Question 1

Why do planetary scientists believe the SNC meteorites came from Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  They were brought back by the return voyage of the Mars Pathfinder mission. 
B)  Their fall to Earth was tracked by radar, so it was possible to reconstruct their trajectories. 
C)  Radioactive minerals in the rocks allows them to be dated from approximately the same time as similar layers on Mars. 
D)  Their chemistries are similar to rocks from Mars's surface, and they contain trace gases that match Martian atmospheric samples. 
A)  They were brought back by the return voyage of the Mars Pathfinder mission. 
B)  Their fall to Earth was tracked by radar, so it was possible to reconstruct their trajectories. 
C)  Radioactive minerals in the rocks allows them to be dated from approximately the same time as similar layers on Mars. 
D)  Their chemistries are similar to rocks from Mars's surface, and they contain trace gases that match Martian atmospheric samples.

Question 2

Mercury rotates once in 59 days with respect to the distant stars and has a sidereal period of 88 days. If a star is seen to be overhead to an observer on Mercury at midnight on a particular day, how many times will Mercury orbit the Sun before this star is again above the observer's head in a nighttime sky?

Accepted Answer

A)  3 times 
B)  twice 
C)  It will never again reach this specific position. 
D)  once 
A)  3 times 
B)  twice 
C)  It will never again reach this specific position. 
D)  once

Question 3

What evidence is there that Mars may have had an internal magnetic dynamo in its youth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars, show residual radioactivity, as if they had orbited through the high-energy charged particles of a former Martian magnetosphere. 
B)  There is no evidence that Mars has ever had an internal magnetic dynamo. 
C)  "Fossilized" regions of opposite magnetic polarity have been found near Mars's north and south geographic poles. 
D)  Magnetic fields at the surface of Mars show interlocking patterns similar to those produced on Earth by magnetic reversals in Earth's internal dynamo. 
A)  Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars, show residual radioactivity, as if they had orbited through the high-energy charged particles of a former Martian magnetosphere. 
B)  There is no evidence that Mars has ever had an internal magnetic dynamo. 
C)  "Fossilized" regions of opposite magnetic polarity have been found near Mars's north and south geographic poles. 
D)  Magnetic fields at the surface of Mars show interlocking patterns similar to those produced on Earth by magnetic reversals in Earth's internal dynamo.

Question 4

The Martian magnetic field

Accepted Answer

A)  is confined to the planet's interior by its thick crust. 
B)  has a tail pointing away from the Sun, formed by the solar wind. 
C)  has the same shape as Earth's but is significantly weaker. 
D)  is comparable in shape and intensity to Earth's magnetic field. 
A)  is confined to the planet's interior by its thick crust. 
B)  has a tail pointing away from the Sun, formed by the solar wind. 
C)  has the same shape as Earth's but is significantly weaker. 
D)  is comparable in shape and intensity to Earth's magnetic field.

Question 5

According to modern dynamo theory, the production of a planetwide magnetic field around a terrestrial-type planet appears to require

Accepted Answer

A)  rapid rotation and a molten metallic core. 
B)  a permanently magnetized solid metallic core. 
C)  a molten metallic core, with or without rotation. 
D)  rapid rotation and a metallic core, either solid or molten. 
A)  rapid rotation and a molten metallic core. 
B)  a permanently magnetized solid metallic core. 
C)  a molten metallic core, with or without rotation. 
D)  rapid rotation and a metallic core, either solid or molten.

Question 6

The SNC meteorites are

Accepted Answer

A)  granitic rocks from Venus formed by solidification of a molten crust. 
B)  rocks from Mars containing water-soaked clay. 
C)  basaltic rocks from the Moon made up of solidified lava. 
D)  carbonaceous chondrites from the asteroid belt containing naturally occurring amino acids 
A)  granitic rocks from Venus formed by solidification of a molten crust. 
B)  rocks from Mars containing water-soaked clay. 
C)  basaltic rocks from the Moon made up of solidified lava. 
D)  carbonaceous chondrites from the asteroid belt containing naturally occurring amino acids

Question 7

Mars's atmosphere contains no water vapor. Why is this?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mars's gravity is too weak to retain water vapor on the planet. 
B)  The temperature of Mars is too high for water vapor to be retained on the planet. 
C)  There has never been any liquid water on the surface of Mars. 
D)  Mars was formed outside the region of the solar nebula where water vapor was stable. 
A)  Mars's gravity is too weak to retain water vapor on the planet. 
B)  The temperature of Mars is too high for water vapor to be retained on the planet. 
C)  There has never been any liquid water on the surface of Mars. 
D)  Mars was formed outside the region of the solar nebula where water vapor was stable.

