Question 1

Which of these describes the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's rotation is speeding up, whereas the Moon is moving slowly outward away from Earth. 
B)  Earth's rotation is slowing down, whereas the Moon is moving slowly outward away from Earth. 
C)  Earth's rotation is speeding up, whereas the Moon is moving slowly toward Earth. 
D)  Earth's rotation is slowing down, whereas the Moon is slowly approaching Earth by spiraling inward. 
A)  Earth's rotation is speeding up, whereas the Moon is moving slowly outward away from Earth. 
B)  Earth's rotation is slowing down, whereas the Moon is moving slowly outward away from Earth. 
C)  Earth's rotation is speeding up, whereas the Moon is moving slowly toward Earth. 
D)  Earth's rotation is slowing down, whereas the Moon is slowly approaching Earth by spiraling inward.

Question 2

What is the central idea of the MOST compelling theory of the origin of the tilt in Earth's rotation axis?

Accepted Answer

A)  gravitational pull of the Moon's mascons 
B)  influence of a star passing near the early solar system 
C)  impact of the Mars-sized body as it ejected the material that formed the Moon 
D)  random distribution of angular momentum in the primordial solar nebula 
A)  gravitational pull of the Moon's mascons 
B)  influence of a star passing near the early solar system 
C)  impact of the Mars-sized body as it ejected the material that formed the Moon 
D)  random distribution of angular momentum in the primordial solar nebula

Question 3

Most of the craters on the Moon were formed by

Accepted Answer

A)  water erosion, followed by evaporation early in the Moon's history, leaving behind the empty basins, the maria, and craters. 
B)  a nuclear war in which the lunar inhabitants wiped themselves off the face of the Moon. 
C)  bombardment by interplanetary meteoritic material. 
D)  volcanic action; the craters are the old calderas of volcanoes. 
A)  water erosion, followed by evaporation early in the Moon's history, leaving behind the empty basins, the maria, and craters. 
B)  a nuclear war in which the lunar inhabitants wiped themselves off the face of the Moon. 
C)  bombardment by interplanetary meteoritic material. 
D)  volcanic action; the craters are the old calderas of volcanoes.

Question 4

Which of these statements is a correct description of the Moon's orbit?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Moon is gradually spiraling away from Earth. 
B)  The Moon's distance from Earth increases and decreases cyclically once every 26,000 years. 
C)  The Moon is gradually spiraling toward Earth. 
D)  The Moon's distance from Earth remains constant from year to year, on average. 
A)  The Moon is gradually spiraling away from Earth. 
B)  The Moon's distance from Earth increases and decreases cyclically once every 26,000 years. 
C)  The Moon is gradually spiraling toward Earth. 
D)  The Moon's distance from Earth remains constant from year to year, on average.

Question 5

What were the dominant gases in Earth's earliest atmosphere after it first formed?

Accepted Answer

A)  methane and ammonia 
B)  hydrogen and helium 
C)  nitrogen and oxygen 
D)  carbon dioxide and nitrogen 
A)  methane and ammonia 
B)  hydrogen and helium 
C)  nitrogen and oxygen 
D)  carbon dioxide and nitrogen

Question 6

How has the CO2 concentration in Earth's atmosphere changed over the past thousand years?

Accepted Answer

A)  There are no means of measuring the CO2 concentration in Earth's atmosphere for times so far past. 
B)  The CO2 concentration has remained absolutely constant. 
C)  The CO2 concentration has increased steadily. 
D)  The CO2 concentration was relatively constant for about 800 years but has increased significantly since 1800 A.D. 
A)  There are no means of measuring the CO2 concentration in Earth's atmosphere for times so far past. 
B)  The CO2 concentration has remained absolutely constant. 
C)  The CO2 concentration has increased steadily. 
D)  The CO2 concentration was relatively constant for about 800 years but has increased significantly since 1800 A.D.

Question 7

What is the origin of the majority of lunar craters?

Accepted Answer

A)  impacts by meteoric material 
B)  surface collapse after loss of groundwater by evaporation 
C)  volcanic explosions 
D)  impacts by space probes from Earth 
A)  impacts by meteoric material 
B)  surface collapse after loss of groundwater by evaporation 
C)  volcanic explosions 
D)  impacts by space probes from Earth

Question 8

In the current picture of Earth's interior, how is temperature thought to change with depth?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is a steady increase of temperature with depth. 
B)  There is a structure of several layers similar to Earth's atmosphere in which temperature first increases with depth and then decreases and then reverses several more times. 
C)  The temperature rises only slightly through the mantle, then soars as the core is approached. 
D)  There is a layer of radioactive materials at the base of the mantle. The temperature increases slowly as one approaches this layer, then it rises sharply through this layer, and then it rises slowly again below this layer. 
A)  There is a steady increase of temperature with depth. 
B)  There is a structure of several layers similar to Earth's atmosphere in which temperature first increases with depth and then decreases and then reverses several more times. 
C)  The temperature rises only slightly through the mantle, then soars as the core is approached. 
D)  There is a layer of radioactive materials at the base of the mantle. The temperature increases slowly as one approaches this layer, then it rises sharply through this layer, and then it rises slowly again below this layer.

