Question 1

The mass of the planet Jupiter is high and its atmosphere is relatively cool. What are the chances for the retention of gases within its atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A) good for light (H2 and He) molecules but poor for heavier (CH4, NH3, H2O) molecules 
B) good for all gases, including light (H2 and He) and heavier (CH4, NH3, H2O) molecules 
C) poor for all gases because of the low temperature, thus all gases will be leaving Jupiter continuously 
D) good for heavier (CH4, NH3, H2O) molecules but poor for light (H2 and He) molecules 
A) good for light (H2 and He) molecules but poor for heavier (CH4, NH3, H2O) molecules 
B) good for all gases, including light (H2 and He) and heavier (CH4, NH3, H2O) molecules 
C) poor for all gases because of the low temperature, thus all gases will be leaving Jupiter continuously 
D) good for heavier (CH4, NH3, H2O) molecules but poor for light (H2 and He) molecules B

Question 2

If the atmosphere of a particular planet is at a temperature of 213 K (-60°C), then molecules of methane (CH4) and molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2) in this atmosphere have:

Accepted Answer

A) different average speed and kinetic energy. 
B) the same average kinetic energy (but different average speed). 
C) the same average speed (but different average kinetic energy). 
D) the same average speed and kinetic energy. 
A) different average speed and kinetic energy. 
B) the same average kinetic energy (but different average speed). 
C) the same average speed (but different average kinetic energy). 
D) the same average speed and kinetic energy. B

Question 3

Compare two moons, one with a diameter twice the size of the other. In general, the larger moon would be expected to have the:

Accepted Answer

A) older surface and more cratering per unit area. 
B) older surface and less cratering per unit area. 
C) younger surface and more cratering per unit area. 
D) younger surface and less cratering per unit area. 
A) older surface and more cratering per unit area. 
B) older surface and less cratering per unit area. 
C) younger surface and more cratering per unit area. 
D) younger surface and less cratering per unit area. D

Question 4

In order of increasing density, the terrestrial planets are:

Accepted Answer

A) Venus, Earth, Mars, and Mercury. 
B) Earth, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. 
C) Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Earth. 
D) Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. 
A) Venus, Earth, Mars, and Mercury. 
B) Earth, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. 
C) Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Earth. 
D) Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

Question 5

In general, small bodies in the solar system are less likely than large bodies to possess a planet-wide magnetic field. Why should we expect size and magnetism to be correlated?

Accepted Answer

A) A small body cools more rapidly and is less likely to possess a molten, liquid interior-one requirement for planet-wide magnetism. 
B) Small bodies are more likely to be heavily cratered, and such impacts can destroy the mechanism that produces the magnetic field. 
C) Magnetic fields are produced by the entire volume of a body. Smaller bodies have smaller volumes and hence smaller magnetic fields. 
D) Small bodies necessarily rotate more slowly, and a rapid rotation rate is one requirement for a planet-wide magnetic field. 
A) A small body cools more rapidly and is less likely to possess a molten, liquid interior-one requirement for planet-wide magnetism. 
B) Small bodies are more likely to be heavily cratered, and such impacts can destroy the mechanism that produces the magnetic field. 
C) Magnetic fields are produced by the entire volume of a body. Smaller bodies have smaller volumes and hence smaller magnetic fields. 
D) Small bodies necessarily rotate more slowly, and a rapid rotation rate is one requirement for a planet-wide magnetic field.

Question 6

A general summary of the planets in our solar system is that:

Accepted Answer

A) despite differences in size, the planets are remarkably similar. 
B) the magnetic fields are all produced in the same way, but differences in planet size result in different field strengths. 
C) the planets are remarkably different in size, magnetic field strength, and magnetic field generation method. 
D) the terrestrial planets vary dramatically, but the jovian planets are remarkably similar. 
A) despite differences in size, the planets are remarkably similar. 
B) the magnetic fields are all produced in the same way, but differences in planet size result in different field strengths. 
C) the planets are remarkably different in size, magnetic field strength, and magnetic field generation method. 
D) the terrestrial planets vary dramatically, but the jovian planets are remarkably similar.

