Question 1

Mars currently lacks surface habitability mostly because of

Accepted Answer

A)  the chemical composition of its atmosphere 
B)  its distance from the Sun 
C)  its small size 
D)  the chemical composition of its surface 
A)  the chemical composition of its atmosphere 
B)  its distance from the Sun 
C)  its small size 
D)  the chemical composition of its surface

Question 2

If the Earth were to be moved to where Venus is today,

Accepted Answer

A)  the oceans would evaporate, blocking light from the Sun and causing global temperatures to fall 
B)  carbon dioxide would be released from the oceans leading to higher temperatures but liquid water could still exist on the surface 
C)  the oceans would evaporate slightly producing a slightly warmer, more humid planet 
D)  the oceans would evaporate and carbonate rocks would decompose producing a runaway greenhouse effect much more severe than the one that exists on Venus today 
A)  the oceans would evaporate, blocking light from the Sun and causing global temperatures to fall 
B)  carbon dioxide would be released from the oceans leading to higher temperatures but liquid water could still exist on the surface 
C)  the oceans would evaporate slightly producing a slightly warmer, more humid planet 
D)  the oceans would evaporate and carbonate rocks would decompose producing a runaway greenhouse effect much more severe than the one that exists on Venus today

Question 3

The moist greenhouse effect refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the warming process by which water vapor rises into the upper atmosphere above the ozone layer where it is then broken apart by ultraviolet radiation 
B)  the point at which water is evaporating from the surface at a faster rate than it is condensing 
C)  the natural greenhouse effect due to clouds of water vapor in the lower atmosphere 
D)  an enhanced greenhouse effect above tropical regions of the Earth's surface 
A)  the warming process by which water vapor rises into the upper atmosphere above the ozone layer where it is then broken apart by ultraviolet radiation 
B)  the point at which water is evaporating from the surface at a faster rate than it is condensing 
C)  the natural greenhouse effect due to clouds of water vapor in the lower atmosphere 
D)  an enhanced greenhouse effect above tropical regions of the Earth's surface

Question 4

As global warming progresses, the

Accepted Answer

A)  landmasses will warm the most 
B)  equatorial regions will warm the most 
C)  polar regions will warm the most 
D)  oceans will warm the most 
A)  landmasses will warm the most 
B)  equatorial regions will warm the most 
C)  polar regions will warm the most 
D)  oceans will warm the most

Question 5

The Moon is in the habitable zone of the Sun at the same distance as the Earth but is not habitable. How can this be?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Moon did have water on its surface in the past, but it was destroyed by high-energy particles from the Sun 
B)  the Moon has never had water on its surface at any time 
C)  the Moon is too small to retain an atmosphere necessary for liquid water to be stable 
D)  the Moon did have water on its surface in the past, but it was blasted off the surface by impacts 
A)  the Moon did have water on its surface in the past, but it was destroyed by high-energy particles from the Sun 
B)  the Moon has never had water on its surface at any time 
C)  the Moon is too small to retain an atmosphere necessary for liquid water to be stable 
D)  the Moon did have water on its surface in the past, but it was blasted off the surface by impacts

Question 6

Based solely on its distance from the Sun, we would expect the surface of Venus to be

Accepted Answer

A)  much hotter than the Earth such that liquid water would only exist as a vapor in the atmosphere 
B)  much colder than the Earth such that liquid water would freeze 
C)  hotter than the Earth but not so hot that liquid water could not exist 
D)  at the same temperature as the Earth with oceans of liquid water 
A)  much hotter than the Earth such that liquid water would only exist as a vapor in the atmosphere 
B)  much colder than the Earth such that liquid water would freeze 
C)  hotter than the Earth but not so hot that liquid water could not exist 
D)  at the same temperature as the Earth with oceans of liquid water

Question 7

If we do nothing to slow our emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, by the end of the century the global average temperatures are predicted to increase by

Accepted Answer

A)  5 to 10 oC (10 to 20 oF) 
B)  1 to 2 oC (2 to 4 oF) 
C)  3 to 5 oC (6 to 10 oF) 
D)  less than 1 oC (2 oF) 
A)  5 to 10 oC (10 to 20 oF) 
B)  1 to 2 oC (2 to 4 oF) 
C)  3 to 5 oC (6 to 10 oF) 
D)  less than 1 oC (2 oF)

Question 8

Unlike the Earth, Venus does not have a protective magnetic field because

Accepted Answer

A)  of its proximity to the Sun 
B)  of its slow rotation 
C)  it lacks a partially molten iron core 
D)  there is less magnetized iron on its surface 
A)  of its proximity to the Sun 
B)  of its slow rotation 
C)  it lacks a partially molten iron core 
D)  there is less magnetized iron on its surface

