Question 1

The vast majority of lunar craters were caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  lunar quakes, under gravitational tidal disturbance from Earth. 
B)  bombardment by objects of various sizes from space. 
C)  the explosion of rocks under the thermal shock from alternating intense sunlight in daytime to the cold of space at night. 
D)  volcanic eruptions from the Moon's interior. 
A)  lunar quakes, under gravitational tidal disturbance from Earth. 
B)  bombardment by objects of various sizes from space. 
C)  the explosion of rocks under the thermal shock from alternating intense sunlight in daytime to the cold of space at night. 
D)  volcanic eruptions from the Moon's interior.

Question 2

The supercontinent Pangaea is believed to have been

Accepted Answer

A)  a myth, part of the Atlantis legend. 
B)  the first continent to rise from the sea, which broke up 200 million years ago. 
C)  the result of a collision of continents, of a type that occurs roughly every 500 million years. 
D)  the original surface of Earth, before the oceans formed. 
A)  a myth, part of the Atlantis legend. 
B)  the first continent to rise from the sea, which broke up 200 million years ago. 
C)  the result of a collision of continents, of a type that occurs roughly every 500 million years. 
D)  the original surface of Earth, before the oceans formed.

Question 3

Lunar rilles are

Accepted Answer

A)  large irregular lava basins. 
B)  central peaks of lunar craters. 
C)  meandering, canyonlike valleys. 
D)  bright streaks radiating from large impact craters. 
A)  large irregular lava basins. 
B)  central peaks of lunar craters. 
C)  meandering, canyonlike valleys. 
D)  bright streaks radiating from large impact craters.

Question 4

What is believed to be the composition of Earth's core?

Accepted Answer

A)  about 80% iron and 20% lighter elements 
B)  about $1 / 4$ iron and
$3 / 4$ lighter elements 
C)  about half iron and half lighter elements 
D)  essentially pure iron 
A)  about 80% iron and 20% lighter elements 
B)  about $1 / 4$ iron and
$3 / 4$ lighter elements 
C)  about half iron and half lighter elements 
D)  essentially pure iron

Question 5

Does Earth's gravity raise tides on the Moon today?

Accepted Answer

A)  No. The Moon has now moved beyond the reach of Earth's gravity. 
B)  No. Since the Moon is now in a synchronous orbit, Earth's gravity can no longer raise tides. 
C)  Yes. Tides can be raised in the molten core (if it exists) and in the plastic mantle. 
D)  Yes. In fact, it is the monthly deformation of the Moon's shape by tides that allows observation of more than 50% of the Moon's surface. 
A)  No. The Moon has now moved beyond the reach of Earth's gravity. 
B)  No. Since the Moon is now in a synchronous orbit, Earth's gravity can no longer raise tides. 
C)  Yes. Tides can be raised in the molten core (if it exists) and in the plastic mantle. 
D)  Yes. In fact, it is the monthly deformation of the Moon's shape by tides that allows observation of more than 50% of the Moon's surface.

Question 6

Spacecraft exploring the Moon in the 1990s found evidence of water

Accepted Answer

A)  as frost on the rims of craters, frozen out during the lunar night but quickly evaporating when illuminated by sunlight. 
B)  in the depths of the sinuous rilles or valleys, probably the frozen remnants of the rivers that caused the valleys. 
C)  as ice in craters near the Moon's south pole. 
D)  as permafrost all over the Moon, particularly in the light-colored highlands. 
A)  as frost on the rims of craters, frozen out during the lunar night but quickly evaporating when illuminated by sunlight. 
B)  in the depths of the sinuous rilles or valleys, probably the frozen remnants of the rivers that caused the valleys. 
C)  as ice in craters near the Moon's south pole. 
D)  as permafrost all over the Moon, particularly in the light-colored highlands.

Question 7

What is a mare on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  large area of darker material on the lunar surface 
B)  sinuous valley, generally caused by the collapse of an old lava tube 
C)  horse-shaped region of darker material 
D)  large area of lighter material on the lunar surface 
A)  large area of darker material on the lunar surface 
B)  sinuous valley, generally caused by the collapse of an old lava tube 
C)  horse-shaped region of darker material 
D)  large area of lighter material on the lunar surface

Question 8

Ozone is a gas consisting of

Accepted Answer

A)  molecules containing combinations of oxygen and nitrogen atoms and electrons. 
B)  a mixture of several chlorofluorocarbon gases (CFCs). 
C)  molecules containing 3 oxygen atoms. 
D)  ionized oxygen atoms, positively charged. 
A)  molecules containing combinations of oxygen and nitrogen atoms and electrons. 
B)  a mixture of several chlorofluorocarbon gases (CFCs). 
C)  molecules containing 3 oxygen atoms. 
D)  ionized oxygen atoms, positively charged.