Question 9

What is the MOST probable heat source that produced extensive, maybe even total, melting of the Moon at an early stage in its history?

Accepted Answer

A)  nuclear fusion reactions occurring in its core 
B)  intense sunlight from the early and very active Sun 
C)  tidal flexing and distortion caused by its motion around Earth 
D)  the impact energy of meteoritic bombardment 
A)  nuclear fusion reactions occurring in its core 
B)  intense sunlight from the early and very active Sun 
C)  tidal flexing and distortion caused by its motion around Earth 
D)  the impact energy of meteoritic bombardment

Question 10

Most surface rocks on Earth are younger than a few million years old, whereas ages of lunar rocks have been measured in billions of years. Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Much of Earth's surface is continually recycled (created and subducted) by the underlying mantle because of plate tectonic activity; this process does not occur on the Moon. 
B)  Most early surface rocks on Earth have been washed into the sea by weathering and rainwater; this process does not happen on the Moon. 
C)  The complete surface of Earth has been covered periodically by younger material from intense volcanic eruptions in the last few million years; no such activity occurred on the Moon. 
D)  The ages of Earth and the Moon are fundamentally different; the Moon is an old object captured from space by a younger Earth. 
A)  Much of Earth's surface is continually recycled (created and subducted) by the underlying mantle because of plate tectonic activity; this process does not occur on the Moon. 
B)  Most early surface rocks on Earth have been washed into the sea by weathering and rainwater; this process does not happen on the Moon. 
C)  The complete surface of Earth has been covered periodically by younger material from intense volcanic eruptions in the last few million years; no such activity occurred on the Moon. 
D)  The ages of Earth and the Moon are fundamentally different; the Moon is an old object captured from space by a younger Earth.

Question 11

Who first postulated that continents drift around over Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  Charles Darwin 
B)  Alfred Wegener 
C)  J. Tuzo Wilson 
D)  James Van Allen 
A)  Charles Darwin 
B)  Alfred Wegener 
C)  J. Tuzo Wilson 
D)  James Van Allen

Question 12

When observers see a full Moon, there is a back side that they do not see. Which one of these statements about this situation is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  This far side looks very similar to the near side. 
B)  When observers see a new Moon, they are seeing this far side. 
C)  If an astronaut was standing in the middle of this far side, they would never see Earth. 
D)  If an astronaut was standing in the middle of this far side, they would never see the Sun. 
A)  This far side looks very similar to the near side. 
B)  When observers see a new Moon, they are seeing this far side. 
C)  If an astronaut was standing in the middle of this far side, they would never see Earth. 
D)  If an astronaut was standing in the middle of this far side, they would never see the Sun.

Question 13

How many "tidal bulges" caused by the Moon's gravity are there on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  one, on the side of Earth facing (almost) directly toward the Moon 
B)  one, on the side of Earth facing away from the Moon 
C)  two, one facing (almost) directly toward the Moon and one facing (almost) directly away from the Moon 
D)  four, one facing (almost) directly toward the Moon and the other three at 90° intervals from the first one 
A)  one, on the side of Earth facing (almost) directly toward the Moon 
B)  one, on the side of Earth facing away from the Moon 
C)  two, one facing (almost) directly toward the Moon and one facing (almost) directly away from the Moon 
D)  four, one facing (almost) directly toward the Moon and the other three at 90° intervals from the first one

Question 14

What percentage of the sunlight that falls on Earth is reflected into space?

Accepted Answer

A)  almost 100% because of the significant cloud cover 
B)  31% 
C)  almost none-most of the energy is absorbed to maintain the present surface temperature of Earth 
D)  69% 
A)  almost 100% because of the significant cloud cover 
B)  31% 
C)  almost none-most of the energy is absorbed to maintain the present surface temperature of Earth 
D)  69%

Question 15

Great mountain ranges are generally a sign of

Accepted Answer

A)  a transformation-fault boundary. 
B)  a divergent boundary. 
C)  a convergent boundary. 
D)  None of these answers is correct. 
A)  a transformation-fault boundary. 
B)  a divergent boundary. 
C)  a convergent boundary. 
D)  None of these answers is correct.

Question 16

Which two tectonic plates are slowly separating from each other on Earth's surface along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the South Atlantic? See Figure 7-8 in the text.

Accepted Answer

A)  African and Eurasian plates 
B)  Nazca and Pacific plates 
C)  South American and African plates 
D)  Pacific and Australia-India plates 
A)  African and Eurasian plates 
B)  Nazca and Pacific plates 
C)  South American and African plates 
D)  Pacific and Australia-India plates

Question 17

What is the current status of Earth's ozone layer?

