Question 1

Most surface rocks on Earth are younger than a few million years old,whereas the ages of lunar rocks have been measured in billions of years.Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Much of Earth's surface is continually recycled (created and subducted) by the underlying mantle because of plate tectonic activity; this process does not occur on the Moon. 
B)  Most early surface rocks on Earth have been washed into the sea by weathering and rainwater; this process does not happen on the Moon. 
C)  The complete surface of Earth has been covered periodically by younger material from intense volcanic eruptions in the last few million years; no such activity occurred on the Moon. 
D)  The ages of Earth and the Moon are fundamentally different; the Moon is an old object captured from space by a younger Earth. 
A)  Much of Earth's surface is continually recycled (created and subducted) by the underlying mantle because of plate tectonic activity; this process does not occur on the Moon. 
B)  Most early surface rocks on Earth have been washed into the sea by weathering and rainwater; this process does not happen on the Moon. 
C)  The complete surface of Earth has been covered periodically by younger material from intense volcanic eruptions in the last few million years; no such activity occurred on the Moon. 
D)  The ages of Earth and the Moon are fundamentally different; the Moon is an old object captured from space by a younger Earth.

Question 2

Why did Earth's earliest atmosphere,composed primarily of hydrogen and helium,not last long?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hydrogen is highly reactive, and it soon became bound into chemical compounds in Earth's rocks. 
B)  Hydrogen and helium are light gases, and they soon escaped into space. 
C)  Biological activity very quickly combined the hydrogen with oxygen to form water. 
D)  The hydrogen soon became dissolved in Earth's oceans. 
A)  Hydrogen is highly reactive, and it soon became bound into chemical compounds in Earth's rocks. 
B)  Hydrogen and helium are light gases, and they soon escaped into space. 
C)  Biological activity very quickly combined the hydrogen with oxygen to form water. 
D)  The hydrogen soon became dissolved in Earth's oceans.

Question 3

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Mars is:

Accepted Answer

A)  continuous rain, possible flooding in low-lying areas. 
B)  overcast, possible light rain. 
C)  sunny and warm (Mars has no atmosphere to retain heat). 
D)  possible frost overnight, then sunny. 
A)  continuous rain, possible flooding in low-lying areas. 
B)  overcast, possible light rain. 
C)  sunny and warm (Mars has no atmosphere to retain heat). 
D)  possible frost overnight, then sunny.

Question 4

The alignment of Earth's rotation axis and its magnetic axis:

Accepted Answer

A)  are in the same direction. 
B)  are different by about 11.3°. Throughout history, it is believed that the magnetic axis has precessed slowly about the rotation axis at this 11.3° angle. 
C)  are different, and Earth is unique among the planets which have magnetic fields in not having these two axes aligned. 
D)  are different, as is the case with many of the other planets in the solar system. 
A)  are in the same direction. 
B)  are different by about 11.3°. Throughout history, it is believed that the magnetic axis has precessed slowly about the rotation axis at this 11.3° angle. 
C)  are different, and Earth is unique among the planets which have magnetic fields in not having these two axes aligned. 
D)  are different, as is the case with many of the other planets in the solar system.

Question 5

The surface pressure of the atmosphere of Venus compared with the surface pressure of the atmosphere of Earth is:

Accepted Answer

A)  about the same. 
B)  extremely small. 
C)  about 1/100 atmosphere. 
D)  about 90 atmospheres. 
A)  about the same. 
B)  extremely small. 
C)  about 1/100 atmosphere. 
D)  about 90 atmospheres.

Question 6

Venus appears to be very bright in our skies at certain times because:

Accepted Answer

A)  its rocky surface is shiny, like the surface of new volcanic lava. 
B)  it is glowing from the heat of its surface, where the temperature is 750 K. 
C)  it is covered by very reflective clouds. 
D)  even though its surface is very dark, it is relatively close to the Sun. 
A)  its rocky surface is shiny, like the surface of new volcanic lava. 
B)  it is glowing from the heat of its surface, where the temperature is 750 K. 
C)  it is covered by very reflective clouds. 
D)  even though its surface is very dark, it is relatively close to the Sun.

Question 7

Which scientific approach has NOT yet been exploited for the study of the deep interior of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  manned deep-drill projects started from extensive caves beneath Earth's surface 
B)  the study of lavas from volcanoes such as those on Hawaii 
C)  the measurements of seismic waves from earthquakes 
D)  magnetic field studies 
A)  manned deep-drill projects started from extensive caves beneath Earth's surface 
B)  the study of lavas from volcanoes such as those on Hawaii 
C)  the measurements of seismic waves from earthquakes 
D)  magnetic field studies

Question 8

On which object would you find the great valley system Valles Marineris?

