Question 1

The type of rock of which the lunar maria are composed is:

Accepted Answer

A)  basalt. 
B)  limestone. 
C)  anorthosite. 
D)  granite. 
A)  basalt. 
B)  limestone. 
C)  anorthosite. 
D)  granite. A

Question 2

Spacecraft measurements indicate that the surface of Venus is dominated by:

Accepted Answer

A)  sandstone, a sedimentary rock formed on Venus by sand grains deposited by wind. 
B)  granite, a plutonic rock formed when lava solidifies deep below the surface. 
C)  basalt, a volcanic rock formed when lava solidifies on the surface. 
D)  schist, a metamorphic rock formed by the deformation of other rocks by pressure and heat. 
A)  sandstone, a sedimentary rock formed on Venus by sand grains deposited by wind. 
B)  granite, a plutonic rock formed when lava solidifies deep below the surface. 
C)  basalt, a volcanic rock formed when lava solidifies on the surface. 
D)  schist, a metamorphic rock formed by the deformation of other rocks by pressure and heat. C

Question 3

Which technique is the primary one used by geologists and geophysicists to probe the structure of Earth's core and mantle?

Accepted Answer

A)  X-ray analysis from satellites 
B)  extrapolation of surface features (e.g., mountain chains) into the deep interior 
C)  direct sampling of interior rock by deep drilling through the ocean floor 
D)  study of the deflection of seismic waves from earthquakes 
A)  X-ray analysis from satellites 
B)  extrapolation of surface features (e.g., mountain chains) into the deep interior 
C)  direct sampling of interior rock by deep drilling through the ocean floor 
D)  study of the deflection of seismic waves from earthquakes D

Question 4

All the boundaries of the major interacting tectonic plates on Earth's surface are coincident with:

Accepted Answer

A)  regions of great biological activity and growth. 
B)  regions where ocean depths are greatest. 
C)  the edges of the continental shelves around the major continents. 
D)  the positions of maximum earthquake occurrence. 
A)  regions of great biological activity and growth. 
B)  regions where ocean depths are greatest. 
C)  the edges of the continental shelves around the major continents. 
D)  the positions of maximum earthquake occurrence.

Question 5

The crust and the upper layer of the mantle,together,are called the:

Accepted Answer

A)  magnetosphere. 
B)  magmasphere. 
C)  lithosphere. 
D)  troposphere. 
A)  magnetosphere. 
B)  magmasphere. 
C)  lithosphere. 
D)  troposphere.

Question 6

Which physical properties of Venus are very similar in value to those of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  mass and radius and hence average density and surface gravity 
B)  rotation rate around its axis and length of solar day 
C)  temperatures of surface and atmosphere 
D)  magnetic field and magnetosphere 
A)  mass and radius and hence average density and surface gravity 
B)  rotation rate around its axis and length of solar day 
C)  temperatures of surface and atmosphere 
D)  magnetic field and magnetosphere

Question 7

Which statement is a CORRECT description of the Moon's orbit?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Moon is gradually spiraling away from Earth. 
B)  The Moon's distance from Earth increases and decreases cyclically once every 26,000 years. 
C)  The Moon is gradually spiraling toward Earth. 
D)  The Moon's distance from Earth remains constant from year to year, on average. 
A)  The Moon is gradually spiraling away from Earth. 
B)  The Moon's distance from Earth increases and decreases cyclically once every 26,000 years. 
C)  The Moon is gradually spiraling toward Earth. 
D)  The Moon's distance from Earth remains constant from year to year, on average.

Question 8

Does Earth's gravity raise tides on the Moon today?

Accepted Answer

A)  No. The Moon has now moved beyond the reach of Earth's gravity. 
B)  No. Since the Moon is now in a synchronous orbit, Earth's gravity can no longer raise tides. 
C)  Yes. Tides can be raised in the molten core (if it exists) and in the plastic mantle. 
D)  Yes. In fact, it is the monthly deformation of the Moon's shape by tides that allows us to see more than 50% of the Moon's surface. 
A)  No. The Moon has now moved beyond the reach of Earth's gravity. 
B)  No. Since the Moon is now in a synchronous orbit, Earth's gravity can no longer raise tides. 
C)  Yes. Tides can be raised in the molten core (if it exists) and in the plastic mantle. 
D)  Yes. In fact, it is the monthly deformation of the Moon's shape by tides that allows us to see more than 50% of the Moon's surface.

