Question 1

People on Earth see:

Accepted Answer

A) only the sunlit side of the Moon. 
B) the same side of the Moon at all times. 
C) the entire Moon once each month as it rotates. 
D) the entire surface of the Moon once per year as Earth revolves around the Sun. 
A) only the sunlit side of the Moon. 
B) the same side of the Moon at all times. 
C) the entire Moon once each month as it rotates. 
D) the entire surface of the Moon once per year as Earth revolves around the Sun.

Question 2

Figure 10-4 of Universe, 11th ed., shows the Crater Clavius. It is 232 km in diameter, but it has relatively few smaller craters within it. This suggests that:
​
  ​

Accepted Answer

A) Crater Clavius is not very old. 
B) the smaller craters are older than Clavius itself. 
C) Clavius is of volcanic origin. 
D) Clavius is an impact crater but the smaller craters are volcanic. 
A) Crater Clavius is not very old. 
B) the smaller craters are older than Clavius itself. 
C) Clavius is of volcanic origin. 
D) Clavius is an impact crater but the smaller craters are volcanic.

Question 3

Most of the craters on the Moon were created by:

Accepted Answer

A) debris flying out to the Moon from asteroid impacts on Earth. 
B) volcanic activity during the early part of the Moon's history that left old calderas. 
C) impacts of fragments of asteroids more or less evenly and continuously over the history of the Moon. 
D) impacts of rocky debris during the first billion years of the Moon's history. 
A) debris flying out to the Moon from asteroid impacts on Earth. 
B) volcanic activity during the early part of the Moon's history that left old calderas. 
C) impacts of fragments of asteroids more or less evenly and continuously over the history of the Moon. 
D) impacts of rocky debris during the first billion years of the Moon's history.

Question 4

What kind of landing did the first spacecraft make in order to reach the surface of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A) crewed landing by the Apollo spacecraft 
B) crash landing by the Ranger spacecraft 
C) "drop and bounce" landing by the Pathfinder spacecraft 
D) soft landing by the Surveyor spacecraft 
A) crewed landing by the Apollo spacecraft 
B) crash landing by the Ranger spacecraft 
C) "drop and bounce" landing by the Pathfinder spacecraft 
D) soft landing by the Surveyor spacecraft

Question 5

The theory that seems to account most satisfactorily for the origin of the Moon at the present time is that:

Accepted Answer

A) the Moon formed from material spun off from Earth when Earth was molten and spinning rapidly, early in its history. 
B) a large object collided with Earth and ejected the material that formed the Moon. 
C) the Moon formed by accretion elsewhere in the solar system and was captured later by Earth. 
D) the Moon formed from material already in orbit around Earth. 
A) the Moon formed from material spun off from Earth when Earth was molten and spinning rapidly, early in its history. 
B) a large object collided with Earth and ejected the material that formed the Moon. 
C) the Moon formed by accretion elsewhere in the solar system and was captured later by Earth. 
D) the Moon formed from material already in orbit around Earth.

Question 6

The spacecraft Clementine observed the Moon in 1994 and provided evidence for ice near the South Pole. How was this information gathered?

Accepted Answer

A) A soft landing was made near an ice field. 
B) Radar waves were sent out and their reflection from the lunar surface was detected. 
C) Reflections of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared from the lunar surface were analyzed. 
D) Sensitive heat detectors monitored the lunar surface temperature. 
A) A soft landing was made near an ice field. 
B) Radar waves were sent out and their reflection from the lunar surface was detected. 
C) Reflections of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared from the lunar surface were analyzed. 
D) Sensitive heat detectors monitored the lunar surface temperature.

Question 7

Compared to rocks on Earth, lunar rocks are:

Accepted Answer

A) slightly depleted in elements that melt at low temperatures, enriched in elements that melt at high temperatures, and contain no water of crystallization. 
B) slightly enriched in elements that melt at low temperatures, depleted in elements that melt at high temperatures. 
C) composed of the same elements but in very different proportions. 
D) identical in composition, except for having no water of crystallization 
A) slightly depleted in elements that melt at low temperatures, enriched in elements that melt at high temperatures, and contain no water of crystallization. 
B) slightly enriched in elements that melt at low temperatures, depleted in elements that melt at high temperatures. 
C) composed of the same elements but in very different proportions. 
D) identical in composition, except for having no water of crystallization

Question 8

What can we say about the Moon's magnetic field?