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus 
B)  Mars 
C)  the Moon 
D)  Callisto (one of the large satellites of Jupiter) 
A)  Venus 
B)  Mars 
C)  the Moon 
D)  Callisto (one of the large satellites of Jupiter)

Question 9

Only the youngest impact craters remain visible on Earth's surface.Which reason is NOT an explanation for this?

Accepted Answer

A)  subduction by tectonic plates 
B)  the plastic nature of the mantle, which absorbs hits without leaving a crater 
C)  water erosion 
D)  wind erosion 
A)  subduction by tectonic plates 
B)  the plastic nature of the mantle, which absorbs hits without leaving a crater 
C)  water erosion 
D)  wind erosion

Question 10

Which statement CORRECTLY describes the surface of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Individual, solid crustal plates are pushed around by Earth's rotation and the tidal forces of the Moon and the Sun. 
B)  A thin, deformable crust allows the continents to slide over it. 
C)  Individual and separate solid crustal plates are pushed around by convective motion in the material of the underlying mantle. 
D)  A thick, solid crust keeps the continents and ocean floors in fixed positions with respect to one another. 
A)  Individual, solid crustal plates are pushed around by Earth's rotation and the tidal forces of the Moon and the Sun. 
B)  A thin, deformable crust allows the continents to slide over it. 
C)  Individual and separate solid crustal plates are pushed around by convective motion in the material of the underlying mantle. 
D)  A thick, solid crust keeps the continents and ocean floors in fixed positions with respect to one another.

Question 11

The mechanism of the "greenhouse effect," which has resulted in very high temperatures on the surface of Venus (and moderate temperatures on Earth),can be described as solar:

Accepted Answer

A)  UV and visible radiation heating the planet surface, the infrared emissions of which are trapped by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 
B)  UV and visible radiation entering the clouds and triggering chemical reactions in the carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds, the released energy then heating the atmosphere. 
C)  UV and visible radiation being absorbed by the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere, thereby heating it. 
D)  infrared radiation heating the planet surface that then emits visible and UV radiation that is trapped by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 
A)  UV and visible radiation heating the planet surface, the infrared emissions of which are trapped by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 
B)  UV and visible radiation entering the clouds and triggering chemical reactions in the carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds, the released energy then heating the atmosphere. 
C)  UV and visible radiation being absorbed by the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere, thereby heating it. 
D)  infrared radiation heating the planet surface that then emits visible and UV radiation that is trapped by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Question 12

What role has methane played in the search for life on Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  Methane destroys simple life-forms, so the existence of methane precludes the existence of simple life-forms on Mars. 
B)  Methane is produced by life-forms, so the search for methane being released from under the Martian surface-so far unsuccessful-continues. 
C)  Sunlight breaks down methane within a few centuries. The presence of methane on Mars suggests that it is being renewed continually, perhaps by living organisms. 
D)  So far, methane has played no role in the search for life on Mars. 
A)  Methane destroys simple life-forms, so the existence of methane precludes the existence of simple life-forms on Mars. 
B)  Methane is produced by life-forms, so the search for methane being released from under the Martian surface-so far unsuccessful-continues. 
C)  Sunlight breaks down methane within a few centuries. The presence of methane on Mars suggests that it is being renewed continually, perhaps by living organisms. 
D)  So far, methane has played no role in the search for life on Mars.

Question 13

An atmosphere containing a significant amount of oxygen is found around which terrestrial planet or planets?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

The source of the water found in the form of ice near Mercury's north and south poles is:

Accepted Answer

A)  comet impacts. 
B)  unknown at the present time. 
C)  rainfall early in Mercury's history, when the planet had a dense atmosphere. 
D)  a former global ocean, now almost entirely evaporated and lost to space. 
A)  comet impacts. 
B)  unknown at the present time. 
C)  rainfall early in Mercury's history, when the planet had a dense atmosphere. 
D)  a former global ocean, now almost entirely evaporated and lost to space.

Question 15

The component of Venus' atmosphere that is responsible for the excess heating,caused by the greenhouse effect,is:

Accepted Answer

A)  water vapor. 
B)  nitrogen. 
C)  carbon dioxide. 
D)  sulfuric acid droplets. 
A)  water vapor. 
B)  nitrogen. 
C)  carbon dioxide. 
D)  sulfuric acid droplets.

Question 16

Photosynthesis in plants on Earth maintains a balance between which of the two atmospheric gases?