Question 8

The highest temperature on Mercury is 700 K, which is 50 K LESS than the highest temperature on Venus. How, then, can Mercury experience the greatest temperature range in the solar system? Which of these does NOT contribute to this great range of temperature?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury has no significant atmosphere to retain heat on its night side. 
B)  Mercury has no greenhouse gases to keep the planet warm at night. 
C)  The ice near the poles contributes to the very cold night temperature. 
D)  Mercury has a slow rotation rate, which allows it to cool off easily on the night side. 
A)  Mercury has no significant atmosphere to retain heat on its night side. 
B)  Mercury has no greenhouse gases to keep the planet warm at night. 
C)  The ice near the poles contributes to the very cold night temperature. 
D)  Mercury has a slow rotation rate, which allows it to cool off easily on the night side.

Question 9

Which of these is one reason there are no volcanoes on Earth anywhere near the size of Olympus Mons?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mars's smaller gravity caused lava to flow more slowly, building up thicker layers as it cooled. 
B)  Because Mars is smaller than Earth, it retained its interior heat longer and allowed volcanic activity for a longer time. 
C)  Because of tectonic activity on Earth, volcanoes are subducted too quickly to become large. 
D)  Because of colder temperatures on Mars, lava solidified more quickly before it had time to move far from the volcanic cone. 
A)  Mars's smaller gravity caused lava to flow more slowly, building up thicker layers as it cooled. 
B)  Because Mars is smaller than Earth, it retained its interior heat longer and allowed volcanic activity for a longer time. 
C)  Because of tectonic activity on Earth, volcanoes are subducted too quickly to become large. 
D)  Because of colder temperatures on Mars, lava solidified more quickly before it had time to move far from the volcanic cone.

Question 10

Which physical feature of the planet Mercury interacts with solar wind particles near the planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  stream of ionized atoms, heated by the intense sunlight, that are emitted continuously by the planet 
B)  dense, ionized atmosphere surrounding the planet 
C)  magnetic field that, like Earth's, produces a magnetosphere surrounding the planet 
D)  Mercury's gravitational field 
A)  stream of ionized atoms, heated by the intense sunlight, that are emitted continuously by the planet 
B)  dense, ionized atmosphere surrounding the planet 
C)  magnetic field that, like Earth's, produces a magnetosphere surrounding the planet 
D)  Mercury's gravitational field

Question 11

Mars rovers have uncovered lava rocks containing olivine and pyroxene. What conclusion has been drawn from this?

Accepted Answer

A)  These rocks dissolve quickly in water, thus Mars must have been dry for several billion years. 
B)  These rocks contain water, so the surface must have been submerged at some time during the last billon years. 
C)  These rocks contain microfossils that might be the remnants of living organisms. This greatly increases expectations of past life on Mars. 
D)  These rocks form at high temperature, suggesting that Mars formed closer to the Sun than it is now. 
A)  These rocks dissolve quickly in water, thus Mars must have been dry for several billion years. 
B)  These rocks contain water, so the surface must have been submerged at some time during the last billon years. 
C)  These rocks contain microfossils that might be the remnants of living organisms. This greatly increases expectations of past life on Mars. 
D)  These rocks form at high temperature, suggesting that Mars formed closer to the Sun than it is now.

Question 12

A global magnetic field generated from inside the planet is found around which terrestrial planet or planets?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Which unexpected chemical compound has recently been discovered on Mercury?

Accepted Answer

A)  nitrogen dioxide in Mercury's upper atmosphere 
B)  cyanide, poisonous to humans, in the troposphere 
C)  ammonia, escaping from fissures in the Caloris Basin 
D)  water ice at the north and south poles 
A)  nitrogen dioxide in Mercury's upper atmosphere 
B)  cyanide, poisonous to humans, in the troposphere 
C)  ammonia, escaping from fissures in the Caloris Basin 
D)  water ice at the north and south poles

Question 14

Compared with the length of a solar day (time between successive sunrises) on Earth, the length of one solar "day" on Venus is

Accepted Answer

A)  about the same. 
B)  much shorter, about 1 hour. 
C)  about half as long, about 10 hours. 
D)  significantly longer. 
A)  about the same. 
B)  much shorter, about 1 hour. 
C)  about half as long, about 10 hours. 
D)  significantly longer.

Question 15

Where are MOST of the extinct volcanoes located on Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  along the bottom of the deep valley Valles Marineris, which was originally formed by enormous geological stresses 
B)  in the northern hemisphere 
C)  around the southern polar cap 
D)  in a line along the equator, the line of maximum tidal stress on the planet 
A)  along the bottom of the deep valley Valles Marineris, which was originally formed by enormous geological stresses 
B)  in the northern hemisphere 
C)  around the southern polar cap 
D)  in a line along the equator, the line of maximum tidal stress on the planet

Question 16

There are many reasons why a multiday hiking trip on foot through the Valles Marineris on Mars would not be advisable, at least not without suitable protection. Which of these conditions would NOT be a concern?

