Question 1

A typical lunar crater has all of the following features EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  a central peak 
B)  an oval shape 
C)  an ejecta blanket 
D)  terraced crater walls 
A)  a central peak 
B)  an oval shape 
C)  an ejecta blanket 
D)  terraced crater walls

Question 2

How does the temperature of Earth's atmosphere vary with height over the range 0-80 km?

Accepted Answer

A)  The temperature decreases, then increases, then decreases again. 
B)  The temperature rises steadily until it reaches a high and constant value above 80 km. 
C)  The temperature increases, then decreases, then increases again. 
D)  The temperature decreases steadily until it reaches a minimum at 80 km. 
A)  The temperature decreases, then increases, then decreases again. 
B)  The temperature rises steadily until it reaches a high and constant value above 80 km. 
C)  The temperature increases, then decreases, then increases again. 
D)  The temperature decreases steadily until it reaches a minimum at 80 km.

Question 3

Venus has a higher surface temperature than Mercury.Which statement is an explanation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus is closer to the Sun than Mercury is. 
B)  Venus has a dense atmosphere of carbon dioxide. 
C)  Venus is still contracting gravitationally and thus giving out more radiant energy than it receives. 
D)  Venus has a higher albedo (reflectance) than Mercury. 
A)  Venus is closer to the Sun than Mercury is. 
B)  Venus has a dense atmosphere of carbon dioxide. 
C)  Venus is still contracting gravitationally and thus giving out more radiant energy than it receives. 
D)  Venus has a higher albedo (reflectance) than Mercury.

Question 4

On a topographical map of Venus,how many large "continents" of high ground rise above the flat plains?

Accepted Answer

A)  none 
B)  one 
C)  two 
D)  seven 
A)  none 
B)  one 
C)  two 
D)  seven

Question 5

Which statement describes a characteristic of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  The rocks lack almost all volatile material. 
B)  Its composition is similar to that of Earth, particularly the proportion of iron. 
C)  It has a strong magnetic field. 
D)  Its crust is thinner on the far side. 
A)  The rocks lack almost all volatile material. 
B)  Its composition is similar to that of Earth, particularly the proportion of iron. 
C)  It has a strong magnetic field. 
D)  Its crust is thinner on the far side.

Question 6

If astronauts were to set up a permanent settlement at Tranquility Base on the Moon,how many times each year would Earth rise and set as seen by a resident of this base?

Accepted Answer

A)  12 times each year 
B)  13 times each year 
C)  once each year 
D)  never because Earth would remain essentially motionless in the sky. 
A)  12 times each year 
B)  13 times each year 
C)  once each year 
D)  never because Earth would remain essentially motionless in the sky.

Question 7

Which sign of water is NOT seen on Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  evidence of permafrost under the Martian surface 
B)  meltwater pools at the edges of the polar caps 
C)  water ice (as opposed to carbon dioxide ice) in the polar caps 
D)  occasional clouds around the large volcanoes 
A)  evidence of permafrost under the Martian surface 
B)  meltwater pools at the edges of the polar caps 
C)  water ice (as opposed to carbon dioxide ice) in the polar caps 
D)  occasional clouds around the large volcanoes

Question 8

Which craters are the youngest?

Accepted Answer

A)  the oldest craters on Mercury 
B)  the oldest craters on Venus 
C)  the oldest craters on the Moon 
D)  the oldest craters on Mars 
A)  the oldest craters on Mercury 
B)  the oldest craters on Venus 
C)  the oldest craters on the Moon 
D)  the oldest craters on Mars

Question 9

The planet with the greatest mean density is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury. 
B)  Earth. 
C)  Jupiter. 
D)  Neptune. 
A)  Mercury. 
B)  Earth. 
C)  Jupiter. 
D)  Neptune.

Question 10

In our solar system,which planet is a member of the terrestrial group?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

The word albedo refers to the:

Accepted Answer

A)  fraction of the surface or atmosphere of a planet that is covered by clouds. 
B)  ratio of infrared radiation to visible radiation emitted by a planet or other object. 
C)  amount of light absorbed by a planet or other object. 
D)  amount of light reflected by a planet or other object. 
A)  fraction of the surface or atmosphere of a planet that is covered by clouds. 
B)  ratio of infrared radiation to visible radiation emitted by a planet or other object. 
C)  amount of light absorbed by a planet or other object. 
D)  amount of light reflected by a planet or other object.

