Question 1

The severe atmospheric conditions that quickly destroyed spacecraft that soft-landed on the surface of Venus were:

Accepted Answer

A)  very low temperatures, a near vacuum, and corrosive alkaline clouds and mist. 
B)  high temperatures, high pressures, and corrosive acid clouds and mist. 
C)  high temperatures, low atmospheric pressure, and intense UV radiation from the Sun. 
D)  intense sunlight, including UV radiation, very high pressures, and very low temperatures. 
A)  very low temperatures, a near vacuum, and corrosive alkaline clouds and mist. 
B)  high temperatures, high pressures, and corrosive acid clouds and mist. 
C)  high temperatures, low atmospheric pressure, and intense UV radiation from the Sun. 
D)  intense sunlight, including UV radiation, very high pressures, and very low temperatures.

Question 2

The average density of the outer "giant" planets compared with the density of liquid water is:

Accepted Answer

A)  slightly higher, about 1.2 times. 
B)  very high, greater than 10 times. 
C)  much lower. 
D)  about 5 times higher. 
A)  slightly higher, about 1.2 times. 
B)  very high, greater than 10 times. 
C)  much lower. 
D)  about 5 times higher.

Question 3

The MOST likely source for the sulfur compounds in the clouds above the surface of Venus appears to be:

Accepted Answer

A)  intense wind storms that have carried surface dust high into the atmosphere. 
B)  meteoritic material that burned up as it fell into the Venusian atmosphere. 
C)  recent eruptions of volcanoes, spewing gases and dust high into the atmosphere. 
D)  the solar wind, having been captured by the intense magnetic field of the planet. 
A)  intense wind storms that have carried surface dust high into the atmosphere. 
B)  meteoritic material that burned up as it fell into the Venusian atmosphere. 
C)  recent eruptions of volcanoes, spewing gases and dust high into the atmosphere. 
D)  the solar wind, having been captured by the intense magnetic field of the planet.

Question 4

Earth's thermosphere is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  outermost atmospheric layer in which ultraviolet light from the Sun ionizes atoms. 
B)  intermediate atmospheric layer in which ultraviolet light from the Sun is absorbed by ozone (O₃) molecules. 
C)  region of the magnetosphere in which trapped high-energy charged particles spiral along magnetic field lines. 
D)  layer of molten iron and nickel below the mantle. 
A)  outermost atmospheric layer in which ultraviolet light from the Sun ionizes atoms. 
B)  intermediate atmospheric layer in which ultraviolet light from the Sun is absorbed by ozone (O₃) molecules. 
C)  region of the magnetosphere in which trapped high-energy charged particles spiral along magnetic field lines. 
D)  layer of molten iron and nickel below the mantle.

Question 5

Craters on Mars have flatter bottoms and their rims appear to be more worn down than those on either Earth's Moon or Mercury.What has caused this wear?

Accepted Answer

A)  breakdown of the rocks by the extreme temperature variations between day and night 
B)  erosion by the seasonal fall and subsequent melting of carbon dioxide snow 
C)  erosion by wind and infilling by dust storms 
D)  erosion by rainfall, now and in the past 
A)  breakdown of the rocks by the extreme temperature variations between day and night 
B)  erosion by the seasonal fall and subsequent melting of carbon dioxide snow 
C)  erosion by wind and infilling by dust storms 
D)  erosion by rainfall, now and in the past

Question 6

Approximately how many times in one Earth year does Mercury appear at its point of greatest eastern elongation (e.g.,in the western sky at sunset)from Earth? (Review synodic period,Section 2-3 and Table 2-1,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Accepted Answer

A)  twice 
B)  4 times 
C)  once 
D)  3 times 
A)  twice 
B)  4 times 
C)  once 
D)  3 times

Question 7

What are the major layers of Earth's atmosphere in the CORRECT order from the surface upward?

Accepted Answer

A)  stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, troposphere 
B)  mesosphere, troposphere, thermosphere, stratosphere 
C)  thermosphere, mesosphere, troposphere, stratosphere 
D)  troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere 
A)  stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, troposphere 
B)  mesosphere, troposphere, thermosphere, stratosphere 
C)  thermosphere, mesosphere, troposphere, stratosphere 
D)  troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere

Question 8

What is the Valles Marineris?

Accepted Answer

A)  a large rift valley system associated with the great volcanoes on Mars 
B)  a long scarp-and-trough system in the lava plains of Mercury 
C)  a system of deep trenches bordering Aphrodite Terra on Venus 
D)  a system of tectonic faults on the Jovian satellite Ganymede 
A)  a large rift valley system associated with the great volcanoes on Mars 
B)  a long scarp-and-trough system in the lava plains of Mercury 
C)  a system of deep trenches bordering Aphrodite Terra on Venus 
D)  a system of tectonic faults on the Jovian satellite Ganymede

Question 9

What is the status of a magnetic field on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Moon has a surprisingly large magnetic field considering its small size and slow rotation. 
B)  The Moon has a weak but uniform magnetic field consistent with its small size and slow rotation. 
C)  There is no evidence that the Moon has ever had any magnetic field. 
D)  Superimposed on the Moon's weak magnetic field are regions where the field is strong enough to shield the region from the solar wind. 
A)  The Moon has a surprisingly large magnetic field considering its small size and slow rotation. 
B)  The Moon has a weak but uniform magnetic field consistent with its small size and slow rotation. 
C)  There is no evidence that the Moon has ever had any magnetic field. 
D)  Superimposed on the Moon's weak magnetic field are regions where the field is strong enough to shield the region from the solar wind.

