Question 1

The oblateness of a planet does NOT depend upon:

Accepted Answer

A) its rotation rate. 
B) whether its rotation about its axis is prograde or retrograde. 
C) the fraction of its composition that is solid. 
D) the fraction of its composition that is fluid (liquid or gas). 
A) its rotation rate. 
B) whether its rotation about its axis is prograde or retrograde. 
C) the fraction of its composition that is solid. 
D) the fraction of its composition that is fluid (liquid or gas).

Question 2

The reason for the slightly flattened or oblate shape of Jupiter is:

Accepted Answer

A) its rapid rotation rate. 
B) its cloud cover, more clouds forming over the equator on average. 
C) that it was formed that way in the beginning and has maintained this shape. 
D) the gravitational pull of the Sun and the other planets in the ecliptic. 
A) its rapid rotation rate. 
B) its cloud cover, more clouds forming over the equator on average. 
C) that it was formed that way in the beginning and has maintained this shape. 
D) the gravitational pull of the Sun and the other planets in the ecliptic.

Question 3

The internal structure of the two largest jovian planets (from center outward) is a(an):

Accepted Answer

A) rocky core with an outer layer of liquid "ices," liquid methane mantle, and a gaseous methane atmosphere. 
B) iron-nickel core, rocky mantle, solid crust, and an ocean of liquid "ices." 
C) rocky core with an outer layer of liquid "ices," liquid molecular hydrogen layer, and a liquid metallic hydrogen layer. 
D) rocky core with an outer layer of liquid "ices," liquid metallic hydrogen layer, and a liquid molecular hydrogen layer. 
A) rocky core with an outer layer of liquid "ices," liquid methane mantle, and a gaseous methane atmosphere. 
B) iron-nickel core, rocky mantle, solid crust, and an ocean of liquid "ices." 
C) rocky core with an outer layer of liquid "ices," liquid molecular hydrogen layer, and a liquid metallic hydrogen layer. 
D) rocky core with an outer layer of liquid "ices," liquid metallic hydrogen layer, and a liquid molecular hydrogen layer.

Question 4

The planet Saturn appears to be:

Accepted Answer

A) a "sphere," flattened along its polar diameter, significantly more so than for Jupiter. 
B) a "sphere," flattened along its polar diameter, considerably less than for Jupiter. 
C) a "sphere" in which the equatorial diameter is significantly less than the polar diameter because of the planet's rapid rotation. 
D) almost a perfect sphere, with equal polar and equatorial diameters. 
A) a "sphere," flattened along its polar diameter, significantly more so than for Jupiter. 
B) a "sphere," flattened along its polar diameter, considerably less than for Jupiter. 
C) a "sphere" in which the equatorial diameter is significantly less than the polar diameter because of the planet's rapid rotation. 
D) almost a perfect sphere, with equal polar and equatorial diameters.

Question 5

The main gravitational effect that organizes the particles in the rings of Saturn into specific orbits is:

Accepted Answer

A) the complex gravitational tidal effects of the planet and the Sun on the ring particles. 
B) collisions between the major moons of the planets and the ring particles at the same orbital distance, clearing gaps in the rings. 
C) the perturbing effects of neighboring planets, such as Jupiter and Neptune. 
D) the perturbing effects of major and minor moons or satellites whose orbital periods are related to those of the ring particles by simple ratios (e.g., 2:1, 3:2). 
A) the complex gravitational tidal effects of the planet and the Sun on the ring particles. 
B) collisions between the major moons of the planets and the ring particles at the same orbital distance, clearing gaps in the rings. 
C) the perturbing effects of neighboring planets, such as Jupiter and Neptune. 
D) the perturbing effects of major and minor moons or satellites whose orbital periods are related to those of the ring particles by simple ratios (e.g., 2:1, 3:2).

Question 6

What was the nationality of the first person to correctly interpret Galileo's observations of "ears" on Saturn?

