Question 1

Phobos and Deimos are moons of which planet?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

The reddish color of Mars is probably due to:

Accepted Answer

A)  the glow from the very high temperature surface on the sunlit parts of Mars. 
B)  iron oxides such as rust. 
C)  vegetation turning red in the Martian autumn. 
D)  sulfur compounds thrown out by active volcanoes. 
A)  the glow from the very high temperature surface on the sunlit parts of Mars. 
B)  iron oxides such as rust. 
C)  vegetation turning red in the Martian autumn. 
D)  sulfur compounds thrown out by active volcanoes.

Question 3

Does the size of a planet or moon influence its magnetic field?

Accepted Answer

A)  No, bodies of all sizes are equally likely to possess magnetic fields. 
B)  Yes, large bodies are more likely to spin faster and are thus more likely to possess a magnetic field. 
C)  Yes, large bodies retain their internal heat longer, are more likely to have a molten core, and are thus more likely to have a magnetic field. 
D)  Yes, the oblateness (being thicker through the equator than through the poles) influences the formation of a magnetic field, and large planets are more oblate. 
A)  No, bodies of all sizes are equally likely to possess magnetic fields. 
B)  Yes, large bodies are more likely to spin faster and are thus more likely to possess a magnetic field. 
C)  Yes, large bodies retain their internal heat longer, are more likely to have a molten core, and are thus more likely to have a magnetic field. 
D)  Yes, the oblateness (being thicker through the equator than through the poles) influences the formation of a magnetic field, and large planets are more oblate.

Question 4

The shapes and sizes of the two moons of Mars are:

Accepted Answer

A)  spherical and quite large compared to the planet, about 1000 km in diameter, similar to the largest asteroid. 
B)  almost spherical but very small, only 10 and 30 km in diameter, respectively. 
C)  irregular, but quite large compared with the planet, between 500 and 1500 km across. 
D)  irregular in shape and very small, only several tens of kilometers across. 
A)  spherical and quite large compared to the planet, about 1000 km in diameter, similar to the largest asteroid. 
B)  almost spherical but very small, only 10 and 30 km in diameter, respectively. 
C)  irregular, but quite large compared with the planet, between 500 and 1500 km across. 
D)  irregular in shape and very small, only several tens of kilometers across.

Question 5

Coronal mass ejections can do all of the following EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  send charged particles through the Van Allen belts into Earth's atmosphere 
B)  partially deplete the ozone layer 
C)  disturb radio transmissions 
D)  reverse the particle flow in Earth's magnetosphere 
A)  send charged particles through the Van Allen belts into Earth's atmosphere 
B)  partially deplete the ozone layer 
C)  disturb radio transmissions 
D)  reverse the particle flow in Earth's magnetosphere

Question 6

The overall geography of Mars can BEST be summarized as:

Accepted Answer

A)  moving lithospheric plates whose motions have produced long folded mountain chains, deep subduction trenches, and several large rift valleys. 
B)  mostly rolling plains, with several volcanoes on top of two continent-sized uplands. 
C)  smooth plains where continuous resurfacing by ongoing volcanic activity has hidden older impact craters and other details. 
D)  major volcanoes in the northern hemisphere and extensively cratered plains in the southern hemisphere, separated by one major valley system. 
A)  moving lithospheric plates whose motions have produced long folded mountain chains, deep subduction trenches, and several large rift valleys. 
B)  mostly rolling plains, with several volcanoes on top of two continent-sized uplands. 
C)  smooth plains where continuous resurfacing by ongoing volcanic activity has hidden older impact craters and other details. 
D)  major volcanoes in the northern hemisphere and extensively cratered plains in the southern hemisphere, separated by one major valley system.

Question 7

How long is a "day" (from sunrise to sunrise)on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  24 hours 
B)  one synodic month 
C)  one sidereal month 
D)  Forever. Day and night on the Moon are perpetual-which one you experience depends on which side of the terminator line you are located. 
A)  24 hours 
B)  one synodic month 
C)  one sidereal month 
D)  Forever. Day and night on the Moon are perpetual-which one you experience depends on which side of the terminator line you are located.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

A)  has a complicated structure reaching several maxima and minima at various altitudes. 
B)  increases smoothly with increasing altitude. 
C)  is almost constant with altitude. 
D)  decreases smoothly with increasing altitude. 
A)  has a complicated structure reaching several maxima and minima at various altitudes. 
B)  increases smoothly with increasing altitude. 
C)  is almost constant with altitude. 
D)  decreases smoothly with increasing altitude.

Question 9

Water was once much more abundant on Venus than it is now.Where did this ancient water go?

Accepted Answer

A)  It evaporated into space. 
B)  It is locked up in rocks on the surface. 
C)  It is in underground reservoirs. 
D)  It formed the cloud layers. 
A)  It evaporated into space. 
B)  It is locked up in rocks on the surface. 
C)  It is in underground reservoirs. 
D)  It formed the cloud layers.

