Question 1

What are the Van Allen belts?

Accepted Answer

A)  two doughnut-shaped regions of high-energy charged particles in Earth's magnetosphere 
B)  oval-shaped region around each of Earth's magnetic poles where charged particles collide with ions in Earth's atmosphere 
C)  inner and outer parts of the asteroid belt 
D)  regions of high concentration of electrons and ionized atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere where radio waves are reflected toward the surface of Earth 
A)  two doughnut-shaped regions of high-energy charged particles in Earth's magnetosphere 
B)  oval-shaped region around each of Earth's magnetic poles where charged particles collide with ions in Earth's atmosphere 
C)  inner and outer parts of the asteroid belt 
D)  regions of high concentration of electrons and ionized atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere where radio waves are reflected toward the surface of Earth

Question 2

Neap tides occur

Accepted Answer

A)  twice a month, at full Moon and new Moon. 
B)  once a month, at new Moon. 
C)  once a month, at first quarter Moon. 
D)  twice a month, at first quarter Moon and third quarter Moon. 
A)  twice a month, at full Moon and new Moon. 
B)  once a month, at new Moon. 
C)  once a month, at first quarter Moon. 
D)  twice a month, at first quarter Moon and third quarter Moon.

Question 3

According to the collision-ejection theory, when was the Moon formed?

Accepted Answer

A)  very early, before Earth's interior differentiated 
B)  after the Late Heavy Bombardment 
C)  about 60 to 100 million years after the solar system began to form 
D)  within the past billion years 
A)  very early, before Earth's interior differentiated 
B)  after the Late Heavy Bombardment 
C)  about 60 to 100 million years after the solar system began to form 
D)  within the past billion years

Question 4

The present understanding of the existence of water on the Moon is that there is

Accepted Answer

A)  no water anywhere on the Moon. 
B)  water ice in sheltered craters near both poles. 
C)  water only in the regolith (in trace amounts). 
D)  water in the regolith and near the south pole. 
A)  no water anywhere on the Moon. 
B)  water ice in sheltered craters near both poles. 
C)  water only in the regolith (in trace amounts). 
D)  water in the regolith and near the south pole.

Question 5

Earth's solid inner core results from the fact that the

Accepted Answer

A)  outer core is heated and melted by friction between the core and the mantle, and this heating does not extend to the inner core. 
B)  melting temperature of an iron-nickel mixture increases with increasing pressure and rises above the actual temperature in the inner core. 
C)  inner core has a different composition than the outer core, with a higher melting temperature. 
D)  temperature of the inner core is lower than the temperature of the outer core, producing a temperature inversion. 
A)  outer core is heated and melted by friction between the core and the mantle, and this heating does not extend to the inner core. 
B)  melting temperature of an iron-nickel mixture increases with increasing pressure and rises above the actual temperature in the inner core. 
C)  inner core has a different composition than the outer core, with a higher melting temperature. 
D)  temperature of the inner core is lower than the temperature of the outer core, producing a temperature inversion.

Question 6

If an observer were standing on the Moon with Earth in view, how much time would elapse between two successive "Earthrises?"

Accepted Answer

A)  about 1 synodic month 
B)  about 1 sidereal month 
C)  essentially forever 
D)  about 1 day 
A)  about 1 synodic month 
B)  about 1 sidereal month 
C)  essentially forever 
D)  about 1 day

Question 7

In its orbit around Earth, the Moon

Accepted Answer

A)  keeps the sunlit side toward Earth. 
B)  keeps the same side toward Earth. 
C)  keeps the same side toward the Sun. 
D)  rotates once every 24 hours to keep in step with Earth. 
A)  keeps the sunlit side toward Earth. 
B)  keeps the same side toward Earth. 
C)  keeps the same side toward the Sun. 
D)  rotates once every 24 hours to keep in step with Earth.

Question 8

Examination of the whole surface of the Moon shows that

Accepted Answer

A)  there are two distinctly different sides, the side seen from Earth and the side hidden from Earth. 
B)  craters exist only on one side of the Moon. 
C)  there are no differences in surface features around the whole Moon. 
D)  the northern hemisphere is distinctly different from the southern hemisphere. 
A)  there are two distinctly different sides, the side seen from Earth and the side hidden from Earth. 
B)  craters exist only on one side of the Moon. 
C)  there are no differences in surface features around the whole Moon. 
D)  the northern hemisphere is distinctly different from the southern hemisphere.

