Question 1

Earth is much larger than the Moon,yet it has far fewer craters.Which statement is NOT an explanation for the disparity in crater numbers?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's atmosphere caused many smaller impactors to burn up before striking the surface. 
B)  Some older craters on Earth were worn away by the action of wind and rain. 
C)  Some older craters on Earth were eradicated as parts of the crust are constantly subducted. 
D)  Earth's larger gravity tends to focus the orbits of near misses so that they hit the Moon instead. 
A)  Earth's atmosphere caused many smaller impactors to burn up before striking the surface. 
B)  Some older craters on Earth were worn away by the action of wind and rain. 
C)  Some older craters on Earth were eradicated as parts of the crust are constantly subducted. 
D)  Earth's larger gravity tends to focus the orbits of near misses so that they hit the Moon instead.

Question 2

The core (inner and outer)of Earth extends over what fraction of its radius?

Accepted Answer

A)  almost 80% 
B)  roughly 65% 
C)  less than 10% 
D)  about 5% 
A)  almost 80% 
B)  roughly 65% 
C)  less than 10% 
D)  about 5%

Question 3

Why is it relatively difficult to observe details on the surface of Mercury from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The surface of Mercury is always completely covered in clouds. 
B)  The surface of Mercury appears very bright from reflected ultraviolet sunlight and emitted infrared radiation from its very hot surface. 
C)  Mercury is a small object that always appears close to the Sun in the sky. 
D)  Mercury's orbit always keeps it on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth. 
A)  The surface of Mercury is always completely covered in clouds. 
B)  The surface of Mercury appears very bright from reflected ultraviolet sunlight and emitted infrared radiation from its very hot surface. 
C)  Mercury is a small object that always appears close to the Sun in the sky. 
D)  Mercury's orbit always keeps it on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth.

Question 4

How long is a "lunar day," that is,the time between sunrise and sunset on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  about two weeks 
B)  almost infinite because the Moon does not rotate about its axis with respect to the Sun 
C)  about one year 
D)  about one 24 hour day 
A)  about two weeks 
B)  almost infinite because the Moon does not rotate about its axis with respect to the Sun 
C)  about one year 
D)  about one 24 hour day

Question 5

The alignment and stability of Earth's magnetic field over geological times can be described by stating that Earth's magnetic axis:

Accepted Answer

A)  is inclined to the planet's spin axis; this alignment varies, and the field has reversed frequently in geological times. 
B)  is closely aligned to Earth's spin axis and has remained this way since early in Earth's history. 
C)  has had a slowly varying inclination with respect to Earth's spin axis with no abrupt changes, so Earth's magnetic poles have drifted slowly throughout its geological history. 
D)  has a fixed alignment of about 11° with respect to Earth's spin axis but has flipped or reversed completely many times in geological times. 
A)  is inclined to the planet's spin axis; this alignment varies, and the field has reversed frequently in geological times. 
B)  is closely aligned to Earth's spin axis and has remained this way since early in Earth's history. 
C)  has had a slowly varying inclination with respect to Earth's spin axis with no abrupt changes, so Earth's magnetic poles have drifted slowly throughout its geological history. 
D)  has a fixed alignment of about 11° with respect to Earth's spin axis but has flipped or reversed completely many times in geological times.

Question 6

"It has a cool,solid surface with an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen and clouds of water vapor." Which of the planets fits this description?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

Two hundred million years ago,during the dinosaur period on Earth,the Moon was:

Accepted Answer

A)  at the same distance from Earth as it is now, and the day (on Earth) was the same length it is now. 
B)  farther away from Earth than it is now, and the Earth day was longer. 
C)  closer to Earth than it is now, and the Earth day was longer. 
D)  closer to Earth than it is now, and the Earth day was shorter. 
A)  at the same distance from Earth as it is now, and the day (on Earth) was the same length it is now. 
B)  farther away from Earth than it is now, and the Earth day was longer. 
C)  closer to Earth than it is now, and the Earth day was longer. 
D)  closer to Earth than it is now, and the Earth day was shorter.

