Question 1

Which of the following most likely explains why Venus does not have a strong magnetic field?

Accepted Answer

A)  It does not have a metallic core. 
B)  Its rotation is too slow. 
C)  It is too close to the Sun. 
D)  It is too large. 
E)  It has too thick an atmosphere. 
A)  It does not have a metallic core. 
B)  Its rotation is too slow. 
C)  It is too close to the Sun. 
D)  It is too large. 
E)  It has too thick an atmosphere.

Question 2

Valles Marineris is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  large valley on the Moon. 
B)  extensive plain on Mars. 
C)  huge series of cliffs on Mercury. 
D)  large canyon on Mars. 
E)  large canyon on Venus. 
A)  large valley on the Moon. 
B)  extensive plain on Mars. 
C)  huge series of cliffs on Mercury. 
D)  large canyon on Mars. 
E)  large canyon on Venus.

Question 3

The Sun is gradually increasing in luminosity as it ages. It is 20% more luminous than it was when it was born. Why isn't this considered to be an explanation for global warming?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Sun is increasing in luminosity much too slowly, over many millions of years. 
B)  The scientists are covering up this potentially valid explanation. 
C)  The amount of energy the Earth receives from the Sun remains constant regardless of what the Sun does. 
D)  What the Sun was doing millions of years ago is what determines Earth's temperature, since the Earth doesn't respond directly to what the Sun is doing today. 
A)  The Sun is increasing in luminosity much too slowly, over many millions of years. 
B)  The scientists are covering up this potentially valid explanation. 
C)  The amount of energy the Earth receives from the Sun remains constant regardless of what the Sun does. 
D)  What the Sun was doing millions of years ago is what determines Earth's temperature, since the Earth doesn't respond directly to what the Sun is doing today.

Question 4

Briefly describe at least three likely consequences of continued human burning of fossil fuels adding to Earth's greenhouse effect.

Accepted Answer

Many possible answers: increas

Question 5

The Antarctic ice-core plot of carbon dioxide (ppm) shows peaks and valleys at about the same times as the temperature plot has peaks and valleys, over 400,000 years. What can we conclude based on this fact alone?

Accepted Answer

A)  Higher carbon dioxide concentrations cause higher global average temperatures. 
B)  The carbon dioxide concentration is inversely related to the global average temperature. 
C)  Higher global average temperatures cause higher global carbon dioxide concentrations. 
D)  There is a correlation between the carbon dioxide concentration and the average temperature. 
A)  Higher carbon dioxide concentrations cause higher global average temperatures. 
B)  The carbon dioxide concentration is inversely related to the global average temperature. 
C)  Higher global average temperatures cause higher global carbon dioxide concentrations. 
D)  There is a correlation between the carbon dioxide concentration and the average temperature.

Question 6

Briefly describe how the greenhouse effect makes a planetary surface warmer than it would be otherwise.

Accepted Answer

Sunlight that is not absorbed by the atm

Question 7

What are the conditions necessary for a terrestrial planet to have a strong magnetic field?

Accepted Answer

A)  a molten metallic core only 
B)  fast rotation only 
C)  a rocky mantle only 
D)  both a molten metallic core and reasonably fast rotation 
E)  both a metal core and a rocky mantle 
A)  a molten metallic core only 
B)  fast rotation only 
C)  a rocky mantle only 
D)  both a molten metallic core and reasonably fast rotation 
E)  both a metal core and a rocky mantle

Question 8

Suppose that Earth's atmosphere had no greenhouse gases. Then Earth's average surface temperature would be ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  well below the freezing point of water 
B)  about the same as it is now 
C)  slightly cooler, but still above freezing 
D)  slightly warmer, but still well below the boiling point of water 
A)  well below the freezing point of water 
B)  about the same as it is now 
C)  slightly cooler, but still above freezing 
D)  slightly warmer, but still well below the boiling point of water

Question 9

Which of the following gases absorbs ultraviolet light best?

Accepted Answer

A)  carbon dioxide 
B)  nitrogen 
C)  oxygen 
D)  hydrogen 
E)  ozone 
A)  carbon dioxide 
B)  nitrogen 
C)  oxygen 
D)  hydrogen 
E)  ozone

Question 10

What is a magnetosphere and how are magnetospheres related to planetary atmospheres?

Accepted Answer

A magnetosphere is a protective bubble s

Question 11

What are fossil fuels?

Accepted Answer

A)  any fuel that releases CO₂ into the atmosphere upon burning 
B)  any fuel that is extracted from the interior of the Earth 
C)  mineral-rich deposits from ancient seabeds 
D)  the carbon-rich remains of plants that died millions of years ago 
E)  carbonate-rich deposits from ancient seabeds 
A)  any fuel that releases CO₂ into the atmosphere upon burning 
B)  any fuel that is extracted from the interior of the Earth 
C)  mineral-rich deposits from ancient seabeds 
D)  the carbon-rich remains of plants that died millions of years ago 
E)  carbonate-rich deposits from ancient seabeds

Question 12

Why is Venus so much hotter than the Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because it is closer to the Sun 
B)  Because it rotates backwards compared to its orbital rotation 
C)  Because it has much more carbon dioxide in its atmosphere 
D)  Because its clouds have a very high reﬂectivity 
A)  Because it is closer to the Sun 
B)  Because it rotates backwards compared to its orbital rotation 
C)  Because it has much more carbon dioxide in its atmosphere 
D)  Because its clouds have a very high reﬂectivity