Accepted Answer

A)  carbon dioxide and water vapor 
B)  oxygen and water vapor 
C)  nitrogen and oxygen 
D)  oxygen and carbon dioxide 
A)  carbon dioxide and water vapor 
B)  oxygen and water vapor 
C)  nitrogen and oxygen 
D)  oxygen and carbon dioxide

Question 17

What is a lunar rille?

Accepted Answer

A)  long, winding crack in the surface of a mare 
B)  long, curved mountain range 
C)  large crater with a central peak 
D)  deep trench between two tectonic plates 
A)  long, winding crack in the surface of a mare 
B)  long, curved mountain range 
C)  large crater with a central peak 
D)  deep trench between two tectonic plates

Question 18

Of what material is the core of Earth composed?

Accepted Answer

A)  mostly iron 
B)  roughly half rock and half iron 
C)  titanium and nickel 
D)  rock of similar composition to that in the crust, but much denser 
A)  mostly iron 
B)  roughly half rock and half iron 
C)  titanium and nickel 
D)  rock of similar composition to that in the crust, but much denser

Question 19

Which planet in our solar system has the lowest average density?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth 
B)  Saturn 
C)  Uranus 
D)  Jupiter 
A)  Earth 
B)  Saturn 
C)  Uranus 
D)  Jupiter

Question 20

The maria on the far side of the Moon differ from those on the near side in all of the following ways EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  There are fewer maria on the far side. 
B)  The maria on the near side are lava-flooded lowlands; those on the far side are lava-flooded highlands. 
C)  The maria on the far side are smaller. 
D)  The maria on the far side are more heavily cratered than those on the near side. 
A)  There are fewer maria on the far side. 
B)  The maria on the near side are lava-flooded lowlands; those on the far side are lava-flooded highlands. 
C)  The maria on the far side are smaller. 
D)  The maria on the far side are more heavily cratered than those on the near side.

Most surface rocks on Earth are younger than a few million years old,whereas the ages of lunar rocks have been measured in billions of years.Why?

Why did Earth's earliest atmosphere,composed primarily of hydrogen and helium,not last long?

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Mars is:

The alignment of Earth's rotation axis and its magnetic axis:

The surface pressure of the atmosphere of Venus compared with the surface pressure of the atmosphere of Earth is:

Venus appears to be very bright in our skies at certain times because:

Which scientific approach has NOT yet been exploited for the study of the deep interior of Earth?

On which object would you find the great valley system Valles Marineris?

Only the youngest impact craters remain visible on Earth's surface.Which reason is NOT an explanation for this?

Which statement CORRECTLY describes the surface of Earth?

The mechanism of the "greenhouse effect," which has resulted in very high temperatures on the surface of Venus (and moderate temperatures on Earth),can be described as solar:

What role has methane played in the search for life on Mars?

An atmosphere containing a significant amount of oxygen is found around which terrestrial planet or planets?

The source of the water found in the form of ice near Mercury's north and south poles is:

The component of Venus' atmosphere that is responsible for the excess heating,caused by the greenhouse effect,is:

Photosynthesis in plants on Earth maintains a balance between which of the two atmospheric gases?

What is a lunar rille?

Of what material is the core of Earth composed?

Which planet in our solar system has the lowest average density?

The maria on the far side of the Moon differ from those on the near side in all of the following ways EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

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

Most surface rocks on Earth are younger than a few million years old,whereas the ages of lunar rocks have been measured in billions of years.Why?

Why did Earth's earliest atmosphere,composed primarily of hydrogen and helium,not last long?

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Mars is:

The alignment of Earth's rotation axis and its magnetic axis:

The surface pressure of the atmosphere of Venus compared with the surface pressure of the atmosphere of Earth is:

Venus appears to be very bright in our skies at certain times because:

Which scientific approach has NOT yet been exploited for the study of the deep interior of Earth?

On which object would you find the great valley system Valles Marineris?

Only the youngest impact craters remain visible on Earth's surface.Which reason is NOT an explanation for this?

Which statement CORRECTLY describes the surface of Earth?

The mechanism of the "greenhouse effect," which has resulted in very high temperatures on the surface of Venus (and moderate temperatures on Earth),can be described as solar:

What role has methane played in the search for life on Mars?

An atmosphere containing a significant amount of oxygen is found around which terrestrial planet or planets?

The source of the water found in the form of ice near Mercury's north and south poles is:

The component of Venus' atmosphere that is responsible for the excess heating,caused by the greenhouse effect,is:

Photosynthesis in plants on Earth maintains a balance between which of the two atmospheric gases?

What is a lunar rille?

Of what material is the core of Earth composed?

Which planet in our solar system has the lowest average density?

The maria on the far side of the Moon differ from those on the near side in all of the following ways EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

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