Question 8

The process of seafloor spreading and plate tectonic movement on Earth's surface takes place at a speed of:

Accepted Answer

A)  a few meters per year. 
B)  a few centimeters per year. 
C)  a few centimeters per century. 
D)  less than a millimeter per year. 
A)  a few meters per year. 
B)  a few centimeters per year. 
C)  a few centimeters per century. 
D)  less than a millimeter per year.

Question 9

The tilt of the equator of Mars to its orbital plane:

Accepted Answer

A)  varies periodically through the Martian year. 
B)  is 0°. 
C)  is 90°. 
D)  is very similar to that of Earth, about 25°. 
A)  varies periodically through the Martian year. 
B)  is 0°. 
C)  is 90°. 
D)  is very similar to that of Earth, about 25°.

Question 10

What is the central idea of the theory of the origin of the tilt in Earth's rotation axis?

Accepted Answer

A)  the gravitational pull of the Moon's mass concentrations 
B)  the influence of a star passing near the early solar system 
C)  the impact of the Mars-sized body as it ejected the material that formed the Moon 
D)  the random distribution of angular momentum in the primordial solar nebula 
A)  the gravitational pull of the Moon's mass concentrations 
B)  the influence of a star passing near the early solar system 
C)  the impact of the Mars-sized body as it ejected the material that formed the Moon 
D)  the random distribution of angular momentum in the primordial solar nebula

Question 11

What did the Magellan spacecraft tell us about Venus' upper atmosphere,before the spacecraft burned up on entry into the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  The upper atmosphere is unexpectedly uniform compared to that of Earth. 
B)  The temperature of the upper atmosphere increases unexpectedly to over 1000 K. 
C)  The upper atmosphere is almost saturated with water vapor. 
D)  The density of Venus' upper atmosphere varies markedly from one place to another. 
A)  The upper atmosphere is unexpectedly uniform compared to that of Earth. 
B)  The temperature of the upper atmosphere increases unexpectedly to over 1000 K. 
C)  The upper atmosphere is almost saturated with water vapor. 
D)  The density of Venus' upper atmosphere varies markedly from one place to another.

Question 12

Which object has the highest albedo?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury 
B)  Venus 
C)  the Moon 
D)  Earth 
A)  Mercury 
B)  Venus 
C)  the Moon 
D)  Earth

Question 13

Where in the northern hemisphere is the aurora,or northern lights,found?

Accepted Answer

A)  in a small patch at the magnetic north pole 
B)  in a circular region around the magnetic north pole 
C)  only at the midday position over the polar region, when the direct sunlight excites the air to emit light 
D)  only at the midnight position along a line of longitude from the equator to the North Pole 
A)  in a small patch at the magnetic north pole 
B)  in a circular region around the magnetic north pole 
C)  only at the midday position over the polar region, when the direct sunlight excites the air to emit light 
D)  only at the midnight position along a line of longitude from the equator to the North Pole

Question 14

What are ozone holes?

Accepted Answer

A)  small voids on Earth's ozone layer that occur randomly over the entire planet 
B)  regions of larger-than-normal ozone concentration that appear over the poles 
C)  regions of smaller-than-normal ozone concentration that appear over the poles 
D)  seasonal drops in ozone density scattered around the equator 
A)  small voids on Earth's ozone layer that occur randomly over the entire planet 
B)  regions of larger-than-normal ozone concentration that appear over the poles 
C)  regions of smaller-than-normal ozone concentration that appear over the poles 
D)  seasonal drops in ozone density scattered around the equator

Question 15

When Venus is seen at inferior conjunction,a ring of light is seen around it,as shown in Figure 2-10 of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.What does this ring tell us about Venus?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Venusian atmosphere is so hot that it glows, even on its dark side. 
B)  Venus has auroral displays like those on Earth, which extend over the whole planet. 
C)  Venus is very massive because the gravitational field of Venus is sufficient to bend sunlight around the planet toward us. 
D)  Venus has a thick atmosphere that scatters sunlight toward us. 
A)  The Venusian atmosphere is so hot that it glows, even on its dark side. 
B)  Venus has auroral displays like those on Earth, which extend over the whole planet. 
C)  Venus is very massive because the gravitational field of Venus is sufficient to bend sunlight around the planet toward us. 
D)  Venus has a thick atmosphere that scatters sunlight toward us.

Question 16

A core of rock and metal seems to be characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

A)  the terrestrial planets only. 
B)  the Jovian planets only. 
C)  all the planets, except Jupiter and Saturn. 
D)  all the planets. 
A)  the terrestrial planets only. 
B)  the Jovian planets only. 
C)  all the planets, except Jupiter and Saturn. 
D)  all the planets.

Question 17

How do the near and far sides of the Moon compare?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both sides are quite similar to each other-each side has several large mare, or "seas," surrounded by heavily cratered terrain. 
B)  The near side has extensive, heavily cratered regions between and around the smooth mare, or "seas," whereas the far side is almost entirely covered with maria. 
C)  We don't know; the far side is hidden in perpetual darkness. 
D)  The near side has several large maria, or "seas," whereas the far side has only one small mare. 
A)  Both sides are quite similar to each other-each side has several large mare, or "seas," surrounded by heavily cratered terrain. 
B)  The near side has extensive, heavily cratered regions between and around the smooth mare, or "seas," whereas the far side is almost entirely covered with maria. 
C)  We don't know; the far side is hidden in perpetual darkness. 
D)  The near side has several large maria, or "seas," whereas the far side has only one small mare.

Question 18

The lunar maria appear smooth because they are:

Accepted Answer

A)  regions where craters have been obliterated by crustal deformation caused by hot spots and volcanic lava flow from the underlying molten mantle. 
B)  recent lava flows, occurring within the last billion years, that have obliterated earlier craters. 
C)  ancient lava flows that occurred soon after the end of an early period of intense bombardment and that have had relatively few impacts since then. 
D)  ancient sea beds, now dry, dating back to when the Moon had a denser atmosphere and rainfall was abundant. 
A)  regions where craters have been obliterated by crustal deformation caused by hot spots and volcanic lava flow from the underlying molten mantle. 
B)  recent lava flows, occurring within the last billion years, that have obliterated earlier craters. 
C)  ancient lava flows that occurred soon after the end of an early period of intense bombardment and that have had relatively few impacts since then. 
D)  ancient sea beds, now dry, dating back to when the Moon had a denser atmosphere and rainfall was abundant.

Question 19

In what way was the production of the major volcanoes on Mars different from the production of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Martian volcanoes formed while Mars was still completely molten, whereas the Hawaiian Islands formed recently, after Earth's crust had solidified. 
B)  The Martian volcanoes formed in crust that was stationary over an underlying hot spot, whereas the Hawaiian Islands formed in crust that was moving over an underlying hot spot. 
C)  The Martian volcanoes formed through crustal shattering by a major impact, whereas the Hawaiian Islands formed by volcanic action over an underlying hot spot in Earth's upper mantle. 
D)  The Martian volcanoes formed in crust that was moving over an underlying hot spot, whereas the Hawaiian Islands formed along a boundary between two crustal plates. 
A)  The Martian volcanoes formed while Mars was still completely molten, whereas the Hawaiian Islands formed recently, after Earth's crust had solidified. 
B)  The Martian volcanoes formed in crust that was stationary over an underlying hot spot, whereas the Hawaiian Islands formed in crust that was moving over an underlying hot spot. 
C)  The Martian volcanoes formed through crustal shattering by a major impact, whereas the Hawaiian Islands formed by volcanic action over an underlying hot spot in Earth's upper mantle. 
D)  The Martian volcanoes formed in crust that was moving over an underlying hot spot, whereas the Hawaiian Islands formed along a boundary between two crustal plates.

