Question 1

Compared to the Earth, Mars has experienced wild swings in its axis tilt over relatively short time periods. This is because of its

Accepted Answer

A)  proximity to Jupiter and its lack of a large moon 
B)  greater distance from the Sun 
C)  slower rotation rate 
D)  small size 
A)  proximity to Jupiter and its lack of a large moon 
B)  greater distance from the Sun 
C)  slower rotation rate 
D)  small size

Question 2

Even though the Martian atmosphere is composed almost completely of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, its surface is much colder than the Earth because its

Accepted Answer

A)  atmosphere is much thinner 
B)  surface does not radiate any infrared radiation 
C)  atmosphere contains equal amounts of gases which neutralize the greenhouse effect 
D)  polar caps are much larger than on the Earth 
A)  atmosphere is much thinner 
B)  surface does not radiate any infrared radiation 
C)  atmosphere contains equal amounts of gases which neutralize the greenhouse effect 
D)  polar caps are much larger than on the Earth

Question 3

The middle era of the geological history of Mars is called the

Accepted Answer

A)  Noachian 
B)  Hesperian 
C)  Amazonian 
D)  Phanerozonian 
A)  Noachian 
B)  Hesperian 
C)  Amazonian 
D)  Phanerozonian

Question 4

Which of the following statements best describes the idea behind the Carbon Assimilation Experiment on board the Viking landers?

Accepted Answer

A)  living organisms in the soil should incorporate carbon from atmospheric gases 
B)  radioactive gases should be produced when radioactive nutrients are added to a soil sample 
C)  soil with living organisms in it should contain organic molecules 
D)  living organisms in the soil should give off gases when they metabolize nutrients 
A)  living organisms in the soil should incorporate carbon from atmospheric gases 
B)  radioactive gases should be produced when radioactive nutrients are added to a soil sample 
C)  soil with living organisms in it should contain organic molecules 
D)  living organisms in the soil should give off gases when they metabolize nutrients

Question 5

The most important geological process occurring on Mars today is

Accepted Answer

A)  water erosion 
B)  plate tectonics 
C)  volcanism 
D)  wind erosion 
A)  water erosion 
B)  plate tectonics 
C)  volcanism 
D)  wind erosion

Question 6

The Northern hemisphere of Mars is at

Accepted Answer

A)  a higher than average elevation and is covered with impact craters 
B)  a higher than average elevation and is relatively smooth 
C)  an average elevation and is covered with impact craters 
D)  a lower than average elevation and is relatively smooth 
A)  a higher than average elevation and is covered with impact craters 
B)  a higher than average elevation and is relatively smooth 
C)  an average elevation and is covered with impact craters 
D)  a lower than average elevation and is relatively smooth

Question 7

Evidence for very recent water erosion on Mars comes from the observations of

Accepted Answer

A)  dark streaks on crater walls 
B)  channels carved on the slopes of volcanoes 
C)  dried up river beds on the highlands 
D)  mud flows surrounding craters 
A)  dark streaks on crater walls 
B)  channels carved on the slopes of volcanoes 
C)  dried up river beds on the highlands 
D)  mud flows surrounding craters

Question 8

Spectra of the Martian surface taken from orbiting spacecraft have detected the presence of which of the following minerals that form in water?

Accepted Answer

A)  hydrated clays, sulfates and silicates 
B)  limestones 
C)  zircons 
D)  sea and rock salts 
A)  hydrated clays, sulfates and silicates 
B)  limestones 
C)  zircons 
D)  sea and rock salts

Question 9

What are the relative ages of the heavily cratered Southern highlands and the smooth Northern plains of Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  the highlands and the plains are the same age 
B)  it is impossible to tell unless we know the specific geological processes that occurred in each hemisphere 
C)  the plains are older than the highlands 
D)  the highlands are older than the plains 
A)  the highlands and the plains are the same age 
B)  it is impossible to tell unless we know the specific geological processes that occurred in each hemisphere 
C)  the plains are older than the highlands 
D)  the highlands are older than the plains

