Question 1

How many times does the Moon rotate on its axis each time it orbits around Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  zero because the Moon does not rotate on its axis at all 
B)  exactly once 
C)  anywhere from zero to one times, depending on the time of year 
D)  twice 
A)  zero because the Moon does not rotate on its axis at all 
B)  exactly once 
C)  anywhere from zero to one times, depending on the time of year 
D)  twice

Question 2

The highest temperature in the Venusian atmosphere occurs (see Figure 6-46,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.):

Accepted Answer

A)  in the clear atmospheric layers below the cloud level, at an altitude of about 30 km. 
B)  at the planet's surface. 
C)  at the height of the thickest clouds, 48-52 km, where infrared absorption is highest. 
D)  at the cloud tops, which are heated by sunlight. 
A)  in the clear atmospheric layers below the cloud level, at an altitude of about 30 km. 
B)  at the planet's surface. 
C)  at the height of the thickest clouds, 48-52 km, where infrared absorption is highest. 
D)  at the cloud tops, which are heated by sunlight.

Question 3

The MOST likely explanation for the retrograde rotation (rotation in a direction opposite that of most other planets)of Venus is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  frictional slowing down and eventual reversal of Venus' rotation by tidal forces at a time when the planet had deep oceans over its surface. 
B)  frictional drag of its very dense atmosphere on the rotating planet throughout its history. 
C)  combined gravitational effects of its neighboring planets, Mercury and Earth. 
D)  impact of a massive object on it early in its history. 
A)  frictional slowing down and eventual reversal of Venus' rotation by tidal forces at a time when the planet had deep oceans over its surface. 
B)  frictional drag of its very dense atmosphere on the rotating planet throughout its history. 
C)  combined gravitational effects of its neighboring planets, Mercury and Earth. 
D)  impact of a massive object on it early in its history.

Question 4

The presence of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is thought to result directly from what type of process?

Accepted Answer

A)  volcanic eruptions 
B)  out-gassing of the oceans 
C)  original condensation of interplanetary gas clouds 
D)  biological activity of plants and animals 
A)  volcanic eruptions 
B)  out-gassing of the oceans 
C)  original condensation of interplanetary gas clouds 
D)  biological activity of plants and animals

Question 5

The conditions on the surface of Venus are:

Accepted Answer

A)  no atmosphere, hence very variable temperatures under direct sunlight. 
B)  a low-pressure, low-temperature, carbon dioxide atmosphere. 
C)  a high-pressure, high-temperature, carbon dioxide atmosphere. 
D)  a dense atmosphere of methane, ammonia, and water at a low temperature. 
A)  no atmosphere, hence very variable temperatures under direct sunlight. 
B)  a low-pressure, low-temperature, carbon dioxide atmosphere. 
C)  a high-pressure, high-temperature, carbon dioxide atmosphere. 
D)  a dense atmosphere of methane, ammonia, and water at a low temperature.

Question 6

Which place on Earth experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity because of its location? (See Figure 6-9a,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Accepted Answer

A)  central Canada 
B)  Australia 
C)  Brazil 
D)  Alaska 
A)  central Canada 
B)  Australia 
C)  Brazil 
D)  Alaska

Question 7

How was the Mid-Atlantic Ridge formed?

Accepted Answer

A)  Two crustal plates slid past each other in a transverse fault. 
B)  The weight of sediments caused the ocean floor to sink, and the ridge resulted from slumping toward the center of this basin. 
C)  Molten rock pushed up from Earth's interior and forced two crustal plates apart. 
D)  Two crustal plates collided, causing one plate to buckle, forming the ridge, while the other plate was thrust down beneath it. 
A)  Two crustal plates slid past each other in a transverse fault. 
B)  The weight of sediments caused the ocean floor to sink, and the ridge resulted from slumping toward the center of this basin. 
C)  Molten rock pushed up from Earth's interior and forced two crustal plates apart. 
D)  Two crustal plates collided, causing one plate to buckle, forming the ridge, while the other plate was thrust down beneath it.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a unit of density?

Accepted Answer

A)  lb/(yd)³ 
B)  Newton/m³ 
C)  kg/m³ 
D)  slug/(yd)³ 
A)  lb/(yd)³ 
B)  Newton/m³ 
C)  kg/m³ 
D)  slug/(yd)³

Question 9

The waves that geologists and geophysicists use to probe the inside of Earth are:

Accepted Answer

A)  seismic waves. 
B)  X rays. 
C)  gravitational waves. 
D)  radio waves. 
A)  seismic waves. 
B)  X rays. 
C)  gravitational waves. 
D)  radio waves.

