Question 1

According to our theory of solar system formation,why do we find some exceptions to the general rules and patterns of the planets?

Accepted Answer

A) Our theory is not quite correct because it cannot explain these exceptions. 
B) Most of the exceptions are the result of giant impacts. 
C) The exceptions probably represent objects that formed recently,rather than early in the history of the solar system. 
D) The exceptions probably represent objects that were captured by our solar system from interstellar space. 
E) The exceptions exist because,even though our theory is as correct as possible,nature never follows rules precisely. 
A) Our theory is not quite correct because it cannot explain these exceptions. 
B) Most of the exceptions are the result of giant impacts. 
C) The exceptions probably represent objects that formed recently,rather than early in the history of the solar system. 
D) The exceptions probably represent objects that were captured by our solar system from interstellar space. 
E) The exceptions exist because,even though our theory is as correct as possible,nature never follows rules precisely.

Question 2

Many meteorites appear to have formed very early in the solar system's history.How do these meteorites support our theory about how the terrestrial planets formed?

Accepted Answer

A) The meteorites sizes are just what we'd expect if metal and rock condensed and accreted as our theory suggests. 
B) The meteorites appearance and composition is just what we'd expect if metal and rock condensed and accreted as our theory suggests. 
C) Their overall composition is just what we believe the composition of the solar nebula to have been: mostly hydrogen and helium. 
D) Their appearance and composition matches what we observe in comets today,suggesting that meteorites were once pieces of icy planetesimals. 
A) The meteorites sizes are just what we'd expect if metal and rock condensed and accreted as our theory suggests. 
B) The meteorites appearance and composition is just what we'd expect if metal and rock condensed and accreted as our theory suggests. 
C) Their overall composition is just what we believe the composition of the solar nebula to have been: mostly hydrogen and helium. 
D) Their appearance and composition matches what we observe in comets today,suggesting that meteorites were once pieces of icy planetesimals.

Question 3

How does the data from ALMA provide direct evidence for nebular theory?

Accepted Answer

A) It shows concentric gaps in the disk which are almost certainly regions being cleared as planets form. 
B) We can see large planets forming. 
C) The amount of energy being radiated by the star system indicates there must be planets present. 
D) Data from ALMA does not support nebular theory,instead it is causing scientists to revise the theory. 
A) It shows concentric gaps in the disk which are almost certainly regions being cleared as planets form. 
B) We can see large planets forming. 
C) The amount of energy being radiated by the star system indicates there must be planets present. 
D) Data from ALMA does not support nebular theory,instead it is causing scientists to revise the theory.

Question 4

Process of Science: We cannot test the nebular theory for the formation of the Solar System in a rigorous scientific way because the Sun and planets formed in the distant past.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

At first,the Sun's present-day rotation seems to contradict the prediction of the nebular theory because

Accepted Answer

A) the theory predicts that the axis of rotation should not be perpendicular to the orbital plane of the planets,but it is. 
B) the axis of rotation precesses slowly,which the theory does not predict. 
C) the present-day rotation is in the opposite direction from that predicted by the theory. 
D) the theory predicts that the Sun should have been rotating fast when it formed,but the actual rotation is fairly slow. 
E) the theory predicts that the Sun should not have been rotating when it formed,but the Sun actually rotates today. 
A) the theory predicts that the axis of rotation should not be perpendicular to the orbital plane of the planets,but it is. 
B) the axis of rotation precesses slowly,which the theory does not predict. 
C) the present-day rotation is in the opposite direction from that predicted by the theory. 
D) the theory predicts that the Sun should have been rotating fast when it formed,but the actual rotation is fairly slow. 
E) the theory predicts that the Sun should not have been rotating when it formed,but the Sun actually rotates today.

Question 6

According to our theory of solar system formation,why do all the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction and in nearly the same plane?

Accepted Answer

A) The original solar nebula happened to be disk-shaped by chance. 
B) Any planets that once orbited in the opposite direction or a different plane were ejected from the solar system. 
C) The laws of conservation of energy and conservation of angular momentum ensure that any rotating,collapsing cloud will end up as a spinning disk. 
D) The Sun formed first,and as it grew in size it spread into a disk,rather like the way a ball of dough can be flattened into a pizza by spinning it. 
E) Luck explains it,as we would expect that most other solar systems would not have all their planets orbiting in such a pattern. 
A) The original solar nebula happened to be disk-shaped by chance. 
B) Any planets that once orbited in the opposite direction or a different plane were ejected from the solar system. 
C) The laws of conservation of energy and conservation of angular momentum ensure that any rotating,collapsing cloud will end up as a spinning disk. 
D) The Sun formed first,and as it grew in size it spread into a disk,rather like the way a ball of dough can be flattened into a pizza by spinning it. 
E) Luck explains it,as we would expect that most other solar systems would not have all their planets orbiting in such a pattern.

