Question 1

Describe two reasons why Earth's magnetic field cannot be a result of permanent magnetism.

Accepted Answer

First,the interior temperature is too high (iron loses its magnetism at high temperatures).Second,Earth's field has been shown to change with time (the positions of the magnetic poles change along with entire field reversals).

Question 2

The American and African/European continents are now separated by the Atlantic Ocean,which is approximately 4,000 km wide.Assuming a continental drift rate of 2 cm/year,how long has it been since they were one landmass?

Accepted Answer

If we assume a constant drift rate of 2 cm/year,we can set up the relationship 2 cm/year = 4,000 km/X years,where X is the amount of time since the two landmasses were one.Rearranging,X = 4,000 km/(2 cm/year)= 4 × 10⁸ cm/(2cm/year)= 200 million years ago.

Question 3

In the past,the Moon was closer to the Earth and the difference in the heights of the ocean at high and low tides were:

Accepted Answer

A)  the same 
B)  larger 
C)  smaller 
D)  Tides were nonexistent in the past. 
A)  the same 
B)  larger 
C)  smaller 
D)  Tides were nonexistent in the past. B

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a factor that helps explain Earth's lack of craters compared to the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  Wind erosion 
B)  Larger atmosphere 
C)  Higher density interior 
D)  Liquid water on surface 
A)  Wind erosion 
B)  Larger atmosphere 
C)  Higher density interior 
D)  Liquid water on surface

Question 5

Earth's magnetic axis and its spin axis are not aligned.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

There are two main forces that shape a planet's surface: impacts and plate tectonics.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Which of the following is a remnant from space that has hit the surface of the Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Meteoroid 
B)  Meteor 
C)  Meteorite 
A)  Meteoroid 
B)  Meteor 
C)  Meteorite

Question 8

What is the best explanation for the heating of Earth's interior today?

Accepted Answer

A)  The tidal effects of the moon 
B)  Seismic waves that traverse Earth's core 
C)  Decay of radioactive elements 
D)  Convective motions in the mantle 
A)  The tidal effects of the moon 
B)  Seismic waves that traverse Earth's core 
C)  Decay of radioactive elements 
D)  Convective motions in the mantle

Question 9

The smallest craters are found on:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Name the terrestrial planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun.What are the terrestrial planets in order of increasing geologic age of their surface?

Accepted Answer

In order of increasing distanc

Question 11

Based on the assumption that a liquid,conducting core and rapid rotation are both required for a magnetic field to operate,which terrestrial planets would you expect to have magnetic fields?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth only 
B)  Earth,Venus,and Mars only 
C)  Earth and Mars only 
D)  Earth and Mercury only 
A)  Earth only 
B)  Earth,Venus,and Mars only 
C)  Earth and Mars only 
D)  Earth and Mercury only

Question 12

Tides are strongest when the Moon is at first quarter phase or third quarter phase.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Examine the figure below.Explain the theory as to how the Moon was formed and why it is currently accepted.

Accepted Answer

A Mars-sized protoplanet may have collid

Question 14

If a radioactive element has a half-life of 10,000 years,what fraction of it is left in a rock after 40,000 years?

Accepted Answer

A)  One-half 
B)  One-fourth 
C)  One-eighth 
D)  One-sixteenth 
A)  One-half 
B)  One-fourth 
C)  One-eighth 
D)  One-sixteenth

Question 15

The maria on the Moon's surface are approximately 1 billion years younger than the rest of its surface.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

We suspect that Mars once had liquid water on its surface because:

Accepted Answer

A)  mapping satellites have detected dry river beds 
B)  rovers have detected minerals that must have formed in the presence of liquid water 
C)  mapping satellites have detected outflow channels coming from impact craters 
D)  all of the above 
A)  mapping satellites have detected dry river beds 
B)  rovers have detected minerals that must have formed in the presence of liquid water 
C)  mapping satellites have detected outflow channels coming from impact craters 
D)  all of the above

Question 17

Mercury has the largest core compared to the size of the planet.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Compared to the dark-colored regions on the surface of the Moon,the light-colored regions are approximately:

Accepted Answer

A)  1 billion years older 
B)  1 billion years younger 
C)  1 million years older 
D)  1 million years younger 
A)  1 billion years older 
B)  1 billion years younger 
C)  1 million years older 
D)  1 million years younger

Question 19

Differentiation occurred inside each terrestrial planet.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Describe the difference between seismic primary and secondary waves and why this difference makes them useful in probing the structure of the Earth's interior.