Question 9

The internal structure of Earth is a

Accepted Answer

A)  core of solid rock extensively enriched in iron, surrounded by a solid mantle of pure rock. 
B)  large, solid iron core surrounded by a thick, flexible mantle of rock. 
C)  core of rock and iron, surrounded by a mantle of liquid hydrogen. 
D)  large core of iron, partly solid and partly molten, surrounded by a thick, flexible mantle of rock. 
A)  core of solid rock extensively enriched in iron, surrounded by a solid mantle of pure rock. 
B)  large, solid iron core surrounded by a thick, flexible mantle of rock. 
C)  core of rock and iron, surrounded by a mantle of liquid hydrogen. 
D)  large core of iron, partly solid and partly molten, surrounded by a thick, flexible mantle of rock.

Question 10

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Earth's crust is a region where

Accepted Answer

A)  two tectonic plates are pushing against one another, forcing the ridge upward. 
B)  two tectonic plates are slowly spreading apart. 
C)  one tectonic plate is moving below another in a process known as subduction. 
D)  a single hot plume is pushing molten magma or lava through a break in the crust. 
A)  two tectonic plates are pushing against one another, forcing the ridge upward. 
B)  two tectonic plates are slowly spreading apart. 
C)  one tectonic plate is moving below another in a process known as subduction. 
D)  a single hot plume is pushing molten magma or lava through a break in the crust.

Question 11

Which of these theories is now considered to be the MOST likely for the formation of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  fission theory, in which a passing planetesimal body pulled material out of the still-molten Earth and left it in orbit to form the present-day Moon 
B)  co-creation theory, in which Earth and the Moon were formed at the same time out of the same material 
C)  capture theory, in which Earth's gravity drew the Moon into orbit around it 
D)  collision-ejection theory, where an interplanetary collision or collisions knocked material into orbit around Earth that eventually formed into the present-day Moon 
A)  fission theory, in which a passing planetesimal body pulled material out of the still-molten Earth and left it in orbit to form the present-day Moon 
B)  co-creation theory, in which Earth and the Moon were formed at the same time out of the same material 
C)  capture theory, in which Earth's gravity drew the Moon into orbit around it 
D)  collision-ejection theory, where an interplanetary collision or collisions knocked material into orbit around Earth that eventually formed into the present-day Moon

Question 12

The names used for the Moon's maria were

Accepted Answer

A)  first used in very ancient times and are mentioned in the Bible and the Koran. 
B)  assigned by the ancient Greeks. 
C)  invented a few hundred years ago after the first telescopic observations of the Moon. 
D)  assigned only recently, after the Apollo missions. 
A)  first used in very ancient times and are mentioned in the Bible and the Koran. 
B)  assigned by the ancient Greeks. 
C)  invented a few hundred years ago after the first telescopic observations of the Moon. 
D)  assigned only recently, after the Apollo missions.

Question 13

The Moon rotates synchronously as it orbits Earth, always keeping one side pointed toward Earth, because

Accepted Answer

A)  of the effect of the magnetic field of Earth on the magnetic field of the Moon, much like the effect on a compass needle. 
B)  it had precisely this rate of spin, equal to its revolution period around Earth, when it was formed. 
C)  of frictional effects from micrometeoroids in its orbital plane, especially early in its history. 
D)  of the effect of the gravitational pull of Earth on the tidally induced bulge on the Moon. 
A)  of the effect of the magnetic field of Earth on the magnetic field of the Moon, much like the effect on a compass needle. 
B)  it had precisely this rate of spin, equal to its revolution period around Earth, when it was formed. 
C)  of frictional effects from micrometeoroids in its orbital plane, especially early in its history. 
D)  of the effect of the gravitational pull of Earth on the tidally induced bulge on the Moon.

Question 14

What are the MOST common shapes of lunar craters, and why?

Accepted Answer

A)  all shapes from round to oval, depending on the angle at which the projectile hit the surface 
B)  round because most of the craters formed from volcanic explosions, not meteoric impacts 
C)  random shapes because mantle convection has deformed the surface and distorted the craters 
D)  round because the incoming projectile vaporized and exploded to form the crater 
A)  all shapes from round to oval, depending on the angle at which the projectile hit the surface 
B)  round because most of the craters formed from volcanic explosions, not meteoric impacts 
C)  random shapes because mantle convection has deformed the surface and distorted the craters 
D)  round because the incoming projectile vaporized and exploded to form the crater

Question 15

All of these might be consequences of Earth being formed without its Moon EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  very large tides. 
B)  very strong winds. 
C)  very large waves. 
D)  a shorter day. 
A)  very large tides. 
B)  very strong winds. 
C)  very large waves. 
D)  a shorter day.