Accepted Answer

A) English 
B) American 
C) German 
D) Dutch 
A) English 
B) American 
C) German 
D) Dutch

Question 7

Mimas, the inner large moon of Saturn, orbits the planet at what distance compared to the rings of Saturn? (See Figure 12-24.)
​
  ​

Accepted Answer

A) outside the main ring system 
B) just on the inner edge of the main ring system 
C) in the Cassini division, between the A and B rings 
D) just above the planet's surface, well inside the ring system 
A) outside the main ring system 
B) just on the inner edge of the main ring system 
C) in the Cassini division, between the A and B rings 
D) just above the planet's surface, well inside the ring system

Question 8

Saturn's rotation rate is very fast but slower than Jupiter's. The wind speed at Saturn's equator, compared to the wind speed at Jupiter's equator, is:

Accepted Answer

A) smaller than Jupiter's because Saturn's rotation rate is less. 
B) smaller than Jupiter's because Saturn's mass is less. 
C) smaller than Jupiter's because of Saturn's smaller radius. 
D) larger than Jupiter's for reasons not completely understood. 
A) smaller than Jupiter's because Saturn's rotation rate is less. 
B) smaller than Jupiter's because Saturn's mass is less. 
C) smaller than Jupiter's because of Saturn's smaller radius. 
D) larger than Jupiter's for reasons not completely understood.

Question 9

The Pioneer 2 and Voyager 1 and 2 spacecrafts discovered four new rings of Saturn-the D, F, G, and E rings. How do these four rings compare to each other?

Accepted Answer

A) The F and G rings are narrow; the D and E rings are broad and diffuse. 
B) The D, F, and G rings are narrow, the E ring is broad and diffuse. 
C) All four rings are very faint, broad, and diffuse. 
D) All four rings are very narrow. 
A) The F and G rings are narrow; the D and E rings are broad and diffuse. 
B) The D, F, and G rings are narrow, the E ring is broad and diffuse. 
C) All four rings are very faint, broad, and diffuse. 
D) All four rings are very narrow.

Question 10

Suppose we are viewing Saturn's ring system exactly edge on. How long must we wait until the rings are again edge on? (Assume Saturn's orbital period is 30 years.)

Accepted Answer

A) a little less than 1 year 
B) a little more than 1 year 
C) 15 years 
D) 30 years 
A) a little less than 1 year 
B) a little more than 1 year 
C) 15 years 
D) 30 years

Question 11

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 abundances of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur were proportionally higher than in the Sun. What is believed to be the reason for this?

Accepted Answer

A) The probe probed an anomalous region where abundances were abnormal compared to the rest of Jupiter. 
B) Jupiter formed farther out from the Sun than it is now, where temperatures are colder. 
C) Comets and asteroids plunging into Jupiter brought heavier elements with them. 
D) The lighter elements collect preferentially in the core, leaving an excess of heavier elements in the atmosphere. 
A) The probe probed an anomalous region where abundances were abnormal compared to the rest of Jupiter. 
B) Jupiter formed farther out from the Sun than it is now, where temperatures are colder. 
C) Comets and asteroids plunging into Jupiter brought heavier elements with them. 
D) The lighter elements collect preferentially in the core, leaving an excess of heavier elements in the atmosphere.

Question 12

The oblateness of Jupiter, which is a measure of the amount by which its polar diameter is less than its equatorial diameter and is a consequence of its fluid structure and rapid rotation, is:

Accepted Answer

A) 0, or perfectly spherical, because the planet is fluid. 
B) 6.5%. 
C) 10%. 
D) 32%. 
A) 0, or perfectly spherical, because the planet is fluid. 
B) 6.5%. 
C) 10%. 
D) 32%.

Question 13

We have discovered that the temperature in Jupiter's atmosphere increases as one moves inward toward the planet, and that the planet gives out more energy than it receives from the Sun. What is the cause of this?

Accepted Answer

A) the greenhouse effect 
B) the Kelvin-Helmholtz contraction 
C) nuclear reactions in Jupiter's interior 
D) radioactivity in minerals in Jupiter's rocky core 
A) the greenhouse effect 
B) the Kelvin-Helmholtz contraction 
C) nuclear reactions in Jupiter's interior 
D) radioactivity in minerals in Jupiter's rocky core

Question 14

What process maintains the Encke gap in Saturn's rings?