Accepted Answer

A)  possibility of dust storms 
B)  predominantly carbon dioxide atmosphere 
C)  high levels of ultraviolet radiation 
D)  oppressively high atmospheric pressure 
A)  possibility of dust storms 
B)  predominantly carbon dioxide atmosphere 
C)  high levels of ultraviolet radiation 
D)  oppressively high atmospheric pressure

Question 17

Which of these features was NOT found on Mars when spacecraft finally visited the planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  deep, winding canyons 
B)  straight canals 
C)  extinct volcanoes 
D)  craters 
A)  deep, winding canyons 
B)  straight canals 
C)  extinct volcanoes 
D)  craters

Question 18

Mercury's iron core takes up approximately what fraction of the mass of the planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  about 32 percent, very similar to that of Earth 
B)  greater than 95 percent 
C)  about 60 percent 
D)  about 10 percent 
A)  about 32 percent, very similar to that of Earth 
B)  greater than 95 percent 
C)  about 60 percent 
D)  about 10 percent

Question 19

On the basis of its appearance and general properties, which planetary body could be described as Earth's twin?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mars; somewhat smaller but with a similar surface, a thin atmosphere, and clouds 
B)  Moon; somewhat smaller but having the same average density and geology 
C)  Pluto; similar size and density, a large moon, and probably life on its surface 
D)  Venus; about the same mass and diameter, dense atmosphere, and cloud-shrouded 
A)  Mars; somewhat smaller but with a similar surface, a thin atmosphere, and clouds 
B)  Moon; somewhat smaller but having the same average density and geology 
C)  Pluto; similar size and density, a large moon, and probably life on its surface 
D)  Venus; about the same mass and diameter, dense atmosphere, and cloud-shrouded

Question 20

How many times does Mercury rotate around its axis with respect to the distant stars in one orbit around the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 $1 / 2$ times 
B)  3 times 
C)  2/3 times 
D)  twice 
A)  1 $1 / 2$ times 
B)  3 times 
C)  2/3 times 
D)  twice

Why do planetary scientists believe the SNC meteorites came from Mars?

What evidence is there that Mars may have had an internal magnetic dynamo in its youth?

The Martian magnetic field

According to modern dynamo theory, the production of a planetwide magnetic field around a terrestrial-type planet appears to require

The SNC meteorites are

Mars's atmosphere contains no water vapor. Why is this?

The highest temperature on Mercury is 700 K, which is 50 K LESS than the highest temperature on Venus. How, then, can Mercury experience the greatest temperature range in the solar system? Which of these does NOT contribute to this great range of temperature?

Which of these is one reason there are no volcanoes on Earth anywhere near the size of Olympus Mons?

Which physical feature of the planet Mercury interacts with solar wind particles near the planet?

Mars rovers have uncovered lava rocks containing olivine and pyroxene. What conclusion has been drawn from this?

A global magnetic field generated from inside the planet is found around which terrestrial planet or planets?

Which unexpected chemical compound has recently been discovered on Mercury?

Compared with the length of a solar day (time between successive sunrises) on Earth, the length of one solar "day" on Venus is

Where are MOST of the extinct volcanoes located on Mars?

There are many reasons why a multiday hiking trip on foot through the Valles Marineris on Mars would not be advisable, at least not without suitable protection. Which of these conditions would NOT be a concern?

Which of these features was NOT found on Mars when spacecraft finally visited the planet?

Mercury's iron core takes up approximately what fraction of the mass of the planet?

On the basis of its appearance and general properties, which planetary body could be described as Earth's twin?

How many times does Mercury rotate around its axis with respect to the distant stars in one orbit around the Sun?

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

Why do planetary scientists believe the SNC meteorites came from Mars?

What evidence is there that Mars may have had an internal magnetic dynamo in its youth?

The Martian magnetic field

According to modern dynamo theory, the production of a planetwide magnetic field around a terrestrial-type planet appears to require

The SNC meteorites are

Mars's atmosphere contains no water vapor. Why is this?

The highest temperature on Mercury is 700 K, which is 50 K LESS than the highest temperature on Venus. How, then, can Mercury experience the greatest temperature range in the solar system? Which of these does NOT contribute to this great range of temperature?

Which of these is one reason there are no volcanoes on Earth anywhere near the size of Olympus Mons?

Which physical feature of the planet Mercury interacts with solar wind particles near the planet?

Mars rovers have uncovered lava rocks containing olivine and pyroxene. What conclusion has been drawn from this?

A global magnetic field generated from inside the planet is found around which terrestrial planet or planets?

Which unexpected chemical compound has recently been discovered on Mercury?

Compared with the length of a solar day (time between successive sunrises) on Earth, the length of one solar "day" on Venus is

Where are MOST of the extinct volcanoes located on Mars?

There are many reasons why a multiday hiking trip on foot through the Valles Marineris on Mars would not be advisable, at least not without suitable protection. Which of these conditions would NOT be a concern?

Which of these features was NOT found on Mars when spacecraft finally visited the planet?

Mercury's iron core takes up approximately what fraction of the mass of the planet?

On the basis of its appearance and general properties, which planetary body could be described as Earth's twin?

How many times does Mercury rotate around its axis with respect to the distant stars in one orbit around the Sun?

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