Question 16

The generation of Earth's magnetic field, while not completely understood, is MOST likely influenced by

Accepted Answer

A)  the flow of electrons and ions constituting an electric current in Earth's magnetosphere. 
B)  electric currents in Earth's electricity-conducting molten core. 
C)  permanent magnetism in Earth's crustal rocks and the iron core. 
D)  electric currents in Earth's semisolid mantle induced by the motion of the solar wind flowing around Earth. 
A)  the flow of electrons and ions constituting an electric current in Earth's magnetosphere. 
B)  electric currents in Earth's electricity-conducting molten core. 
C)  permanent magnetism in Earth's crustal rocks and the iron core. 
D)  electric currents in Earth's semisolid mantle induced by the motion of the solar wind flowing around Earth.

Question 17

Auroras on Earth are caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  reflection of sunlight from the Arctic and Antarctic ice into the polar skies. 
B)  electrons accelerated by electric currents in the ionosphere and then deposited into Earth's atmosphere. 
C)  high-energy charged particles from the magnetosphere guided by Earth's magnetic field into polar regions of the atmosphere. 
D)  ultraviolet radiation from the Sun exciting and ionizing atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere to emit characteristic colors of light. 
A)  reflection of sunlight from the Arctic and Antarctic ice into the polar skies. 
B)  electrons accelerated by electric currents in the ionosphere and then deposited into Earth's atmosphere. 
C)  high-energy charged particles from the magnetosphere guided by Earth's magnetic field into polar regions of the atmosphere. 
D)  ultraviolet radiation from the Sun exciting and ionizing atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere to emit characteristic colors of light.

Question 18

Where in the universe would one look for a rille?

Accepted Answer

A)  on Mars because rilles are the "canals" seen by Lowell to extend across the planet surface 
B)  in the galactic plane because it is a dark dust band 
C)  in Saturn's rings because rilles are the gaps in the rings 
D)  on the Moon because it is the name given to a deep winding canyon there 
A)  on Mars because rilles are the "canals" seen by Lowell to extend across the planet surface 
B)  in the galactic plane because it is a dark dust band 
C)  in Saturn's rings because rilles are the gaps in the rings 
D)  on the Moon because it is the name given to a deep winding canyon there

Question 19

What percentage of the sunlight that falls on Earth is absorbed by Earth rather than reflected into space?

Accepted Answer

A)  almost 100%-the energy contributes significantly to the maintenance of the present surface temperature of Earth. 
B)  69% 
C)  31% 
D)  almost none-most of the energy is reflected out into space since the albedo of Earth is relatively high. 
A)  almost 100%-the energy contributes significantly to the maintenance of the present surface temperature of Earth. 
B)  69% 
C)  31% 
D)  almost none-most of the energy is reflected out into space since the albedo of Earth is relatively high.

Question 20

Roughly how much more massive was Earth's second atmosphere compared with today's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  same mass as the present atmosphere 
B)  1/10 as massive 
C)  twice as massive 
D)  100 times as massive 
A)  same mass as the present atmosphere 
B)  1/10 as massive 
C)  twice as massive 
D)  100 times as massive

The vast majority of lunar craters were caused by

The supercontinent Pangaea is believed to have been

Lunar rilles are

What is believed to be the composition of Earth's core?

Does Earth's gravity raise tides on the Moon today?

Spacecraft exploring the Moon in the 1990s found evidence of water

What is a mare on the Moon?

Ozone is a gas consisting of

The internal structure of Earth is a

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Earth's crust is a region where

Which of these theories is now considered to be the MOST likely for the formation of the Moon?

The names used for the Moon's maria were

The Moon rotates synchronously as it orbits Earth, always keeping one side pointed toward Earth, because

What are the MOST common shapes of lunar craters, and why?

All of these might be consequences of Earth being formed without its Moon EXCEPT

The generation of Earth's magnetic field, while not completely understood, is MOST likely influenced by

Auroras on Earth are caused by

Where in the universe would one look for a rille?

What percentage of the sunlight that falls on Earth is absorbed by Earth rather than reflected into space?

Roughly how much more massive was Earth's second atmosphere compared with today's atmosphere?

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

The vast majority of lunar craters were caused by

The supercontinent Pangaea is believed to have been

Lunar rilles are

What is believed to be the composition of Earth's core?

Does Earth's gravity raise tides on the Moon today?

Spacecraft exploring the Moon in the 1990s found evidence of water

What is a mare on the Moon?

Ozone is a gas consisting of

The internal structure of Earth is a

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Earth's crust is a region where

Which of these theories is now considered to be the MOST likely for the formation of the Moon?

The names used for the Moon's maria were

The Moon rotates synchronously as it orbits Earth, always keeping one side pointed toward Earth, because

What are the MOST common shapes of lunar craters, and why?

All of these might be consequences of Earth being formed without its Moon EXCEPT

The generation of Earth's magnetic field, while not completely understood, is MOST likely influenced by

Auroras on Earth are caused by

Where in the universe would one look for a rille?

What percentage of the sunlight that falls on Earth is absorbed by Earth rather than reflected into space?

Roughly how much more massive was Earth's second atmosphere compared with today's atmosphere?

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