Accepted Answer

A) The gap is simply the space between the A ring and an outer ring that formed from the breakup of a small satellite. 
B) One of Saturn's satellites orbits Saturn twice for every 3 times that a particle in the gap would orbit, and exerts a resonant pull that clears the gap of particles. 
C) A gravitational disturbance by Titan, Saturn's largest satellite, creates waves in the A ring, which sweep the region immediately outside the A ring clear of particles. 
D) A small moon orbits within the gap and shepherds particles outward and inward away from the middle of the gap. 
A) The gap is simply the space between the A ring and an outer ring that formed from the breakup of a small satellite. 
B) One of Saturn's satellites orbits Saturn twice for every 3 times that a particle in the gap would orbit, and exerts a resonant pull that clears the gap of particles. 
C) A gravitational disturbance by Titan, Saturn's largest satellite, creates waves in the A ring, which sweep the region immediately outside the A ring clear of particles. 
D) A small moon orbits within the gap and shepherds particles outward and inward away from the middle of the gap.

Question 15

One observational fact that is common to both Jupiter and Saturn is that:

Accepted Answer

A) both planets appear cooler than is expected on the basis of received solar energy and emit less radiant energy than expected. 
B) the temperature appears to fall continuously as depth into these planets increases, leading to the conclusion that the interiors of these planets are probably extremely cold. 
C) CO2 in their atmospheres appears to produce an intense greenhouse effect with very enhanced atmospheric temperatures of greater than 200°C in the outer layers. 
D) both planets emit more energy (in the form of infrared radiation) than they receive from the Sun. 
A) both planets appear cooler than is expected on the basis of received solar energy and emit less radiant energy than expected. 
B) the temperature appears to fall continuously as depth into these planets increases, leading to the conclusion that the interiors of these planets are probably extremely cold. 
C) CO2 in their atmospheres appears to produce an intense greenhouse effect with very enhanced atmospheric temperatures of greater than 200°C in the outer layers. 
D) both planets emit more energy (in the form of infrared radiation) than they receive from the Sun.

Question 16

The Galileo Probe found that the wind speed was an almost constant 650 km/h over the entire 200 km of its descent below Jupiter's cloud tops. What does this result imply for Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A) Jupiter must have a solid surface within about 500 km below the clouds. 
B) Jupiter cannot have a solid surface. 
C) Solar heating of Jupiter's atmosphere is much more efficient than was previously thought. 
D) Jupiter's atmospheric circulation is driven primarily by the escape of internal heat. 
A) Jupiter must have a solid surface within about 500 km below the clouds. 
B) Jupiter cannot have a solid surface. 
C) Solar heating of Jupiter's atmosphere is much more efficient than was previously thought. 
D) Jupiter's atmospheric circulation is driven primarily by the escape of internal heat.

Question 17

The origin of the particles that make up Jupiter's rings is believed to be:

Accepted Answer

A) direct capture from the asteroid belt. 
B) remnants of the material that formed Jupiter and its satellites. 
C) fragments from meteorite impacts on Metis, Andrastea, Amalthea, and Thebe-the four inner satellites of Jupiter. 
D) fragments from meteorite impacts on Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto-the four large satellites of Jupiter. 
A) direct capture from the asteroid belt. 
B) remnants of the material that formed Jupiter and its satellites. 
C) fragments from meteorite impacts on Metis, Andrastea, Amalthea, and Thebe-the four inner satellites of Jupiter. 
D) fragments from meteorite impacts on Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto-the four large satellites of Jupiter.