Question 9

Radar observations are used from Venus-orbiting spacecraft to evaluate mountain heights by measuring the time difference between echoes from mountain peaks and from the surrounding plains.In this technique,what would be the time difference for signals reflected from Maxwell Montes,which rises 12 km above the plain? (Think about the geometry and total path length.)

Accepted Answer

A)  80 ns, or 8 × 10-⁸ s 
B)  800 ns, or 8 × 10-⁷ s 
C)  80 ms, or 8 × 10-² s 
D)  80 µs, or 8 × 10-⁵ s 
A)  80 ns, or 8 × 10-⁸ s 
B)  800 ns, or 8 × 10-⁷ s 
C)  80 ms, or 8 × 10-² s 
D)  80 µs, or 8 × 10-⁵ s

Question 10

The Martian magnetic field is apparently created by:

Accepted Answer

A)  the interaction of the solar wind with the Martian ionosphere. 
B)  permanent magnetism in the solidified core. 
C)  permanent magnetism in the crust. 
D)  electric currents in the molten, metallic core. 
A)  the interaction of the solar wind with the Martian ionosphere. 
B)  permanent magnetism in the solidified core. 
C)  permanent magnetism in the crust. 
D)  electric currents in the molten, metallic core.

Question 11

In what way was the production of the major volcanoes on Mars similar to the production of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by the collision of an oceanic plate with a continental plate. 
B)  The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by hot-spot volcanism resulting from the upflow of heat from below. 
C)  The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by upwelling magma along a boundary where two plates are separating. 
D)  The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by shattering of the crust by a major impact and the consequent release of subsurface magma. 
A)  The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by the collision of an oceanic plate with a continental plate. 
B)  The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by hot-spot volcanism resulting from the upflow of heat from below. 
C)  The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by upwelling magma along a boundary where two plates are separating. 
D)  The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by shattering of the crust by a major impact and the consequent release of subsurface magma.

Question 12

A major feature of the atmosphere of Mars is:

Accepted Answer

A)  very dense clouds shrouding most of the planet. 
B)  very high temperatures and pressures. 
C)  occasional strong winds and dust storms. 
D)  a chemical mixture very similar to that of Earth. 
A)  very dense clouds shrouding most of the planet. 
B)  very high temperatures and pressures. 
C)  occasional strong winds and dust storms. 
D)  a chemical mixture very similar to that of Earth.

Question 13

Which kind of material is NOT found on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  basalt 
B)  anothosite 
C)  limestone 
D)  regolith 
A)  basalt 
B)  anothosite 
C)  limestone 
D)  regolith

Question 14

Compared with the orbital distance of Earth from the Sun,the equivalent orbital distances for the outer planets are _____ times greater.

Accepted Answer

A)  between 2 and 20 
B)  more than 10 
C)  between 2 and 5 
D)  more than 5 
A)  between 2 and 20 
B)  more than 10 
C)  between 2 and 5 
D)  more than 5

Question 15

Which is the lowest layer in Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  the thermosphere 
B)  the magnetosphere 
C)  the troposphere 
D)  the stratosphere 
A)  the thermosphere 
B)  the magnetosphere 
C)  the troposphere 
D)  the stratosphere

Question 16

The Martian magnetic field is:

Accepted Answer

A)  nonexistent-no spacecraft has ever detected a magnetic field on Mars. 
B)  much stronger and more extensive than Earth's magnetic field. 
C)  weak and localized, not at all like the global magnetic field of Earth. 
D)  comparable to Earth's magnetic field. 
A)  nonexistent-no spacecraft has ever detected a magnetic field on Mars. 
B)  much stronger and more extensive than Earth's magnetic field. 
C)  weak and localized, not at all like the global magnetic field of Earth. 
D)  comparable to Earth's magnetic field.