Accepted Answer

A) The Moon has an iron-rich core that is partly molten, but it is too small to produce a planet-wide magnetic field. 
B) The Moon has an iron-rich molten core that produces a planet-wide magnetic field. 
C) The Moon's core is solid, so there is no planet-wide magnetic field. 
D) The Moon's core contains no iron, so there is no planet-wide magnetic field. 
A) The Moon has an iron-rich core that is partly molten, but it is too small to produce a planet-wide magnetic field. 
B) The Moon has an iron-rich molten core that produces a planet-wide magnetic field. 
C) The Moon's core is solid, so there is no planet-wide magnetic field. 
D) The Moon's core contains no iron, so there is no planet-wide magnetic field.

Question 9

Moon rocks contain no water in their crystal structure and contain far less volatile material than those on Earth. Which theory of the origin of the Moon provides the most likely explanation for these differences?

Accepted Answer

A) formation of Earth and the Moon at about the same time from the preplanetary nebula. The gravity of this proto-moon was insufficient to hold water and lighter volatile materials. 
B) collision of a large meteoroid with Earth and the ejection of very hot material, depleted in volatiles, into orbit around Earth 
C) breaking away by tidal stress of material depleted in volatiles from Earth's surface 
D) capture theory, in which an object with different chemical composition was captured by Earth's gravity from outer space 
A) formation of Earth and the Moon at about the same time from the preplanetary nebula. The gravity of this proto-moon was insufficient to hold water and lighter volatile materials. 
B) collision of a large meteoroid with Earth and the ejection of very hot material, depleted in volatiles, into orbit around Earth 
C) breaking away by tidal stress of material depleted in volatiles from Earth's surface 
D) capture theory, in which an object with different chemical composition was captured by Earth's gravity from outer space

Question 10

Which statement best describes the average relationship between passage of the Moon through an observer's meridian and the occurrence of high tide in the open ocean? (Hint: See Figure 10-20 of Universe, 11th ed., and think about what you would experience on Earth.)
​
  ​

Accepted Answer

A) High tides occur at random and are not related to the time of the Moon's meridian crossing at any position on Earth. 
B) High tide occurs at about the same time as the moon passes through the meridian. 
C) The Moon passes through an observer's meridian about 40 minutes before high tide at this position. 
D) The Moon passes through the meridian about 40 minutes after high tide has occurred. 
A) High tides occur at random and are not related to the time of the Moon's meridian crossing at any position on Earth. 
B) High tide occurs at about the same time as the moon passes through the meridian. 
C) The Moon passes through an observer's meridian about 40 minutes before high tide at this position. 
D) The Moon passes through the meridian about 40 minutes after high tide has occurred.

Question 11

What is the primary cause of moonquakes?

Accepted Answer

A) the collision of tectonic plates 
B) meteoroid impact 
C) tidal forces due to the gravitational pull of Earth 
D) tidal forces due to the gravitational pull of the Sun 
A) the collision of tectonic plates 
B) meteoroid impact 
C) tidal forces due to the gravitational pull of Earth 
D) tidal forces due to the gravitational pull of the Sun

Question 12

Why do we believe comets are the source of the water detected near the Moon's south pole?

Accepted Answer

A) We often see comets crashing into the Moon. 
B) The water plume observed was analyzed to contain deuterium rather than regular hydrogen-a characteristic of comets. 
C) The water plume observed contained ammonia and methane, substances characteristic of the ice in comets. 
D) Only comet impacts could bury the water to the depths at which it has been found. 
A) We often see comets crashing into the Moon. 
B) The water plume observed was analyzed to contain deuterium rather than regular hydrogen-a characteristic of comets. 
C) The water plume observed contained ammonia and methane, substances characteristic of the ice in comets. 
D) Only comet impacts could bury the water to the depths at which it has been found.

