Question 1

Which of these statements correctly describes the surface of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Individual, solid crustal plates are pushed around by Earth's rotation and the tidal forces of the Moon and the Sun. 
B)  A thin, deformable crust allows the continents to slide over it. 
C)  Individual and separate solid crustal plates are pushed around by convective motion in the material of the underlying mantle. 
D)  A thick, solid crust keeps the continents and ocean floors in fixed positions with respect to one another. 
A)  Individual, solid crustal plates are pushed around by Earth's rotation and the tidal forces of the Moon and the Sun. 
B)  A thin, deformable crust allows the continents to slide over it. 
C)  Individual and separate solid crustal plates are pushed around by convective motion in the material of the underlying mantle. 
D)  A thick, solid crust keeps the continents and ocean floors in fixed positions with respect to one another.

Question 2

The alignment and stability of Earth's magnetic field over geological times can be described by stating that Earth's magnetic axis

Accepted Answer

A)  is inclined to the planet's spin axis; this alignment varies, and the field has reversed frequently in geological times. 
B)  is closely aligned to Earth's spin axis and has remained this way since early in Earth's history. 
C)  has had a slowly varying inclination with respect to Earth's spin axis with no abrupt changes, so Earth's magnetic poles have drifted slowly throughout its geological history. 
D)  has a fixed alignment of about 11° with respect to Earth's spin axis but has flipped or reversed completely many times in geological times. 
A)  is inclined to the planet's spin axis; this alignment varies, and the field has reversed frequently in geological times. 
B)  is closely aligned to Earth's spin axis and has remained this way since early in Earth's history. 
C)  has had a slowly varying inclination with respect to Earth's spin axis with no abrupt changes, so Earth's magnetic poles have drifted slowly throughout its geological history. 
D)  has a fixed alignment of about 11° with respect to Earth's spin axis but has flipped or reversed completely many times in geological times.

Question 3

"Continental drift" on Earth is now thought to be caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  tidal flexing of Earth's solid crust by the Moon's gravitational pull. 
B)  circulation currents in the deep interior, causing slabs of Earth's crust to move slowly. 
C)  precession of Earth's spin axis. 
D)  the forces of oceanic tides on the continental shelves around the landmasses. 
A)  tidal flexing of Earth's solid crust by the Moon's gravitational pull. 
B)  circulation currents in the deep interior, causing slabs of Earth's crust to move slowly. 
C)  precession of Earth's spin axis. 
D)  the forces of oceanic tides on the continental shelves around the landmasses.

Question 4

Which of these statements about the Moon is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  All studied craters were formed by collisions. 
B)  Most craters are round-rimmed, indicating high-speed impacts. 
C)  Older craters are surrounded by darker ejecta blankets. 
D)  About one- third of craters examined appear to be volcanic in origin. 
A)  All studied craters were formed by collisions. 
B)  Most craters are round-rimmed, indicating high-speed impacts. 
C)  Older craters are surrounded by darker ejecta blankets. 
D)  About one- third of craters examined appear to be volcanic in origin.

Question 5

Mascons, or concentrations of high-density material detected by their effect on the orbits of spacecraft, appear to be coincident with which features on the Moon's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  north and south polar regions that are never sunlit 
B)  new craters surrounded by radially aligned lighter markings 
C)  highest mountain ranges on the lunar surface 
D)  large maria 
A)  north and south polar regions that are never sunlit 
B)  new craters surrounded by radially aligned lighter markings 
C)  highest mountain ranges on the lunar surface 
D)  large maria

Question 6

The type of rock of which the lunar maria are composed is

Accepted Answer

A)  basalt. 
B)  limestone. 
C)  anorthosite. 
D)  granite. 
A)  basalt. 
B)  limestone. 
C)  anorthosite. 
D)  granite.

Question 7

Which of these is believed to be the correct explanation for the origin of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Moon was formed elsewhere in the solar system (which is why its composition differs from that of Earth) and was later captured by Earth's gravity. 
B)  Shortly after its formation, Earth was spinning so fast in its molten state that a large piece of material was thrown off, and this chunk coalesced to form the Moon-leaving the Pacific Ocean basin in the place where it was thrown off. 
C)  Earth and the Moon were formed separately at the same time, while in orbit around their common center of mass, by the accretion of planetesimals. 
D)  Earth was struck by a large planetesimal or planetesimals that caused material to be ejected. This material coalesced to form the Moon. 
A)  The Moon was formed elsewhere in the solar system (which is why its composition differs from that of Earth) and was later captured by Earth's gravity. 
B)  Shortly after its formation, Earth was spinning so fast in its molten state that a large piece of material was thrown off, and this chunk coalesced to form the Moon-leaving the Pacific Ocean basin in the place where it was thrown off. 
C)  Earth and the Moon were formed separately at the same time, while in orbit around their common center of mass, by the accretion of planetesimals. 
D)  Earth was struck by a large planetesimal or planetesimals that caused material to be ejected. This material coalesced to form the Moon.

