Question 1

What is surprising about the extrasolar planets that have so far been discovered, in comparison to our solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  More than half of the extrasolar planets have strong lines of molecular oxygen in their spectra. 
B)  The majority of the extrasolar planets rotate much faster than the planets in our solar system. 
C)  Many of the extrasolar planets are giant planets like Jupiter, orbiting at distances characteristic of terrestrial planets like Earth, where giant planets cannot form. 
D)  Many of the extrasolar planets are terrestrial planets like Earth, orbiting at distances characteristic of giant planets like Jupiter, where terrestrial planets cannot form. 
A)  More than half of the extrasolar planets have strong lines of molecular oxygen in their spectra. 
B)  The majority of the extrasolar planets rotate much faster than the planets in our solar system. 
C)  Many of the extrasolar planets are giant planets like Jupiter, orbiting at distances characteristic of terrestrial planets like Earth, where giant planets cannot form. 
D)  Many of the extrasolar planets are terrestrial planets like Earth, orbiting at distances characteristic of giant planets like Jupiter, where terrestrial planets cannot form.

Question 2

Which planet is the largest in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Uranus 
B)  Jupiter 
C)  Earth 
D)  Saturn 
A)  Uranus 
B)  Jupiter 
C)  Earth 
D)  Saturn

Question 3

The large gravitational influences of the gas giants in our solar system forced some planetesimals in their neighborhood to move inward toward the Sun. As a consequence of this,

Accepted Answer

A)  these planetesimals became moons around the inner planets. 
B)  the gas giants themselves were forced outward farther from the Sun. 
C)  the gas giants also fell inward toward the Sun. 
D)  these planetesimals fell into the Sun causing the Sun to flare up and expel the remaining hydrogen and helium from the inner solar system. 
A)  these planetesimals became moons around the inner planets. 
B)  the gas giants themselves were forced outward farther from the Sun. 
C)  the gas giants also fell inward toward the Sun. 
D)  these planetesimals fell into the Sun causing the Sun to flare up and expel the remaining hydrogen and helium from the inner solar system.

Question 4

Each of these characteristics is included in the formal definition of a planet EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  orbits a star directly. 
B)  has enough mass to pull itself into a roughly spherical shape. 
C)  spins fast enough to produce its own magnetic field. 
D)  has enough gravity to clear its orbit. 
A)  orbits a star directly. 
B)  has enough mass to pull itself into a roughly spherical shape. 
C)  spins fast enough to produce its own magnetic field. 
D)  has enough gravity to clear its orbit.

Question 5

What caused the Late Heavy Bombardment in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Debris from the impact that formed the Moon scattered throughout the inner solar system. 
B)  The changing orbits of the giant planets disturbed the orbits of many asteroids. 
C)  The close passage of Scholz's star disturbed the orbits of bodies in the Oort cloud and Kuiper belt. 
D)  Gravitational resonances between Neptune and Kuiper belt objects caused many of the latter to collide with the inner planets. 
A)  Debris from the impact that formed the Moon scattered throughout the inner solar system. 
B)  The changing orbits of the giant planets disturbed the orbits of many asteroids. 
C)  The close passage of Scholz's star disturbed the orbits of bodies in the Oort cloud and Kuiper belt. 
D)  Gravitational resonances between Neptune and Kuiper belt objects caused many of the latter to collide with the inner planets.

Question 6

What are the three "common" substances that are believed to be important in planet formation?

Accepted Answer

A)  electromagnetic radiation, electrical discharges (e.g., lightning), and water 
B)  rock, ices, and gas 
C)  solid, liquid, and gaseous hydrogen 
D)  hydrogen, helium, and neon gases 
A)  electromagnetic radiation, electrical discharges (e.g., lightning), and water 
B)  rock, ices, and gas 
C)  solid, liquid, and gaseous hydrogen 
D)  hydrogen, helium, and neon gases

Question 7

During the solar system's formation, Saturn's expanding orbit resulted in

Accepted Answer

A)  Neptune, which initially formed closer to the Sun than Uranus, being forced past Uranus' orbit. 
B)  the inward migration of Jupiter. 
C)  the relatively small mass of Saturn. 
D)  the formation of the asteroid belt. 
A)  Neptune, which initially formed closer to the Sun than Uranus, being forced past Uranus' orbit. 
B)  the inward migration of Jupiter. 
C)  the relatively small mass of Saturn. 
D)  the formation of the asteroid belt.

