Question 1

Moonquakes:

Accepted Answer

A)  never occur; the Moon is seismically quiet. 
B)  occur but are much weaker and much less frequent than earthquakes. 
C)  are much more violent and occur much more often than earthquakes. 
D)  occur, but only from the impact of meteoroids from space. 
A)  never occur; the Moon is seismically quiet. 
B)  occur but are much weaker and much less frequent than earthquakes. 
C)  are much more violent and occur much more often than earthquakes. 
D)  occur, but only from the impact of meteoroids from space.

Question 2

How has the age of Mercury's intercrater plains been estimated?

Accepted Answer

A)  from residual radioactivity within the plains compared with areas outside, as measured by the Mariner 10 spacecraft 
B)  by comparing the albedo of the plains with areas outside because material becomes lighter as it gets older, as it does on the Moon 
C)  from radioactive dating of rocks returned to Earth by the Mariner 10 spacecraft 
D)  by comparing the number of craters per unit area within the plains with areas outside 
A)  from residual radioactivity within the plains compared with areas outside, as measured by the Mariner 10 spacecraft 
B)  by comparing the albedo of the plains with areas outside because material becomes lighter as it gets older, as it does on the Moon 
C)  from radioactive dating of rocks returned to Earth by the Mariner 10 spacecraft 
D)  by comparing the number of craters per unit area within the plains with areas outside

Question 3

The pressure in the atmosphere of Earth (or of any other planet)is related to altitude above the planet's surface in what characteristic way?

Accepted Answer

A)  The pressure remains constant with increasing altitude. 
B)  The pressure decreases by a fixed fraction each interval of altitude (down by every 5.5 km on Earth). 
C)  The pressure decreases and increases several times with increasing altitude, following the temperature variation. 
D)  The pressure decreases by a fixed amount per unit altitude interval (20% of surface pressure every 5.5 km on Earth). 
A)  The pressure remains constant with increasing altitude. 
B)  The pressure decreases by a fixed fraction each interval of altitude (down by every 5.5 km on Earth). 
C)  The pressure decreases and increases several times with increasing altitude, following the temperature variation. 
D)  The pressure decreases by a fixed amount per unit altitude interval (20% of surface pressure every 5.5 km on Earth).

Question 4

The overall shape of the orbits of MOST of the planets in the solar system is:

Accepted Answer

A)  perfectly circular. 
B)  parabolic. 
C)  slightly elliptical, but nearly circular. 
D)  elliptical, very elongated. 
A)  perfectly circular. 
B)  parabolic. 
C)  slightly elliptical, but nearly circular. 
D)  elliptical, very elongated.

Question 5

The cloud structure in the atmosphere of Venus can be described as:

Accepted Answer

A)  a clear layer at the surface, a haze layer above it, and then a high, thick layer of permanent cloud. 
B)  a permanent and thick cloud layer, extending almost to ground level. 
C)  isolated clouds forming and dissipating all the time, with clear sky between them. 
D)  mostly clear sky with occasional thin, high clouds and dust. 
A)  a clear layer at the surface, a haze layer above it, and then a high, thick layer of permanent cloud. 
B)  a permanent and thick cloud layer, extending almost to ground level. 
C)  isolated clouds forming and dissipating all the time, with clear sky between them. 
D)  mostly clear sky with occasional thin, high clouds and dust.

Question 6

What are the Van Allen belts?

Accepted Answer

A)  two doughnut-shaped regions of high-energy charged particles in Earth's magnetosphere 
B)  oval-shaped regions around each of Earth's magnetic poles where charged particles collide with ions in Earth's atmosphere 
C)  the inner and outer parts of the asteroid belt 
D)  regions of high concentrations of electrons and ionized atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere where radio waves are reflected toward the surface of Earth 
A)  two doughnut-shaped regions of high-energy charged particles in Earth's magnetosphere 
B)  oval-shaped regions around each of Earth's magnetic poles where charged particles collide with ions in Earth's atmosphere 
C)  the inner and outer parts of the asteroid belt 
D)  regions of high concentrations of electrons and ionized atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere where radio waves are reflected toward the surface of Earth

Question 7

Which feature was NOT found on Mars when spacecraft finally visited the planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  deep, winding canyons 
B)  straight canals 
C)  extinct volcanoes 
D)  craters 
A)  deep, winding canyons 
B)  straight canals 
C)  extinct volcanoes 
D)  craters

Question 8

In 2013,the Curiosity rover analyzed Martian soil samples and determined that they contained:

Accepted Answer

A)  no water at all. 
B)  trace amounts of water. 
C)  2% water. 
D)  30% water. 
A)  no water at all. 
B)  trace amounts of water. 
C)  2% water. 
D)  30% water.