Question 10

The Tharsis region of Mars was most likely formed

Accepted Answer

A)  from sediment that piled up due to past water erosion 
B)  by plate tectonics 
C)  by a plume of molten mantle material rising to the surface forming a bulge 
D)  from compressions in the Martian crust as the planet cooled and contracted 
A)  from sediment that piled up due to past water erosion 
B)  by plate tectonics 
C)  by a plume of molten mantle material rising to the surface forming a bulge 
D)  from compressions in the Martian crust as the planet cooled and contracted

Question 11

During summer in the Southern hemisphere of Mars, winds travel

Accepted Answer

A)  from the South Pole to the North Pole 
B)  around the South Pole 
C)  from the North Pole to the South Pole 
D)  around the equator 
A)  from the South Pole to the North Pole 
B)  around the South Pole 
C)  from the North Pole to the South Pole 
D)  around the equator

Question 12

Due to its elliptical orbit, Mars is farther from the Sun on average during winter in the Southern Hemisphere. This means Southern Winter on Mars will be

Accepted Answer

A)  long and mild 
B)  short and hot 
C)  long and cold 
D)  short and mild 
A)  long and mild 
B)  short and hot 
C)  long and cold 
D)  short and mild

Question 13

Some features on Mars attributed to flooding may have been caused by temporary heating events like

Accepted Answer

A)  impacts 
B)  volcanic eruptions 
C)  lightning 
D)  Both A and B 
A)  impacts 
B)  volcanic eruptions 
C)  lightning 
D)  Both A and B

Question 14

The first rover to explore Mars in 1997 was called

Accepted Answer

A)  Opportunity 
B)  Spirit 
C)  Sojourner 
D)  Curiosity 
A)  Opportunity 
B)  Spirit 
C)  Sojourner 
D)  Curiosity

Question 15

What color does the planet Mars appear to the naked eye in the sky?

Accepted Answer

A)  yellow 
B)  white 
C)  blue 
D)  red 
A)  yellow 
B)  white 
C)  blue 
D)  red

Question 16

Typically, what color is the Martian sky during in the morning and evenings?

Accepted Answer

A)  green 
B)  yellow-brown 
C)  red 
D)  blue 
A)  green 
B)  yellow-brown 
C)  red 
D)  blue

Question 17

Which of the following statements best describes the idea behind the Gas Exchange Experiment on board the Viking landers?

Accepted Answer

A)  radioactive gases should be produced when radioactive nutrients are added to a soil sample 
B)  living organisms in the soil should give off gases when they metabolize nutrients 
C)  soil with living organisms in it should contain organic molecules 
D)  living organisms in the soil should incorporate carbon from atmospheric gases 
A)  radioactive gases should be produced when radioactive nutrients are added to a soil sample 
B)  living organisms in the soil should give off gases when they metabolize nutrients 
C)  soil with living organisms in it should contain organic molecules 
D)  living organisms in the soil should incorporate carbon from atmospheric gases

Question 18

Valles Marineris on Mars is

Accepted Answer

A)  about as long and deep as the Grand Canyon on the Earth 
B)  much longer and deeper than the Grand Canyon on Earth 
C)  much shorter and shallower than the Grand Canyon on Earth 
D)  much longer but not as deep as the Grand Canyon on Earth 
A)  about as long and deep as the Grand Canyon on the Earth 
B)  much longer and deeper than the Grand Canyon on Earth 
C)  much shorter and shallower than the Grand Canyon on Earth 
D)  much longer but not as deep as the Grand Canyon on Earth

Question 19

How easy would it be for future astronauts to psychologically adapt to living on Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  fairly easy because the Martian day is only about 40 minutes longer than the terrestrial day 
B)  extremely easy because the Martian day is exactly the same length as the terrestrial day 
C)  very difficult because the Martian day is much longer than the terrestrial day 
D)  very difficult because the Martian day is much shorter than the terrestrial day 
A)  fairly easy because the Martian day is only about 40 minutes longer than the terrestrial day 
B)  extremely easy because the Martian day is exactly the same length as the terrestrial day 
C)  very difficult because the Martian day is much longer than the terrestrial day 
D)  very difficult because the Martian day is much shorter than the terrestrial day

Question 20

Which of the following statements best describes the idea behind the Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer Experiment on board the Viking landers?

