Question 1

The smooth, dark maria take up what fraction of the entire surface of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  between 1/3 and 1/2 
B)  more than 4/5 
C)  less than 1/5 
D)  between 1/2 and 3/4 
A)  between 1/3 and 1/2 
B)  more than 4/5 
C)  less than 1/5 
D)  between 1/2 and 3/4

Question 2

The theory that describes how Earth's magnetic field is created

Accepted Answer

A)  is called the dynamo theory and is well established. 
B)  depends on Earth's interaction with the Sun. 
C)  depends heavily upon friction between the surface and the atmosphere. 
D)  is still being developed. 
A)  is called the dynamo theory and is well established. 
B)  depends on Earth's interaction with the Sun. 
C)  depends heavily upon friction between the surface and the atmosphere. 
D)  is still being developed.

Question 3

Which of these statements about Earth is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The oxygen in Earth's atmosphere was created by the evaporation of seawater and its dissociation into hydrogen and oxygen by solar UV light. 
B)  Earth has always had an oxygen-rich atmosphere, which was one reason that life could develop on Earth. 
C)  Outgassing by volcanic eruptions converted the carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere into an oxygen-rich atmosphere, thus creating conditions in which life could develop. 
D)  Life developed in a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere and then converted it into an oxygen-rich atmosphere. 
A)  The oxygen in Earth's atmosphere was created by the evaporation of seawater and its dissociation into hydrogen and oxygen by solar UV light. 
B)  Earth has always had an oxygen-rich atmosphere, which was one reason that life could develop on Earth. 
C)  Outgassing by volcanic eruptions converted the carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere into an oxygen-rich atmosphere, thus creating conditions in which life could develop. 
D)  Life developed in a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere and then converted it into an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Question 4

The early Earth remained molten longer than an inert mass its size might have been expected to if left undisturbed. Which of these is processes is NOT thought to have contributed to this longevity?

Accepted Answer

A)  impact of space debris 
B)  natural radioactive decay 
C)  nuclear fission 
D)  nuclear fusion 
A)  impact of space debris 
B)  natural radioactive decay 
C)  nuclear fission 
D)  nuclear fusion

Question 5

Compared to the Earth-facing side, the side of the Moon that faces away from Earth has

Accepted Answer

A)  fewer craters. 
B)  larger maria. 
C)  a higher average elevation. 
D)  a thinner crust. 
A)  fewer craters. 
B)  larger maria. 
C)  a higher average elevation. 
D)  a thinner crust.

Question 6

The chemical makeup of the central core of Earth is considered to be

Accepted Answer

A)  sulfur-rich minerals compressed to a high density. 
B)  rocky minerals rich in iron. 
C)  mostly iron. 
D)  very close to the chemical makeup of the surface-silicon-rich rocks and minerals. 
A)  sulfur-rich minerals compressed to a high density. 
B)  rocky minerals rich in iron. 
C)  mostly iron. 
D)  very close to the chemical makeup of the surface-silicon-rich rocks and minerals.

Question 7

Which of these features on Earth's surface is NOT an indication of plate tectonic motion either in the past or at present?

Accepted Answer

A)  "ring of fire" around the Pacific Ocean, where volcanoes and earthquakes are common 
B)  deep ocean trenches found in certain regions of Earth's surface 
C)  layered structure of the rocks of many mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains 
D)  presence of mountain ranges such as the Andes and the Himalayas in certain areas of Earth 
A)  "ring of fire" around the Pacific Ocean, where volcanoes and earthquakes are common 
B)  deep ocean trenches found in certain regions of Earth's surface 
C)  layered structure of the rocks of many mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains 
D)  presence of mountain ranges such as the Andes and the Himalayas in certain areas of Earth

Question 8

Major maria on the Moon exist

Accepted Answer

A)  uniformly over the surface. 
B)  only on the Earth-facing side. 
C)  only in a band close to the equator. 
D)  only in the northern hemisphere. 
A)  uniformly over the surface. 
B)  only on the Earth-facing side. 
C)  only in a band close to the equator. 
D)  only in the northern hemisphere.

Question 9

The gas temperature in the stratosphere of Earth's atmosphere reaches a maximum at about 50 km. The cause is

Accepted Answer

A)  the absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation by ozone (O3). 
B)  heating by auroral activity higher in the atmosphere. 
C)  the ionization of oxygen and nitrogen by solar ultraviolet radiation. 
D)  turbulence, caused by wind and weather. 
A)  the absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation by ozone (O3). 
B)  heating by auroral activity higher in the atmosphere. 
C)  the ionization of oxygen and nitrogen by solar ultraviolet radiation. 
D)  turbulence, caused by wind and weather.

Question 10

The basic color(s) of Earth as seen from outer space (see Figure 7-1 in the text) is (are)

Accepted Answer

A)  brown. 
B)  blue, white, and brown. 
C)  green and brown. 
D)  gray and white. 
A)  brown. 
B)  blue, white, and brown. 
C)  green and brown. 
D)  gray and white.

