Question 1

What is anorthosite?

Accepted Answer

A)  rock found on the low-lying lunar plains and also in Hawaii and Iceland 
B)  powdered rock, which covers the Moon's surface like dust 
C)  an ancient rock that covers the lunar highlands 
D)  rocks created from scattered debris fused together under high temperature and pressure 
A)  rock found on the low-lying lunar plains and also in Hawaii and Iceland 
B)  powdered rock, which covers the Moon's surface like dust 
C)  an ancient rock that covers the lunar highlands 
D)  rocks created from scattered debris fused together under high temperature and pressure

Question 2

Sometimes high tides are higher than at other times.What name is given to the highest high tides?

Accepted Answer

A)  spring tides 
B)  neap tides 
C)  Yule tides 
D)  rip tides 
A)  spring tides 
B)  neap tides 
C)  Yule tides 
D)  rip tides

Question 3

High tide at your location occurs when the Moon is:

Accepted Answer

A)  high in the sky. 
B)  just rising. 
C)  just setting. 
D)  not visible. 
A)  high in the sky. 
B)  just rising. 
C)  just setting. 
D)  not visible.

Question 4

Which planet is the hottest one in the solar system,measured at the surface?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

On the average,about how long does Earth's magnetic field point in one general direction before flipping to reverse its direction?

Accepted Answer

A)  a few hundred thousand years 
B)  a few hundred million years 
C)  at least a billion years 
D)  forever. As far as we know, Earth's field has always pointed in the same direction. 
A)  a few hundred thousand years 
B)  a few hundred million years 
C)  at least a billion years 
D)  forever. As far as we know, Earth's field has always pointed in the same direction.

Question 6

The Caloris Basin is an immense impact crater on Mercury,which is unusual in that the opposite side of the planet shows jumbled terrain that resulted from shock waves created by the impact.This combination has also been found:

Accepted Answer

A)  nowhere else in the solar system. 
B)  on the Moon. 
C)  on Earth. 
D)  on Saturn. 
A)  nowhere else in the solar system. 
B)  on the Moon. 
C)  on Earth. 
D)  on Saturn.

Question 7

The very rapid recession of the edge of the white polar cap region toward the poles in springtime on Mars is caused by the:

Accepted Answer

A)  increased growth of vegetation from mid-latitudes toward the poles. 
B)  evaporation of a thin layer of water ice crystals (frost or snow). 
C)  melting of a thick layer of solid water ice and the subsequent run-off of water. 
D)  rapid evaporation of carbon dioxide ice. 
A)  increased growth of vegetation from mid-latitudes toward the poles. 
B)  evaporation of a thin layer of water ice crystals (frost or snow). 
C)  melting of a thick layer of solid water ice and the subsequent run-off of water. 
D)  rapid evaporation of carbon dioxide ice.

Question 8

The first successful Moon landing,by Apollo 11,placed astronauts on the Moon in:

Accepted Answer

A)  1938. 
B)  1969. 
C)  1985. 
D)  2000. 
A)  1938. 
B)  1969. 
C)  1985. 
D)  2000.

Question 9

Which statement is TRUE for Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  Linear canals, apparently built to carry water for irrigation, criss-cross the planet. 
B)  Water can be seen in the bottoms of river valleys on spacecraft photographs. 
C)  Mars has dry riverbeds but no liquid water on its surface at the present time. 
D)  There is no evidence of water ever having been on Mars. 
A)  Linear canals, apparently built to carry water for irrigation, criss-cross the planet. 
B)  Water can be seen in the bottoms of river valleys on spacecraft photographs. 
C)  Mars has dry riverbeds but no liquid water on its surface at the present time. 
D)  There is no evidence of water ever having been on Mars.

Question 10

The internal structure of Earth is a:

Accepted Answer

A)  core of solid rock extensively enriched in iron, surrounded by a solid mantle of pure rock. 
B)  large, solid iron core surrounded by a thick, flexible mantle of rock. 
C)  core of rock and iron, surrounded by a mantle of liquid hydrogen. 
D)  large core of iron, partly solid and partly molten, surrounded by a thick, flexible mantle of rock. 
A)  core of solid rock extensively enriched in iron, surrounded by a solid mantle of pure rock. 
B)  large, solid iron core surrounded by a thick, flexible mantle of rock. 
C)  core of rock and iron, surrounded by a mantle of liquid hydrogen. 
D)  large core of iron, partly solid and partly molten, surrounded by a thick, flexible mantle of rock.

Question 11

How far upward do you need to move until the atmospheric pressure falls to half its surface value?