Question 10

Which characteristic is NOT typical of our planetary system?

Accepted Answer

A)  The spin axes of most of the planets are aligned to within 30° to the perpendicular of the orbital plane. 
B)  The orbits of most of the planets are almost circular. 
C)  Most of the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction. 
D)  The physical size of most of the planets is about the same. 
A)  The spin axes of most of the planets are aligned to within 30° to the perpendicular of the orbital plane. 
B)  The orbits of most of the planets are almost circular. 
C)  Most of the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction. 
D)  The physical size of most of the planets is about the same.

Question 11

In one orbit around the Sun,Mercury rotates around its axis (see Figure 6-34 and Figure 6-44,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.):

Accepted Answer

A)  twice. 
B)  3 times. 
C)  1 time. 
D)  once, in a synchronous orbit. 
A)  twice. 
B)  3 times. 
C)  1 time. 
D)  once, in a synchronous orbit.

Question 12

How long is one solar day (e.g.,noon to noon)on Mercury in Earth days? (See Figure 6-34,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Accepted Answer

A)  88 days 
B)  1 day 
C)  58.7 days 
D)  176 days 
A)  88 days 
B)  1 day 
C)  58.7 days 
D)  176 days

Question 13

Earth's mantle,the semimolten layer below the crust,is composed largely of what chemical materials?

Accepted Answer

A)  iron-poor rocks and minerals 
B)  almost pure iron 
C)  solid hydrogen and helium 
D)  minerals rich in iron and magnesium 
A)  iron-poor rocks and minerals 
B)  almost pure iron 
C)  solid hydrogen and helium 
D)  minerals rich in iron and magnesium

Question 14

Observations of tectonic activity differ on Venus and on Earth.A reasonable explanation is that on Venus:

Accepted Answer

A)  the crust appears to be thicker and is therefore too rigid to break up into moving plates. 
B)  the surface is broken into only two plates, divided by a line at an angle to the equator. 
C)  the crust appears to be thinner and weaker and cannot support the creation and motion of solid plates. 
D)  mantle convection appears to be more vigorous and has broken the lithosphere into a multitude of small plates instead of a few large ones. 
A)  the crust appears to be thicker and is therefore too rigid to break up into moving plates. 
B)  the surface is broken into only two plates, divided by a line at an angle to the equator. 
C)  the crust appears to be thinner and weaker and cannot support the creation and motion of solid plates. 
D)  mantle convection appears to be more vigorous and has broken the lithosphere into a multitude of small plates instead of a few large ones.

Question 15

What is a transform-fault boundary?

Accepted Answer

A)  a place where two crustal plates meet and, as a result, one plate is forced down beneath the other 
B)  a place where crustal plates collide head on 
C)  a place where crustal plates are separating from each other 
D)  a place where crustal plates collide while moving perpendicular to the boundary between them and grind against one another 
A)  a place where two crustal plates meet and, as a result, one plate is forced down beneath the other 
B)  a place where crustal plates collide head on 
C)  a place where crustal plates are separating from each other 
D)  a place where crustal plates collide while moving perpendicular to the boundary between them and grind against one another

Question 16

In the mapping of Venus by the orbiting Magellan spacecraft,what parameter was measured by the sensors in order to produce three-dimensional maps of the planet's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  precise photographs of the extreme limb of the planet, taken at UV wavelengths to which the atmosphere is transparent, that showed detailed profiles of the planet's surface 
B)  time delay of the return of reflected radio waves 
C)  wavelength and hence Doppler shift of reflected radio waves 
D)  pairs of photographs taken from different angles that were then combined stereoscopically to produce contour maps 
A)  precise photographs of the extreme limb of the planet, taken at UV wavelengths to which the atmosphere is transparent, that showed detailed profiles of the planet's surface 
B)  time delay of the return of reflected radio waves 
C)  wavelength and hence Doppler shift of reflected radio waves 
D)  pairs of photographs taken from different angles that were then combined stereoscopically to produce contour maps

Question 17

What evidence is there that Mars may have had an internal magnetic dynamo in its youth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars, show residual radioactivity, as if they had orbited through the high-energy charged particles of a former Martian magnetosphere. 
B)  There is no evidence that Mars has ever had an internal magnetic dynamo. 
C)  "Fossilized" regions of opposite magnetic polarity have been found near Mars' north and south geographic poles. 
D)  Magnetic fields at the surface of Mars show interlocking patterns similar to those produced on Earth by magnetic reversals in Earth's internal dynamo. 
A)  Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars, show residual radioactivity, as if they had orbited through the high-energy charged particles of a former Martian magnetosphere. 
B)  There is no evidence that Mars has ever had an internal magnetic dynamo. 
C)  "Fossilized" regions of opposite magnetic polarity have been found near Mars' north and south geographic poles. 
D)  Magnetic fields at the surface of Mars show interlocking patterns similar to those produced on Earth by magnetic reversals in Earth's internal dynamo.

