Question 1

Describe some characteristics that the Jovian planets have in common. Use the solar nebula theory to explain the commonality.

Accepted Answer

The outer four planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, are Jovian (Jupiter-like) planets, meaning they are large, low-density worlds with thick atmospheres and liquid or ice interiors. According to the solar nebula theory, far from the Sun, beyond the ice line, compounds such as methane and ammonia could condense to form other types of ice. Water vapor, methane, and ammonia were abundant in the solar nebula, so beyond the ice line the nebula would have been filled with a blizzard of ice particles, mixed with small amounts of silicate and metal particles that could also condense there. Those ices are low-density materials. The densities of Jupiter and the other outer planets correspond to a mix of ices plus relatively small amounts of silicates and metal.

Question 2

Ejection of material from the Solar System by close encounters with planets. If a small object such as a planetesimal passes close to a planet, the small object's path will be affected by the planet's gravitational field. In some cases, the small object can gain energy from the planet's motion and be thrown out of the Solar System.

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described in the input question is known as a gravitational slingshot or gravity assist. It occurs when a small object, such as a comet, asteroid, or planetesimal, comes into close proximity with a larger body, like a planet, within a gravitational field. The interaction between the two objects can result in a significant alteration of the smaller object's trajectory and velocity.

Here's how the process works:

1. **Approach:** As the small object approaches the planet, it is pulled in by the planet's gravity. This causes the object to accelerate as it falls into the planet's gravitational well.

2. **Closest Approach:** The small object's path bends around the planet due to the gravitational attraction. The shape of this path depends on the initial trajectory and speed of the object, as well as the mass and velocity of the planet.

3. **Energy Exchange:** If the timing and angle of the approach are just right, the small object can "steal" some of the planet's orbital energy. This happens because the planet is also moving around the Sun, and as the small object swings around the planet, it can be accelerated by the planet's motion. This is similar to a slingshot effect, hence the name.

4. **Ejection:** The added energy can increase the small object's velocity to a point where it exceeds the escape velocity of the Solar System. If this happens, the object is ejected from the Solar System, sent off into interstellar space.

The gravity assist maneuver is not only a natural phenomenon but also a technique deliberately used by space agencies to send spacecraft on interplanetary missions. By carefully planning a spacecraft's trajectory to fly by planets, it can gain the necessary speed to reach distant destinations without requiring an impractical amount of fuel.

For a small object to be ejected from the Solar System by a planet, it must have a close encounter that is precisely aligned to maximize the energy transfer. The likelihood of such an event occurring naturally is low, but it is possible and has likely contributed to the population of interstellar objects passing through other star systems.

Question 3

The diagram below illustrates the radioactive decay of potassium (40K), which has a half-life of 1.3 billion years. If a lunar rock is found that currently contains 5 grams of 40K, and it is determined that the sample contained 20 grams when it was formed, how old is the lunar rock

Accepted Answer

A) 6.5 billion years 
B) 19.5 billion years 
C) 2.6 billion years 
D) 3.9 billion years 
E) 4.6 billion years 
A) 6.5 billion years 
B) 19.5 billion years 
C) 2.6 billion years 
D) 3.9 billion years 
E) 4.6 billion years C

Question 4

-Using the graph shown above, find out how many half-lives does it take for all radioactive atoms to decay into daughter products,

Accepted Answer

A) 3 
B) 2 
C) 6 
D) 4 
A) 3 
B) 2 
C) 6 
D) 4

Question 5

The most important effect in clearing the solar nebula of gas and dust was

Accepted Answer

A) impacts by planetesimals. 
B) the solar wind. 
C) the Sun's magnetic field. 
D) the asteroid belt. 
E) radiation pressure. 
A) impacts by planetesimals. 
B) the solar wind. 
C) the Sun's magnetic field. 
D) the asteroid belt. 
E) radiation pressure.

Question 6

____________ are icy bodies left over from the formation of the solar system and are an example of a planetesimal.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____________ are icy bodies left over from...

Question 7

Accretion is

Accepted Answer

A) the adding of material to an object an atom or molecule at a time. 
B) the adding of material to an object by collection of solid particles. 
C) the release of gas from rocks as they are heated. 
D) the largest of the Galilean satellites. 
E) caused by the bombardment of the solar wind. 
A) the adding of material to an object an atom or molecule at a time. 
B) the adding of material to an object by collection of solid particles. 
C) the release of gas from rocks as they are heated. 
D) the largest of the Galilean satellites. 
E) caused by the bombardment of the solar wind.