Question 9

Overall, the likelihood of finding planets in a star's habitable zone depends on the

Accepted Answer

A)  distance from the star to the outer edge of the zone 
B)  distance from the outer edge of the zone to the nearest other star 
C)  distance from the star to the inner edge of the zone 
D)  width of the zone 
A)  distance from the star to the outer edge of the zone 
B)  distance from the outer edge of the zone to the nearest other star 
C)  distance from the star to the inner edge of the zone 
D)  width of the zone

Question 10

The range of distances that has remained habitable for the entire duration of the Sun's lifetime is referred to as the

Accepted Answer

A)  continuously habitable zone 
B)  habitable zone of consistency 
C)  zone of water stability 
D)  permanently habitable zone 
A)  continuously habitable zone 
B)  habitable zone of consistency 
C)  zone of water stability 
D)  permanently habitable zone

Question 11

Over time the Sun's habitable zone has

Accepted Answer

A)  narrowed and moved away from the Sun 
B)  narrowed and moved closer to the Sun 
C)  widened and moved closer to the Sun 
D)  widened and moved away from the Sun 
A)  narrowed and moved away from the Sun 
B)  narrowed and moved closer to the Sun 
C)  widened and moved closer to the Sun 
D)  widened and moved away from the Sun

Question 12

Why does the Sun brighten with time?

Accepted Answer

A)  as time progresses, helium starts to fuse in the core, in addition to hydrogen, leading to an increase in brightness 
B)  as hydrogen is converted into helium in the core, the number of hydrogen nuclei decreases, decreasing the fusion rate. To maintain the balance with gravity pressing inward, the core compensates by shrinking and heating up 
C)  as time progresses, more and more heat is trapped inside the core, leading to an increase in brightness 
D)  as hydrogen is converted into helium in the core, the number of hydrogen nuclei decreases, decreasing the fusion rate. To maintain the balance with gravity pressing inward, the core compensates by expanding and cooling 
A)  as time progresses, helium starts to fuse in the core, in addition to hydrogen, leading to an increase in brightness 
B)  as hydrogen is converted into helium in the core, the number of hydrogen nuclei decreases, decreasing the fusion rate. To maintain the balance with gravity pressing inward, the core compensates by shrinking and heating up 
C)  as time progresses, more and more heat is trapped inside the core, leading to an increase in brightness 
D)  as hydrogen is converted into helium in the core, the number of hydrogen nuclei decreases, decreasing the fusion rate. To maintain the balance with gravity pressing inward, the core compensates by expanding and cooling

Question 13

The clouds of sulfuric acid present in the venusian atmosphere probably result from

Accepted Answer

A)  the chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide produced by outgassing volcanoes and water 
B)  the chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide produced by outgassing volcanoes and surface rocks 
C)  the direct outgassing by volcanoes 
D)  the boiling of sulfuric acid at the surface 
A)  the chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide produced by outgassing volcanoes and water 
B)  the chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide produced by outgassing volcanoes and surface rocks 
C)  the direct outgassing by volcanoes 
D)  the boiling of sulfuric acid at the surface

Question 14

The Sun will end its life by becoming

Accepted Answer

A)  a black hole 
B)  a neutron star 
C)  a white dwarf 
D)  none of these 
A)  a black hole 
B)  a neutron star 
C)  a white dwarf 
D)  none of these

Question 15

Apart from its distance from its parent star, what is the next most important factor that determines a planet's habitability?

Accepted Answer

A)  whether it has a large moon 
B)  the size of the planet 
C)  the chemical composition of its atmosphere 
D)  the chemical composition of its surface 
A)  whether it has a large moon 
B)  the size of the planet 
C)  the chemical composition of its atmosphere 
D)  the chemical composition of its surface

Question 16

According to optimistic estimates, the end of habitability of Earth will come about

Accepted Answer

A)  a few hundred thousand years from now 
B)  a billion years from now 
C)  3 to 4 billion years from now 
D)  100 million years from now 
A)  a few hundred thousand years from now 
B)  a billion years from now 
C)  3 to 4 billion years from now 
D)  100 million years from now

Question 17

According to conservative estimates, the end of habitability of Earth will come about

Accepted Answer

A)  3 to 4 billion years from now 
B)  a few hundred thousand years from now 
C)  100 million years from now 
D)  a billion years from now 
A)  3 to 4 billion years from now 
B)  a few hundred thousand years from now 
C)  100 million years from now 
D)  a billion years from now

