Question 1

Saturn's belts and zones are obscured by haze high in its atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

Pluto has a mass about 1/500 that of Earth. How can it hold an atmosphere while Earth's moon cannot? Use the graph below to help in your explanation. The graph plots the escape velocity of several solar system objects along the vertical axis and the surface temperature along the horizontal. The lines plotted in the figure are the average speeds of gas particles as a function of temperature for various gases. The escape velocity of Earth's moon is 2.38 km/s and its sunlit surface temperature is 400 K. Plot a point on the graph representing these two values to represent Earth's moon. Compare the position relative to the gas thermal velocity curves for Pluto and Earth's moon.

Accepted Answer

Answer not provided.

Question 3

Pluto is no longer classified as a planet; instead it is classified as a(n) ____________________.

Accepted Answer

dwarf planet

Question 4

In what way is the rocky material of Jupiter's core different from the rocks found on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is much cooler because Jupiter is further from the sun. 
B)  It contains more liquid water. 
C)  It is much hotter and denser because of the extreme pressure at the core of Jupiter. 
D)  It is not composed of iron and nickel because this material will float of the surface. 
E)  It is composed entirely of ices that have frozen into a large rock-like structure. 
A)  It is much cooler because Jupiter is further from the sun. 
B)  It contains more liquid water. 
C)  It is much hotter and denser because of the extreme pressure at the core of Jupiter. 
D)  It is not composed of iron and nickel because this material will float of the surface. 
E)  It is composed entirely of ices that have frozen into a large rock-like structure.

Question 5

Why can Saturn have a ring of icy particles, while terrestrial planets cannot?

Accepted Answer

Saturn, along with the other gas giants

Question 6

Propose a theory to explain the peculiar rotation of Uranus. Include the fact that Uranus's major satellites are in the equatorial plane of the planet.

Accepted Answer

One theory to explain the peculiar rotat

Question 7

Triton has a retrograde orbit around Neptune. This means that ____________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  Triton orbits in the same direction as Neptune rotates on its axis. 
B)  Triton orbits in the opposite direction to the way Neptune rotates on its axis. 
C)  Triton does not orbit around Neptune. Instead, it stands still. 
A)  Triton orbits in the same direction as Neptune rotates on its axis. 
B)  Triton orbits in the opposite direction to the way Neptune rotates on its axis. 
C)  Triton does not orbit around Neptune. Instead, it stands still.

Question 8

The graph below plots the escape velocity of several solar system objects along the vertical axis and the surface temperature along the horizontal. The lines plotted in the figure are the fastest speeds of gas particles as a function of temperature for various gases. Which of the gases plotted in this diagram could be retained by Miranda?

Accepted Answer

A)  only CO2 
B)  only NH3 
C)  CO2, NH3, and O2 
D)  all of them 
E)  none of them 
A)  only CO2 
B)  only NH3 
C)  CO2, NH3, and O2 
D)  all of them 
E)  none of them

Question 9

The existence and location of ____________________ was accurately predicted and located based on differences in the expected and observed orbit of another planet.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The existence and location of ____________________ was...

Question 10

Jupiter does not have

Accepted Answer

A)  a hot interior. 
B)  convection occurring in its atmosphere. 
C)  crustal plates on its surface. 
D)  a dynamo effect. 
E)  any rings. 
A)  a hot interior. 
B)  convection occurring in its atmosphere. 
C)  crustal plates on its surface. 
D)  a dynamo effect. 
E)  any rings.

Question 11

Belt and zone circulation

Accepted Answer

A)  occurs on Jupiter. 
B)  occurs on Saturn. 
C)  is caused by rising and sinking gases. 
D)  is more obvious on Jupiter than on Saturn. 
E)  all the above. 
A)  occurs on Jupiter. 
B)  occurs on Saturn. 
C)  is caused by rising and sinking gases. 
D)  is more obvious on Jupiter than on Saturn. 
E)  all the above.

Question 12

What observations suggest that Triton has had an active crust?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What observations suggest that Triton has had...

Question 13

What do astronomers think is the cause of the active volcanism occurring on Jupiter's moon Io?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do astronomers think is the cause...

Question 14

What type of geological activity is seen on Neptune's moon Triton?

Accepted Answer

A)  Plate tectonics and earthquakes are a common occurrence on Triton. 
B)  Volcanoes of molten lava, similar to Earth, have been seen there. 
C)  Geysers of liquid nitrogen are seen erupting from its surface. 
D)  Geysers of liquid water are seen erupting from its surface. 
A)  Plate tectonics and earthquakes are a common occurrence on Triton. 
B)  Volcanoes of molten lava, similar to Earth, have been seen there. 
C)  Geysers of liquid nitrogen are seen erupting from its surface. 
D)  Geysers of liquid water are seen erupting from its surface.

Question 15

Discuss why astronomers no longer consider Pluto a planet.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss why astronomers no longer consider Pluto...

Question 16

What is one possible reasons Jupiter and Saturn radiate more energy than they receive from the sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  Magnetic and electric fields heat the planet. 
B)  Fusion reactions of hydrogen into helium inside the planet provide an additional heat source. 
C)  The planets are still radiating heat from when they first formed. 
D)  Friction between the planet and its moons heat the planet. 
A)  Magnetic and electric fields heat the planet. 
B)  Fusion reactions of hydrogen into helium inside the planet provide an additional heat source. 
C)  The planets are still radiating heat from when they first formed. 
D)  Friction between the planet and its moons heat the planet.

Question 17

Though Titan has a small mass , it is able to retain an atmosphere because it

Accepted Answer

A)  is very cold. 
B)  is very hot 
C)  has an iron surface. 
D)  attracts gas from the solar wind. 
A)  is very cold. 
B)  is very hot 
C)  has an iron surface. 
D)  attracts gas from the solar wind.

Question 18

Which of these Galilean satellites is most geologically active?

Accepted Answer

A)  Io 
B)  Europa 
C)  Callisto 
D)  Ganymede 
A)  Io 
B)  Europa 
C)  Callisto 
D)  Ganymede

Question 19

How does the location in the solar system result in the difference in density of terrestrial versus Jovian planets?

Accepted Answer

The differences in density between terre

Question 20

Saturn's F ring and the rings of Uranus are similar in that

Accepted Answer

A)  they are made of dark material. 
B)  they are made of icy material. 
C)  they are found near large moons. 
D)  they show well-defined spokes. 
E)  they are very narrow. 
A)  they are made of dark material. 
B)  they are made of icy material. 
C)  they are found near large moons. 
D)  they show well-defined spokes. 
E)  they are very narrow.

Saturn's belts and zones are obscured by haze high in its atmosphere.

Pluto is no longer classified as a planet; instead it is classified as a(n) ____________________.

In what way is the rocky material of Jupiter's core different from the rocks found on Earth?

Why can Saturn have a ring of icy particles, while terrestrial planets cannot?

Propose a theory to explain the peculiar rotation of Uranus. Include the fact that Uranus's major satellites are in the equatorial plane of the planet.

Triton has a retrograde orbit around Neptune. This means that ____________ .

The existence and location of ____________________ was accurately predicted and located based on differences in the expected and observed orbit of another planet.

Jupiter does not have

Belt and zone circulation

What observations suggest that Triton has had an active crust?

What do astronomers think is the cause of the active volcanism occurring on Jupiter's moon Io?

What type of geological activity is seen on Neptune's moon Triton?

Discuss why astronomers no longer consider Pluto a planet.

What is one possible reasons Jupiter and Saturn radiate more energy than they receive from the sun?

Though Titan has a small mass , it is able to retain an atmosphere because it

Which of these Galilean satellites is most geologically active?

How does the location in the solar system result in the difference in density of terrestrial versus Jovian planets?

Saturn's F ring and the rings of Uranus are similar in that

Here and Now

A Users Guide to the Sky

Cycles of the Sun and Moon

The Origin of Modern Astronomy

Light and Telescopes

Atoms and Spectra

The Sun

The Family of Stars

The Formation and Structure of Stars

The Deaths of Stars

Neutron Stars and Black Holes

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies: Normal and Active

Modern Cosmology

The Origin of the Solar System

Earth and Moon: Bases for Comparative Planetology

Mercury, Venus and Mars

Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets

Astrobiology: Life on Other Worlds

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Exam 18: The Outer Solar System

Saturn's belts and zones are obscured by haze high in its atmosphere.

Pluto is no longer classified as a planet; instead it is classified as a(n) ____________________.

In what way is the rocky material of Jupiter's core different from the rocks found on Earth?

Why can Saturn have a ring of icy particles, while terrestrial planets cannot?

Propose a theory to explain the peculiar rotation of Uranus. Include the fact that Uranus's major satellites are in the equatorial plane of the planet.

Triton has a retrograde orbit around Neptune. This means that ____________ .

The existence and location of ____________________ was accurately predicted and located based on differences in the expected and observed orbit of another planet.

Jupiter does not have

Belt and zone circulation

What observations suggest that Triton has had an active crust?

What do astronomers think is the cause of the active volcanism occurring on Jupiter's moon Io?

What type of geological activity is seen on Neptune's moon Triton?

Discuss why astronomers no longer consider Pluto a planet.

What is one possible reasons Jupiter and Saturn radiate more energy than they receive from the sun?

Though Titan has a small mass , it is able to retain an atmosphere because it

Which of these Galilean satellites is most geologically active?

How does the location in the solar system result in the difference in density of terrestrial versus Jovian planets?

Saturn's F ring and the rings of Uranus are similar in that

Here and Now

A Users Guide to the Sky

Cycles of the Sun and Moon

The Origin of Modern Astronomy

Light and Telescopes

Atoms and Spectra

The Sun

The Family of Stars

The Formation and Structure of Stars

The Deaths of Stars

Neutron Stars and Black Holes

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies: Normal and Active

Modern Cosmology

The Origin of the Solar System

Earth and Moon: Bases for Comparative Planetology

Mercury, Venus and Mars

Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets

Astrobiology: Life on Other Worlds

Filters