Question 8

Which of these clauses correctly describes the mantle of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  hot, semimolten rock that flows upward in hotter parts of the mantle and downward in cooler parts 
B)  hot, semimolten rock that flows downward in hotter parts of the mantle and upward in cooler parts 
C)  hot, semimolten rock that flows upward at the equator and downward at the poles because of Earth's rotation 
D)  hot, semimolten rock that flows downward at the equator and upward at the poles because of Earth's rotation 
A)  hot, semimolten rock that flows upward in hotter parts of the mantle and downward in cooler parts 
B)  hot, semimolten rock that flows downward in hotter parts of the mantle and upward in cooler parts 
C)  hot, semimolten rock that flows upward at the equator and downward at the poles because of Earth's rotation 
D)  hot, semimolten rock that flows downward at the equator and upward at the poles because of Earth's rotation

Question 9

The alignment of Earth's rotation axis and its magnetic axis

Accepted Answer

A)  are in the same direction. 
B)  are different by about 11.3°. Throughout history, it is believed, the magnetic axis has precessed slowly about the rotation axis at this 11.3° angle. 
C)  are different, and Earth is the only planet which has its rotation axis and its magnetic axis in different directions. 
D)  are different, as is the case with many of the other planets in the solar system. 
A)  are in the same direction. 
B)  are different by about 11.3°. Throughout history, it is believed, the magnetic axis has precessed slowly about the rotation axis at this 11.3° angle. 
C)  are different, and Earth is the only planet which has its rotation axis and its magnetic axis in different directions. 
D)  are different, as is the case with many of the other planets in the solar system.

Question 10

The material of Earth's interior becomes molten at _____ km below the surface.

Accepted Answer

A)  5200 
B)  300 
C)  unknown. This statement is erroneous because nowhere is the interior molten. 
D)  2900 
A)  5200 
B)  300 
C)  unknown. This statement is erroneous because nowhere is the interior molten. 
D)  2900

Question 11

How does the speed of Earth's tectonic plates compare with the speed at which the Moon is receding from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are comparable in size. 
B)  Continental drift is many orders of magnitude larger than the Moon's drift speed. 
C)  The Moon's drift speed is many orders of magnitude larger than continental drift. 
D)  It is not possible to compare because the speed of the Moon's recession has never been measured. 
A)  They are comparable in size. 
B)  Continental drift is many orders of magnitude larger than the Moon's drift speed. 
C)  The Moon's drift speed is many orders of magnitude larger than continental drift. 
D)  It is not possible to compare because the speed of the Moon's recession has never been measured.

Question 12

Which of these statements about the Moon is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  One side of the Moon is always in darkness. 
B)  The Moon can never pass through Earth's shadow. 
C)  The Moon does not rotate on its axis. 
D)  Earth can never be seen from one side of the Moon. 
A)  One side of the Moon is always in darkness. 
B)  The Moon can never pass through Earth's shadow. 
C)  The Moon does not rotate on its axis. 
D)  Earth can never be seen from one side of the Moon.

Question 13

What is a mare on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  smooth floor of an ancient asteroid impact basin, never subjected to inundation by lava or other volcanic activity 
B)  large area smoothed by deformation and tectonic activity 
C)  large area of heavily cratered highland terrain 
D)  very large, ancient lava flow 
A)  smooth floor of an ancient asteroid impact basin, never subjected to inundation by lava or other volcanic activity 
B)  large area smoothed by deformation and tectonic activity 
C)  large area of heavily cratered highland terrain 
D)  very large, ancient lava flow

Question 14

The existence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is evidence that Europe and North America are

Accepted Answer

A)  moving closer together. 
B)  moving farther apart. 
C)  remaining a fixed distance apart. 
D)  floating on layers of basalt of significantly different densities. 
A)  moving closer together. 
B)  moving farther apart. 
C)  remaining a fixed distance apart. 
D)  floating on layers of basalt of significantly different densities.

Question 15

Long troughs at the edges of the Moon's maria where parts of the surface have descended are

Accepted Answer

A)  rilles. 
B)  wrinkle ridges. 
C)  graben. 
D)  mascons. 
A)  rilles. 
B)  wrinkle ridges. 
C)  graben. 
D)  mascons.