Question 7

The planet with its orbit closest to a circle (least orbital eccentricity) in our planetary system is:

Accepted Answer

A) Uranus. 
B) Neptune. 
C) Earth. 
D) Venus. 
A) Uranus. 
B) Neptune. 
C) Earth. 
D) Venus.

Question 8

Volcanoes have been discovered on all of the following planets except one. Which one is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A) Earth 
B) Venus 
C) Mars 
D) Uranus 
A) Earth 
B) Venus 
C) Mars 
D) Uranus

Question 9

How do spectra of reflection of sunlight from a planet's surface compare with the spectra produced when this reflected light passes through the planet's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A) The surface produces only emission lines, the atmosphere produces only absorption lines. 
B) The surface produces only absorption lines, the atmosphere produces only emission lines. 
C) The surface spectra contain broad absorption lines, the atmosphere contains sharp absorption lines. 
D) The surface spectra contain sharp absorption lines, the atmosphere contains broad absorption lines. 
A) The surface produces only emission lines, the atmosphere produces only absorption lines. 
B) The surface produces only absorption lines, the atmosphere produces only emission lines. 
C) The surface spectra contain broad absorption lines, the atmosphere contains sharp absorption lines. 
D) The surface spectra contain sharp absorption lines, the atmosphere contains broad absorption lines.

Question 10

We can estimate the density of a planet's interior if we compare its overall density with the:

Accepted Answer

A) density of its surface materials. 
B) density of its moons. 
C) density of neighboring planets. 
D) strength of its magnetic field. 
A) density of its surface materials. 
B) density of its moons. 
C) density of neighboring planets. 
D) strength of its magnetic field.

Question 11

In general, we expect moons-some of the smaller bodies in the solar system-to show little geologic activity. An important exception to this rule is:

Accepted Answer

A) the Moon. 
B) Io. 
C) Rhea. 
D) Dione. 
A) the Moon. 
B) Io. 
C) Rhea. 
D) Dione.

Question 12

We can estimate a planet's density by knowing its size and:

Accepted Answer

A) its magnetic field. 
B) its distance from the Sun. 
C) how much it influences the motion of a nearby spacecraft. 
D) its rotation rate. 
A) its magnetic field. 
B) its distance from the Sun. 
C) how much it influences the motion of a nearby spacecraft. 
D) its rotation rate.

Question 13

Neptune is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A) inner planet. 
B) terrestrial planet. 
C) jovian planet. 
D) dwarf planet. 
A) inner planet. 
B) terrestrial planet. 
C) jovian planet. 
D) dwarf planet.

Question 14

Viewed from Earth, which planet has the smallest angular size?

Accepted Answer

A) Mercury 
B) Mars 
C) Jupiter 
D) Neptune 
A) Mercury 
B) Mars 
C) Jupiter 
D) Neptune

Question 15

The best way to measure the mass of a planet is to measure the:

Accepted Answer

A) gravitational pull of the planet on an orbiting satellite or a nearby spacecraft. 
B) speed of the planet in its orbit around the Sun. 
C) size and rotational speed of the planet. 
D) composition of the planet using spectroscopy. 
A) gravitational pull of the planet on an orbiting satellite or a nearby spacecraft. 
B) speed of the planet in its orbit around the Sun. 
C) size and rotational speed of the planet. 
D) composition of the planet using spectroscopy.

Question 16

How many moons in the solar system are larger than Earth's Moon? (See Table 7-2 of Universe, 11th ed.)
​
  ​

Accepted Answer

A) zero 
B) one 
C) two 
D) four 
A) zero 
B) one 
C) two 
D) four

Question 17

What observations permit the mass of a planet to be most easily determined?

Accepted Answer

A) measurement of its albedo (reflectivity) and brightness in the sky 
B) observation of its gravitational interaction with its moon 
C) measurement of its excess infrared radiation as a measure of its gravitational shrinkage 
D) measurement of its volume and density 
A) measurement of its albedo (reflectivity) and brightness in the sky 
B) observation of its gravitational interaction with its moon 
C) measurement of its excess infrared radiation as a measure of its gravitational shrinkage 
D) measurement of its volume and density

Question 18

What relationship must exist between a certain molecule's average speed, v, in a planetary atmosphere and the escape velocity, Vesc, from the planet's surface for this particular molecular species to be retained by the planet?

