulse to bounce off Mercury's surface. 
B)  putting the MESSENGER spacecraft in orbit around the planet. 
C)  a soft, unmanned landing. 
D)  a manned landing.

Question 9

The major volcanoes on Mars have formed

Accepted Answer

A)  in mountain belts where the planet's surface is being stressed as it is bent and subducted back into the mantle. 
B)  where shrinkage of the crust during cooling early in the planet's history has wrinkled the surface. 
C)  on long, interconnected ridges where magma, rising from the mantle, is pushing the crust apart. 
D)  over individual stationary hot spots in the underlying molten mantle. 
A)  in mountain belts where the planet's surface is being stressed as it is bent and subducted back into the mantle. 
B)  where shrinkage of the crust during cooling early in the planet's history has wrinkled the surface. 
C)  on long, interconnected ridges where magma, rising from the mantle, is pushing the crust apart. 
D)  over individual stationary hot spots in the underlying molten mantle.

Question 10

The exploratory life-sciences experiments aboard the Viking spacecraft landers found evidence of

Accepted Answer

A)  a very sterile environment in which life could not have existed and a very chemically inert soil, reacting with almost no reagents. 
B)  primitive life-forms such as elementary bacteria that should not be a hazard when humans explore Mars. 
C)  very reactive chemistry in the Martian surface rocks, but no evidence of life or remnants of life-forms. 
D)  primitive life-forms that had existed on Mars earlier in its history but had not survived. 
A)  a very sterile environment in which life could not have existed and a very chemically inert soil, reacting with almost no reagents. 
B)  primitive life-forms such as elementary bacteria that should not be a hazard when humans explore Mars. 
C)  very reactive chemistry in the Martian surface rocks, but no evidence of life or remnants of life-forms. 
D)  primitive life-forms that had existed on Mars earlier in its history but had not survived.

Question 11

What is the material that produces the distinct red color of Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  scattered sunlight from very fine dust, similar to sunset effects on Earth 
B)  rust, or iron oxides 
C)  carbon dioxide because it absorbs blue and green light preferentially 
D)  red-colored vegetation that seems to fluctuate seasonally, particularly near the equator 
A)  scattered sunlight from very fine dust, similar to sunset effects on Earth 
B)  rust, or iron oxides 
C)  carbon dioxide because it absorbs blue and green light preferentially 
D)  red-colored vegetation that seems to fluctuate seasonally, particularly near the equator

Question 12

What is the highest mountain on Venus called?

Accepted Answer

A)  Olympus Mons 
B)  Ishtar Terra 
C)  Maxwell Montes 
D)  Alpha Regio 
A)  Olympus Mons 
B)  Ishtar Terra 
C)  Maxwell Montes 
D)  Alpha Regio

Question 13

The shapes and sizes of the two moons of Mars are

Accepted Answer

A)  spherical and quite large compared to the planet, about 1000 km in diameter, similar to the largest asteroid. 
B)  almost spherical but very small, only 10 and 30 km in diameter, respectively. 
C)  irregular, but quite large compared to the planet, between 500 and 1500 km across. 
D)  irregular in shape and very small, only several tens of kilometers across. 
A)  spherical and quite large compared to the planet, about 1000 km in diameter, similar to the largest asteroid. 
B)  almost spherical but very small, only 10 and 30 km in diameter, respectively. 
C)  irregular, but quite large compared to the planet, between 500 and 1500 km across. 
D)  irregular in shape and very small, only several tens of kilometers across.

Question 14

What is the Caloris Basin?

Accepted Answer

A)  lunar mare, on the far side of the Moon 
B)  volcanic caldera on Mount Maxwell, on Venus 
C)  large, lowland area on Mars 
D)  multiringed impact basin on Mercury 
A)  lunar mare, on the far side of the Moon 
B)  volcanic caldera on Mount Maxwell, on Venus 
C)  large, lowland area on Mars 
D)  multiringed impact basin on Mercury

Question 15

Which planet is the hottest one in the solar system, measured at the surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth 
B)  Mars 
C)  Venus 
D)  Mercury 
A)  Earth 
B)  Mars 
C)  Venus 
D)  Mercury

Question 16

What evidence is there that plate tectonics may have occurred in very early times on Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  Magnetic fields at the surface of Mars show interlocking patterns similar to those in regions where plates are separating on Earth. 
B)  There are several highly eroded systems of folded mountain ranges and linear troughs on Mars, similar to regions of plate collision on Earth. 
C)  "Fossilized" rift valleys have been discovered by ground-penetrating radar under the blanket of dust and lava of Mars's surface. 
D)  Interconnecting patterns of strike-slip faults in the volcanic northern hemisphere of Mars are similar to those where tectonic plates are sliding past each other on Earth. 
A)  Magnetic fields at the surface of Mars show interlocking patterns similar to those in regions where plates are separating on Earth. 
B)  There are several highly eroded systems of folded mountain ranges and linear troughs on Mars, similar to regions of plate collision on Earth. 
C)  "Fossilized" rift valleys have been discovered by ground-penetrating radar under the blanket of dust and lava of Mars's surface. 
D)  Interconnecting patterns of strike-slip faults in the volcanic northern hemisphere of Mars are similar to those where tectonic plates are sliding past each other on Earth.

Question 17

The temperature in the atmosphere of Venus

Accepted Answer

A)  has a complicated structure reaching several maxima and minima at various altitudes. 
B)  increases smoothly with increasing altitude. 
C)  is almost constant with altitude. 
D)  decreases smoothly with increasing altitude. 
A)  has a complicated structure reaching several maxima and minima at various altitudes. 
B)  increases smoothly with increasing altitude. 
C)  is almost constant with altitude. 
D)  decreases smoothly with increasing altitude.