Question 10

Two observed features on Mars appear to lead to contrary geological conclusions-the appearance of massive,solitary volcanoes,apparently caused by hot spots under the planet's surface,and the discovery of a long,deep rift valley across the planet.Why are the two features a contradiction?

Accepted Answer

A)  Volcanoes suggest a molten inner planet, whereas a rift valley suggests the presence of a solid core. 
B)  Massive volcanoes should have covered the planet's surface, including the valley, with dust and ash, but the valley remains as a major feature. 
C)  Ancient volcanoes show no sign of erosion by water, whereas the valley suggests prolonged rainfall and erosion. 
D)  Single massive volcanoes indicate hot-spot volcanism with no plate tectonic motion, whereas a rift valley suggests otherwise. 
A)  Volcanoes suggest a molten inner planet, whereas a rift valley suggests the presence of a solid core. 
B)  Massive volcanoes should have covered the planet's surface, including the valley, with dust and ash, but the valley remains as a major feature. 
C)  Ancient volcanoes show no sign of erosion by water, whereas the valley suggests prolonged rainfall and erosion. 
D)  Single massive volcanoes indicate hot-spot volcanism with no plate tectonic motion, whereas a rift valley suggests otherwise.

Question 11

Where has water ice been found on Mercury?

Accepted Answer

A)  nowhere 
B)  suspended as microscopic crystals in the stratosphere 
C)  in permanently shadowed crater floors at the north and south poles 
D)  in deep fissures on the night side 
A)  nowhere 
B)  suspended as microscopic crystals in the stratosphere 
C)  in permanently shadowed crater floors at the north and south poles 
D)  in deep fissures on the night side

Question 12

Our Moon raises tidal bulges on Earth and as a consequence is being pulled gradually away from Earth.Phobos raises tidal bulges on Mars and as a consequence is being pulled gradually toward Mars.Why this difference?

Accepted Answer

A)  Phobos orbits Mars with a shorter period than Mars itself rotates. 
B)  Phobos is in a polar orbit rather than an equatorial orbit. 
C)  Phobos is in a retrograde orbit. 
D)  Phobos is in a highly eccentric orbit. 
A)  Phobos orbits Mars with a shorter period than Mars itself rotates. 
B)  Phobos is in a polar orbit rather than an equatorial orbit. 
C)  Phobos is in a retrograde orbit. 
D)  Phobos is in a highly eccentric orbit.

Question 13

A caldera is a:

Accepted Answer

A)  crater formed by collapse at the summit of a volcano. 
B)  valley formed by the separation of two crustal plates. 
C)  long, sinuous valley carved by the flow of molten rock. 
D)  depression formed by the impact of an asteroid on a planetary surface. 
A)  crater formed by collapse at the summit of a volcano. 
B)  valley formed by the separation of two crustal plates. 
C)  long, sinuous valley carved by the flow of molten rock. 
D)  depression formed by the impact of an asteroid on a planetary surface.

Question 14

Earth has an average density that is approximately:

Accepted Answer

A)  twice that of water. 
B)  equal to that of water. 
C)  more than ten times that of water. 
D)  five times that of water. 
A)  twice that of water. 
B)  equal to that of water. 
C)  more than ten times that of water. 
D)  five times that of water.

Question 15

A radar mapping satellite orbited which planet in the early 1990s?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

What is the basic structure of Earth's interior?

Accepted Answer

A)  solid iron inner core, molten iron outer core, rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
B)  molten iron inner core, molten rocky outer core, solid rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
C)  molten iron core, molten rocky mantle, solid rocky crust 
D)  molten iron inner core, solid iron outer core, rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
A)  solid iron inner core, molten iron outer core, rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
B)  molten iron inner core, molten rocky outer core, solid rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
C)  molten iron core, molten rocky mantle, solid rocky crust 
D)  molten iron inner core, solid iron outer core, rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust

Question 17

Roughly how much denser was Earth's second atmosphere (i.e.,how much gas was there in it?)compared with today's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  the same density as the present atmosphere 
B)  1/10 as dense 
C)  twice as dense 
D)  100 times denser 
A)  the same density as the present atmosphere 
B)  1/10 as dense 
C)  twice as dense 
D)  100 times denser

Question 18

Which was the FIRST spacecraft to land human beings on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  Apollo 13 
B)  Apollo 10 
C)  Soyuz 5 
D)  Apollo 11 
A)  Apollo 13 
B)  Apollo 10 
C)  Soyuz 5 
D)  Apollo 11

