Question 1

What would happen to Jupiter if we could somehow double its mass?

Accepted Answer

A)  Its density would increase but its diameter would barely change. 
B)  Its density would decrease and its diameter would double. 
C)  Its density would stay about the same and its volume would double. 
D)  It would become a star, with nuclear fusion in its core. 
A)  Its density would increase but its diameter would barely change. 
B)  Its density would decrease and its diameter would double. 
C)  Its density would stay about the same and its volume would double. 
D)  It would become a star, with nuclear fusion in its core.

Question 2

Which of the following is not due to tidal forces?

Accepted Answer

A)  the synchronous rotation of the Moon around Earth 
B)  the volcanos on Io (a moon of Jupiter) 
C)  the rings of Saturn 
D)  the grooved terrain of Enceladus (a moon of Saturn) 
E)  the retrograde orbit of Triton (a moon of Neptune) 
A)  the synchronous rotation of the Moon around Earth 
B)  the volcanos on Io (a moon of Jupiter) 
C)  the rings of Saturn 
D)  the grooved terrain of Enceladus (a moon of Saturn) 
E)  the retrograde orbit of Triton (a moon of Neptune)

Question 3

Uranus and Neptune have methane clouds but Jupiter and Saturn do not. Which factor explains why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Temperatures on Jupiter and Saturn are too high for methane to condense. 
B)  Jupiter and Saturn do not contain any methane gas. 
C)  The rapid rotation of Jupiter and Saturn prevents methane clouds from forming. 
D)  The stronger gravity on Jupiter and Saturn pulls methane downward so that it can't form clouds. 
A)  Temperatures on Jupiter and Saturn are too high for methane to condense. 
B)  Jupiter and Saturn do not contain any methane gas. 
C)  The rapid rotation of Jupiter and Saturn prevents methane clouds from forming. 
D)  The stronger gravity on Jupiter and Saturn pulls methane downward so that it can't form clouds.

Question 4

Why is the radiation so intense in the region that traces Io's orbit around Jupiter (the Io torus)?

Accepted Answer

A)  The region is full of gases that become ionized after they are released from volcanoes on Io. 
B)  Io's gravity allows this region to capture huge numbers of charged particles from the solar wind. 
C)  An orbital resonance between Io, Europa, and Ganymede makes the radiation intense. 
D)  Jupiter's strong magnetic field makes the radiation intense everywhere, and the region around Io is no different than any other region. 
A)  The region is full of gases that become ionized after they are released from volcanoes on Io. 
B)  Io's gravity allows this region to capture huge numbers of charged particles from the solar wind. 
C)  An orbital resonance between Io, Europa, and Ganymede makes the radiation intense. 
D)  Jupiter's strong magnetic field makes the radiation intense everywhere, and the region around Io is no different than any other region.

Question 5

Why is Saturn almost as big as Jupiter, despite its smaller mass?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jupiter's greater mass compresses it more and increasing its density. 
B)  Saturn's rings make the planet look bigger. 
C)  Saturn is further from the Sun, thus cooler, and therefore less compact. 
D)  Saturn has a larger proportion of hydrogen and helium than Jupiter, and is therefore less dense. 
E)  Jupiter's strong magnetic field constrains its size. 
A)  Jupiter's greater mass compresses it more and increasing its density. 
B)  Saturn's rings make the planet look bigger. 
C)  Saturn is further from the Sun, thus cooler, and therefore less compact. 
D)  Saturn has a larger proportion of hydrogen and helium than Jupiter, and is therefore less dense. 
E)  Jupiter's strong magnetic field constrains its size.

What would happen to Jupiter if we could somehow double its mass?

Which of the following is not due to tidal forces?

Uranus and Neptune have methane clouds but Jupiter and Saturn do not. Which factor explains why?

Why is the radiation so intense in the region that traces Io's orbit around Jupiter (the Io torus)?

Why is Saturn almost as big as Jupiter, despite its smaller mass?

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Exam 8: Jovian Planet Systems

What would happen to Jupiter if we could somehow double its mass?

Which of the following is not due to tidal forces?

Uranus and Neptune have methane clouds but Jupiter and Saturn do not. Which factor explains why?

Why is the radiation so intense in the region that traces Io's orbit around Jupiter (the Io torus)?

Why is Saturn almost as big as Jupiter, despite its smaller mass?

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

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

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