Question 13

Small craters, less than about 400 m, do not last very long on the Moon because they:

Accepted Answer

A) are obliterated by large impacts producing large craters. 
B) are eroded by wind and plate movements. 
C) are eroded by micrometeorite impacts. 
D) soon collapse into the thick undercarpet of the regolith. 
A) are obliterated by large impacts producing large craters. 
B) are eroded by wind and plate movements. 
C) are eroded by micrometeorite impacts. 
D) soon collapse into the thick undercarpet of the regolith.

Question 14

Although we do not yet know precisely how the Moon was formed, an important clue is provided by the fact that:

Accepted Answer

A) moon rocks resemble material similar to material in the interior of Earth. 
B) the Moon is heavily cratered. 
C) moon rocks resemble rocks close to the surface of Earth. 
D) moon rocks contain significant amounts of water and other volatile substances. 
A) moon rocks resemble material similar to material in the interior of Earth. 
B) the Moon is heavily cratered. 
C) moon rocks resemble rocks close to the surface of Earth. 
D) moon rocks contain significant amounts of water and other volatile substances.

Question 15

How were the landing sites for the Apollo missions selected?

Accepted Answer

A) The first ones were on flat, relatively safe terrain while the final ones were on more challenging upland terrain. 
B) All were on the unknown far side of the Moon because the near side had already been thoroughly studied from Earth. 
C) Each Apollo set down where a robotic Surveyor had previously landed to explore the landing site. 
D) To explore at different latitudes, one Apollo set down at each pole, one at the equator, and the rest at middle latitudes. 
A) The first ones were on flat, relatively safe terrain while the final ones were on more challenging upland terrain. 
B) All were on the unknown far side of the Moon because the near side had already been thoroughly studied from Earth. 
C) Each Apollo set down where a robotic Surveyor had previously landed to explore the landing site. 
D) To explore at different latitudes, one Apollo set down at each pole, one at the equator, and the rest at middle latitudes.

Question 16

The ages of Moon rocks have been found through radioactive dating. One major difficulty with this technique is that:

Accepted Answer

A) the original abundances of the elements are not precisely known. 
B) relatively large samples (approximately 10 cm in diameter) are needed for testing. 
C) the half-lives of the elements are not precisely known. 
D) the age of the Moon is greater than the half-life of any of the radioactive elements. 
A) the original abundances of the elements are not precisely known. 
B) relatively large samples (approximately 10 cm in diameter) are needed for testing. 
C) the half-lives of the elements are not precisely known. 
D) the age of the Moon is greater than the half-life of any of the radioactive elements.

Question 17

Over time, what fraction of the Moon's surface can we see from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A) about 60%, because of the shape and orientation of the Moon's orbit and rotation axis 
B) 52%, because two observers on Earth see the Moon from slightly different angles 
C) 100%, because of the rotation of the Moon about its axis 
D) exactly 50%, because the Moon is in synchronous rotation around Earth 
A) about 60%, because of the shape and orientation of the Moon's orbit and rotation axis 
B) 52%, because two observers on Earth see the Moon from slightly different angles 
C) 100%, because of the rotation of the Moon about its axis 
D) exactly 50%, because the Moon is in synchronous rotation around Earth

Question 18

Detailed examination of the overall surface of the Moon and of the rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts reveals that:

Accepted Answer

A) unlike Earth's rocks, there is no evidence of water locked into crystal structures in lunar rocks, but there are significant quantities of ice in cold lunar polar regions. 
B) no water exists in either liquid form or ice now but, like terrestrial rocks, some water is contained within the crystal structure of lunar rocks. 
C) there have been short periods in recent history when water existed on the Moon, during which the rilles or river valleys were formed. 
D) water probably existed on the Moon earlier and formed lake beds or maria, but it has evaporated. 
A) unlike Earth's rocks, there is no evidence of water locked into crystal structures in lunar rocks, but there are significant quantities of ice in cold lunar polar regions. 
B) no water exists in either liquid form or ice now but, like terrestrial rocks, some water is contained within the crystal structure of lunar rocks. 
C) there have been short periods in recent history when water existed on the Moon, during which the rilles or river valleys were formed. 
D) water probably existed on the Moon earlier and formed lake beds or maria, but it has evaporated.

