Question 1

The Messenger spacecraft made the first discovery of:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Caloris Basin. 
B)  dormant volcanoes on Mercury. 
C)  scarps on Mercury's surface. 
D)  active volcanoes on Mercury. 
A)  the Caloris Basin. 
B)  dormant volcanoes on Mercury. 
C)  scarps on Mercury's surface. 
D)  active volcanoes on Mercury.

Question 2

The low average density of the large,outer planets,which have high masses and hence high gravitational fields,is an indication of what fact about their interiors?

Accepted Answer

A)  The large, outer planets have hot, gaseous interiors, similar to the interiors of cool stars. 
B)  The interiors of the large, outer planets are composed of water, methane, and ammonia. 
C)  The large, outer planets are composed mainly of very light elements, such as hydrogen and helium. 
D)  The interiors of the large, outer planets have not been condensed to liquid or solid form. 
A)  The large, outer planets have hot, gaseous interiors, similar to the interiors of cool stars. 
B)  The interiors of the large, outer planets are composed of water, methane, and ammonia. 
C)  The large, outer planets are composed mainly of very light elements, such as hydrogen and helium. 
D)  The interiors of the large, outer planets have not been condensed to liquid or solid form.

Question 3

One or more satellites (or moons)orbit which planets?

Accepted Answer

A)  all except the inner two planets and Uranus 
B)  only Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn 
C)  only Earth and the four large, outer planets 
D)  all except the inner two planets 
A)  all except the inner two planets and Uranus 
B)  only Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn 
C)  only Earth and the four large, outer planets 
D)  all except the inner two planets

Question 4

Compared with the surface of Earth,the surface of Venus is:

Accepted Answer

A)  very smooth and flat, with no mountains or structure. 
B)  extremely rugged, with deep valleys and many high volcanic mountains. 
C)  completely covered with innumerable, overlapping craters and old crater walls, which constitute mountain ranges. 
D)  almost completely flat and relatively smooth, except for two high volcanic mountain ranges. 
A)  very smooth and flat, with no mountains or structure. 
B)  extremely rugged, with deep valleys and many high volcanic mountains. 
C)  completely covered with innumerable, overlapping craters and old crater walls, which constitute mountain ranges. 
D)  almost completely flat and relatively smooth, except for two high volcanic mountain ranges.

Question 5

There are many reasons why a multiday hiking trip on foot across Aphrodite Terra on Venus would not be advisable,at least not without suitable protection.Which condition would NOT be a concern?

Accepted Answer

A)  corrosive mists in the atmosphere 
B)  very cold nighttime temperatures 
C)  predominantly carbon dioxide atmosphere 
D)  no water 
A)  corrosive mists in the atmosphere 
B)  very cold nighttime temperatures 
C)  predominantly carbon dioxide atmosphere 
D)  no water

Question 6

Seismic evidence suggests that Earth's core spins about 2° more per year than the surface.In roughly how many years will the surface and the core have the same relative orientation they do today?

Accepted Answer

A)  2 
B)  50 
C)  90 
D)  180 
A)  2 
B)  50 
C)  90 
D)  180

Question 7

Mass is:

Accepted Answer

A)  weight. 
B)  the force with which an object pushes down on a scale. 
C)  the pressure on a unit of area. 
D)  a measure of the number and kind of particles an object possesses. 
A)  weight. 
B)  the force with which an object pushes down on a scale. 
C)  the pressure on a unit of area. 
D)  a measure of the number and kind of particles an object possesses.

Question 8

What is the status of water on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  Water has not been found on the Moon in any form. 
B)  Water has not been found to exist at present on the Moon, but there is evidence that the Moon's large maria once contained large seas. 
C)  Water ice has been found in craters near the Moon's south pole. 
D)  There is water locked up chemically in Moon rocks. 
A)  Water has not been found on the Moon in any form. 
B)  Water has not been found to exist at present on the Moon, but there is evidence that the Moon's large maria once contained large seas. 
C)  Water ice has been found in craters near the Moon's south pole. 
D)  There is water locked up chemically in Moon rocks.