Accepted Answer

A)  The pressure rises with altitude. 
B)  1 km 
C)  5.5 km 
D)  154 km 
A)  The pressure rises with altitude. 
B)  1 km 
C)  5.5 km 
D)  154 km

Question 12

Which statement is a CORRECT description of the rotation of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The average length of a day is gradually getting longer because Earth's rate of rotation is slowing down. 
B)  The average length of a day varies unpredictably from one year to the next because of the combined effects of solar and lunar tides. 
C)  The average length of a day is gradually getting shorter because Earth's rate of rotation is speeding up. 
D)  The average length of a day is constant from year to year because nothing can change the speed of rotation of Earth. 
A)  The average length of a day is gradually getting longer because Earth's rate of rotation is slowing down. 
B)  The average length of a day varies unpredictably from one year to the next because of the combined effects of solar and lunar tides. 
C)  The average length of a day is gradually getting shorter because Earth's rate of rotation is speeding up. 
D)  The average length of a day is constant from year to year because nothing can change the speed of rotation of Earth.

Question 13

To what does sublimation refer?

Accepted Answer

A)  the transformation of the solid phase of a material directly into the gas phase 
B)  the transformation of the gas phase of a material directly into the solid phase 
C)  the melting of surface material subducted beneath the surface by tectonic movement 
D)  the dissolving of the gas phase of a material withn some body of liquid 
A)  the transformation of the solid phase of a material directly into the gas phase 
B)  the transformation of the gas phase of a material directly into the solid phase 
C)  the melting of surface material subducted beneath the surface by tectonic movement 
D)  the dissolving of the gas phase of a material withn some body of liquid

Question 14

What is the current status of Earth's ozone layer?

Accepted Answer

A)  The ozone layer is being irreversibly depleted and will probably disappear entirely within the next 200 years. 
B)  The ozone layer has been distorted-too thin at the poles and too thick over the equatorial regions. 
C)  The ozone layer has been somewhat depleted, but if left alone, it could restore itself in a century. 
D)  The ozone layer has become too thick and is moving downward toward the surface, where its heating qualities contribute to global warming. 
A)  The ozone layer is being irreversibly depleted and will probably disappear entirely within the next 200 years. 
B)  The ozone layer has been distorted-too thin at the poles and too thick over the equatorial regions. 
C)  The ozone layer has been somewhat depleted, but if left alone, it could restore itself in a century. 
D)  The ozone layer has become too thick and is moving downward toward the surface, where its heating qualities contribute to global warming.

Question 15

By dating Moon rocks,we can determine the Moon's age.How long ago did the Moon form?

Accepted Answer

A)  The maria are about 3.8 billion years old, suggesting that the entire Moon was molten at that time-so that is its probable age. 
B)  The oldest rocks in the lunar highlands are about 4.3 billion years old, so that must be the age of the Moon. 
C)  We believe that the Moon was formed molten and then cooled. Since the oldest rocks are about 4.3 billion years old, the formation of the Moon must have occurred around 4.5 billion years ago. 
D)  Because it cooled and solidified almost to its core, the Moon must be at least a billion years older than Earth. Its age, therefore, must be at least 5.5 billion years. 
A)  The maria are about 3.8 billion years old, suggesting that the entire Moon was molten at that time-so that is its probable age. 
B)  The oldest rocks in the lunar highlands are about 4.3 billion years old, so that must be the age of the Moon. 
C)  We believe that the Moon was formed molten and then cooled. Since the oldest rocks are about 4.3 billion years old, the formation of the Moon must have occurred around 4.5 billion years ago. 
D)  Because it cooled and solidified almost to its core, the Moon must be at least a billion years older than Earth. Its age, therefore, must be at least 5.5 billion years.

Question 16

The African and South American continents are separating at a rate of about 3 cm per year,according to the ideas of plate tectonics.If they are now 5000 km apart and have moved at a constant speed over this time,how long is it since they were in contact?

Accepted Answer

A)  1.7 million years 
B)  170 million years 
C)  170 thousand years 
D)  1.7 billion years 
A)  1.7 million years 
B)  170 million years 
C)  170 thousand years 
D)  1.7 billion years

Question 17

The early Earth remained molten longer than an inert mass its size might have been expected to if left undisturbed.Each of the following is thought to have contributed to this longevity EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  impact of space debris 
B)  natural radioactive decay 
C)  nuclear fission 
D)  nuclear fusion 
A)  impact of space debris 
B)  natural radioactive decay 
C)  nuclear fission 
D)  nuclear fusion

Question 18

Moonquakes occur most often when the Moon is near perigee.The reason is:

Accepted Answer

A)  increased tidal distortion of the Moon by Earth. 
B)  higher probability of impacts on the Moon of meteoroids that have been accelerated by Earth at these lunar phases. 
C)  increased speed of rotation of the Moon at these times and consequent reduction of the gravitational force on the surface. 
D)  increased sunlight on the Moon's surface at these times. 
A)  increased tidal distortion of the Moon by Earth. 
B)  higher probability of impacts on the Moon of meteoroids that have been accelerated by Earth at these lunar phases. 
C)  increased speed of rotation of the Moon at these times and consequent reduction of the gravitational force on the surface. 
D)  increased sunlight on the Moon's surface at these times.