Question 9

About how much has Earth's surface temperature increased since 1000 A.D.?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has remained absolutely constant. 
B)  5°C 
C)  0.6°C 
D)  15°C 
A)  It has remained absolutely constant. 
B)  5°C 
C)  0.6°C 
D)  15°C

Question 10

The water on the side of Earth that faces away from the Moon experiences

Accepted Answer

A)  a high tide because the combination of Earth's motion and the Moon's gravity makes water move away from the Moon toward the far side of Earth. 
B)  no tidal force. 
C)  a low tide because all Earth's water is pulled toward the side of Earth that faces the Moon. 
D)  either a high tide or a low tide, depending on the angle of the water to the Sun. 
A)  a high tide because the combination of Earth's motion and the Moon's gravity makes water move away from the Moon toward the far side of Earth. 
B)  no tidal force. 
C)  a low tide because all Earth's water is pulled toward the side of Earth that faces the Moon. 
D)  either a high tide or a low tide, depending on the angle of the water to the Sun.

Question 11

What is the approximate ratio of the number of oxygen to nitrogen molecules in Earth's lower atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 oxygen molecule to every 4 nitrogen molecules 
B)  4 oxygen molecules to every 1 nitrogen molecule 
C)  equal numbers of oxygen and nitrogen molecules 
D)  only 1 oxygen molecule to every 100 nitrogen molecules, or about 1% 
A)  1 oxygen molecule to every 4 nitrogen molecules 
B)  4 oxygen molecules to every 1 nitrogen molecule 
C)  equal numbers of oxygen and nitrogen molecules 
D)  only 1 oxygen molecule to every 100 nitrogen molecules, or about 1%

Question 12

The mantle of Earth is composed of

Accepted Answer

A)  atmospheric gases. 
B)  water. 
C)  rock. 
D)  iron. 
A)  atmospheric gases. 
B)  water. 
C)  rock. 
D)  iron.

Question 13

Which of these observations have been made about the Moon that will be very helpful (if they prove true) as humans begin to plan for its colonization?

Accepted Answer

A)  discovery of evidence of water (as ice) that can be used for the support of life, the growth of food, and as fuel if it is split by sunlight into hydrogen and oxygen 
B)  its synchronous rotation, keeping one side opposite Earth at all times, simplifying communication with Earth stations 
C)  mapping of rilles that, as collapsed lava tunnels, indicate that intact tunnels may be found that will be useful as shelter for early settlers 
D)  discovery of coal, an essential source of fuel, in various locations 
A)  discovery of evidence of water (as ice) that can be used for the support of life, the growth of food, and as fuel if it is split by sunlight into hydrogen and oxygen 
B)  its synchronous rotation, keeping one side opposite Earth at all times, simplifying communication with Earth stations 
C)  mapping of rilles that, as collapsed lava tunnels, indicate that intact tunnels may be found that will be useful as shelter for early settlers 
D)  discovery of coal, an essential source of fuel, in various locations

Question 14

The pressure in the atmosphere of Earth (or of any other planet) is related to altitude above the planet's surface in what characteristic way?

Accepted Answer

A)  The pressure remains constant with increasing altitude. 
B)  The pressure decreases by a fixed fraction of each interval of altitude (down by half every 5.5 km on Earth). 
C)  The pressure decreases and increases several times with increasing altitude, following the temperature variation. 
D)  The pressure decreases by a fixed amount per unit altitude interval (20% of surface pressure every 5.5 km on Earth). 
A)  The pressure remains constant with increasing altitude. 
B)  The pressure decreases by a fixed fraction of each interval of altitude (down by half every 5.5 km on Earth). 
C)  The pressure decreases and increases several times with increasing altitude, following the temperature variation. 
D)  The pressure decreases by a fixed amount per unit altitude interval (20% of surface pressure every 5.5 km on Earth).

Question 15

Earth rotates eastward, dragging eastward the tidal bulge raised by the Moon. Suppose the Moon rotated westward around Earth, rather than eastward. How would the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system be affected?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Earth-Moon system would not be affected. The Moon would spiral inward toward Earth, as it does now. 
B)  The Earth-Moon system would not be affected. The Moon would spiral outward away from Earth, as it does now. 
C)  The drift of the Moon would be reversed. It would spiral away from Earth instead of toward it. 
D)  The drift of the Moon would be reversed. It would spiral toward Earth instead of away from it. 
A)  The Earth-Moon system would not be affected. The Moon would spiral inward toward Earth, as it does now. 
B)  The Earth-Moon system would not be affected. The Moon would spiral outward away from Earth, as it does now. 
C)  The drift of the Moon would be reversed. It would spiral away from Earth instead of toward it. 
D)  The drift of the Moon would be reversed. It would spiral toward Earth instead of away from it.

Question 16

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example 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 17

Earth's mantle, the semimolten layer below the crust, is composed largely of what chemical materials?