Question 18

Why is the surface of Venus hotter than that of Mercury, even though Mercury is much closer to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus experiences continuous volcanic activity and the release of hot lava onto the surface. 
B)  The thick carbon dioxide atmosphere of Venus has prevented re-emission into space of the heat absorbed from sunlight. 
C)  Chemical reactions within the thick clouds and dense atmosphere of Venus are continuously supplying heat to the surface. 
D)  Venus rotates rapidly, which ensures that its entire surface is being heated regularly and uniformly. 
A)  Venus experiences continuous volcanic activity and the release of hot lava onto the surface. 
B)  The thick carbon dioxide atmosphere of Venus has prevented re-emission into space of the heat absorbed from sunlight. 
C)  Chemical reactions within the thick clouds and dense atmosphere of Venus are continuously supplying heat to the surface. 
D)  Venus rotates rapidly, which ensures that its entire surface is being heated regularly and uniformly.

Question 19

On which of these planets have experiments been carried out to search for life-forms or evidence of life?

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus 
B)  Mars 
C)  Mercury 
D)  Jupiter 
A)  Venus 
B)  Mars 
C)  Mercury 
D)  Jupiter

Question 20

Why has Mercury become locked into a 3-to-2 spin orbit coupling instead of a 1-to-1 coupling like the Moon around Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury feels a stronger gravitational pull from the more massive Sun than the Moon does from Earth, so its rotation became locked on the Sun before it had slowed enough for a 1-to-1 lock. 
B)  Mercury's orbit is very eccentric, so its orbital speed varies while its rotation rate remains constant, preventing a 1-to-1 lock. 
C)  Mercury's rotation rate is still slowing down, and the apparent 3-to-2 lock is actually just coincidence. 
D)  Mercury's orbit is highly inclined (tipped up at an angle to the orbits of the other planets), so the Sun sometimes pulls more on Mercury's north pole and sometimes more on its south pole. 
A)  Mercury feels a stronger gravitational pull from the more massive Sun than the Moon does from Earth, so its rotation became locked on the Sun before it had slowed enough for a 1-to-1 lock. 
B)  Mercury's orbit is very eccentric, so its orbital speed varies while its rotation rate remains constant, preventing a 1-to-1 lock. 
C)  Mercury's rotation rate is still slowing down, and the apparent 3-to-2 lock is actually just coincidence. 
D)  Mercury's orbit is highly inclined (tipped up at an angle to the orbits of the other planets), so the Sun sometimes pulls more on Mercury's north pole and sometimes more on its south pole.

Which of these statements about the similarities of Mercury and Earth's Moon is NOT true?

Why is it relatively difficult to observe details on the surface of Mercury from Earth?

Mercury is unique among the inner planets in having

An observer is on the surface of Venus (suitably protected). Looking about, what kind of weather will the observer see?

The inner planets, in order of increasing planetary radius, are

The Caloris Basin, a huge circular region on Mercury surrounded by rings of mountains, appears to have been produced by

What is the relationship between Mercury's rotation about its axis (measured relative to the distant stars) and its revolution around the Sun

In 2011 a major event in the exploration of Mercury took place, namely

The major volcanoes on Mars have formed

The exploratory life-sciences experiments aboard the Viking spacecraft landers found evidence of

What is the material that produces the distinct red color of Mars?

What is the highest mountain on Venus called?

The shapes and sizes of the two moons of Mars are

What is the Caloris Basin?

Which planet is the hottest one in the solar system, measured at the surface?

What evidence is there that plate tectonics may have occurred in very early times on Mars?

The temperature in the atmosphere of Venus

Why is the surface of Venus hotter than that of Mercury, even though Mercury is much closer to the Sun?

On which of these planets have experiments been carried out to search for life-forms or evidence of life?

Why has Mercury become locked into a 3-to-2 spin orbit coupling instead of a 1-to-1 coupling like the Moon around Earth?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 8: The Other Terrestrial Planets

Which of these statements about the similarities of Mercury and Earth's Moon is NOT true?

Why is it relatively difficult to observe details on the surface of Mercury from Earth?

Mercury is unique among the inner planets in having

An observer is on the surface of Venus (suitably protected). Looking about, what kind of weather will the observer see?

The inner planets, in order of increasing planetary radius, are

The Caloris Basin, a huge circular region on Mercury surrounded by rings of mountains, appears to have been produced by

What is the relationship between Mercury's rotation about its axis (measured relative to the distant stars) and its revolution around the Sun

In 2011 a major event in the exploration of Mercury took place, namely

The major volcanoes on Mars have formed

The exploratory life-sciences experiments aboard the Viking spacecraft landers found evidence of

What is the material that produces the distinct red color of Mars?

What is the highest mountain on Venus called?

The shapes and sizes of the two moons of Mars are

What is the Caloris Basin?

Which planet is the hottest one in the solar system, measured at the surface?

What evidence is there that plate tectonics may have occurred in very early times on Mars?

The temperature in the atmosphere of Venus

Why is the surface of Venus hotter than that of Mercury, even though Mercury is much closer to the Sun?

On which of these planets have experiments been carried out to search for life-forms or evidence of life?

Why has Mercury become locked into a 3-to-2 spin orbit coupling instead of a 1-to-1 coupling like the Moon around Earth?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters