Question 1

Earth's magnetosphere is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  region beyond Earth's atmosphere, where Earth's magnetic field protects us from the solar wind. 
B)  region in Earth's crust near each magnetic pole. 
C)  molten core of Earth, whose motions produce the magnetic field. 
D)  atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and thermosphere where motions are governed by Earth's magnetic field. 
A)  region beyond Earth's atmosphere, where Earth's magnetic field protects us from the solar wind. 
B)  region in Earth's crust near each magnetic pole. 
C)  molten core of Earth, whose motions produce the magnetic field. 
D)  atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and thermosphere where motions are governed by Earth's magnetic field.

Question 2

What is the MAIN reason that the greenhouse effect has been much more effective in raising the surface temperature on Venus than in raising the surface temperature on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The solar wind, the major cause of heating in the greenhouse effect, is far more intense at Venus' distance from the Sun, and Venus has no magnetic field to deflect this solar wind. 
B)  Carbon dioxide, which traps heat from the planet's surface, is the major component in the very dense Venusian atmosphere, while it is a only a minor constituent of Earth's. 
C)  The oceans on Earth have acted as a thermostat in absorbing much of the heat that would otherwise have raised Earth's temperature significantly. 
D)  The surface of Venus is much more effective than the surface of Earth in absorbing solar visible and UV radiation. 
A)  The solar wind, the major cause of heating in the greenhouse effect, is far more intense at Venus' distance from the Sun, and Venus has no magnetic field to deflect this solar wind. 
B)  Carbon dioxide, which traps heat from the planet's surface, is the major component in the very dense Venusian atmosphere, while it is a only a minor constituent of Earth's. 
C)  The oceans on Earth have acted as a thermostat in absorbing much of the heat that would otherwise have raised Earth's temperature significantly. 
D)  The surface of Venus is much more effective than the surface of Earth in absorbing solar visible and UV radiation.

Question 3

To what does planetary differentiation refer?

Accepted Answer

A)  large-scale convection of molten rock in the mantle of a planet, which on Earth causes continental drift 
B)  sinking of heavier elements toward the center of a planet and the floating of lighter elements toward the surface 
C)  circulation of iron in the core of a planet, resulting in the generation of a magnetic field 
D)  formation of rocky planets in the hotter, inner solar system and gas giants in the colder, outer regions 
A)  large-scale convection of molten rock in the mantle of a planet, which on Earth causes continental drift 
B)  sinking of heavier elements toward the center of a planet and the floating of lighter elements toward the surface 
C)  circulation of iron in the core of a planet, resulting in the generation of a magnetic field 
D)  formation of rocky planets in the hotter, inner solar system and gas giants in the colder, outer regions

Question 4

The age of Moon rocks has been determined primarily by what method?

Accepted Answer

A)  the measurement of radioactive elements in the rocks 
B)  the careful measurement of magnetic fields "frozen into" the lunar rocks 
C)  the counting of micrometeoroid craters on the rock surface 
D)  the careful chemical analysis of the constituents 
A)  the measurement of radioactive elements in the rocks 
B)  the careful measurement of magnetic fields "frozen into" the lunar rocks 
C)  the counting of micrometeoroid craters on the rock surface 
D)  the careful chemical analysis of the constituents

Question 5

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere does weather occur?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

The Earth's magnetic field protects Earth and its inhabitants from:

Accepted Answer

A)  the high-energy cosmic rays or hydrogen nuclei moving through our universe. 
B)  the majority of tiny but high-speed micrometeorites, which otherwise would crater Earth and cause significant damage to property. 
C)  a significant proportion of the solar neutrinos, the enormous flux of which could otherwise produce damage to genetic material in life-forms. 
D)  the solar wind, which would otherwise irradiate and damage life-forms if not deflected. 
A)  the high-energy cosmic rays or hydrogen nuclei moving through our universe. 
B)  the majority of tiny but high-speed micrometeorites, which otherwise would crater Earth and cause significant damage to property. 
C)  a significant proportion of the solar neutrinos, the enormous flux of which could otherwise produce damage to genetic material in life-forms. 
D)  the solar wind, which would otherwise irradiate and damage life-forms if not deflected.

Question 7

What is the ratio of the number of oxygen to nitrogen molecules in Earth's lower atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 oxygen molecule to every 4 nitrogen molecules 
B)  4 oxygen molecules to every 1 nitrogen molecule 
C)  equal numbers of oxygen and nitrogen molecules 
D)  only 1 oxygen molecule to every 100 nitrogen molecules, or about 1% 
A)  1 oxygen molecule to every 4 nitrogen molecules 
B)  4 oxygen molecules to every 1 nitrogen molecule 
C)  equal numbers of oxygen and nitrogen molecules 
D)  only 1 oxygen molecule to every 100 nitrogen molecules, or about 1%

Question 8

Suppose the Hubble Space Telescope discovers a series of planets with the following characteristics moving around a star that resembles our Sun: spherical,solid surfaces; mean densities about four times that of water; radii about 4000 km; low-density atmospheres.How would these planets be classified in comparison with our solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  terrestrial planets 
B)  Jovian planets 
C)  cometary nuclei 
D)  asteroids 
A)  terrestrial planets 
B)  Jovian planets 
C)  cometary nuclei 
D)  asteroids

Question 9

Some possible evidence for water has recently been discovered on the Moon in the form of:

Accepted Answer

A)  ice in deep craters near the south pole, perpetually shaded from sunlight. 
B)  thin, hazy clouds overlaying the dark polar regions, where they are shaded from the Sun's heat. 
C)  permafrost embedded in the centers of the large, dark maria, their darker color showing the presence of frost. 
D)  fluid water flowing in deep tunnels (some of which have collapsed to form rilles on the lunar surface), where it is protected from solar radiation. 
A)  ice in deep craters near the south pole, perpetually shaded from sunlight. 
B)  thin, hazy clouds overlaying the dark polar regions, where they are shaded from the Sun's heat. 
C)  permafrost embedded in the centers of the large, dark maria, their darker color showing the presence of frost. 
D)  fluid water flowing in deep tunnels (some of which have collapsed to form rilles on the lunar surface), where it is protected from solar radiation.

Question 10

The near and far sides of the Moon are particularly different,as seen by the fact that the:

Accepted Answer

A)  average height of the overall terrain is much lower on the far side. 
B)  far side has no large maria. 
C)  far side is always in darkness. 
D)  number of craters differs markedly, with fewer on the far side. 
A)  average height of the overall terrain is much lower on the far side. 
B)  far side has no large maria. 
C)  far side is always in darkness. 
D)  number of craters differs markedly, with fewer on the far side.

Question 11

The chemical constituent that absorbs UV radiation in the stratosphere of Earth's atmosphere,thereby heating these layers to relatively high temperatures,is:

Accepted Answer

A)  N₂, nitrogen. 
B)  CO₂, carbon dioxide. 
C)  H₂O, water vapor. 
D)  O₃, ozone. 
A)  N₂, nitrogen. 
B)  CO₂, carbon dioxide. 
C)  H₂O, water vapor. 
D)  O₃, ozone.

Question 12

Which statement about Earth is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  The oxygen in Earth's atmosphere was created by the evaporation of seawater and its dissociation into hydrogen and oxygen by solar UV light. 
B)  Earth has always had an oxygen-rich atmosphere, which was one reason that life could develop on Earth. 
C)  Out-gassing by volcanic eruptions converted the carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere into an oxygen-rich atmosphere, thus creating conditions in which life could develop. 
D)  Life developed in a carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere and then converted it into an oxygen-rich atmosphere. 
A)  The oxygen in Earth's atmosphere was created by the evaporation of seawater and its dissociation into hydrogen and oxygen by solar UV light. 
B)  Earth has always had an oxygen-rich atmosphere, which was one reason that life could develop on Earth. 
C)  Out-gassing by volcanic eruptions converted the carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere into an oxygen-rich atmosphere, thus creating conditions in which life could develop. 
D)  Life developed in a carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere and then converted it into an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Question 13

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere is the ozone layer located?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Which planet is the ONLY one whose surface features can easily be seen through a telescope from Earth?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Moons have been discovered around:

Accepted Answer

A)  all the planets. 
B)  just the terrestrial planets. 
C)  just the Jovian planets. 
D)  all the planets, except those nearer to the Sun than Earth is. 
A)  all the planets. 
B)  just the terrestrial planets. 
C)  just the Jovian planets. 
D)  all the planets, except those nearer to the Sun than Earth is.

Question 16

Each of the following sentences describes an argument in favor of the presence of active volcanoes on Venus at the present time EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  There has been confirmed observation of lightning in Venus' atmosphere. 
B)  There has been confirmed observation of basalt on Venus' surface. 
C)  There has been confirmed observation of natural radioactivity on Venus' surface. 
D)  There has been confirmed observation of short-lived sulfur compounds in Venus' atmosphere. 
A)  There has been confirmed observation of lightning in Venus' atmosphere. 
B)  There has been confirmed observation of basalt on Venus' surface. 
C)  There has been confirmed observation of natural radioactivity on Venus' surface. 
D)  There has been confirmed observation of short-lived sulfur compounds in Venus' atmosphere.

Question 17

Tomorrow's weather report for Venus would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  overcast and very hot. 
B)  cold and clear. 
C)  snow. 
D)  hot and humid, with clear skies. 
A)  overcast and very hot. 
B)  cold and clear. 
C)  snow. 
D)  hot and humid, with clear skies.