Question 10

Which process was NOT important in helping to remove carbon dioxide from Earth's early atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  biological activity 
B)  dissolving of carbon dioxide into the oceans 
C)  sedimentation of carbon compounds on the ocean floors 
D)  escape of carbon dioxide into space 
A)  biological activity 
B)  dissolving of carbon dioxide into the oceans 
C)  sedimentation of carbon compounds on the ocean floors 
D)  escape of carbon dioxide into space

Question 11

Which two tectonic plates are slowly separating from each other on Earth's surface along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the South Atlantic? (See Figure 6-9a,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

Accepted Answer

A)  the African and Eurasian plates 
B)  the Nazca and Pacific plates 
C)  the South American and African plates 
D)  the Pacific and Australia-India plates 
A)  the African and Eurasian plates 
B)  the Nazca and Pacific plates 
C)  the South American and African plates 
D)  the Pacific and Australia-India plates

Question 12

The names we use for the Moon's maria were:

Accepted Answer

A)  first used in very ancient times and are mentioned in the Bible and the Koran. 
B)  assigned by the ancient Greeks. 
C)  invented a few hundred years ago after the first telescopic observations of the Moon. 
D)  assigned only recently, after the Apollo missions. 
A)  first used in very ancient times and are mentioned in the Bible and the Koran. 
B)  assigned by the ancient Greeks. 
C)  invented a few hundred years ago after the first telescopic observations of the Moon. 
D)  assigned only recently, after the Apollo missions.

Question 13

The temperature in the atmosphere of Venus has its maximum value:

Accepted Answer

A)  at the top of the atmosphere-closest to the Sun. 
B)  at the top of the cloud layer. 
C)  at the bottom of the cloud layer. 
D)  on the ground. 
A)  at the top of the atmosphere-closest to the Sun. 
B)  at the top of the cloud layer. 
C)  at the bottom of the cloud layer. 
D)  on the ground.

Question 14

Why is the barycenter significant?

Accepted Answer

A)  The barycenter is the halfway point between Earth and the Moon. 
B)  The barycenter is the point between Earth and the Moon where their gravitational pulls just cancel. 
C)  The barycenter is the common center of the orbital motions of Earth and the Moon due to their mutual gravitational attraction. 
D)  The Moon is receding from Earth, and Earth is receding from the Moon. The common point from which they are both receding is the barycenter. 
A)  The barycenter is the halfway point between Earth and the Moon. 
B)  The barycenter is the point between Earth and the Moon where their gravitational pulls just cancel. 
C)  The barycenter is the common center of the orbital motions of Earth and the Moon due to their mutual gravitational attraction. 
D)  The Moon is receding from Earth, and Earth is receding from the Moon. The common point from which they are both receding is the barycenter.

Question 15

The smooth,dark maria on the Moon are:

Accepted Answer

A)  immense impact basins that are smooth because they were covered by lava flows after the early, heavy bombardment had ended. 
B)  immense impact basins that are smooth because earlier craters were wiped out by the impact. 
C)  areas that were still molten at the time of the early, heavy bombardment and therefore show no evidence of the impacts. 
D)  regions that, although as old as the cratered highlands, escaped the early, heavy bombardment. 
A)  immense impact basins that are smooth because they were covered by lava flows after the early, heavy bombardment had ended. 
B)  immense impact basins that are smooth because earlier craters were wiped out by the impact. 
C)  areas that were still molten at the time of the early, heavy bombardment and therefore show no evidence of the impacts. 
D)  regions that, although as old as the cratered highlands, escaped the early, heavy bombardment.

Question 16

Why is the surface of Venus hotter than that of Mercury,even though Mercury is much closer to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus experiences continuous volcanic activity and the release of hot lava onto the surface. 
B)  The thick carbon dioxide atmosphere of Venus has prevented re-emission into space of the heat absorbed from sunlight. 
C)  Chemical reactions within the thick clouds and dense atmosphere of Venus are continuously supplying heat to the surface. 
D)  Venus rotates rapidly, which ensures that its entire surface is being heated regularly and uniformly. 
A)  Venus experiences continuous volcanic activity and the release of hot lava onto the surface. 
B)  The thick carbon dioxide atmosphere of Venus has prevented re-emission into space of the heat absorbed from sunlight. 
C)  Chemical reactions within the thick clouds and dense atmosphere of Venus are continuously supplying heat to the surface. 
D)  Venus rotates rapidly, which ensures that its entire surface is being heated regularly and uniformly.