Question 17

Experiments carried out to detect life on another world were performed by the:

Accepted Answer

A)  Apollo astronauts. 
B)  Venera landers. 
C)  Galileo spacecraft. 
D)  Viking landers. 
A)  Apollo astronauts. 
B)  Venera landers. 
C)  Galileo spacecraft. 
D)  Viking landers.

Question 18

Which event would NOT be a consequence of the destruction of the ozone layer on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  large-scale (perhaps total) destruction of life on Earth 
B)  large-scale freezing of the oceans 
C)  a drastic increase in ultraviolet radiation at Earth's surface 
D)  the elimination of the rise in temperature in the stratosphere 
A)  large-scale (perhaps total) destruction of life on Earth 
B)  large-scale freezing of the oceans 
C)  a drastic increase in ultraviolet radiation at Earth's surface 
D)  the elimination of the rise in temperature in the stratosphere

Question 19

The molecular oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere was most probably produced:

Accepted Answer

A)  at the formation of Earth and has always been present. 
B)  from volcanic eruptions as the primitive Earth cooled down. 
C)  from volcanoes, by out-gassing. 
D)  by biological activity such as photosynthesis from living things. 
A)  at the formation of Earth and has always been present. 
B)  from volcanic eruptions as the primitive Earth cooled down. 
C)  from volcanoes, by out-gassing. 
D)  by biological activity such as photosynthesis from living things.

Question 20

What process created the lunar regolith?

Accepted Answer

A)  successive cracking and shattering of lunar rocks by very rapid and extreme temperature changes throughout the Moon's history 
B)  cracking and pulverizing by meteoric bombardment 
C)  billions of years of the alternating freezing and thawing of subsurface water 
D)  continuous erosion by charged particles in the solar wind 
A)  successive cracking and shattering of lunar rocks by very rapid and extreme temperature changes throughout the Moon's history 
B)  cracking and pulverizing by meteoric bombardment 
C)  billions of years of the alternating freezing and thawing of subsurface water 
D)  continuous erosion by charged particles in the solar wind

The type of rock of which the lunar maria are composed is:

Spacecraft measurements indicate that the surface of Venus is dominated by:

Which technique is the primary one used by geologists and geophysicists to probe the structure of Earth's core and mantle?

All the boundaries of the major interacting tectonic plates on Earth's surface are coincident with:

The crust and the upper layer of the mantle,together,are called the:

Which physical properties of Venus are very similar in value to those of Earth?

Which statement is a CORRECT description of the Moon's orbit?

Does Earth's gravity raise tides on the Moon today?

The Martian magnetic field is apparently created by:

In what way was the production of the major volcanoes on Mars similar to the production of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth?

A major feature of the atmosphere of Mars is:

Which kind of material is NOT found on the Moon?

Compared with the orbital distance of Earth from the Sun,the equivalent orbital distances for the outer planets are _____ times greater.

Which is the lowest layer in Earth's atmosphere?

The Martian magnetic field is:

Experiments carried out to detect life on another world were performed by the:

Which event would NOT be a consequence of the destruction of the ozone layer on Earth?

The molecular oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere was most probably produced:

What process created the lunar regolith?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

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Exam 6: The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The type of rock of which the lunar maria are composed is:

Spacecraft measurements indicate that the surface of Venus is dominated by:

Which technique is the primary one used by geologists and geophysicists to probe the structure of Earth's core and mantle?

All the boundaries of the major interacting tectonic plates on Earth's surface are coincident with:

The crust and the upper layer of the mantle,together,are called the:

Which physical properties of Venus are very similar in value to those of Earth?

Which statement is a CORRECT description of the Moon's orbit?

Does Earth's gravity raise tides on the Moon today?

The Martian magnetic field is apparently created by:

In what way was the production of the major volcanoes on Mars similar to the production of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth?

A major feature of the atmosphere of Mars is:

Which kind of material is NOT found on the Moon?

Compared with the orbital distance of Earth from the Sun,the equivalent orbital distances for the outer planets are _____ times greater.

Which is the lowest layer in Earth's atmosphere?

The Martian magnetic field is:

Experiments carried out to detect life on another world were performed by the:

Which event would NOT be a consequence of the destruction of the ozone layer on Earth?

The molecular oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere was most probably produced:

What process created the lunar regolith?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters