Question 1

The ring of material that surrounds Jupiter appears to be made up of:

Accepted Answer

A) pure ice crystals, similar to those in high cirrus clouds on Earth. 
B) extremely fine dust particles, about the size of smoke particles, of average diameter 0.001 mm. 
C) gas vapor of individual molecules of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide from Io's volcanoes. 
D) icy, reflective rocks, averaging about 1 cm in diameter but with wide variation in size. 
A) pure ice crystals, similar to those in high cirrus clouds on Earth. 
B) extremely fine dust particles, about the size of smoke particles, of average diameter 0.001 mm. 
C) gas vapor of individual molecules of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide from Io's volcanoes. 
D) icy, reflective rocks, averaging about 1 cm in diameter but with wide variation in size.

Question 2

One unsolved question about Jupiter and Saturn is:

Accepted Answer

A) why Jupiter radiates more energy than it receives from the Sun. 
B) why Saturn is more effective than Jupiter in terms of radiating excess energy. 
C) why wind speeds on Saturn are greater than those on Jupiter. 
D) why Saturn's cloud layers are more spread out than Jupiter's. 
A) why Jupiter radiates more energy than it receives from the Sun. 
B) why Saturn is more effective than Jupiter in terms of radiating excess energy. 
C) why wind speeds on Saturn are greater than those on Jupiter. 
D) why Saturn's cloud layers are more spread out than Jupiter's.

Question 3

The relative proportions of hydrogen and helium that the Galileo Probe found in the atmosphere of Jupiter were almost exactly the same as in the Sun (as was expected), but the noble gases argon, krypton, and xenon were three times as abundant in Jupiter's atmosphere than in the Sun's. Which of the following ideas is considered to be a possible reason for this?

Accepted Answer

A) Jupiter formed farther out from the Sun than it is now, where temperatures are colder. 
B) Jupiter formed closer to the Sun than it is now, where temperatures were warmer. 
C) The noble gases do not combine with any other elements and floated to the "surface" (atmosphere) of Jupiter. 
D) The probe probed an anomalous region where abundances were abnormal compared to the rest of Jupiter. 
A) Jupiter formed farther out from the Sun than it is now, where temperatures are colder. 
B) Jupiter formed closer to the Sun than it is now, where temperatures were warmer. 
C) The noble gases do not combine with any other elements and floated to the "surface" (atmosphere) of Jupiter. 
D) The probe probed an anomalous region where abundances were abnormal compared to the rest of Jupiter.

Question 4

The reason why boulder-sized moonlets are able to orbit within the Roche limit in Saturn's rings without being destroyed is that:

Accepted Answer

A) billions of years of alternate freezing and thawing as they pass from sunlight into Saturn's shadow and out again has given them an iron-hard crust of ice. 
B) the gravitational forces between the different parts of the moonlet are greater than the tidal forces pulling them apart. 
C) they are too small for tidal forces to operate on them effectively. 
D) the chemical bonds between their atoms and molecules are greater than the tidal forces pulling them apart. 
A) billions of years of alternate freezing and thawing as they pass from sunlight into Saturn's shadow and out again has given them an iron-hard crust of ice. 
B) the gravitational forces between the different parts of the moonlet are greater than the tidal forces pulling them apart. 
C) they are too small for tidal forces to operate on them effectively. 
D) the chemical bonds between their atoms and molecules are greater than the tidal forces pulling them apart.

Question 5

If Jupiter and Saturn formed with the same chemical composition, why does Jupiter have more detectable helium than does Saturn?

Accepted Answer

A) Jupiter, being larger, has attracted more helium-bearing comets to add to its original composition. 
B) Saturn has the smaller escape speed and much of its original helium has escaped. 
C) Saturn's atmosphere is colder, and some of its helium has condensed and dropped to lower altitudes where it is harder to detect. 
D) At Saturn's colder temperature, helium forms compounds, which decreases the amount of atomic helium. 
A) Jupiter, being larger, has attracted more helium-bearing comets to add to its original composition. 
B) Saturn has the smaller escape speed and much of its original helium has escaped. 
C) Saturn's atmosphere is colder, and some of its helium has condensed and dropped to lower altitudes where it is harder to detect. 
D) At Saturn's colder temperature, helium forms compounds, which decreases the amount of atomic helium.

Question 6

Some astronomers suspect that Saturn's satellite Enceladus could be heated enough by tidal flexing to produce active geysers of water on its surface, in a mechanism similar to that operating on Jupiter's satellite Io. Which one of the following statements is a correct observational fact supporting this conjecture?

Accepted Answer

A) A strong electric current flows from Enceladus to Saturn along Saturn's magnetic lines of force. 
B) Enceladus is a "shepherd satellite" for the braided F ring, which could be made up of ice particles from the geysers. 
C) Active volcanoes were photographed on Enceladus by the Voyager spacecraft. 
D) Enceladus orbits inside the faint E ring, which may be made up of ice particles from the geysers. 
A) A strong electric current flows from Enceladus to Saturn along Saturn's magnetic lines of force. 
B) Enceladus is a "shepherd satellite" for the braided F ring, which could be made up of ice particles from the geysers. 
C) Active volcanoes were photographed on Enceladus by the Voyager spacecraft. 
D) Enceladus orbits inside the faint E ring, which may be made up of ice particles from the geysers.

Question 7

The Cassini observations of Jupiter suggest that, contrary to previous modes, the dark belts on Jupiter are:

Accepted Answer

A) holes in the cloud bank through which the dark planet surface can be seen. 
B) regions in which the gas is falling. 
C) dust clouds from volcanoes that have been spread around the planet by very strong winds. 
D) regions in which the gas is rising. 
A) holes in the cloud bank through which the dark planet surface can be seen. 
B) regions in which the gas is falling. 
C) dust clouds from volcanoes that have been spread around the planet by very strong winds. 
D) regions in which the gas is rising.

Question 8

A hypothetical planet has a diameter, measured through the equator, of 100,000 km and a diameter, measured through the poles, of 90,000 km. Its oblateness is therefore:

Accepted Answer

A) 9%. 
B) 10%. 
C) 11%. 
D) 90%. 
A) 9%. 
B) 10%. 
C) 11%. 
D) 90%.

Question 9

Oblateness is a measure of the:

Accepted Answer

A) nonspherical shape of a planet, with the polar diameter being shorter than the equatorial diameter. 
B) nonspherical shape of a planet, with the polar diameter being longer than the equatorial diameter. 
C) inclination of the orbit of a planet or a moon to the ecliptic plane. 
D) noncircular shape of a planet's orbit. 
A) nonspherical shape of a planet, with the polar diameter being shorter than the equatorial diameter. 
B) nonspherical shape of a planet, with the polar diameter being longer than the equatorial diameter. 
C) inclination of the orbit of a planet or a moon to the ecliptic plane. 
D) noncircular shape of a planet's orbit.

Question 10

A spacecraft is moving directly toward a large planet, and a rock rests on the side of the craft nearest the planet, held only by its gravitational attraction to the craft. As the planet is approached, we will observe:

Accepted Answer

A) no change. The spacecraft and rock will remain together. 
B) that at a certain distance the rock will begin to accelerate toward the planet. The spacecraft will be left behind, but it will remain intact. 
C) that at a certain distance tidal forces will pull the rock off the craft and also destroy the craft. 
D) that at a certain distance the rock will be forced into an orbit around the planet. The spacecraft will remain intact. 
A) no change. The spacecraft and rock will remain together. 
B) that at a certain distance the rock will begin to accelerate toward the planet. The spacecraft will be left behind, but it will remain intact. 
C) that at a certain distance tidal forces will pull the rock off the craft and also destroy the craft. 
D) that at a certain distance the rock will be forced into an orbit around the planet. The spacecraft will remain intact.

Question 11

The source of excess heat emitted by Jupiter, above that which is absorbed as sunlight and reemitted, is thought to be:

Accepted Answer

A) heat generated in the interior by the same electrical currents that generate the planet's magnetic field. 
B) heat caused by friction between oppositely directed winds at mid-latitudes. 
C) gravitational potential energy released as heat during its formation stages, still being released. 
D) chemical reactions between methane, ammonia, and water in the planet's atmosphere and clouds. 
A) heat generated in the interior by the same electrical currents that generate the planet's magnetic field. 
B) heat caused by friction between oppositely directed winds at mid-latitudes. 
C) gravitational potential energy released as heat during its formation stages, still being released. 
D) chemical reactions between methane, ammonia, and water in the planet's atmosphere and clouds.

Question 12

Which one of the following is NOT a suspected source of at least some of the particles that make up Saturn's rings?

Accepted Answer

A) ancient material that failed to accrete into satellites 
B) material ejected from volcanic eruptions 
C) debris from collisions between satellites and asteroids or comets 
D) water from geysers on the Saturnian moon Enceladus 
A) ancient material that failed to accrete into satellites 
B) material ejected from volcanic eruptions 
C) debris from collisions between satellites and asteroids or comets 
D) water from geysers on the Saturnian moon Enceladus

Question 13

Each of the following features is found in association with both Earth and Jupiter, EXCEPT one. Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A) aurorae 
B) magnetosphere 
C) a charged particle torus 
D) large ion belts (called Van Allen belts on Earth) 
A) aurorae 
B) magnetosphere 
C) a charged particle torus 
D) large ion belts (called Van Allen belts on Earth)

Question 14

The high-speed winds observed on Jupiter occur mainly:

Accepted Answer

A) in a north-south direction from the dark belts toward the light zones. 
B) near the centers of the dark belts. 
C) at the boundaries between the dark belts and the light zones. 
D) near the centers of the light zones. 
A) in a north-south direction from the dark belts toward the light zones. 
B) near the centers of the dark belts. 
C) at the boundaries between the dark belts and the light zones. 
D) near the centers of the light zones.

Question 15

The Great Red Spot is:

Accepted Answer

A) a large, long-lived, high-pressure storm in Jupiter's atmosphere. 
B) the colored polar cap of Jupiter. 
C) clouds of dust-laden gas upwelling above the top of a massive mountain or a volcano on the planet's surface. 
D) a type of storm in Jupiter's atmosphere that can last for a few months at a time before disappearing. 
A) a large, long-lived, high-pressure storm in Jupiter's atmosphere. 
B) the colored polar cap of Jupiter. 
C) clouds of dust-laden gas upwelling above the top of a massive mountain or a volcano on the planet's surface. 
D) a type of storm in Jupiter's atmosphere that can last for a few months at a time before disappearing.

Question 16

Why were the high concentrations of noble gases found in Jupiter's upper atmosphere such a surprise?

Accepted Answer

A) Noble gases are not generally found in the outer solar system. 
B) At Jupiter's distance from the Sun, it was too warm for these gases to solidify when the planets were forming. 
C) These elements normally combine with other elements and are not found directly. 
D) High concentrations are only found in the atmospheres of terrestrial planets. 
A) Noble gases are not generally found in the outer solar system. 
B) At Jupiter's distance from the Sun, it was too warm for these gases to solidify when the planets were forming. 
C) These elements normally combine with other elements and are not found directly. 
D) High concentrations are only found in the atmospheres of terrestrial planets.

Question 17

The orbital period of Saturn is about 30 years. What is the time between our "top view" of its rings at maximum tilt and our next observation of this "top view"?

Accepted Answer

A) 15 years 
B) 30 years 
C) 60 years 
D) The time depends on the difference in directions between Earth's rotation axis and Saturn's rotation axis. 
A) 15 years 
B) 30 years 
C) 60 years 
D) The time depends on the difference in directions between Earth's rotation axis and Saturn's rotation axis.