Question 17

The chemical makeup of the central core of Earth is considered to be:

Accepted Answer

A)  sulfur-rich minerals compressed to a high density. 
B)  rocky minerals rich in iron. 
C)  almost pure iron. 
D)  very close to the chemical makeup of the surface-silicon-rich rocks and minerals. 
A)  sulfur-rich minerals compressed to a high density. 
B)  rocky minerals rich in iron. 
C)  almost pure iron. 
D)  very close to the chemical makeup of the surface-silicon-rich rocks and minerals.

Question 18

The surface temperature of Venus has been found by radio observations and by remote exploration by spacecraft to be approximately:

Accepted Answer

A)  300 K. 
B)  750 K. 
C)  273 K. 
D)  110 K. 
A)  300 K. 
B)  750 K. 
C)  273 K. 
D)  110 K.

Question 19

The Martian moon Phobos orbits near the equatorial plane of Mars in just over 7.5 hours in the same direction as the planet rotation.How then would you see Phobos move across the Martian sky from the surface of the planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  Phobos would rise in the west, move rapidly across the sky, and set in the east, and it would do so only once per Martian day. 
B)  Phobos would rise in the east, move rapidly across the sky, set in the west, and appear several times per Martian day. 
C)  Phobos would remain almost stationary in the sky, in almost synchronous orbit, because its period is close to Mars's rotation period. 
D)  Phobos would rise in the west, move rapidly across the sky, set in the east, and appear several times per Martian day. 
A)  Phobos would rise in the west, move rapidly across the sky, and set in the east, and it would do so only once per Martian day. 
B)  Phobos would rise in the east, move rapidly across the sky, set in the west, and appear several times per Martian day. 
C)  Phobos would remain almost stationary in the sky, in almost synchronous orbit, because its period is close to Mars's rotation period. 
D)  Phobos would rise in the west, move rapidly across the sky, set in the east, and appear several times per Martian day.

Question 20

The aurora is MOST easily seen:

Accepted Answer

A)  from the equatorial regions. 
B)  only from high latitudes in the northern hemisphere. 
C)  from high latitudes in either hemisphere. 
D)  from high latitudes in either hemisphere, but only during the winter in that hemisphere. 
A)  from the equatorial regions. 
B)  only from high latitudes in the northern hemisphere. 
C)  from high latitudes in either hemisphere. 
D)  from high latitudes in either hemisphere, but only during the winter in that hemisphere.

Phobos and Deimos are moons of which planet?

The reddish color of Mars is probably due to:

Does the size of a planet or moon influence its magnetic field?

The shapes and sizes of the two moons of Mars are:

Coronal mass ejections can do all of the following EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

The overall geography of Mars can BEST be summarized as:

How long is a "day" (from sunrise to sunrise)on the Moon?

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

Water was once much more abundant on Venus than it is now.Where did this ancient water go?

Which process was NOT important in helping to remove carbon dioxide from Earth's early atmosphere?

Which two tectonic plates are slowly separating from each other on Earth's surface along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the South Atlantic? (See Figure 6-9a,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

The names we use for the Moon's maria were:

The temperature in the atmosphere of Venus has its maximum value:

Why is the barycenter significant?

The smooth,dark maria on the Moon are:

Why is the surface of Venus hotter than that of Mercury,even though Mercury is much closer to the Sun?

The chemical makeup of the central core of Earth is considered to be:

The surface temperature of Venus has been found by radio observations and by remote exploration by spacecraft to be approximately:

The Martian moon Phobos orbits near the equatorial plane of Mars in just over 7.5 hours in the same direction as the planet rotation.How then would you see Phobos move across the Martian sky from the surface of the planet?

The aurora is MOST easily seen:

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

Phobos and Deimos are moons of which planet?

The reddish color of Mars is probably due to:

Does the size of a planet or moon influence its magnetic field?

The shapes and sizes of the two moons of Mars are:

Coronal mass ejections can do all of the following EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

The overall geography of Mars can BEST be summarized as:

How long is a "day" (from sunrise to sunrise)on the Moon?

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

Water was once much more abundant on Venus than it is now.Where did this ancient water go?

Which process was NOT important in helping to remove carbon dioxide from Earth's early atmosphere?

Which two tectonic plates are slowly separating from each other on Earth's surface along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the South Atlantic? (See Figure 6-9a,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.)

The names we use for the Moon's maria were:

The temperature in the atmosphere of Venus has its maximum value:

Why is the barycenter significant?

The smooth,dark maria on the Moon are:

Why is the surface of Venus hotter than that of Mercury,even though Mercury is much closer to the Sun?

The chemical makeup of the central core of Earth is considered to be:

The surface temperature of Venus has been found by radio observations and by remote exploration by spacecraft to be approximately:

The Martian moon Phobos orbits near the equatorial plane of Mars in just over 7.5 hours in the same direction as the planet rotation.How then would you see Phobos move across the Martian sky from the surface of the planet?

The aurora is MOST easily seen:

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