Question 8

The speed of the solar wind is approximately 400 km/s and the distance from the Sun to Saturn is 9.5 AU (1 AU = $1.5 × 10^8$ km). How long does it take a particle in the solar wind to reach Saturn

Accepted Answer

A) about 4.1 hours 
B) about 4.1 days 
C) about 41 days 
D) about 4.1 years 
E) about 41 years 
A) about 4.1 hours 
B) about 4.1 days 
C) about 41 days 
D) about 4.1 years 
E) about 41 years

Question 9

How is the presence of space debris accounted for by solar system models

Accepted Answer

A) Space debris is left over material from the early solar system that never formed into a planet. 
B) Space debris was formed by the collision of objects after the planets formed. 
C) Space debris is material that existed in our region of space before the Sun formed. 
D) Space debris is left over material from the early solar system that never formed into a planet and was formed by the collision of objects after the planets formed. 
E) All of the other choices are correct. 
A) Space debris is left over material from the early solar system that never formed into a planet. 
B) Space debris was formed by the collision of objects after the planets formed. 
C) Space debris is material that existed in our region of space before the Sun formed. 
D) Space debris is left over material from the early solar system that never formed into a planet and was formed by the collision of objects after the planets formed. 
E) All of the other choices are correct.

Question 10

How does the solar nebula theory account for the presence of comets

Accepted Answer

Comets are underst

Question 11

The most massive and densest planets are the terrestrials.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

From 20-25 days, the planet is

Accepted Answer

A) moving towards, then away from, then towards, then away from you 
B) moving away from, then towards, then away from, then towards you 
C) moving towards, then away from, then towards you 
D) moving away from, then towards, then away from you 
A) moving towards, then away from, then towards, then away from you 
B) moving away from, then towards, then away from, then towards you 
C) moving towards, then away from, then towards you 
D) moving away from, then towards, then away from you

Question 13

Suppose that Mercury grew to its present size in 1 million years through the accretion of particles averaging 100 g each. On average how many particles did Mercury capture each second Note: Mercury has a mass of $3.3 × 10^{23}$ kg and a radius of 2439 km.

Accepted Answer

A) about 24 particles per second 
B) about $3.3 × 10^{21}$ particles per second 
C) about 67 particles per second 
D) about 100 million particles per second 
E) about 100 billion particles per second 
A) about 24 particles per second 
B) about $3.3 × 10^{21}$ particles per second 
C) about 67 particles per second 
D) about 100 million particles per second 
E) about 100 billion particles per second

Question 14

____________ pushed gas and dust particles out of the solar nebula by the light from the Sun.

Accepted Answer

A) Radiation pressure 
B) Outgassing 
C) Condensation 
D) Accretion 
E) Differentiation 
A) Radiation pressure 
B) Outgassing 
C) Condensation 
D) Accretion 
E) Differentiation

Question 15

The oldest objects found so far in our solar system are Earth rocks that are 1 billion years old.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

A planet is much brighter than the star it orbits.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

The original cloud from which the Sun and planets formed had a composition rich in hydrogen and helium.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

-Using the graph shown above, find out how many half-lives does it take for 3/4 of the daughter products to form.

Accepted Answer

A) 1 
B) 2 
C) 3 
D) 4 
A) 1 
B) 2 
C) 3 
D) 4

Question 19

in the following photo, where is the Sun located

Accepted Answer

A) not shown but above the cactus 
B) not shown but to the right of the cactus 
C) not shown but below the cactus 
D) not shown but to the left of the cactus 
A) not shown but above the cactus 
B) not shown but to the right of the cactus 
C) not shown but below the cactus 
D) not shown but to the left of the cactus

Question 20

A planet found orbiting a star other than the Sun is called a(n) ____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A planet found orbiting a star other...

Describe some characteristics that the Jovian planets have in common. Use the solar nebula theory to explain the commonality.

The diagram below illustrates the radioactive decay of potassium (40K), which has a half-life of 1.3 billion years. If a lunar rock is found that currently contains 5 grams of 40K, and it is determined that the sample contained 20 grams when it was formed, how old is the lunar rock

-Using the graph shown above, find out how many half-lives does it take for all radioactive atoms to decay into daughter products,

The most important effect in clearing the solar nebula of gas and dust was

____________ are icy bodies left over from the formation of the solar system and are an example of a planetesimal.

Accretion is

The speed of the solar wind is approximately 400 km/s and the distance from the Sun to Saturn is 9.5 AU (1 AU = $1.5 × 10^8$ km). How long does it take a particle in the solar wind to reach Saturn

How is the presence of space debris accounted for by solar system models

How does the solar nebula theory account for the presence of comets

The most massive and densest planets are the terrestrials.