Accepted Answer

A)  The ozone layer is being irreversibly depleted and will probably disappear entirely within the next 200 years. 
B)  The ozone layer has been distorted-too thin at the poles and too thick over the equatorial regions. 
C)  The ozone layer has been somewhat depleted, but if left alone, it could restore itself in a century. 
D)  The ozone layer has become too thick and is moving downward toward the surface, where its heating qualities contribute to global warming. 
A)  The ozone layer is being irreversibly depleted and will probably disappear entirely within the next 200 years. 
B)  The ozone layer has been distorted-too thin at the poles and too thick over the equatorial regions. 
C)  The ozone layer has been somewhat depleted, but if left alone, it could restore itself in a century. 
D)  The ozone layer has become too thick and is moving downward toward the surface, where its heating qualities contribute to global warming.

Question 18

Earth's magnetosphere is the

Accepted Answer

A)  region beyond Earth's atmosphere where Earth's magnetic field protects it from the solar wind. 
B)  region in Earth's crust near each magnetic pole. 
C)  molten core of Earth, whose motions produce the magnetic field. 
D)  atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and thermosphere where motions are governed by Earth's magnetic field. 
A)  region beyond Earth's atmosphere where Earth's magnetic field protects it from the solar wind. 
B)  region in Earth's crust near each magnetic pole. 
C)  molten core of Earth, whose motions produce the magnetic field. 
D)  atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and thermosphere where motions are governed by Earth's magnetic field.

Question 19

What are spring tides?

Accepted Answer

A)  any low tides 
B)  any high tides 
C)  high tides that are significantly lower than the average high tide 
D)  high tides that are significantly higher than the average high tide 
A)  any low tides 
B)  any high tides 
C)  high tides that are significantly lower than the average high tide 
D)  high tides that are significantly higher than the average high tide

Question 20

The smooth surfaces of the lunar maria were MOST likely caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  lava flows in the early history of the Moon. 
B)  dust storms that smoothed and covered the surface. 
C)  volcanic ash that rained on the surfaces of the basins in ancient times. 
D)  water flowing into the basins and allowing sediments to settle over their surfaces. 
A)  lava flows in the early history of the Moon. 
B)  dust storms that smoothed and covered the surface. 
C)  volcanic ash that rained on the surfaces of the basins in ancient times. 
D)  water flowing into the basins and allowing sediments to settle over their surfaces.

Which of these describes the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system?

What is the central idea of the MOST compelling theory of the origin of the tilt in Earth's rotation axis?

Most of the craters on the Moon were formed by

Which of these statements is a correct description of the Moon's orbit?

What were the dominant gases in Earth's earliest atmosphere after it first formed?

How has the CO₂ concentration in Earth's atmosphere changed over the past thousand years?

What is the origin of the majority of lunar craters?

In the current picture of Earth's interior, how is temperature thought to change with depth?

What is the MOST probable heat source that produced extensive, maybe even total, melting of the Moon at an early stage in its history?

Most surface rocks on Earth are younger than a few million years old, whereas ages of lunar rocks have been measured in billions of years. Why?

Who first postulated that continents drift around over Earth's surface?

When observers see a full Moon, there is a back side that they do not see. Which one of these statements about this situation is true?

How many "tidal bulges" caused by the Moon's gravity are there on Earth?

What percentage of the sunlight that falls on Earth is reflected into space?

Great mountain ranges are generally a sign of

Which two tectonic plates are slowly separating from each other on Earth's surface along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the South Atlantic? See Figure 7-8 in the text.

What is the current status of Earth's ozone layer?

Earth's magnetosphere is the

What are spring tides?

The smooth surfaces of the lunar maria were MOST likely caused by

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

The Other Terrestrial Planets

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 7: Earth and the Moon

Which of these describes the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system?

What is the central idea of the MOST compelling theory of the origin of the tilt in Earth's rotation axis?

Most of the craters on the Moon were formed by

Which of these statements is a correct description of the Moon's orbit?

What were the dominant gases in Earth's earliest atmosphere after it first formed?

How has the CO2 concentration in Earth's atmosphere changed over the past thousand years?

What is the origin of the majority of lunar craters?

In the current picture of Earth's interior, how is temperature thought to change with depth?

What is the MOST probable heat source that produced extensive, maybe even total, melting of the Moon at an early stage in its history?

Most surface rocks on Earth are younger than a few million years old, whereas ages of lunar rocks have been measured in billions of years. Why?

Who first postulated that continents drift around over Earth's surface?

When observers see a full Moon, there is a back side that they do not see. Which one of these statements about this situation is true?

How many "tidal bulges" caused by the Moon's gravity are there on Earth?

What percentage of the sunlight that falls on Earth is reflected into space?

Great mountain ranges are generally a sign of

Which two tectonic plates are slowly separating from each other on Earth's surface along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the South Atlantic? See Figure 7-8 in the text.

What is the current status of Earth's ozone layer?

Earth's magnetosphere is the

What are spring tides?

The smooth surfaces of the lunar maria were MOST likely caused by

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

The Other Terrestrial Planets

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

How has the CO₂ concentration in Earth's atmosphere changed over the past thousand years?