Accepted Answer

A)  soil with living organisms in it should contain organic molecules 
B)  radioactive gases should be produced when radioactive nutrients are added to a soil sample 
C)  living organisms in the soil should incorporate carbon from atmospheric gases 
D)  living organisms in the soil should give off gases when they metabolize nutrients 
A)  soil with living organisms in it should contain organic molecules 
B)  radioactive gases should be produced when radioactive nutrients are added to a soil sample 
C)  living organisms in the soil should incorporate carbon from atmospheric gases 
D)  living organisms in the soil should give off gases when they metabolize nutrients

Compared to the Earth, Mars has experienced wild swings in its axis tilt over relatively short time periods. This is because of its

Even though the Martian atmosphere is composed almost completely of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, its surface is much colder than the Earth because its

The middle era of the geological history of Mars is called the

Which of the following statements best describes the idea behind the Carbon Assimilation Experiment on board the Viking landers?

The most important geological process occurring on Mars today is

The Northern hemisphere of Mars is at

Evidence for very recent water erosion on Mars comes from the observations of

Spectra of the Martian surface taken from orbiting spacecraft have detected the presence of which of the following minerals that form in water?

What are the relative ages of the heavily cratered Southern highlands and the smooth Northern plains of Mars?

The Tharsis region of Mars was most likely formed

During summer in the Southern hemisphere of Mars, winds travel

Due to its elliptical orbit, Mars is farther from the Sun on average during winter in the Southern Hemisphere. This means Southern Winter on Mars will be

Some features on Mars attributed to flooding may have been caused by temporary heating events like

The first rover to explore Mars in 1997 was called

What color does the planet Mars appear to the naked eye in the sky?

Typically, what color is the Martian sky during in the morning and evenings?

Which of the following statements best describes the idea behind the Gas Exchange Experiment on board the Viking landers?

Valles Marineris on Mars is

How easy would it be for future astronauts to psychologically adapt to living on Mars?

Which of the following statements best describes the idea behind the Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer Experiment on board the Viking landers?

A Universe of Life

The Science of Life in the Universe

The Universal Context of Life

The Habitability of Earth

The Nature of Life on Earth

The Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

Searching for Life in Our Solar System

Life on Jovian Moons

The Nature and Evolution of Habitability

Extrasolar Planets: Their Nature and Potential Habitability

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Interstellar Travel and the Fermi Paradox

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Exam 8: Mars

Compared to the Earth, Mars has experienced wild swings in its axis tilt over relatively short time periods. This is because of its

Even though the Martian atmosphere is composed almost completely of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, its surface is much colder than the Earth because its

The middle era of the geological history of Mars is called the

Which of the following statements best describes the idea behind the Carbon Assimilation Experiment on board the Viking landers?

The most important geological process occurring on Mars today is

The Northern hemisphere of Mars is at

Evidence for very recent water erosion on Mars comes from the observations of

Spectra of the Martian surface taken from orbiting spacecraft have detected the presence of which of the following minerals that form in water?

What are the relative ages of the heavily cratered Southern highlands and the smooth Northern plains of Mars?

The Tharsis region of Mars was most likely formed

During summer in the Southern hemisphere of Mars, winds travel

Due to its elliptical orbit, Mars is farther from the Sun on average during winter in the Southern Hemisphere. This means Southern Winter on Mars will be

Some features on Mars attributed to flooding may have been caused by temporary heating events like

The first rover to explore Mars in 1997 was called

What color does the planet Mars appear to the naked eye in the sky?

Typically, what color is the Martian sky during in the morning and evenings?

Which of the following statements best describes the idea behind the Gas Exchange Experiment on board the Viking landers?

Valles Marineris on Mars is

How easy would it be for future astronauts to psychologically adapt to living on Mars?

Which of the following statements best describes the idea behind the Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer Experiment on board the Viking landers?

A Universe of Life

The Science of Life in the Universe

The Universal Context of Life

The Habitability of Earth

The Nature of Life on Earth

The Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

Searching for Life in Our Solar System

Life on Jovian Moons

The Nature and Evolution of Habitability

Extrasolar Planets: Their Nature and Potential Habitability

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Interstellar Travel and the Fermi Paradox

Filters