Question 8

Which of these solar system bodies is NOT likely to have hosted liquid water in the past?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ceres 
B)  Ganymede 
C)  Titan 
D)  Mars 
A)  Ceres 
B)  Ganymede 
C)  Titan 
D)  Mars

Question 9

Which of these correctly characterizes our solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  4 small planets close to the Sun and 4 large planets far from the Sun 
B)  3 small planets close to the Sun and 5 large planets far from the Sun 
C)  2 large planets close to the Sun, 3 small planets next out, and 4 large planets farthest from the Sun 
D)  3 small planets close to the Sun, 4 large planets far from the Sun, and 1 small planet farthest from the Sun 
A)  4 small planets close to the Sun and 4 large planets far from the Sun 
B)  3 small planets close to the Sun and 5 large planets far from the Sun 
C)  2 large planets close to the Sun, 3 small planets next out, and 4 large planets farthest from the Sun 
D)  3 small planets close to the Sun, 4 large planets far from the Sun, and 1 small planet farthest from the Sun

Question 10

The smallest planet in our solar system, as measured by its radius, is

Accepted Answer

A)  Mars. 
B)  Neptune. 
C)  Mercury. 
D)  Venus. 
A)  Mars. 
B)  Neptune. 
C)  Mercury. 
D)  Venus.

Question 11

The large, outer planets have high masses and hence generate powerful gravitational fields, and yet they have low average densities. What does this indicate about their interiors?

Accepted Answer

A)  The interiors are hot and gaseous, like those of cool stars. 
B)  The interiors are composed mainly of water. 
C)  The interiors are composed mainly of very light elements, such as hydrogen and helium. 
D)  The interiors have not condensed to liquid or solid form. 
A)  The interiors are hot and gaseous, like those of cool stars. 
B)  The interiors are composed mainly of water. 
C)  The interiors are composed mainly of very light elements, such as hydrogen and helium. 
D)  The interiors have not condensed to liquid or solid form.

Question 12

When the orbits of two bodies are in resonance,

Accepted Answer

A)  angular momentum is no longer conserved. 
B)  the bodies produce the same line radiation. 
C)  the gravitational interactions between the bodies reinforce each other. 
D)  the orbits quickly become hyperbolic. 
A)  angular momentum is no longer conserved. 
B)  the bodies produce the same line radiation. 
C)  the gravitational interactions between the bodies reinforce each other. 
D)  the orbits quickly become hyperbolic.

Question 13

What is the origin of the various moons around the planets in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  All are captured asteroids. 
B)  All formed by collision and condensation like the planets they orbit. 
C)  All were formed from material ejected when their planets were struck by large objects. 
D)  All these mechanisms are believed to have occurred. 
A)  All are captured asteroids. 
B)  All formed by collision and condensation like the planets they orbit. 
C)  All were formed from material ejected when their planets were struck by large objects. 
D)  All these mechanisms are believed to have occurred.

Question 14

What is the basic difference between comets and asteroids?

Accepted Answer

A)  Comets always move in open orbits around the Sun and hence visit the Sun only once in their lifetime, whereas asteroids move in closed orbits. 
B)  Comets always emit their own light, whereas asteroids only reflect sunlight. 
C)  Comets are spherical, whereas asteroids are mostly irregular in shape. 
D)  Comets are mostly composed of roughly equal mixtures of rocks and ices, whereas asteroids are mainly composed of rocks. 
A)  Comets always move in open orbits around the Sun and hence visit the Sun only once in their lifetime, whereas asteroids move in closed orbits. 
B)  Comets always emit their own light, whereas asteroids only reflect sunlight. 
C)  Comets are spherical, whereas asteroids are mostly irregular in shape. 
D)  Comets are mostly composed of roughly equal mixtures of rocks and ices, whereas asteroids are mainly composed of rocks.

Question 15

Which planet or planetary group occupies the next orbital position beyond Saturn?

Accepted Answer

A)  Neptune 
B)  Uranus 
C)  Jupiter 
D)  asteroid belt 
A)  Neptune 
B)  Uranus 
C)  Jupiter 
D)  asteroid belt

Question 16

The largest of the terrestrial planets is

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus. 
B)  Earth. 
C)  Mars. 
D)  Jupiter. 
A)  Venus. 
B)  Earth. 
C)  Mars. 
D)  Jupiter.

Question 17

The planet whose average density is less than that of water is

Accepted Answer

A)  Neptune. 
B)  Jupiter. 
C)  Earth. 
D)  Saturn. 
A)  Neptune. 
B)  Jupiter. 
C)  Earth. 
D)  Saturn.