Accepted Answer

Secondary waves are transverse waves.The

Describe two reasons why Earth's magnetic field cannot be a result of permanent magnetism.

The American and African/European continents are now separated by the Atlantic Ocean,which is approximately 4,000 km wide.Assuming a continental drift rate of 2 cm/year,how long has it been since they were one landmass?

In the past,the Moon was closer to the Earth and the difference in the heights of the ocean at high and low tides were:

Which of the following is NOT a factor that helps explain Earth's lack of craters compared to the Moon?

Earth's magnetic axis and its spin axis are not aligned.

There are two main forces that shape a planet's surface: impacts and plate tectonics.

Which of the following is a remnant from space that has hit the surface of the Earth?

What is the best explanation for the heating of Earth's interior today?

The smallest craters are found on:

Name the terrestrial planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun.What are the terrestrial planets in order of increasing geologic age of their surface?

Based on the assumption that a liquid,conducting core and rapid rotation are both required for a magnetic field to operate,which terrestrial planets would you expect to have magnetic fields?

Tides are strongest when the Moon is at first quarter phase or third quarter phase.

Examine the figure below.Explain the theory as to how the Moon was formed and why it is currently accepted.

If a radioactive element has a half-life of 10,000 years,what fraction of it is left in a rock after 40,000 years?

The maria on the Moon's surface are approximately 1 billion years younger than the rest of its surface.

We suspect that Mars once had liquid water on its surface because:

Mercury has the largest core compared to the size of the planet.

Compared to the dark-colored regions on the surface of the Moon,the light-colored regions are approximately:

Differentiation occurred inside each terrestrial planet.

Describe the difference between seismic primary and secondary waves and why this difference makes them useful in probing the structure of the Earth's interior.

Our Place in the Universe

Patterns in the Skymotions of Earth

Laws of Motion

Light and Telescopes

The Formation of Stars and Planets

Atmospheres of Venus, Earth, and Mars

The Giant Planets

Small Bodies of the Solar System

Measuring the Stars

Our Star: The Sun

Evolution of Low-Mass Stars

Evolution of High-Mass Stars

The Expansion of Space

The Realm of the Galaxies

Our Galaxy: The Milky Way

Modern Cosmology and the Origin of Structure

Life in the Universe

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Exam 6: Terrestrial Worlds in the Inner Solar System

Describe two reasons why Earth's magnetic field cannot be a result of permanent magnetism.

The American and African/European continents are now separated by the Atlantic Ocean,which is approximately 4,000 km wide.Assuming a continental drift rate of 2 cm/year,how long has it been since they were one landmass?

In the past,the Moon was closer to the Earth and the difference in the heights of the ocean at high and low tides were:

Which of the following is NOT a factor that helps explain Earth's lack of craters compared to the Moon?

Earth's magnetic axis and its spin axis are not aligned.

There are two main forces that shape a planet's surface: impacts and plate tectonics.

Which of the following is a remnant from space that has hit the surface of the Earth?

What is the best explanation for the heating of Earth's interior today?

The smallest craters are found on:

Name the terrestrial planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun.What are the terrestrial planets in order of increasing geologic age of their surface?

Based on the assumption that a liquid,conducting core and rapid rotation are both required for a magnetic field to operate,which terrestrial planets would you expect to have magnetic fields?

Tides are strongest when the Moon is at first quarter phase or third quarter phase.

Examine the figure below.Explain the theory as to how the Moon was formed and why it is currently accepted.

If a radioactive element has a half-life of 10,000 years,what fraction of it is left in a rock after 40,000 years?

The maria on the Moon's surface are approximately 1 billion years younger than the rest of its surface.

We suspect that Mars once had liquid water on its surface because:

Mercury has the largest core compared to the size of the planet.

Compared to the dark-colored regions on the surface of the Moon,the light-colored regions are approximately:

Differentiation occurred inside each terrestrial planet.

Describe the difference between seismic primary and secondary waves and why this difference makes them useful in probing the structure of the Earth's interior.

Our Place in the Universe

Patterns in the Skymotions of Earth

Laws of Motion

Light and Telescopes

The Formation of Stars and Planets

Atmospheres of Venus, Earth, and Mars

The Giant Planets

Small Bodies of the Solar System

Measuring the Stars

Our Star: The Sun

Evolution of Low-Mass Stars

Evolution of High-Mass Stars

The Expansion of Space

The Realm of the Galaxies

Our Galaxy: The Milky Way

Modern Cosmology and the Origin of Structure

Life in the Universe

Filters