Question 16

Auroral displays are MOST often seen

Accepted Answer

A)  at the north and south geographical poles, along Earth's spin axis. 
B)  directly above the north and south geomagnetic poles. 
C)  in two bands on either side of the equator, in the tropics. 
D)  in circular regions around the north and south geomagnetic poles. 
A)  at the north and south geographical poles, along Earth's spin axis. 
B)  directly above the north and south geomagnetic poles. 
C)  in two bands on either side of the equator, in the tropics. 
D)  in circular regions around the north and south geomagnetic poles.

Question 17

Which of these statements is a correct description of the rotation of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The average length of a day is gradually getting longer because Earth's rate of rotation is slowing down. 
B)  The average length of a day varies unpredictably from one year to the next because of the combined effects of solar and lunar tides. 
C)  The average length of a day is gradually getting shorter because Earth's rate of rotation is speeding up. 
D)  The average length of a day is constant from year to year because nothing can change the speed of rotation of Earth. 
A)  The average length of a day is gradually getting longer because Earth's rate of rotation is slowing down. 
B)  The average length of a day varies unpredictably from one year to the next because of the combined effects of solar and lunar tides. 
C)  The average length of a day is gradually getting shorter because Earth's rate of rotation is speeding up. 
D)  The average length of a day is constant from year to year because nothing can change the speed of rotation of Earth.

Question 18

The type of rock that makes up the lunar highlands is

Accepted Answer

A)  granite. 
B)  limestone. 
C)  anorthosite. 
D)  basalt. 
A)  granite. 
B)  limestone. 
C)  anorthosite. 
D)  basalt.

Question 19

Maria on the Moon are

Accepted Answer

A)  ancient riverbeds, now dry. 
B)  uplifted regions surrounding large volcanoes. 
C)  heavily cratered highland regions. 
D)  ancient lava floodplains. 
A)  ancient riverbeds, now dry. 
B)  uplifted regions surrounding large volcanoes. 
C)  heavily cratered highland regions. 
D)  ancient lava floodplains.

Question 20

The surface of the Moon may be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  eroded basalt held together by subsurface ice (permafrost). 
B)  regolith (pulverized rock) in and near craters and hard bedrock everywhere else. 
C)  hard bedrock almost everywhere because there is very little erosion on the Moon. 
D)  regolith (pulverized rock). 
A)  eroded basalt held together by subsurface ice (permafrost). 
B)  regolith (pulverized rock) in and near craters and hard bedrock everywhere else. 
C)  hard bedrock almost everywhere because there is very little erosion on the Moon. 
D)  regolith (pulverized rock).

Which of these statements correctly describes the surface of Earth?

The alignment and stability of Earth's magnetic field over geological times can be described by stating that Earth's magnetic axis

"Continental drift" on Earth is now thought to be caused by

Which of these statements about the Moon is INCORRECT?

Mascons, or concentrations of high-density material detected by their effect on the orbits of spacecraft, appear to be coincident with which features on the Moon's surface?

The type of rock of which the lunar maria are composed is

Which of these is believed to be the correct explanation for the origin of the Moon?

Which of these clauses correctly describes the mantle of Earth?

The alignment of Earth's rotation axis and its magnetic axis

The material of Earth's interior becomes molten at _____ km below the surface.

How does the speed of Earth's tectonic plates compare with the speed at which the Moon is receding from Earth?

Which of these statements about the Moon is true?

What is a mare on the Moon?

The existence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is evidence that Europe and North America are

Long troughs at the edges of the Moon's maria where parts of the surface have descended are

Auroral displays are MOST often seen

Which of these statements is a correct description of the rotation of Earth?

The type of rock that makes up the lunar highlands is

Maria on the Moon are

The surface of the Moon may be described as

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

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Exam 7: Earth and the Moon

Which of these statements correctly describes the surface of Earth?

The alignment and stability of Earth's magnetic field over geological times can be described by stating that Earth's magnetic axis

"Continental drift" on Earth is now thought to be caused by

Which of these statements about the Moon is INCORRECT?

Mascons, or concentrations of high-density material detected by their effect on the orbits of spacecraft, appear to be coincident with which features on the Moon's surface?

The type of rock of which the lunar maria are composed is

Which of these is believed to be the correct explanation for the origin of the Moon?

Which of these clauses correctly describes the mantle of Earth?

The alignment of Earth's rotation axis and its magnetic axis

The material of Earth's interior becomes molten at _____ km below the surface.

How does the speed of Earth's tectonic plates compare with the speed at which the Moon is receding from Earth?

Which of these statements about the Moon is true?

What is a mare on the Moon?

The existence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is evidence that Europe and North America are

Long troughs at the edges of the Moon's maria where parts of the surface have descended are

Auroral displays are MOST often seen

Which of these statements is a correct description of the rotation of Earth?

The type of rock that makes up the lunar highlands is

Maria on the Moon are

The surface of the Moon may be described as

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