Question 19

The type of rock that makes up the lunar highlands is:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

Craters are not apparent on Earth at the present time in the abundance seen on the Moon because:

Accepted Answer

A)  plate tectonics has returned cratered surface layers into Earth's interior, and weathering has obliterated the more recent craters. 
B)  the Moon protected Earth from impacts, which resulted in the craters and maria on the Moon. 
C)  all the potentially damaging interplanetary bodies were stopped by Earth's atmosphere. 
D)  interplanetary objects have avoided Earth during its history. 
A)  plate tectonics has returned cratered surface layers into Earth's interior, and weathering has obliterated the more recent craters. 
B)  the Moon protected Earth from impacts, which resulted in the craters and maria on the Moon. 
C)  all the potentially damaging interplanetary bodies were stopped by Earth's atmosphere. 
D)  interplanetary objects have avoided Earth during its history.

What is anorthosite?

Sometimes high tides are higher than at other times.What name is given to the highest high tides?

High tide at your location occurs when the Moon is:

Which planet is the hottest one in the solar system,measured at the surface?

On the average,about how long does Earth's magnetic field point in one general direction before flipping to reverse its direction?

The Caloris Basin is an immense impact crater on Mercury,which is unusual in that the opposite side of the planet shows jumbled terrain that resulted from shock waves created by the impact.This combination has also been found:

The very rapid recession of the edge of the white polar cap region toward the poles in springtime on Mars is caused by the:

The first successful Moon landing,by Apollo 11,placed astronauts on the Moon in:

Which statement is TRUE for Mars?

The internal structure of Earth is a:

How far upward do you need to move until the atmospheric pressure falls to half its surface value?

Which statement is a CORRECT description of the rotation of Earth?

To what does sublimation refer?

What is the current status of Earth's ozone layer?

By dating Moon rocks,we can determine the Moon's age.How long ago did the Moon form?

The African and South American continents are separating at a rate of about 3 cm per year,according to the ideas of plate tectonics.If they are now 5000 km apart and have moved at a constant speed over this time,how long is it since they were in contact?

The early Earth remained molten longer than an inert mass its size might have been expected to if left undisturbed.Each of the following is thought to have contributed to this longevity EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Moonquakes occur most often when the Moon is near perigee.The reason is:

The type of rock that makes up the lunar highlands is:

Craters are not apparent on Earth at the present time in the abundance seen on the Moon because:

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

Exam 6: The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

What is anorthosite?

Sometimes high tides are higher than at other times.What name is given to the highest high tides?

High tide at your location occurs when the Moon is:

Which planet is the hottest one in the solar system,measured at the surface?

On the average,about how long does Earth's magnetic field point in one general direction before flipping to reverse its direction?

The Caloris Basin is an immense impact crater on Mercury,which is unusual in that the opposite side of the planet shows jumbled terrain that resulted from shock waves created by the impact.This combination has also been found:

The very rapid recession of the edge of the white polar cap region toward the poles in springtime on Mars is caused by the:

The first successful Moon landing,by Apollo 11,placed astronauts on the Moon in:

Which statement is TRUE for Mars?

The internal structure of Earth is a:

How far upward do you need to move until the atmospheric pressure falls to half its surface value?

Which statement is a CORRECT description of the rotation of Earth?

To what does sublimation refer?

What is the current status of Earth's ozone layer?

By dating Moon rocks,we can determine the Moon's age.How long ago did the Moon form?

The African and South American continents are separating at a rate of about 3 cm per year,according to the ideas of plate tectonics.If they are now 5000 km apart and have moved at a constant speed over this time,how long is it since they were in contact?

The early Earth remained molten longer than an inert mass its size might have been expected to if left undisturbed.Each of the following is thought to have contributed to this longevity EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Moonquakes occur most often when the Moon is near perigee.The reason is:

The type of rock that makes up the lunar highlands is:

Craters are not apparent on Earth at the present time in the abundance seen on the Moon because:

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