Question 7

What is the primary basis upon which we divide the ingredients of the solar nebula into four categories (hydrogen/helium;hydrogen compound;rock;metal)?

Accepted Answer

A) the temperatures at which various materials will condense from gaseous form to solid form 
B) the atomic mass numbers of various materials 
C) the locations of various materials in the solar nebula 
D) the amounts of energy required to ionize various materials 
A) the temperatures at which various materials will condense from gaseous form to solid form 
B) the atomic mass numbers of various materials 
C) the locations of various materials in the solar nebula 
D) the amounts of energy required to ionize various materials

Question 8

According to our present theory of solar system formation,which of the following lists the major ingredients of the solar nebula in order from the most abundant to the least abundant?

Accepted Answer

A) hydrogen compounds;hydrogen and helium gas;metal;rock 
B) hydrogen and helium gas;rock;metal;hydrogen compounds 
C) hydrogen and helium gas;hydrogen compounds;rock;metal 
D) hydrogen,water,methane,helium 
A) hydrogen compounds;hydrogen and helium gas;metal;rock 
B) hydrogen and helium gas;rock;metal;hydrogen compounds 
C) hydrogen and helium gas;hydrogen compounds;rock;metal 
D) hydrogen,water,methane,helium

Question 9

According to modern science,what was the approximate chemical composition of the solar nebula?

Accepted Answer

A) 50% hydrogen and helium,50% everything else 
B) 98% hydrogen and helium,2% everything else 
C) 98% hydrogen,2% helium 
D) roughly equal proportions of hydrogen,helium,water,and methane 
A) 50% hydrogen and helium,50% everything else 
B) 98% hydrogen and helium,2% everything else 
C) 98% hydrogen,2% helium 
D) roughly equal proportions of hydrogen,helium,water,and methane

According to our theory of solar system formation,why do we find some exceptions to the general rules and patterns of the planets?

Many meteorites appear to have formed very early in the solar system's history.How do these meteorites support our theory about how the terrestrial planets formed?

How does the data from ALMA provide direct evidence for nebular theory?

Process of Science: We cannot test the nebular theory for the formation of the Solar System in a rigorous scientific way because the Sun and planets formed in the distant past.

At first,the Sun's present-day rotation seems to contradict the prediction of the nebular theory because

According to our theory of solar system formation,why do all the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction and in nearly the same plane?

What is the primary basis upon which we divide the ingredients of the solar nebula into four categories (hydrogen/helium;hydrogen compound;rock;metal)?

According to our present theory of solar system formation,which of the following lists the major ingredients of the solar nebula in order from the most abundant to the least abundant?

According to modern science,what was the approximate chemical composition of the solar nebula?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light and Matter: Reading Messages from the Cosmos

Telescopes: Portals of Discovery

Our Planetary System

Planetary Geology: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds

Planetary Atmospheres: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: The New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Birth

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundations of Modern Cosmology

Galaxy Evolution

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation

Space and Time

Spacetime and Gravity

Building Blocks of the Universe

Filters

Exam 8: Formation of the Solar System

According to our theory of solar system formation,why do we find some exceptions to the general rules and patterns of the planets?

Many meteorites appear to have formed very early in the solar system's history.How do these meteorites support our theory about how the terrestrial planets formed?

How does the data from ALMA provide direct evidence for nebular theory?

Process of Science: We cannot test the nebular theory for the formation of the Solar System in a rigorous scientific way because the Sun and planets formed in the distant past.

At first,the Sun's present-day rotation seems to contradict the prediction of the nebular theory because

According to our theory of solar system formation,why do all the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction and in nearly the same plane?

What is the primary basis upon which we divide the ingredients of the solar nebula into four categories (hydrogen/helium;hydrogen compound;rock;metal)?

According to our present theory of solar system formation,which of the following lists the major ingredients of the solar nebula in order from the most abundant to the least abundant?

According to modern science,what was the approximate chemical composition of the solar nebula?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light and Matter: Reading Messages from the Cosmos

Telescopes: Portals of Discovery

Our Planetary System

Planetary Geology: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds

Planetary Atmospheres: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: The New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Birth

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundations of Modern Cosmology

Galaxy Evolution

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation

Space and Time

Spacetime and Gravity

Building Blocks of the Universe

Filters