Question 12

The reason that very few impact craters are seen on Venus compared with the Moon is believed to be that:

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus formed closer to the Sun than the Moon did, where the cratering rate was much lower. 
B)  due to rainfall and wind, all but the most recent craters have eroded away. 
C)  lava flows and surface melting have covered all but the most recent craters. 
D)  the surface of Venus has been subducted down into the planet several times in its history, thereby removing evidence of impacts. 
A)  Venus formed closer to the Sun than the Moon did, where the cratering rate was much lower. 
B)  due to rainfall and wind, all but the most recent craters have eroded away. 
C)  lava flows and surface melting have covered all but the most recent craters. 
D)  the surface of Venus has been subducted down into the planet several times in its history, thereby removing evidence of impacts.

Question 13

What is the barycenter?

Accepted Answer

A)  the center of mass of the Earth-Moon system 
B)  the halfway point between Earth and the Moon 
C)  the center of mass of the Earth-Sun-Moon system 
D)  the closest distance from Earth to the Moon when it was first formed, before it began spiraling away 
A)  the center of mass of the Earth-Moon system 
B)  the halfway point between Earth and the Moon 
C)  the center of mass of the Earth-Sun-Moon system 
D)  the closest distance from Earth to the Moon when it was first formed, before it began spiraling away

Question 14

In what fundamental way do all lunar rocks differ from terrestrial rocks?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lunar rocks all derive from ancient lava flows. 
B)  Lunar rocks are all meteoric in origin. 
C)  Lunar rocks are all rich in calcium and aluminum. 
D)  Lunar rocks and minerals contain no water crystallization, only OH- radicals and H. 
A)  Lunar rocks all derive from ancient lava flows. 
B)  Lunar rocks are all meteoric in origin. 
C)  Lunar rocks are all rich in calcium and aluminum. 
D)  Lunar rocks and minerals contain no water crystallization, only OH- radicals and H.

Question 15

What actually moves around the Sun along the path we usually call Earth's orbit?

Accepted Answer

A)  the center of Earth 
B)  the point midway between Earth and the Moon 
C)  the barycenter 
D)  the center of mass of the Earth-Moon-Sun system 
A)  the center of Earth 
B)  the point midway between Earth and the Moon 
C)  the barycenter 
D)  the center of mass of the Earth-Moon-Sun system

Question 16

Astronauts at a Moon base that can be seen from Earth will NEVER see:

Accepted Answer

A)  one side of Earth because the Moon revolves at the same rate as Earth rotates. 
B)  the stars moving through their sky because the Moon does not rotate. 
C)  Earthrise or Earthset. 
D)  sunrise or sunset because the Sun will always remain in their sky. 
A)  one side of Earth because the Moon revolves at the same rate as Earth rotates. 
B)  the stars moving through their sky because the Moon does not rotate. 
C)  Earthrise or Earthset. 
D)  sunrise or sunset because the Sun will always remain in their sky.

Question 17

How do we know that the Caloris Basin on Mercury was formed late in the period of intense bombardment?

Accepted Answer

A)  Radioactive dating of rock samples has fixed the date of formation. 
B)  The basin contains very few craters. 
C)  The surface of the basin is much darker than the rest of the planet, suggesting that the surface had not yet been churned over by meteoric impacts. 
D)  Mountain ranges in the basin are very high because they have not had time to suffer significant erosion. 
A)  Radioactive dating of rock samples has fixed the date of formation. 
B)  The basin contains very few craters. 
C)  The surface of the basin is much darker than the rest of the planet, suggesting that the surface had not yet been churned over by meteoric impacts. 
D)  Mountain ranges in the basin are very high because they have not had time to suffer significant erosion.

Question 18

The huge impact of an object that produced the circular Caloris Basin and its ring of mountains on Mercury also produced:

Accepted Answer

A)  a very localized region of magnetic field, the only magnetic field possessed by Mercury. 
B)  melting of permafrost, causing massive floods that produced deep valleys on Mercury's surface. 
C)  a pattern of jumbled terrain diametrically opposite the basin, caused by the focused seismic waves from the original impact. 
D)  a very thick, dusty atmosphere that still obscures the planet's surface. 
A)  a very localized region of magnetic field, the only magnetic field possessed by Mercury. 
B)  melting of permafrost, causing massive floods that produced deep valleys on Mercury's surface. 
C)  a pattern of jumbled terrain diametrically opposite the basin, caused by the focused seismic waves from the original impact. 
D)  a very thick, dusty atmosphere that still obscures the planet's surface.

Question 19

When Mariner 10 passed by Mercury,the Caloris Basin was crossed by the terminator line.Which statement CORRECTLY evaluates this situation?