Question 19

Why do we believe the SNC meteorites came from Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  They were brought back by the return voyage of the Mars Pathfinder mission. 
B)  Their fall to Earth was tracked by radar, so it was possible to reconstruct their trajectories. 
C)  Radioactive minerals in the rocks allow us to date them from approximately the same time as similar layers on Mars. 
D)  Trapped pockets of air in the rocks show compositions which match Martian atmospheric samples taken by the Mars landers. 
A)  They were brought back by the return voyage of the Mars Pathfinder mission. 
B)  Their fall to Earth was tracked by radar, so it was possible to reconstruct their trajectories. 
C)  Radioactive minerals in the rocks allow us to date them from approximately the same time as similar layers on Mars. 
D)  Trapped pockets of air in the rocks show compositions which match Martian atmospheric samples taken by the Mars landers.

Question 20

According to modern dynamo theory,the production of a planetwide magnetic field around a terrestrial-type planet appears to require:

Accepted Answer

A)  rapid rotation and a molten metallic core. 
B)  a permanently magnetized solid metallic core. 
C)  a molten metallic core, with or without rotation. 
D)  rapid rotation and a metallic core, either solid or molten. 
A)  rapid rotation and a molten metallic core. 
B)  a permanently magnetized solid metallic core. 
C)  a molten metallic core, with or without rotation. 
D)  rapid rotation and a metallic core, either solid or molten.

How many times does the Moon rotate on its axis each time it orbits around Earth?

The highest temperature in the Venusian atmosphere occurs (see Figure 6-46,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.):

The MOST likely explanation for the retrograde rotation (rotation in a direction opposite that of most other planets)of Venus is the:

The presence of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is thought to result directly from what type of process?

The conditions on the surface of Venus are:

Which place on Earth experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity because of its location? (See Figure 6-9a,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

How was the Mid-Atlantic Ridge formed?

Which of the following is NOT a unit of density?

The waves that geologists and geophysicists use to probe the inside of Earth are:

Two observed features on Mars appear to lead to contrary geological conclusions-the appearance of massive,solitary volcanoes,apparently caused by hot spots under the planet's surface,and the discovery of a long,deep rift valley across the planet.Why are the two features a contradiction?

Where has water ice been found on Mercury?

Our Moon raises tidal bulges on Earth and as a consequence is being pulled gradually away from Earth.Phobos raises tidal bulges on Mars and as a consequence is being pulled gradually toward Mars.Why this difference?

A caldera is a:

Earth has an average density that is approximately:

A radar mapping satellite orbited which planet in the early 1990s?

What is the basic structure of Earth's interior?

Roughly how much denser was Earth's second atmosphere (i.e.,how much gas was there in it?)compared with today's atmosphere?

Which was the FIRST spacecraft to land human beings on the Moon?

Why do we believe the SNC meteorites came from Mars?

According to modern dynamo theory,the production of a planetwide magnetic field around a terrestrial-type planet appears to require:

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

How many times does the Moon rotate on its axis each time it orbits around Earth?

The highest temperature in the Venusian atmosphere occurs (see Figure 6-46,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.):

The MOST likely explanation for the retrograde rotation (rotation in a direction opposite that of most other planets)of Venus is the:

The presence of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is thought to result directly from what type of process?

The conditions on the surface of Venus are:

Which place on Earth experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity because of its location? (See Figure 6-9a,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

How was the Mid-Atlantic Ridge formed?

Which of the following is NOT a unit of density?

The waves that geologists and geophysicists use to probe the inside of Earth are:

Two observed features on Mars appear to lead to contrary geological conclusions-the appearance of massive,solitary volcanoes,apparently caused by hot spots under the planet's surface,and the discovery of a long,deep rift valley across the planet.Why are the two features a contradiction?

Where has water ice been found on Mercury?

Our Moon raises tidal bulges on Earth and as a consequence is being pulled gradually away from Earth.Phobos raises tidal bulges on Mars and as a consequence is being pulled gradually toward Mars.Why this difference?

A caldera is a:

Earth has an average density that is approximately:

A radar mapping satellite orbited which planet in the early 1990s?

What is the basic structure of Earth's interior?

Roughly how much denser was Earth's second atmosphere (i.e.,how much gas was there in it?)compared with today's atmosphere?

Which was the FIRST spacecraft to land human beings on the Moon?

Why do we believe the SNC meteorites came from Mars?

According to modern dynamo theory,the production of a planetwide magnetic field around a terrestrial-type planet appears to require:

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