Question 19

What is considered to be the most likely source for the deposits of ice that have been discovered at the lunar poles?

Accepted Answer

A) the Moon's original shallow oceans 
B) comets that have crashed onto the lunar surface 
C) evaporation of subsurface water from lower latitudes on the Moon, which are heated by the Sun, and subsequent condensation at the poles 
D) molten lava, which releases water as it cools 
A) the Moon's original shallow oceans 
B) comets that have crashed onto the lunar surface 
C) evaporation of subsurface water from lower latitudes on the Moon, which are heated by the Sun, and subsequent condensation at the poles 
D) molten lava, which releases water as it cools

Question 20

One theory about the origin of the Moon states it was formed from debris thrown out when a Mars-sized object collided with Earth. One fact that strongly supports this theory is that:

Accepted Answer

A) the Moon has several smooth plains formed by ancient lava flows. 
B) the Moon always turns the same side toward Earth. 
C) impact breccias (rock fragments cemented together by an impact) are common on the Moon. 
D) Moon rocks are very similar to those of Earth but are depleted in elements that melt at relatively low temperatures. 
A) the Moon has several smooth plains formed by ancient lava flows. 
B) the Moon always turns the same side toward Earth. 
C) impact breccias (rock fragments cemented together by an impact) are common on the Moon. 
D) Moon rocks are very similar to those of Earth but are depleted in elements that melt at relatively low temperatures.

Exam 10: Our Barren Moon

People on Earth see:

Figure 10-4 of Universe, 11th ed., shows the Crater Clavius. It is 232 km in diameter, but it has relatively few smaller craters within it. This suggests that: ​ ​

Most of the craters on the Moon were created by:

What kind of landing did the first spacecraft make in order to reach the surface of the Moon?

The theory that seems to account most satisfactorily for the origin of the Moon at the present time is that:

The spacecraft Clementine observed the Moon in 1994 and provided evidence for ice near the South Pole. How was this information gathered?

Compared to rocks on Earth, lunar rocks are:

What can we say about the Moon's magnetic field?

Moon rocks contain no water in their crystal structure and contain far less volatile material than those on Earth. Which theory of the origin of the Moon provides the most likely explanation for these differences?

Which statement best describes the average relationship between passage of the Moon through an observer's meridian and the occurrence of high tide in the open ocean? (Hint: See Figure 10-20 of Universe, 11th ed., and think about what you would experience on Earth.) ​ ​

What is the primary cause of moonquakes?

Why do we believe comets are the source of the water detected near the Moon's south pole?

Small craters, less than about 400 m, do not last very long on the Moon because they:

Although we do not yet know precisely how the Moon was formed, an important clue is provided by the fact that:

How were the landing sites for the Apollo missions selected?

The ages of Moon rocks have been found through radioactive dating. One major difficulty with this technique is that:

Over time, what fraction of the Moon's surface can we see from Earth?

Detailed examination of the overall surface of the Moon and of the rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts reveals that:

What is considered to be the most likely source for the deposits of ice that have been discovered at the lunar poles?

One theory about the origin of the Moon states it was formed from debris thrown out when a Mars-sized object collided with Earth. One fact that strongly supports this theory is that:

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

Mercury, Venus, and Mars: Terrestrial, yet Unique

Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets

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

Figure 10-4 of Universe, 11th ed., shows the Crater Clavius. It is 232 km in diameter, but it has relatively few smaller craters within it. This suggests that:

Which statement best describes the average relationship between passage of the Moon through an observer's meridian and the occurrence of high tide in the open ocean? (Hint: See Figure 10-20 of Universe, 11th ed., and think about what you would experience on Earth.)