Question 9

The smooth surfaces of the lunar maria were MOST likely caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  lava flows in the early history of the Moon. 
B)  dust storms that smoothed and covered the surface. 
C)  volcanic ash that rained on the surfaces of the basins in ancient times. 
D)  water flowing into the basins and allowing sediments to settle over their surfaces. 
A)  lava flows in the early history of the Moon. 
B)  dust storms that smoothed and covered the surface. 
C)  volcanic ash that rained on the surfaces of the basins in ancient times. 
D)  water flowing into the basins and allowing sediments to settle over their surfaces.

Question 10

The Earth's average density (5520 kg/m³)is slightly higher than that of Mercury (5430 kg/m³)because

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth has a larger iron core in proportion to its size than Mercury has. 
B)  Earth is more massive than Mercury and has therefore become more compressed, gravitationally. 
C)  Mercury's interior has expanded slightly because of radioactive heating, reducing its density since its formation. 
D)  Earth has a denser atmosphere than Mercury has. 
A)  Earth has a larger iron core in proportion to its size than Mercury has. 
B)  Earth is more massive than Mercury and has therefore become more compressed, gravitationally. 
C)  Mercury's interior has expanded slightly because of radioactive heating, reducing its density since its formation. 
D)  Earth has a denser atmosphere than Mercury has.

Question 11

Olympus Mons is a:

Accepted Answer

A)  long-lived anticyclone, or spot, on Jupiter. 
B)  valley on the Moon. 
C)  mountain on Venus. 
D)  volcano on Mars. 
A)  long-lived anticyclone, or spot, on Jupiter. 
B)  valley on the Moon. 
C)  mountain on Venus. 
D)  volcano on Mars.

Question 12

How many times does Mercury rotate around its axis with respect to the distant stars in one orbit round the Sun? (See Figure 6-34 and Figure 6-44,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Accepted Answer

A)  1 time 
B)  3 times 
C)  2/3 times 
D)  twice 
A)  1 time 
B)  3 times 
C)  2/3 times 
D)  twice

Question 13

Where in the universe would you look for a rille?

Accepted Answer

A)  on Mars because rilles are the "canals" seen by Lowell to extend across the planet surface 
B)  in the galactic plane because it is a dark dust band 
C)  in Saturn's rings because rilles are the gaps in the rings 
D)  on the Moon because it is the name given to a deep winding canyon there 
A)  on Mars because rilles are the "canals" seen by Lowell to extend across the planet surface 
B)  in the galactic plane because it is a dark dust band 
C)  in Saturn's rings because rilles are the gaps in the rings 
D)  on the Moon because it is the name given to a deep winding canyon there

Question 14

Mercury has a very:

Accepted Answer

A)  dim magnitude when viewed in the sky. 
B)  low albedo. 
C)  large magnetic field. 
D)  thick atmosphere. 
A)  dim magnitude when viewed in the sky. 
B)  low albedo. 
C)  large magnetic field. 
D)  thick atmosphere.

Question 15

The SMALLEST of the terrestrial planets is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Neptune. 
B)  Mars. 
C)  Ganymede. 
D)  Mercury. 
A)  Neptune. 
B)  Mars. 
C)  Ganymede. 
D)  Mercury.

Question 16

When were most of the existing lava plains formed on the surface of Mercury?

Accepted Answer

A)  never since there is no evidence of lava flows on the surface of Mercury 
B)  when Mercury was first formed, about 4.5 billion years ago 
C)  at the end of the era of heavy bombardment, about 3.8 billion years ago 
D)  when the crust wrinkled to form the scarps 
A)  never since there is no evidence of lava flows on the surface of Mercury 
B)  when Mercury was first formed, about 4.5 billion years ago 
C)  at the end of the era of heavy bombardment, about 3.8 billion years ago 
D)  when the crust wrinkled to form the scarps

Question 17

Mars experiences similar seasonal changes to those on Earth because:

Accepted Answer

A)  its has about the same shape of elliptical orbit as Earth, which produces similar changes in solar radiation intensity as the planet orbits the Sun. 
B)  its spin axis is tilted at about the same angle to its orbital plane as is Earth's axis. 
C)  the length of its day is very close to the length of an Earth day. 
D)  the length of its year is very close to that of Earth. 
A)  its has about the same shape of elliptical orbit as Earth, which produces similar changes in solar radiation intensity as the planet orbits the Sun. 
B)  its spin axis is tilted at about the same angle to its orbital plane as is Earth's axis. 
C)  the length of its day is very close to the length of an Earth day. 
D)  the length of its year is very close to that of Earth.