Question 18

Hot-spot volcanism is a process that:

Accepted Answer

A)  produces gigantic volcanoes on Venus and Mars and chains of smaller volcanoes on Earth (e.g., the Hawaiian Islands). 
B)  produces dome-shaped rises on Venus and Mars and mid-ocean ridges on Earth (e.g., the Mid-Atlantic Ridge). 
C)  produces large rift valleys on Mars, Venus, and Earth (e.g., the Great Rift Valley of Africa). 
D)  does not operate on Venus or Mars but produces folded mountain chains and subduction zones on Earth (e.g., along the west coast of North and South America). 
A)  produces gigantic volcanoes on Venus and Mars and chains of smaller volcanoes on Earth (e.g., the Hawaiian Islands). 
B)  produces dome-shaped rises on Venus and Mars and mid-ocean ridges on Earth (e.g., the Mid-Atlantic Ridge). 
C)  produces large rift valleys on Mars, Venus, and Earth (e.g., the Great Rift Valley of Africa). 
D)  does not operate on Venus or Mars but produces folded mountain chains and subduction zones on Earth (e.g., along the west coast of North and South America).

Question 19

The clouds in the atmosphere of Venus consist primarily of:

Accepted Answer

A)  dust particles. 
B)  droplets of carbon dioxide. 
C)  water. 
D)  droplets of sulfuric acid. 
A)  dust particles. 
B)  droplets of carbon dioxide. 
C)  water. 
D)  droplets of sulfuric acid.

Question 20

In 1994,the lunar-orbiting Clementine sent radio waves to reflect from the Moon's surface,and it analyzed the reflections for evidence of water ice.A few years later,the Lunar Prospector also sought evidence of water on the Moon.In 2003,signals were sent from Earth-based radio transmitters to reflect from the Moon.What is the conclusion from all these experiments?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is no water on the Moon, in ice or liquid form. 
B)  There is water ice near the Moon's north pole, but not near its south pole. 
C)  There is water ice near the Moon's south pole, but not near its north pole. 
D)  The question of whether water ice exists on the Moon remains unanswered. 
A)  There is no water on the Moon, in ice or liquid form. 
B)  There is water ice near the Moon's north pole, but not near its south pole. 
C)  There is water ice near the Moon's south pole, but not near its north pole. 
D)  The question of whether water ice exists on the Moon remains unanswered.

Earth's magnetosphere is the:

What is the MAIN reason that the greenhouse effect has been much more effective in raising the surface temperature on Venus than in raising the surface temperature on Earth?

To what does planetary differentiation refer?

The age of Moon rocks has been determined primarily by what method?

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere does weather occur?

The Earth's magnetic field protects Earth and its inhabitants from:

What is the ratio of the number of oxygen to nitrogen molecules in Earth's lower atmosphere?

Some possible evidence for water has recently been discovered on the Moon in the form of:

The near and far sides of the Moon are particularly different,as seen by the fact that the:

The chemical constituent that absorbs UV radiation in the stratosphere of Earth's atmosphere,thereby heating these layers to relatively high temperatures,is:

Which statement about Earth is TRUE?

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere is the ozone layer located?

Which planet is the ONLY one whose surface features can easily be seen through a telescope from Earth?

Moons have been discovered around:

Each of the following sentences describes an argument in favor of the presence of active volcanoes on Venus at the present time EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Tomorrow's weather report for Venus would be:

Hot-spot volcanism is a process that:

The clouds in the atmosphere of Venus consist primarily of:

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

Earth's magnetosphere is the:

What is the MAIN reason that the greenhouse effect has been much more effective in raising the surface temperature on Venus than in raising the surface temperature on Earth?

To what does planetary differentiation refer?

The age of Moon rocks has been determined primarily by what method?

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere does weather occur?

The Earth's magnetic field protects Earth and its inhabitants from:

What is the ratio of the number of oxygen to nitrogen molecules in Earth's lower atmosphere?

Some possible evidence for water has recently been discovered on the Moon in the form of:

The near and far sides of the Moon are particularly different,as seen by the fact that the:

The chemical constituent that absorbs UV radiation in the stratosphere of Earth's atmosphere,thereby heating these layers to relatively high temperatures,is:

Which statement about Earth is TRUE?

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere is the ozone layer located?

Which planet is the ONLY one whose surface features can easily be seen through a telescope from Earth?

Moons have been discovered around:

Each of the following sentences describes an argument in favor of the presence of active volcanoes on Venus at the present time EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Tomorrow's weather report for Venus would be:

Hot-spot volcanism is a process that:

The clouds in the atmosphere of Venus consist primarily of:

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