Question 18

The fraction of the mass of the planetary system (excluding the Sun) that is concentrated in the planet Jupiter is about:

Accepted Answer

A) 70%. 
B) 10%. 
C) 98%. 
D) 50%. 
A) 70%. 
B) 10%. 
C) 98%. 
D) 50%.

Question 19

Which of the following chemicals is the least abundant in the atmosphere of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A) NH3-ammonia 
B) H2O-water vapor 
C) CH4-methane 
D) CO2-carbon dioxide 
A) NH3-ammonia 
B) H2O-water vapor 
C) CH4-methane 
D) CO2-carbon dioxide

Question 20

Which statement reflects the measured abundances of noble gases on Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A) The abundances of noble gases on Jupiter are the same as those on the Sun, as they must be since noble gases do not take part in chemical reactions. 
B) The noble gas abundances on Jupiter are lower than those on the Sun. We assume an early collision with a major planetesimal stripped Jupiter of much of its noble gas content. 
C) The noble gas abundances on Jupiter are higher than those on the Sun. This can be accounted for by solid planetesimals striking Jupiter at its present location. 
D) The noble gas abundances on Jupiter are higher than those on the Sun. This cannot be accounted for by solid planetesimals striking Jupiter at its present location, because it is not cold enough there to allow noble gases in frozen form. The planetesimals must have been added to Jupiter when it was farther out in the early solar system. 
A) The abundances of noble gases on Jupiter are the same as those on the Sun, as they must be since noble gases do not take part in chemical reactions. 
B) The noble gas abundances on Jupiter are lower than those on the Sun. We assume an early collision with a major planetesimal stripped Jupiter of much of its noble gas content. 
C) The noble gas abundances on Jupiter are higher than those on the Sun. This can be accounted for by solid planetesimals striking Jupiter at its present location. 
D) The noble gas abundances on Jupiter are higher than those on the Sun. This cannot be accounted for by solid planetesimals striking Jupiter at its present location, because it is not cold enough there to allow noble gases in frozen form. The planetesimals must have been added to Jupiter when it was farther out in the early solar system.

Exam 12: Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets

The ring of material that surrounds Jupiter appears to be made up of:

One unsolved question about Jupiter and Saturn is:

The reason why boulder-sized moonlets are able to orbit within the Roche limit in Saturn's rings without being destroyed is that:

If Jupiter and Saturn formed with the same chemical composition, why does Jupiter have more detectable helium than does Saturn?

The Cassini observations of Jupiter suggest that, contrary to previous modes, the dark belts on Jupiter are:

A hypothetical planet has a diameter, measured through the equator, of 100,000 km and a diameter, measured through the poles, of 90,000 km. Its oblateness is therefore:

Oblateness is a measure of the:

A spacecraft is moving directly toward a large planet, and a rock rests on the side of the craft nearest the planet, held only by its gravitational attraction to the craft. As the planet is approached, we will observe:

The source of excess heat emitted by Jupiter, above that which is absorbed as sunlight and reemitted, is thought to be:

Which one of the following is NOT a suspected source of at least some of the particles that make up Saturn's rings?

Each of the following features is found in association with both Earth and Jupiter, EXCEPT one. Which is the exception?

The high-speed winds observed on Jupiter occur mainly:

The Great Red Spot is:

Why were the high concentrations of noble gases found in Jupiter's upper atmosphere such a surprise?

The orbital period of Saturn is about 30 years. What is the time between our "top view" of its rings at maximum tilt and our next observation of this "top view"?

The fraction of the mass of the planetary system (excluding the Sun) that is concentrated in the planet Jupiter is about:

Which of the following chemicals is the least abundant in the atmosphere of Jupiter?

Which statement reflects the measured abundances of noble gases on Jupiter?

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 Saturns Satellites of Fire and Ice

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

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

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