Question 18

Stars much more luminous than the Sun have

Accepted Answer

A)  narrower habitable zones, decreasing the odds of finding habitable planets and lifetimes too short for life to appear 
B)  wider habitable zones, increasing the odds of finding habitable planets but lifetimes too short for life to appear 
C)  narrower habitable zones, decreasing the odds of finding habitable planets but much longer lifetimes allowing life to appear and evolve 
D)  wider habitable zones, increasing the odds of finding habitable planets and much longer lifetimes allowing life to appear and evolve 
A)  narrower habitable zones, decreasing the odds of finding habitable planets and lifetimes too short for life to appear 
B)  wider habitable zones, increasing the odds of finding habitable planets but lifetimes too short for life to appear 
C)  narrower habitable zones, decreasing the odds of finding habitable planets but much longer lifetimes allowing life to appear and evolve 
D)  wider habitable zones, increasing the odds of finding habitable planets and much longer lifetimes allowing life to appear and evolve

Question 19

Around 4 billion years ago Venus could have been more Earth-like with liquid water on its surface because

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus has a protective magnetic field 
B)  its atmosphere was thinner 
C)  Venus was farther from the Sun 
D)  the Sun was dimmer so Venus would have received less radiation 
A)  Venus has a protective magnetic field 
B)  its atmosphere was thinner 
C)  Venus was farther from the Sun 
D)  the Sun was dimmer so Venus would have received less radiation

Question 20

The possible habitability of Mars today is mostly determined by

Accepted Answer

A)  the amount of heat it receives from the Sun 
B)  the composition of its atmosphere 
C)  the thickness of its atmosphere 
D)  geological conditions existing beneath its surface 
A)  the amount of heat it receives from the Sun 
B)  the composition of its atmosphere 
C)  the thickness of its atmosphere 
D)  geological conditions existing beneath its surface

Mars currently lacks surface habitability mostly because of

If the Earth were to be moved to where Venus is today,

The moist greenhouse effect refers to

As global warming progresses, the

The Moon is in the habitable zone of the Sun at the same distance as the Earth but is not habitable. How can this be?

Based solely on its distance from the Sun, we would expect the surface of Venus to be

If we do nothing to slow our emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, by the end of the century the global average temperatures are predicted to increase by

Unlike the Earth, Venus does not have a protective magnetic field because

Overall, the likelihood of finding planets in a star's habitable zone depends on the

The range of distances that has remained habitable for the entire duration of the Sun's lifetime is referred to as the

Over time the Sun's habitable zone has

Why does the Sun brighten with time?

The clouds of sulfuric acid present in the venusian atmosphere probably result from

The Sun will end its life by becoming

Apart from its distance from its parent star, what is the next most important factor that determines a planet's habitability?

According to optimistic estimates, the end of habitability of Earth will come about

According to conservative estimates, the end of habitability of Earth will come about

Stars much more luminous than the Sun have

Around 4 billion years ago Venus could have been more Earth-like with liquid water on its surface because

The possible habitability of Mars today is mostly determined by

The Science of Life in the Universe

The Universal Context of Life

The Habitability of Earth

The Nature of Life on Earth

The Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

Searching for Life in Our Solar System

Mars

Life on Jovian Moons

Habitability Outside the Solar System

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Interstellar Travel and the Fermi Paradox

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Exam 10: The Nature and Evolution of Habitability

Mars currently lacks surface habitability mostly because of

If the Earth were to be moved to where Venus is today,

The moist greenhouse effect refers to

As global warming progresses, the

The Moon is in the habitable zone of the Sun at the same distance as the Earth but is not habitable. How can this be?

Based solely on its distance from the Sun, we would expect the surface of Venus to be

If we do nothing to slow our emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, by the end of the century the global average temperatures are predicted to increase by

Unlike the Earth, Venus does not have a protective magnetic field because

Overall, the likelihood of finding planets in a star's habitable zone depends on the

The range of distances that has remained habitable for the entire duration of the Sun's lifetime is referred to as the

Over time the Sun's habitable zone has

Why does the Sun brighten with time?

The clouds of sulfuric acid present in the venusian atmosphere probably result from

The Sun will end its life by becoming

Apart from its distance from its parent star, what is the next most important factor that determines a planet's habitability?

According to optimistic estimates, the end of habitability of Earth will come about

According to conservative estimates, the end of habitability of Earth will come about

Stars much more luminous than the Sun have

Around 4 billion years ago Venus could have been more Earth-like with liquid water on its surface because

The possible habitability of Mars today is mostly determined by

The Science of Life in the Universe

The Universal Context of Life

The Habitability of Earth

The Nature of Life on Earth

The Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

Searching for Life in Our Solar System

Mars

Life on Jovian Moons

Habitability Outside the Solar System

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Interstellar Travel and the Fermi Paradox

Filters