Question 18

What are the fractional proportions of the components that make up the mass of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A) almost pure hydrogen, with at most about 1% rock in the core 
B) 50% hydrogen, 49% helium, 1% rocky core 
C) 71% hydrogen and helium, 25% rocky core, 4% everything else 
D) 95% hydrogen and helium, 5% everything else 
A) almost pure hydrogen, with at most about 1% rock in the core 
B) 50% hydrogen, 49% helium, 1% rocky core 
C) 71% hydrogen and helium, 25% rocky core, 4% everything else 
D) 95% hydrogen and helium, 5% everything else

Question 19

Jupiter and Saturn each have the same three basic cloud layers, but the spacing of the layers differs on the two planets. Why is this?

Accepted Answer

A) Jupiter's greater gravity has compressed the layers, so they are closer together there. 
B) Jupiter's greater rotation rate has flung the layers outward, so they are separated more there. 
C) Jupiter's warmer temperature has expanded the atmosphere, so they are more separated there. 
D) On Saturn, the "rain" of helium condensate has forced the lower layers downward, so they are more separated there. 
A) Jupiter's greater gravity has compressed the layers, so they are closer together there. 
B) Jupiter's greater rotation rate has flung the layers outward, so they are separated more there. 
C) Jupiter's warmer temperature has expanded the atmosphere, so they are more separated there. 
D) On Saturn, the "rain" of helium condensate has forced the lower layers downward, so they are more separated there.

Question 20

The three-dimensional shape of Jupiter is:

Accepted Answer

A) a sphere but with extended radius near the belts and zones, within +/- 10° of the planet's equator. 
B) an oblate spheroid with its spin axis shorter than its equatorial diameter because of its rapid spin. 
C) almost a perfect sphere because of its fluid physical structure. 
D) a prolate spheroid with its spin axis longer than its equatorial diameter because of its rapid spin. 
A) a sphere but with extended radius near the belts and zones, within +/- 10° of the planet's equator. 
B) an oblate spheroid with its spin axis shorter than its equatorial diameter because of its rapid spin. 
C) almost a perfect sphere because of its fluid physical structure. 
D) a prolate spheroid with its spin axis longer than its equatorial diameter because of its rapid spin.

Exam 12: Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets

The oblateness of a planet does NOT depend upon:

The reason for the slightly flattened or oblate shape of Jupiter is:

The internal structure of the two largest jovian planets (from center outward) is a(an):

The planet Saturn appears to be:

The main gravitational effect that organizes the particles in the rings of Saturn into specific orbits is:

What was the nationality of the first person to correctly interpret Galileo's observations of "ears" on Saturn?

Mimas, the inner large moon of Saturn, orbits the planet at what distance compared to the rings of Saturn? (See Figure 12-24.) ​ ​

Saturn's rotation rate is very fast but slower than Jupiter's. The wind speed at Saturn's equator, compared to the wind speed at Jupiter's equator, is:

The Pioneer 2 and Voyager 1 and 2 spacecrafts discovered four new rings of Saturn-the D, F, G, and E rings. How do these four rings compare to each other?

Suppose we are viewing Saturn's ring system exactly edge on. How long must we wait until the rings are again edge on? (Assume Saturn's orbital period is 30 years.)

The oblateness of Jupiter, which is a measure of the amount by which its polar diameter is less than its equatorial diameter and is a consequence of its fluid structure and rapid rotation, is:

We have discovered that the temperature in Jupiter's atmosphere increases as one moves inward toward the planet, and that the planet gives out more energy than it receives from the Sun. What is the cause of this?

What process maintains the Encke gap in Saturn's rings?

One observational fact that is common to both Jupiter and Saturn is that:

The Galileo Probe found that the wind speed was an almost constant 650 km/h over the entire 200 km of its descent below Jupiter's cloud tops. What does this result imply for Jupiter?

The origin of the particles that make up Jupiter's rings is believed to be:

What are the fractional proportions of the components that make up the mass of Jupiter?

Jupiter and Saturn each have the same three basic cloud layers, but the spacing of the layers differs on the two planets. Why is this?

The three-dimensional shape of Jupiter is:

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

Filters

Mimas, the inner large moon of Saturn, orbits the planet at what distance compared to the rings of Saturn? (See Figure 12-24.)