Accepted Answer

A)  This is not surprising because the Caloris Basin is so large that the terminator line always crosses part of it. 
B)  This is not surprising. Because of Mercury's synchronous rotation orbit, the terminator line does not move across the face of the planet, and it lies perpetually on the Caloris Basin. 
C)  Because of Mercury's 3-to-2 spin-orbit coupling the terminator line moves slowly across the face of Mercury. When Mariner 10 flew by it happened to lie across the Caloris Basin. 
D)  There is a direct correlation between the Caloris Basin and Mercury's unusual rotation. This unusual rotation occurs because of the bulge on Mercury-and this was caused by the impact that produced the Caloris Basin. So it is not surprising that the terminator line was found across the Caloris Basin. 
A)  This is not surprising because the Caloris Basin is so large that the terminator line always crosses part of it. 
B)  This is not surprising. Because of Mercury's synchronous rotation orbit, the terminator line does not move across the face of the planet, and it lies perpetually on the Caloris Basin. 
C)  Because of Mercury's 3-to-2 spin-orbit coupling the terminator line moves slowly across the face of Mercury. When Mariner 10 flew by it happened to lie across the Caloris Basin. 
D)  There is a direct correlation between the Caloris Basin and Mercury's unusual rotation. This unusual rotation occurs because of the bulge on Mercury-and this was caused by the impact that produced the Caloris Basin. So it is not surprising that the terminator line was found across the Caloris Basin.

Question 20

The large amount of free oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere is primarily a result of:

Accepted Answer

A)  out-gassing by volcanoes and other geological processes. 
B)  biological processes such as photosynthesis. 
C)  splitting of carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen by solar ultraviolet light. 
D)  carbon dioxide becoming dissolved in the oceans, releasing oxygen. 
A)  out-gassing by volcanoes and other geological processes. 
B)  biological processes such as photosynthesis. 
C)  splitting of carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen by solar ultraviolet light. 
D)  carbon dioxide becoming dissolved in the oceans, releasing oxygen.

A typical lunar crater has all of the following features EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

How does the temperature of Earth's atmosphere vary with height over the range 0-80 km?

Venus has a higher surface temperature than Mercury.Which statement is an explanation?

On a topographical map of Venus,how many large "continents" of high ground rise above the flat plains?

Which statement describes a characteristic of the Moon?

If astronauts were to set up a permanent settlement at Tranquility Base on the Moon,how many times each year would Earth rise and set as seen by a resident of this base?

Which sign of water is NOT seen on Mars?

Which craters are the youngest?

The planet with the greatest mean density is:

In our solar system,which planet is a member of the terrestrial group?

The word albedo refers to the:

The reason that very few impact craters are seen on Venus compared with the Moon is believed to be that:

What is the barycenter?

In what fundamental way do all lunar rocks differ from terrestrial rocks?

What actually moves around the Sun along the path we usually call Earth's orbit?

Astronauts at a Moon base that can be seen from Earth will NEVER see:

How do we know that the Caloris Basin on Mercury was formed late in the period of intense bombardment?

The huge impact of an object that produced the circular Caloris Basin and its ring of mountains on Mercury also produced:

When Mariner 10 passed by Mercury,the Caloris Basin was crossed by the terminator line.Which statement CORRECTLY evaluates this situation?

The large amount of free oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere is primarily a result of:

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

A typical lunar crater has all of the following features EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

How does the temperature of Earth's atmosphere vary with height over the range 0-80 km?

Venus has a higher surface temperature than Mercury.Which statement is an explanation?

On a topographical map of Venus,how many large "continents" of high ground rise above the flat plains?

Which statement describes a characteristic of the Moon?

If astronauts were to set up a permanent settlement at Tranquility Base on the Moon,how many times each year would Earth rise and set as seen by a resident of this base?

Which sign of water is NOT seen on Mars?

Which craters are the youngest?

The planet with the greatest mean density is:

In our solar system,which planet is a member of the terrestrial group?

The word albedo refers to the:

The reason that very few impact craters are seen on Venus compared with the Moon is believed to be that:

What is the barycenter?

In what fundamental way do all lunar rocks differ from terrestrial rocks?

What actually moves around the Sun along the path we usually call Earth's orbit?

Astronauts at a Moon base that can be seen from Earth will NEVER see:

How do we know that the Caloris Basin on Mercury was formed late in the period of intense bombardment?

The huge impact of an object that produced the circular Caloris Basin and its ring of mountains on Mercury also produced:

When Mariner 10 passed by Mercury,the Caloris Basin was crossed by the terminator line.Which statement CORRECTLY evaluates this situation?

The large amount of free oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere is primarily a result of:

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