Accepted Answer

A) v should not exceed Vesc. 
B) v must be less than about 6 × Vesc. 
C) v must be less than about 1/6 Vesc. 
D) v should not exceed 2 × Vesc. 
A) v should not exceed Vesc. 
B) v must be less than about 6 × Vesc. 
C) v must be less than about 1/6 Vesc. 
D) v should not exceed 2 × Vesc.

Question 19

The asteroid Vesta, located in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, is spherical in shape with a radius of 265 km and a mass of 3.0 × 1020 kg. What is the minimum speed at which you could propel yourself upward and not fall back down?

Accepted Answer

A) 285,000 m/s 
B) 0.28 m/s 
C) 388 m/s 
D) 534 m/s 
A) 285,000 m/s 
B) 0.28 m/s 
C) 388 m/s 
D) 534 m/s

Question 20

All of the following conditions except one appear to be necessary in order for a planet or satellite to produce a planet-wide magnetic field by the dynamo effect. Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A) an interior that is at least partially liquid 
B) an interior containing material that can conduct an electric current 
C) relatively rapid rotation around its axis 
D) a rotation axis that tilts only slightly with respect to the ecliptic 
A) an interior that is at least partially liquid 
B) an interior containing material that can conduct an electric current 
C) relatively rapid rotation around its axis 
D) a rotation axis that tilts only slightly with respect to the ecliptic

Exam 7: Comparative Planetology I: Our Solar System

The mass of the planet Jupiter is high and its atmosphere is relatively cool. What are the chances for the retention of gases within its atmosphere?

If the atmosphere of a particular planet is at a temperature of 213 K (-60°C), then molecules of methane (CH4) and molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2) in this atmosphere have:

Compare two moons, one with a diameter twice the size of the other. In general, the larger moon would be expected to have the:

In order of increasing density, the terrestrial planets are:

In general, small bodies in the solar system are less likely than large bodies to possess a planet-wide magnetic field. Why should we expect size and magnetism to be correlated?

A general summary of the planets in our solar system is that:

The planet with its orbit closest to a circle (least orbital eccentricity) in our planetary system is:

Volcanoes have been discovered on all of the following planets except one. Which one is the exception?

How do spectra of reflection of sunlight from a planet's surface compare with the spectra produced when this reflected light passes through the planet's atmosphere?

We can estimate the density of a planet's interior if we compare its overall density with the:

In general, we expect moons-some of the smaller bodies in the solar system-to show little geologic activity. An important exception to this rule is:

We can estimate a planet's density by knowing its size and:

Neptune is a(n):

Viewed from Earth, which planet has the smallest angular size?

The best way to measure the mass of a planet is to measure the:

How many moons in the solar system are larger than Earth's Moon? (See Table 7-2 of Universe, 11th ed.) ​ ​

What observations permit the mass of a planet to be most easily determined?

What relationship must exist between a certain molecule's average speed, v, in a planetary atmosphere and the escape velocity, Vesc, from the planet's surface for this particular molecular species to be retained by the planet?

The asteroid Vesta, located in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, is spherical in shape with a radius of 265 km and a mass of 3.0 × 1020 kg. What is the minimum speed at which you could propel yourself upward and not fall back down?

All of the following conditions except one appear to be necessary in order for a planet or satellite to produce a planet-wide magnetic field by the dynamo effect. Which is the exception?

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 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

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

If the atmosphere of a particular planet is at a temperature of 213 K (-60°C), then molecules of methane (CH₄) and molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in this atmosphere have:

How many moons in the solar system are larger than Earth's Moon? (See Table 7-2 of Universe, 11^th ed.)

What relationship must exist between a certain molecule's average speed, v, in a planetary atmosphere and the escape velocity, V_esc, from the planet's surface for this particular molecular species to be retained by the planet?

The asteroid Vesta, located in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, is spherical in shape with a radius of 265 km and a mass of 3.0 × 10²⁰ kg. What is the minimum speed at which you could propel yourself upward and not fall back down?