Question 9

Which model of Earth's interior is now considered to be the MOST likely description of the actual Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  a solid core rotating more rapidly than the rest of Earth within a molten outer core 
B)  a solid core within a molten outer core, the whole system rotating at exactly the same rate as the outer mantle and crust 
C)  a solid core rotating more slowly than the rest of Earth within a molten outer core 
D)  a totally fluid interior rotating at the same rate as the outer mantle and crust 
A)  a solid core rotating more rapidly than the rest of Earth within a molten outer core 
B)  a solid core within a molten outer core, the whole system rotating at exactly the same rate as the outer mantle and crust 
C)  a solid core rotating more slowly than the rest of Earth within a molten outer core 
D)  a totally fluid interior rotating at the same rate as the outer mantle and crust

Question 10

A theory of the origin of the solar system must take into account all important general properties of the planets,which include three of the four properties listed.Which one is NOT an important general property of the planets?

Accepted Answer

A)  The planets are grouped by size and composition into three general groups. 
B)  The magnetic fields of the planets are produced by a variety of mechanisms. 
C)  The terrestrial planets all orbit much closer to the Sun than do any of the Jovian planets. 
D)  All the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction and nearly in the same plane. 
A)  The planets are grouped by size and composition into three general groups. 
B)  The magnetic fields of the planets are produced by a variety of mechanisms. 
C)  The terrestrial planets all orbit much closer to the Sun than do any of the Jovian planets. 
D)  All the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction and nearly in the same plane.

Question 11

Auroral displays are MOST often seen:

Accepted Answer

A)  at the north and south geographical poles, along Earth's spin axis. 
B)  directly above the north and south geomagnetic poles. 
C)  in two bands on either side of the equator, in the tropics. 
D)  in circular regions around the north and south geomagnetic poles. 
A)  at the north and south geographical poles, along Earth's spin axis. 
B)  directly above the north and south geomagnetic poles. 
C)  in two bands on either side of the equator, in the tropics. 
D)  in circular regions around the north and south geomagnetic poles.

Question 12

The planet with the highest overall density is

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

"This planet has a very hot solid surface,it is cloud-shrouded,and it has a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere." Which of the planets fits this description?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

"This planet has a large iron core,a heavily cratered surface,and no atmosphere." Which planet in our solar system fits this description?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Where did the majority of the large amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂)from the second major atmosphere to form on the early Earth end up?

Accepted Answer

A)  as nitrogen oxides and carbon, after chemical reactions with the majority component of the atmosphere, the nitrogen molecules 
B)  in plant life, where it was transformed into solid carbon and gaseous oxygen 
C)  dissolved in the oceans and, via the shells of living creatures, in the limestone of many mountain ranges 
D)  still in the atmosphere, though the quantity of nitrogen and oxygen has since risen to make these constituents the most abundant and relegate carbon dioxide to a minor constituent 
A)  as nitrogen oxides and carbon, after chemical reactions with the majority component of the atmosphere, the nitrogen molecules 
B)  in plant life, where it was transformed into solid carbon and gaseous oxygen 
C)  dissolved in the oceans and, via the shells of living creatures, in the limestone of many mountain ranges 
D)  still in the atmosphere, though the quantity of nitrogen and oxygen has since risen to make these constituents the most abundant and relegate carbon dioxide to a minor constituent

Question 16

How is it possible that the surface of Venus is resurfaced periodically without large-scale tectonic plate motion? Three of the following are proposed answers to this question and EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  Radioactive heating forces mantle convection without large scale plate motion. 
B)  Heating causes cracking of the surface, and magma is able to force its way to the surface. 
C)  The heat of the mantle melts sections of the crust periodically. 
D)  Shock waves from the collision that tipped Venus over on its axis are still reverberating inside and periodically break through the surface. 
A)  Radioactive heating forces mantle convection without large scale plate motion. 
B)  Heating causes cracking of the surface, and magma is able to force its way to the surface. 
C)  The heat of the mantle melts sections of the crust periodically. 
D)  Shock waves from the collision that tipped Venus over on its axis are still reverberating inside and periodically break through the surface.

Question 17

On the average,how long does a spin flip of Earth's magnetic field require? That is,how long is required to flip the field from one direction to the other?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Air pressure falls by roughly a fraction (half)of its pressure for every 5.5-km increase in altitude.What,then,is the air pressure at the top of the troposphere,11 km above Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  33% of that at Earth's surface 
B)  zero 
C)  50% of that at Earth's surface 
D)  25% of that at Earth's surface 
A)  33% of that at Earth's surface 
B)  zero 
C)  50% of that at Earth's surface 
D)  25% of that at Earth's surface

Question 19

The unstable chemicals dissolved in the Martian regolith suggest that the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the surface of Mars is much greater than the amount reaching the surface of Earth.The Martian atmosphere lacks which constituent in sufficient quantities to absorb incoming ultraviolet radiation?