Question 20

In what way did optical illusion mislead earlier visual observers of Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  Chance alignments of faint dark features looked like manufactured canals, and variable dark areas near the equator were interpreted as vegetation. 
B)  Moving areas of obscured detail on the planet were interpreted as massive flash floods rather than dust storms. 
C)  Apparent movement of surface features due to seeing fluctuations of images when viewed through Earth's atmosphere were interpreted as evidence of movement of life-forms, or Martians. 
D)  Volcano structures were seen as eye-shaped images and were interpreted as having been made by intelligent beings to indicate their presence on Mars. 
A)  Chance alignments of faint dark features looked like manufactured canals, and variable dark areas near the equator were interpreted as vegetation. 
B)  Moving areas of obscured detail on the planet were interpreted as massive flash floods rather than dust storms. 
C)  Apparent movement of surface features due to seeing fluctuations of images when viewed through Earth's atmosphere were interpreted as evidence of movement of life-forms, or Martians. 
D)  Volcano structures were seen as eye-shaped images and were interpreted as having been made by intelligent beings to indicate their presence on Mars.

Earth is much larger than the Moon,yet it has far fewer craters.Which statement is NOT an explanation for the disparity in crater numbers?

The core (inner and outer)of Earth extends over what fraction of its radius?

Why is it relatively difficult to observe details on the surface of Mercury from Earth?

How long is a "lunar day," that is,the time between sunrise and sunset on the Moon?

The alignment and stability of Earth's magnetic field over geological times can be described by stating that Earth's magnetic axis:

"It has a cool,solid surface with an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen and clouds of water vapor." Which of the planets fits this description?

Two hundred million years ago,during the dinosaur period on Earth,the Moon was:

The process of seafloor spreading and plate tectonic movement on Earth's surface takes place at a speed of:

The tilt of the equator of Mars to its orbital plane:

What is the central idea of the theory of the origin of the tilt in Earth's rotation axis?

What did the Magellan spacecraft tell us about Venus' upper atmosphere,before the spacecraft burned up on entry into the atmosphere?

Which object has the highest albedo?

Where in the northern hemisphere is the aurora,or northern lights,found?

What are ozone holes?

When Venus is seen at inferior conjunction,a ring of light is seen around it,as shown in Figure 2-10 of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.What does this ring tell us about Venus?

A core of rock and metal seems to be characteristic of:

How do the near and far sides of the Moon compare?

The lunar maria appear smooth because they are:

In what way was the production of the major volcanoes on Mars different from the production of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth?

In what way did optical illusion mislead earlier visual observers of Mars?

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 is much larger than the Moon,yet it has far fewer craters.Which statement is NOT an explanation for the disparity in crater numbers?

The core (inner and outer)of Earth extends over what fraction of its radius?

Why is it relatively difficult to observe details on the surface of Mercury from Earth?

How long is a "lunar day," that is,the time between sunrise and sunset on the Moon?

The alignment and stability of Earth's magnetic field over geological times can be described by stating that Earth's magnetic axis:

"It has a cool,solid surface with an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen and clouds of water vapor." Which of the planets fits this description?

Two hundred million years ago,during the dinosaur period on Earth,the Moon was:

The process of seafloor spreading and plate tectonic movement on Earth's surface takes place at a speed of:

The tilt of the equator of Mars to its orbital plane:

What is the central idea of the theory of the origin of the tilt in Earth's rotation axis?

What did the Magellan spacecraft tell us about Venus' upper atmosphere,before the spacecraft burned up on entry into the atmosphere?

Which object has the highest albedo?

Where in the northern hemisphere is the aurora,or northern lights,found?

What are ozone holes?

When Venus is seen at inferior conjunction,a ring of light is seen around it,as shown in Figure 2-10 of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.What does this ring tell us about Venus?

A core of rock and metal seems to be characteristic of:

How do the near and far sides of the Moon compare?

The lunar maria appear smooth because they are:

In what way was the production of the major volcanoes on Mars different from the production of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth?

In what way did optical illusion mislead earlier visual observers of Mars?

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