Accepted Answer

A)  iron-poor rocks and minerals 
B)  mostly pure iron 
C)  solid hydrogen and helium 
D)  minerals rich in iron and magnesium 
A)  iron-poor rocks and minerals 
B)  mostly pure iron 
C)  solid hydrogen and helium 
D)  minerals rich in iron and magnesium

Question 18

The African and South American continents are separating at a rate of about 3 cm per year, according to the ideas of plate tectonics. If they are now 5000 km apart and have moved at a constant speed over this time, how long is it since they were in contact?

Accepted Answer

A)  1.7 million years 
B)  170 million years 
C)  170 thousand years 
D)  1.7 billion years 
A)  1.7 million years 
B)  170 million years 
C)  170 thousand years 
D)  1.7 billion years

Question 19

The reason that the Moon always keeps one face toward Earth is that

Accepted Answer

A)  the Moon was spinning in this way when it was formed, and it has since maintained this rotation. 
B)  gravitational forces from Earth act on the tidal bulge of the Moon. 
C)  impacts of asteroids on the Moon early in its history slowed its rotation rate. 
D)  gravitational forces from the Sun act on the tidal bulge of the Moon. 
A)  the Moon was spinning in this way when it was formed, and it has since maintained this rotation. 
B)  gravitational forces from Earth act on the tidal bulge of the Moon. 
C)  impacts of asteroids on the Moon early in its history slowed its rotation rate. 
D)  gravitational forces from the Sun act on the tidal bulge of the Moon.

Question 20

The Moon, because of the tides in Earth's oceans, is

Accepted Answer

A)  spiraling outward, away from Earth. 
B)  shrinking. 
C)  unaffected and continues to orbit in a constant elliptical path. 
D)  moving slowly toward Earth. 
A)  spiraling outward, away from Earth. 
B)  shrinking. 
C)  unaffected and continues to orbit in a constant elliptical path. 
D)  moving slowly toward Earth.

What are the Van Allen belts?

Neap tides occur

According to the collision-ejection theory, when was the Moon formed?

The present understanding of the existence of water on the Moon is that there is

Earth's solid inner core results from the fact that the

If an observer were standing on the Moon with Earth in view, how much time would elapse between two successive "Earthrises?"

In its orbit around Earth, the Moon

Examination of the whole surface of the Moon shows that

About how much has Earth's surface temperature increased since 1000 A.D.?

The water on the side of Earth that faces away from the Moon experiences

What is the approximate ratio of the number of oxygen to nitrogen molecules in Earth's lower atmosphere?

The mantle of Earth is composed of

Which of these observations have been made about the Moon that will be very helpful (if they prove true) as humans begin to plan for its colonization?

The pressure in the atmosphere of Earth (or of any other planet) is related to altitude above the planet's surface in what characteristic way?

Earth rotates eastward, dragging eastward the tidal bulge raised by the Moon. Suppose the Moon rotated westward around Earth, rather than eastward. How would the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system be affected?

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of

Earth's mantle, the semimolten layer below the crust, is composed largely of what chemical materials?

The African and South American continents are separating at a rate of about 3 cm per year, according to the ideas of plate tectonics. If they are now 5000 km apart and have moved at a constant speed over this time, how long is it since they were in contact?

The reason that the Moon always keeps one face toward Earth is that

The Moon, because of the tides in Earth's oceans, is

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

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Exam 7: Earth and the Moon

What are the Van Allen belts?

Neap tides occur

According to the collision-ejection theory, when was the Moon formed?

The present understanding of the existence of water on the Moon is that there is

Earth's solid inner core results from the fact that the

If an observer were standing on the Moon with Earth in view, how much time would elapse between two successive "Earthrises?"

In its orbit around Earth, the Moon

Examination of the whole surface of the Moon shows that

About how much has Earth's surface temperature increased since 1000 A.D.?

The water on the side of Earth that faces away from the Moon experiences

What is the approximate ratio of the number of oxygen to nitrogen molecules in Earth's lower atmosphere?

The mantle of Earth is composed of

Which of these observations have been made about the Moon that will be very helpful (if they prove true) as humans begin to plan for its colonization?

The pressure in the atmosphere of Earth (or of any other planet) is related to altitude above the planet's surface in what characteristic way?

Earth rotates eastward, dragging eastward the tidal bulge raised by the Moon. Suppose the Moon rotated westward around Earth, rather than eastward. How would the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system be affected?

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of

Earth's mantle, the semimolten layer below the crust, is composed largely of what chemical materials?

The African and South American continents are separating at a rate of about 3 cm per year, according to the ideas of plate tectonics. If they are now 5000 km apart and have moved at a constant speed over this time, how long is it since they were in contact?

The reason that the Moon always keeps one face toward Earth is that

The Moon, because of the tides in Earth's oceans, is

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