Accepted Answer

A)  oxygen 
B)  ozone 
C)  carbon dioxide 
D)  nitrogen 
A)  oxygen 
B)  ozone 
C)  carbon dioxide 
D)  nitrogen

Question 20

Both Mercury and Earth have global magnetic fields.Compared with Earth,which feature is Mercury known to lack that is thought necessary for generating such a field?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury does not lack any such feature. 
B)  a large iron core 
C)  rapid planetary rotation 
D)  a partially molten iron core 
A)  Mercury does not lack any such feature. 
B)  a large iron core 
C)  rapid planetary rotation 
D)  a partially molten iron core

The Messenger spacecraft made the first discovery of:

The low average density of the large,outer planets,which have high masses and hence high gravitational fields,is an indication of what fact about their interiors?

One or more satellites (or moons)orbit which planets?

Compared with the surface of Earth,the surface of Venus is:

There are many reasons why a multiday hiking trip on foot across Aphrodite Terra on Venus would not be advisable,at least not without suitable protection.Which condition would NOT be a concern?

Seismic evidence suggests that Earth's core spins about 2° more per year than the surface.In roughly how many years will the surface and the core have the same relative orientation they do today?

Mass is:

What is the status of water on the Moon?

Which model of Earth's interior is now considered to be the MOST likely description of the actual Earth?

A theory of the origin of the solar system must take into account all important general properties of the planets,which include three of the four properties listed.Which one is NOT an important general property of the planets?

Auroral displays are MOST often seen:

The planet with the highest overall density is

"This planet has a very hot solid surface,it is cloud-shrouded,and it has a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere." Which of the planets fits this description?

"This planet has a large iron core,a heavily cratered surface,and no atmosphere." Which planet in our solar system fits this description?

Where did the majority of the large amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂)from the second major atmosphere to form on the early Earth end up?

How is it possible that the surface of Venus is resurfaced periodically without large-scale tectonic plate motion? Three of the following are proposed answers to this question and EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

On the average,how long does a spin flip of Earth's magnetic field require? That is,how long is required to flip the field from one direction to the other?

Air pressure falls by roughly a fraction (half)of its pressure for every 5.5-km increase in altitude.What,then,is the air pressure at the top of the troposphere,11 km above Earth's surface?

Both Mercury and Earth have global magnetic fields.Compared with Earth,which feature is Mercury known to lack that is thought necessary for generating such a field?

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 Messenger spacecraft made the first discovery of:

The low average density of the large,outer planets,which have high masses and hence high gravitational fields,is an indication of what fact about their interiors?

One or more satellites (or moons)orbit which planets?

Compared with the surface of Earth,the surface of Venus is:

There are many reasons why a multiday hiking trip on foot across Aphrodite Terra on Venus would not be advisable,at least not without suitable protection.Which condition would NOT be a concern?

Seismic evidence suggests that Earth's core spins about 2° more per year than the surface.In roughly how many years will the surface and the core have the same relative orientation they do today?

Mass is:

What is the status of water on the Moon?

Which model of Earth's interior is now considered to be the MOST likely description of the actual Earth?

A theory of the origin of the solar system must take into account all important general properties of the planets,which include three of the four properties listed.Which one is NOT an important general property of the planets?

Auroral displays are MOST often seen:

The planet with the highest overall density is

"This planet has a very hot solid surface,it is cloud-shrouded,and it has a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere." Which of the planets fits this description?

"This planet has a large iron core,a heavily cratered surface,and no atmosphere." Which planet in our solar system fits this description?

Where did the majority of the large amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂)from the second major atmosphere to form on the early Earth end up?

How is it possible that the surface of Venus is resurfaced periodically without large-scale tectonic plate motion? Three of the following are proposed answers to this question and EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

On the average,how long does a spin flip of Earth's magnetic field require? That is,how long is required to flip the field from one direction to the other?

Air pressure falls by roughly a fraction (half)of its pressure for every 5.5-km increase in altitude.What,then,is the air pressure at the top of the troposphere,11 km above Earth's surface?

Both Mercury and Earth have global magnetic fields.Compared with Earth,which feature is Mercury known to lack that is thought necessary for generating such a field?

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