Question 11

Two hundred million years ago, during the dinosaur period on Earth, the Moon was

Accepted Answer

A)  at the same distance from Earth it is now, and the day (on Earth) was the same length it is now. 
B)  farther away from Earth than it is now, and an Earth day was longer. 
C)  closer to Earth than it is now, and an Earth day was longer. 
D)  closer to Earth than it is now, and an Earth day was shorter. 
A)  at the same distance from Earth it is now, and the day (on Earth) was the same length it is now. 
B)  farther away from Earth than it is now, and an Earth day was longer. 
C)  closer to Earth than it is now, and an Earth day was longer. 
D)  closer to Earth than it is now, and an Earth day was shorter.

Question 12

The long and high mountain ranges found in the centers of several major oceans on Earth, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, are caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  continuous and steady erosion of the seabed on either side of the mountains by powerful sea currents flowing across the oceans, such as the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic. 
B)  lava upflow as the tectonic plates on the seafloor split apart and separate. 
C)  rebound of the surface of Earth in the centers of the large craters that became the ocean basins after the impacts of the large planetesimals or asteroids early in Earth's history. 
D)  upthrust and buckling caused by seafloor motions from the continents toward the ocean centers, equivalent to the production of continental mountain ranges such as the Rockies. 
A)  continuous and steady erosion of the seabed on either side of the mountains by powerful sea currents flowing across the oceans, such as the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic. 
B)  lava upflow as the tectonic plates on the seafloor split apart and separate. 
C)  rebound of the surface of Earth in the centers of the large craters that became the ocean basins after the impacts of the large planetesimals or asteroids early in Earth's history. 
D)  upthrust and buckling caused by seafloor motions from the continents toward the ocean centers, equivalent to the production of continental mountain ranges such as the Rockies.

Question 13

What do planetary scientists believe mascons to be?

Accepted Answer

A)  solidified magma in the Moon's maria 
B)  intact remnants of large asteroids buried in the Moon's surface 
C)  protrusions from the Moon's iron core 
D)  regions of the Moon's crust that rebounded after large asteroid impacts 
A)  solidified magma in the Moon's maria 
B)  intact remnants of large asteroids buried in the Moon's surface 
C)  protrusions from the Moon's iron core 
D)  regions of the Moon's crust that rebounded after large asteroid impacts

Question 14

What is the status of water on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  Water has not been found on the Moon in any form. 
B)  Water has not been found to exist at present on the Moon, but there is evidence that the Moon's large maria once contained large seas. 
C)  Water ice has been found in craters near the Moon's south pole. 
D)  There is subsurface water throughout more than half the Moon. 
A)  Water has not been found on the Moon in any form. 
B)  Water has not been found to exist at present on the Moon, but there is evidence that the Moon's large maria once contained large seas. 
C)  Water ice has been found in craters near the Moon's south pole. 
D)  There is subsurface water throughout more than half the Moon.

Question 15

Which one of these processes was important for melting the entire Earth about 4.6 billion years ago?

Accepted Answer

A)  heat released by the condensation of water vapor into liquid water to form the ocean 
B)  radioactivity, or the spontaneous breaking apart of heavier nuclei into lighter ones 
C)  nuclear fusion, or the combining of lighter nuclei to form heavier ones 
D)  tidal heating of Earth due to the combined gravitational pulls of the Sun and the Moon 
A)  heat released by the condensation of water vapor into liquid water to form the ocean 
B)  radioactivity, or the spontaneous breaking apart of heavier nuclei into lighter ones 
C)  nuclear fusion, or the combining of lighter nuclei to form heavier ones 
D)  tidal heating of Earth due to the combined gravitational pulls of the Sun and the Moon

Question 16

What is pressure?

Accepted Answer

A)  force times the area over which the force acts 
B)  force times the distance over which the force acts 
C)  same as force but expressed in different units 
D)  force divided by the area over which the force acts 
A)  force times the area over which the force acts 
B)  force times the distance over which the force acts 
C)  same as force but expressed in different units 
D)  force divided by the area over which the force acts

Question 17

What is the origin of wrinkle ridges on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are the edges of impact craters. 
B)  They are caused by the core of the Moon cooling and shrinking. 
C)  They are collapsed lava tubes. 
D)  Their origin is unknown. 
A)  They are the edges of impact craters. 
B)  They are caused by the core of the Moon cooling and shrinking. 
C)  They are collapsed lava tubes. 
D)  Their origin is unknown.