From 20-25 days, the planet is

Suppose that Mercury grew to its present size in 1 million years through the accretion of particles averaging 100 g each. On average how many particles did Mercury capture each second Note: Mercury has a mass of $3.3 × 10^{23}$ kg and a radius of 2439 km.

____________ pushed gas and dust particles out of the solar nebula by the light from the Sun.

The oldest objects found so far in our solar system are Earth rocks that are 1 billion years old.

A planet is much brighter than the star it orbits.

The original cloud from which the Sun and planets formed had a composition rich in hydrogen and helium.

-Using the graph shown above, find out how many half-lives does it take for 3/4 of the daughter products to form.

in the following photo, where is the Sun located

A planet found orbiting a star other than the Sun is called a(n) ____________.

Here and Now

A Users Guide to the Sky

Cycles of the Sun and Moon

The Origin of Modern Astronomy

Light and Telescopes

Atoms and Spectra

The Sun

The Family of Stars

The Formation and Structure of Stars

The Deaths of Stars

Neutron Stars and Black Holes

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies: Normal and Active

Modern Cosmology

Earth and Moon: Bases for Comparative Planetology

Mercury, Venus, and Mars

The Outer Solar System

Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets

Astrobiology: Life on Other Worlds

Filters

Exam 15: The Origin of the Solar System

Describe some characteristics that the Jovian planets have in common. Use the solar nebula theory to explain the commonality.

The diagram below illustrates the radioactive decay of potassium (40K), which has a half-life of 1.3 billion years. If a lunar rock is found that currently contains 5 grams of 40K, and it is determined that the sample contained 20 grams when it was formed, how old is the lunar rock

-Using the graph shown above, find out how many half-lives does it take for all radioactive atoms to decay into daughter products,

The most important effect in clearing the solar nebula of gas and dust was

____________ are icy bodies left over from the formation of the solar system and are an example of a planetesimal.

Accretion is

The speed of the solar wind is approximately 400 km/s and the distance from the Sun to Saturn is 9.5 AU (1 AU = 1.5×1081.5 × 10^81.5×108 km). How long does it take a particle in the solar wind to reach Saturn

How is the presence of space debris accounted for by solar system models

How does the solar nebula theory account for the presence of comets

The most massive and densest planets are the terrestrials.

From 20-25 days, the planet is

Suppose that Mercury grew to its present size in 1 million years through the accretion of particles averaging 100 g each. On average how many particles did Mercury capture each second Note: Mercury has a mass of 3.3×10233.3 × 10^{23}3.3×1023 kg and a radius of 2439 km.

____________ pushed gas and dust particles out of the solar nebula by the light from the Sun.

The oldest objects found so far in our solar system are Earth rocks that are 1 billion years old.

A planet is much brighter than the star it orbits.

The original cloud from which the Sun and planets formed had a composition rich in hydrogen and helium.

-Using the graph shown above, find out how many half-lives does it take for 3/4 of the daughter products to form.

in the following photo, where is the Sun located

A planet found orbiting a star other than the Sun is called a(n) ____________.

Here and Now

A Users Guide to the Sky

Cycles of the Sun and Moon

The Origin of Modern Astronomy

Light and Telescopes

Atoms and Spectra

The Sun

The Family of Stars

The Formation and Structure of Stars

The Deaths of Stars

Neutron Stars and Black Holes

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies: Normal and Active

Modern Cosmology

Earth and Moon: Bases for Comparative Planetology

Mercury, Venus, and Mars

The Outer Solar System

Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets

Astrobiology: Life on Other Worlds

Filters

The speed of the solar wind is approximately 400 km/s and the distance from the Sun to Saturn is 9.5 AU (1 AU = $1.5 × 10^8$ km). How long does it take a particle in the solar wind to reach Saturn

Suppose that Mercury grew to its present size in 1 million years through the accretion of particles averaging 100 g each. On average how many particles did Mercury capture each second Note: Mercury has a mass of $3.3 × 10^{23}$ kg and a radius of 2439 km.