Question 18

Why do the larger craters on the Moon have central peaks?

Accepted Answer

A)  The impact cracked the crust, and lava flowed into the center of the crater, forming a small volcanic peak. 
B)  The incoming projectile was large enough that it was not destroyed and remained to form the central peak. 
C)  Debris from the crater walls has rolled into the crater and has collected at its center. 
D)  The crater floor rebounded upward after the initial compression from the impact of an interplanetary rock. 
A)  The impact cracked the crust, and lava flowed into the center of the crater, forming a small volcanic peak. 
B)  The incoming projectile was large enough that it was not destroyed and remained to form the central peak. 
C)  Debris from the crater walls has rolled into the crater and has collected at its center. 
D)  The crater floor rebounded upward after the initial compression from the impact of an interplanetary rock.

Question 19

The Rocky Mountains of North America were formed by:

Accepted Answer

A)  an ancient, mid-oceanic volcanic ridge now uplifted to become dry land. 
B)  folding of Earth's crust where two crustal plates collided along a subduction zone. 
C)  asteroid impacts during the first billion years of Earth's history. 
D)  shrinking and folding of Earth's crust as Earth cooled and contracted. 
A)  an ancient, mid-oceanic volcanic ridge now uplifted to become dry land. 
B)  folding of Earth's crust where two crustal plates collided along a subduction zone. 
C)  asteroid impacts during the first billion years of Earth's history. 
D)  shrinking and folding of Earth's crust as Earth cooled and contracted.

Question 20

Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth is the biggest of the planets. 
B)  Jupiter has the highest average density of the planets. 
C)  The average mass of terrestrial planets is close to the average mass of the large, outer planets. 
D)  Earth is the most massive of the terrestrial planets. 
A)  Earth is the biggest of the planets. 
B)  Jupiter has the highest average density of the planets. 
C)  The average mass of terrestrial planets is close to the average mass of the large, outer planets. 
D)  Earth is the most massive of the terrestrial planets.

Moonquakes:

How has the age of Mercury's intercrater plains been estimated?

The pressure in the atmosphere of Earth (or of any other planet)is related to altitude above the planet's surface in what characteristic way?

The overall shape of the orbits of MOST of the planets in the solar system is:

The cloud structure in the atmosphere of Venus can be described as:

What are the Van Allen belts?

Which feature was NOT found on Mars when spacecraft finally visited the planet?

In 2013,the Curiosity rover analyzed Martian soil samples and determined that they contained:

The smooth surfaces of the lunar maria were MOST likely caused by:

The Earth's average density (5520 kg/m³)is slightly higher than that of Mercury (5430 kg/m³)because

Olympus Mons is a:

How many times does Mercury rotate around its axis with respect to the distant stars in one orbit round the Sun? (See Figure 6-34 and Figure 6-44,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Where in the universe would you look for a rille?

Mercury has a very:

The SMALLEST of the terrestrial planets is:

When were most of the existing lava plains formed on the surface of Mercury?

Mars experiences similar seasonal changes to those on Earth because:

Why do the larger craters on the Moon have central peaks?

The Rocky Mountains of North America were formed by:

Which statement is TRUE?

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

Moonquakes:

How has the age of Mercury's intercrater plains been estimated?

The pressure in the atmosphere of Earth (or of any other planet)is related to altitude above the planet's surface in what characteristic way?

The overall shape of the orbits of MOST of the planets in the solar system is:

The cloud structure in the atmosphere of Venus can be described as:

What are the Van Allen belts?

Which feature was NOT found on Mars when spacecraft finally visited the planet?

In 2013,the Curiosity rover analyzed Martian soil samples and determined that they contained:

The smooth surfaces of the lunar maria were MOST likely caused by:

The Earth's average density (5520 kg/m³)is slightly higher than that of Mercury (5430 kg/m³)because

Olympus Mons is a:

How many times does Mercury rotate around its axis with respect to the distant stars in one orbit round the Sun? (See Figure 6-34 and Figure 6-44,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Where in the universe would you look for a rille?

Mercury has a very:

The SMALLEST of the terrestrial planets is:

When were most of the existing lava plains formed on the surface of Mercury?

Mars experiences similar seasonal changes to those on Earth because:

Why do the larger craters on the Moon have central peaks?

The Rocky Mountains of North America were formed by:

Which statement is TRUE?

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