Question 13

Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Without the naturally occurring greenhouse effect, Earth would be too cold to have liquid oceans. 
B)  A weak greenhouse effect operates on Mars. 
C)  The burning of fossil fuels increases the greenhouse effect on Earth because of the release of carbon dioxide. 
D)  One result of an increased greenhouse effect on Earth may be an increased number of severe storms. 
E)  All of the above are true. 
A)  Without the naturally occurring greenhouse effect, Earth would be too cold to have liquid oceans. 
B)  A weak greenhouse effect operates on Mars. 
C)  The burning of fossil fuels increases the greenhouse effect on Earth because of the release of carbon dioxide. 
D)  One result of an increased greenhouse effect on Earth may be an increased number of severe storms. 
E)  All of the above are true.

Question 14

Olympus Mons is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a huge volcano on Mars 
B)  a huge volcano on Venus 
C)  a large lava plain on the Moon 
D)  a great canyon on Mars 
A)  a huge volcano on Mars 
B)  a huge volcano on Venus 
C)  a large lava plain on the Moon 
D)  a great canyon on Mars

Question 15

What process has shaped Earth's surface more than any other?

Accepted Answer

A)  impact cratering 
B)  volcanism 
C)  plate tectonics 
D)  wind erosion 
E)  acid rain 
A)  impact cratering 
B)  volcanism 
C)  plate tectonics 
D)  wind erosion 
E)  acid rain

Question 16

What drives the motion of the continental plates on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  convection cells in the mantle 
B)  rotation of the liquid core 
C)  lava flows in trenches along the sea floor 
D)  Earth's magnetic field 
E)  tidal forces 
A)  convection cells in the mantle 
B)  rotation of the liquid core 
C)  lava flows in trenches along the sea floor 
D)  Earth's magnetic field 
E)  tidal forces

Question 17

Why does Earth have so little carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, when Earth should have outgassed about as much of it as Venus?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this question is that Eart

Question 18

Explain how we can estimate the geological age of a planetary surface from its number of impact craters.

Accepted Answer

Even though impacts still occur today, t

Question 19

Higher temperatures make rocks weaker.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Smaller worlds generally have thinner lithospheres.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Which of the following most likely explains why Venus does not have a strong magnetic field?

Valles Marineris is a(n)

The Sun is gradually increasing in luminosity as it ages. It is 20% more luminous than it was when it was born. Why isn't this considered to be an explanation for global warming?

Briefly describe at least three likely consequences of continued human burning of fossil fuels adding to Earth's greenhouse effect.

The Antarctic ice-core plot of carbon dioxide (ppm) shows peaks and valleys at about the same times as the temperature plot has peaks and valleys, over 400,000 years. What can we conclude based on this fact alone?

Briefly describe how the greenhouse effect makes a planetary surface warmer than it would be otherwise.

What are the conditions necessary for a terrestrial planet to have a strong magnetic field?

Suppose that Earth's atmosphere had no greenhouse gases. Then Earth's average surface temperature would be ________.

Which of the following gases absorbs ultraviolet light best?

What is a magnetosphere and how are magnetospheres related to planetary atmospheres?

What are fossil fuels?

Why is Venus so much hotter than the Earth?

Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect is true?

Olympus Mons is ________.

What process has shaped Earth's surface more than any other?

What drives the motion of the continental plates on Earth?

Why does Earth have so little carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, when Earth should have outgassed about as much of it as Venus?

Explain how we can estimate the geological age of a planetary surface from its number of impact craters.

Higher temperatures make rocks weaker.

Smaller worlds generally have thinner lithospheres.

Our Place in the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

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

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond

Jovian Planet Systems

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

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

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

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

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Exam 7: Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Which of the following most likely explains why Venus does not have a strong magnetic field?

Valles Marineris is a(n)

The Sun is gradually increasing in luminosity as it ages. It is 20% more luminous than it was when it was born. Why isn't this considered to be an explanation for global warming?

Briefly describe at least three likely consequences of continued human burning of fossil fuels adding to Earth's greenhouse effect.

The Antarctic ice-core plot of carbon dioxide (ppm) shows peaks and valleys at about the same times as the temperature plot has peaks and valleys, over 400,000 years. What can we conclude based on this fact alone?

Briefly describe how the greenhouse effect makes a planetary surface warmer than it would be otherwise.

What are the conditions necessary for a terrestrial planet to have a strong magnetic field?

Suppose that Earth's atmosphere had no greenhouse gases. Then Earth's average surface temperature would be ________.

Which of the following gases absorbs ultraviolet light best?

What is a magnetosphere and how are magnetospheres related to planetary atmospheres?

What are fossil fuels?

Why is Venus so much hotter than the Earth?

Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect is true?

Olympus Mons is ________.

What process has shaped Earth's surface more than any other?

What drives the motion of the continental plates on Earth?

Why does Earth have so little carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, when Earth should have outgassed about as much of it as Venus?

Explain how we can estimate the geological age of a planetary surface from its number of impact craters.

Higher temperatures make rocks weaker.

Smaller worlds generally have thinner lithospheres.

Our Place in the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

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

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond

Jovian Planet Systems

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

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

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

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

Filters