Question 18

The formation of terrestrial-type planets around a star is most likely to have occurred by what process?

Accepted Answer

A)  accretion, or slow accumulation of smaller particles by mutual gravitational attraction 
B)  breakup of a large disk of matter that formed around the star 
C)  capture of objects traversing the depths of space by the star 
D)  condensation of gas from the original star nebula 
A)  accretion, or slow accumulation of smaller particles by mutual gravitational attraction 
B)  breakup of a large disk of matter that formed around the star 
C)  capture of objects traversing the depths of space by the star 
D)  condensation of gas from the original star nebula

Question 19

Which of these characteristics is NOT typical of our planetary system?

Accepted Answer

A)  The average density of a planet increases with distance from the Sun. 
B)  The orbits of most of the planets are almost circular. 
C)  Most of the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction. 
D)  The diameter of most of the planets is about the same. 
A)  The average density of a planet increases with distance from the Sun. 
B)  The orbits of most of the planets are almost circular. 
C)  Most of the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction. 
D)  The diameter of most of the planets is about the same.

Question 20

The average density of which of these planetary groups is close to that of water (1000 kg/m3)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury and Venus because they are close to the Sun 
B)  terrestrial planets because they are of relatively low mass and have been compressed very little by gravitational forces 
C)  asteroids because they are very small objects 
D)  large, outer planets because of their composition-hydrogen and helium 
A)  Mercury and Venus because they are close to the Sun 
B)  terrestrial planets because they are of relatively low mass and have been compressed very little by gravitational forces 
C)  asteroids because they are very small objects 
D)  large, outer planets because of their composition-hydrogen and helium

What is surprising about the extrasolar planets that have so far been discovered, in comparison to our solar system?

Which planet is the largest in our solar system?

The large gravitational influences of the gas giants in our solar system forced some planetesimals in their neighborhood to move inward toward the Sun. As a consequence of this,

Each of these characteristics is included in the formal definition of a planet EXCEPT

What caused the Late Heavy Bombardment in our solar system?

What are the three "common" substances that are believed to be important in planet formation?

During the solar system's formation, Saturn's expanding orbit resulted in

Which of these solar system bodies is NOT likely to have hosted liquid water in the past?

Which of these correctly characterizes our solar system?

The smallest planet in our solar system, as measured by its radius, is

The large, outer planets have high masses and hence generate powerful gravitational fields, and yet they have low average densities. What does this indicate about their interiors?

When the orbits of two bodies are in resonance,

What is the origin of the various moons around the planets in the solar system?

What is the basic difference between comets and asteroids?

Which planet or planetary group occupies the next orbital position beyond Saturn?

The largest of the terrestrial planets is

The planet whose average density is less than that of water is

The formation of terrestrial-type planets around a star is most likely to have occurred by what process?

Which of these characteristics is NOT typical of our planetary system?

The average density of which of these planetary groups is close to that of water (1000 kg/m³)?

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

Earth and the Moon

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 6: Formation of the Solar System

What is surprising about the extrasolar planets that have so far been discovered, in comparison to our solar system?

Which planet is the largest in our solar system?

The large gravitational influences of the gas giants in our solar system forced some planetesimals in their neighborhood to move inward toward the Sun. As a consequence of this,

Each of these characteristics is included in the formal definition of a planet EXCEPT

What caused the Late Heavy Bombardment in our solar system?

What are the three "common" substances that are believed to be important in planet formation?

During the solar system's formation, Saturn's expanding orbit resulted in

Which of these solar system bodies is NOT likely to have hosted liquid water in the past?

Which of these correctly characterizes our solar system?

The smallest planet in our solar system, as measured by its radius, is

The large, outer planets have high masses and hence generate powerful gravitational fields, and yet they have low average densities. What does this indicate about their interiors?

When the orbits of two bodies are in resonance,

What is the origin of the various moons around the planets in the solar system?

What is the basic difference between comets and asteroids?

Which planet or planetary group occupies the next orbital position beyond Saturn?

The largest of the terrestrial planets is

The planet whose average density is less than that of water is

The formation of terrestrial-type planets around a star is most likely to have occurred by what process?

Which of these characteristics is NOT typical of our planetary system?

The average density of which of these planetary groups is close to that of water (1000 kg/m3)?

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

Earth and the Moon

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

The average density of which of these planetary groups is close to that of water (1000 kg/m³)?