Question 18

The auroral display of northern and southern lights high in Earth's atmosphere is caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  solar wind electrons hitting the high atmosphere after being accelerated in the magnetic fields of the magnetosphere. 
B)  fluorescence caused by absorption of solar ultraviolet light by ozone molecules. 
C)  reflection of sunlight from the ice in the polar regions. 
D)  sunlight scattered by very high atmospheric clouds. 
A)  solar wind electrons hitting the high atmosphere after being accelerated in the magnetic fields of the magnetosphere. 
B)  fluorescence caused by absorption of solar ultraviolet light by ozone molecules. 
C)  reflection of sunlight from the ice in the polar regions. 
D)  sunlight scattered by very high atmospheric clouds.

Question 19

Why are there fewer maria on the far side of the Moon than on the near side?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth protected the near side of the Moon from the heavy bombardment that affected the far side. This bombardment obliterated the maria on that side. 
B)  When the Moon was molten, the heavier materials moved a bit more toward the near side, thus displacing the lighter materials that moved a bit more toward the far side. The far side thus developed a thicker crust, making it more difficult for magma to penetrate to the surface there and fill in the large craters to produce maria. 
C)  The early Moon showed signs of tectonic activity, allowing the maria to float around on the surface. Thus, the present distribution of maria is just happenstance. 
D)  The early Moon showed signs of tectonic activity, allowing the maria to float around on the surface. The present distribution is due to the dense maria (mascons) being attracted to Earth. 
A)  Earth protected the near side of the Moon from the heavy bombardment that affected the far side. This bombardment obliterated the maria on that side. 
B)  When the Moon was molten, the heavier materials moved a bit more toward the near side, thus displacing the lighter materials that moved a bit more toward the far side. The far side thus developed a thicker crust, making it more difficult for magma to penetrate to the surface there and fill in the large craters to produce maria. 
C)  The early Moon showed signs of tectonic activity, allowing the maria to float around on the surface. Thus, the present distribution of maria is just happenstance. 
D)  The early Moon showed signs of tectonic activity, allowing the maria to float around on the surface. The present distribution is due to the dense maria (mascons) being attracted to Earth.

Question 20

Sometimes high tides are higher than at other times. What name is given to the highest high tides?

Accepted Answer

A)  spring tides 
B)  neap tides 
C)  Yule tides 
D)  rip tides 
A)  spring tides 
B)  neap tides 
C)  Yule tides 
D)  rip tides

The smooth, dark maria take up what fraction of the entire surface of the Moon?

The theory that describes how Earth's magnetic field is created

Which of these statements about Earth is true?

The early Earth remained molten longer than an inert mass its size might have been expected to if left undisturbed. Which of these is processes is NOT thought to have contributed to this longevity?

Compared to the Earth-facing side, the side of the Moon that faces away from Earth has

The chemical makeup of the central core of Earth is considered to be

Which of these features on Earth's surface is NOT an indication of plate tectonic motion either in the past or at present?

Major maria on the Moon exist

The gas temperature in the stratosphere of Earth's atmosphere reaches a maximum at about 50 km. The cause is

The basic color(s) of Earth as seen from outer space (see Figure 7-1 in the text) is (are)

Two hundred million years ago, during the dinosaur period on Earth, the Moon was

The long and high mountain ranges found in the centers of several major oceans on Earth, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, are caused by

What do planetary scientists believe mascons to be?

What is the status of water on the Moon?

Which one of these processes was important for melting the entire Earth about 4.6 billion years ago?

What is pressure?

What is the origin of wrinkle ridges on the Moon?

The auroral display of northern and southern lights high in Earth's atmosphere is caused by

Why are there fewer maria on the far side of the Moon than on the near side?

Sometimes high tides are higher than at other times. What name is given to the highest high tides?

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 smooth, dark maria take up what fraction of the entire surface of the Moon?

The theory that describes how Earth's magnetic field is created

Which of these statements about Earth is true?

The early Earth remained molten longer than an inert mass its size might have been expected to if left undisturbed. Which of these is processes is NOT thought to have contributed to this longevity?

Compared to the Earth-facing side, the side of the Moon that faces away from Earth has

The chemical makeup of the central core of Earth is considered to be

Which of these features on Earth's surface is NOT an indication of plate tectonic motion either in the past or at present?

Major maria on the Moon exist

The gas temperature in the stratosphere of Earth's atmosphere reaches a maximum at about 50 km. The cause is

The basic color(s) of Earth as seen from outer space (see Figure 7-1 in the text) is (are)

Two hundred million years ago, during the dinosaur period on Earth, the Moon was

The long and high mountain ranges found in the centers of several major oceans on Earth, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, are caused by

What do planetary scientists believe mascons to be?

What is the status of water on the Moon?

Which one of these processes was important for melting the entire Earth about 4.6 billion years ago?

What is pressure?

What is the origin of wrinkle ridges on the Moon?

The auroral display of northern and southern lights high in Earth's atmosphere is caused by

Why are there fewer maria on the far side of the Moon than on the near side?

Sometimes high tides are higher than at other times. What name is given to the highest high tides?

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