Question 18

What is the highest mountain range on Venus called?

Accepted Answer

A)  Olympus Mons 
B)  Ishtar Terra 
C)  Maxwell Montes 
D)  Alpha Regio 
A)  Olympus Mons 
B)  Ishtar Terra 
C)  Maxwell Montes 
D)  Alpha Regio

Question 19

The age of the Moon is determined primarily by the:

Accepted Answer

A)  measurement of radioactive elements and radioactive dating. 
B)  radiocarbon dating of remnants of living material such as plant life. 
C)  measurement of the relative concentrations of easily melted and evaporated substances, the "volatiles," and the less volatile materials, the "refractory" elements. 
D)  careful counting of crater over different regions of the Moon and comparison with known meteoroid densities in space. 
A)  measurement of radioactive elements and radioactive dating. 
B)  radiocarbon dating of remnants of living material such as plant life. 
C)  measurement of the relative concentrations of easily melted and evaporated substances, the "volatiles," and the less volatile materials, the "refractory" elements. 
D)  careful counting of crater over different regions of the Moon and comparison with known meteoroid densities in space.

Question 20

Against which tectonic plate is the Australia-India tectonic plate pushing to form the Himalayan mountains? (See Figure 6-9a,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Accepted Answer

A)  the Eurasian Plate 
B)  the North American Plate 
C)  the African Plate 
D)  the Antarctic Plate 
A)  the Eurasian Plate 
B)  the North American Plate 
C)  the African Plate 
D)  the Antarctic Plate

The severe atmospheric conditions that quickly destroyed spacecraft that soft-landed on the surface of Venus were:

The average density of the outer "giant" planets compared with the density of liquid water is:

The MOST likely source for the sulfur compounds in the clouds above the surface of Venus appears to be:

Earth's thermosphere is the:

Craters on Mars have flatter bottoms and their rims appear to be more worn down than those on either Earth's Moon or Mercury.What has caused this wear?

Approximately how many times in one Earth year does Mercury appear at its point of greatest eastern elongation (e.g.,in the western sky at sunset)from Earth? (Review synodic period,Section 2-3 and Table 2-1,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

What are the major layers of Earth's atmosphere in the CORRECT order from the surface upward?

What is the Valles Marineris?

What is the status of a magnetic field on the Moon?

Which characteristic is NOT typical of our planetary system?

In one orbit around the Sun,Mercury rotates around its axis (see Figure 6-34 and Figure 6-44,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.):

How long is one solar day (e.g.,noon to noon)on Mercury in Earth days? (See Figure 6-34,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Earth's mantle,the semimolten layer below the crust,is composed largely of what chemical materials?

Observations of tectonic activity differ on Venus and on Earth.A reasonable explanation is that on Venus:

What is a transform-fault boundary?

In the mapping of Venus by the orbiting Magellan spacecraft,what parameter was measured by the sensors in order to produce three-dimensional maps of the planet's surface?

What evidence is there that Mars may have had an internal magnetic dynamo in its youth?

What is the highest mountain range on Venus called?

The age of the Moon is determined primarily by the:

Against which tectonic plate is the Australia-India tectonic plate pushing to form the Himalayan mountains? (See Figure 6-9a,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

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

The severe atmospheric conditions that quickly destroyed spacecraft that soft-landed on the surface of Venus were:

The average density of the outer "giant" planets compared with the density of liquid water is:

The MOST likely source for the sulfur compounds in the clouds above the surface of Venus appears to be:

Earth's thermosphere is the:

Craters on Mars have flatter bottoms and their rims appear to be more worn down than those on either Earth's Moon or Mercury.What has caused this wear?

Approximately how many times in one Earth year does Mercury appear at its point of greatest eastern elongation (e.g.,in the western sky at sunset)from Earth? (Review synodic period,Section 2-3 and Table 2-1,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

What are the major layers of Earth's atmosphere in the CORRECT order from the surface upward?

What is the Valles Marineris?

What is the status of a magnetic field on the Moon?

Which characteristic is NOT typical of our planetary system?

In one orbit around the Sun,Mercury rotates around its axis (see Figure 6-34 and Figure 6-44,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.):

How long is one solar day (e.g.,noon to noon)on Mercury in Earth days? (See Figure 6-34,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Earth's mantle,the semimolten layer below the crust,is composed largely of what chemical materials?

Observations of tectonic activity differ on Venus and on Earth.A reasonable explanation is that on Venus:

What is a transform-fault boundary?

In the mapping of Venus by the orbiting Magellan spacecraft,what parameter was measured by the sensors in order to produce three-dimensional maps of the planet's surface?

What evidence is there that Mars may have had an internal magnetic dynamo in its youth?

What is the highest mountain range on Venus called?

The age of the Moon is determined primarily by the:

Against which tectonic plate is the Australia-India tectonic plate pushing to form the Himalayan mountains? (See Figure 6-9a,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

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