Question 1

The mantles of Uranus and Neptune are believed to contain each of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A) liquid molecular hydrogen. 
B) liquid metallic hydrogen. 
C) liquid helium. 
D) liquid methane. 
A) liquid molecular hydrogen. 
B) liquid metallic hydrogen. 
C) liquid helium. 
D) liquid methane.

Question 2

Both Earth and Neptune rotate eastward on their axes. Triton raises a tidal bulge on Neptune just like the Moon raises a tidal bulge on Earth. In each case the bulge is eastward of the actual position of the satellite in its orbit. Why is this?

Accepted Answer

A) In each case the planet rotates faster than the satellite moves in its orbit, so friction drags the tidal bulge forward with the planet. 
B) The tidal bulge is actually caused by a combination of gravitational effects from the satellite and the Sun, not just the satellite alone. 
C) Both Earth's Moon and Triton are in retrograde orbits about their planets. 
D) The tidal bulge is due to the rotation of the planet as well as the gravitational pull of the satellite. 
A) In each case the planet rotates faster than the satellite moves in its orbit, so friction drags the tidal bulge forward with the planet. 
B) The tidal bulge is actually caused by a combination of gravitational effects from the satellite and the Sun, not just the satellite alone. 
C) Both Earth's Moon and Triton are in retrograde orbits about their planets. 
D) The tidal bulge is due to the rotation of the planet as well as the gravitational pull of the satellite.

Question 3

The interior rotational period of a jovian planet is determined by:

Accepted Answer

A) measuring the precession of the spin axis of the planet, which is related directly to the planet's interior. 
B) observing the effects of gravitational field variations on the orbital periods of the planet's moons. 
C) observing cloudtops, because the clouds rotate with the overall planet on all the jovian planets. 
D) observing radio emission variations that are associated with the magnetic field, the origin of which is deep in the planet's interior. 
A) measuring the precession of the spin axis of the planet, which is related directly to the planet's interior. 
B) observing the effects of gravitational field variations on the orbital periods of the planet's moons. 
C) observing cloudtops, because the clouds rotate with the overall planet on all the jovian planets. 
D) observing radio emission variations that are associated with the magnetic field, the origin of which is deep in the planet's interior.

Question 4

The tilts of the equators of Uranus and Neptune to their respective orbital planes are:

Accepted Answer

A) almost zero for both planets. 
B) very similar-each about 45°. 
C) very similar-at a large angle, near 90°. 
D) very different. 
A) almost zero for both planets. 
B) very similar-each about 45°. 
C) very similar-at a large angle, near 90°. 
D) very different.

Question 5

If you could "stand" on the equator of Uranus, what would the Sun's apparent motion look like? Three of the following statements are correct; which is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A) When the northern hemisphere experiences spring, the Sun would rise in the east and set in the west, one full day lasting about 17 hours. 
B) When the northern hemisphere experiences summer, the Sun would rise and set very close to the north polar direction. 
C) When the northern hemisphere experiences autumn, the Sun would rise in the east and set in the west, one full day lasting about 17 hours. 
D) When the northern hemisphere experiences winter, the Sun would not be visible. 
A) When the northern hemisphere experiences spring, the Sun would rise in the east and set in the west, one full day lasting about 17 hours. 
B) When the northern hemisphere experiences summer, the Sun would rise and set very close to the north polar direction. 
C) When the northern hemisphere experiences autumn, the Sun would rise in the east and set in the west, one full day lasting about 17 hours. 
D) When the northern hemisphere experiences winter, the Sun would not be visible.

The mantles of Uranus and Neptune are believed to contain each of the following EXCEPT:

Both Earth and Neptune rotate eastward on their axes. Triton raises a tidal bulge on Neptune just like the Moon raises a tidal bulge on Earth. In each case the bulge is eastward of the actual position of the satellite in its orbit. Why is this?

The interior rotational period of a jovian planet is determined by:

The tilts of the equators of Uranus and Neptune to their respective orbital planes are:

If you could "stand" on the equator of Uranus, what would the Sun's apparent motion look like? Three of the following statements are correct; which is INCORRECT?

Astronomy and the Universe

Knowing the Heavens

Eclipses and the Motion of the Moon

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

The Nature of Light

Optics and Telescopes

Comparative Planetology I: Our Solar System

Comparative Planetology II: the Origin of Our Solar System

The Living Earth

Our Barren Moon

Mercury, Venus, and Mars: Terrestrial, yet Unique

Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets

Jupiter and Saturns Satellites of Fire and Ice

Asteroids, Comets, and Impacts

Our Star, the Sun

The Nature of the Stars

The Birth of Stars

Stellar Evolution: on and After the Main Sequence

Stellar Evolution: The Death of Stars

Stellar Remnants: Neutron Stars and Black Holes

Our Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Active Galaxies

Cosmology: The Origin and Evolution of the Universe

Exploring the Early Universe

The Search for Extraterrestrial Life

Filters

Exam 14: Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and the Kuiper Belt: Remote Worlds

The mantles of Uranus and Neptune are believed to contain each of the following EXCEPT:

Both Earth and Neptune rotate eastward on their axes. Triton raises a tidal bulge on Neptune just like the Moon raises a tidal bulge on Earth. In each case the bulge is eastward of the actual position of the satellite in its orbit. Why is this?

The interior rotational period of a jovian planet is determined by:

The tilts of the equators of Uranus and Neptune to their respective orbital planes are:

If you could "stand" on the equator of Uranus, what would the Sun's apparent motion look like? Three of the following statements are correct; which is INCORRECT?

Astronomy and the Universe

Knowing the Heavens

Eclipses and the Motion of the Moon

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

The Nature of Light

Optics and Telescopes

Comparative Planetology I: Our Solar System

Comparative Planetology II: the Origin of Our Solar System

The Living Earth

Our Barren Moon

Mercury, Venus, and Mars: Terrestrial, yet Unique

Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets

Jupiter and Saturns Satellites of Fire and Ice

Asteroids, Comets, and Impacts

Our Star, the Sun

The Nature of the Stars

The Birth of Stars

Stellar Evolution: on and After the Main Sequence

Stellar Evolution: The Death of Stars

Stellar Remnants: Neutron Stars and Black Holes

Our Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Active Galaxies

Cosmology: The Origin and Evolution of the Universe

Exploring the Early Universe

The Search for Extraterrestrial Life

Filters