astro exam 3

The polar caps of Mars are primarily composed of solid: A.CO2. B.water ice. C.methane. D.salt.

A.CO2.

For which of the following quantities do the giant planets have smaller characteristic values than the terrestrial planets? A.Density B.magnetic field strength C.volume D.rotation period

A.Density

During the first 500 million years of its existence, Mars most closely resembled: A.Earth B.The moon C.Mercury D.Venus

A.Earth

What was used as fuel for the spacecrafts? A.Gravity assist from the planets. B.93 octane gas C.diesel D.Batteries

A.Gravity assist from the planets.

Which of the following does not describe characteristics or effects of Jupiter? A.It has the largest mass of any object in the Solar System B.It has benefited life on Earth by sweeping up Solar System debris. C.It has a strong tidal influence on its moons. D.It has a ring system. E.It has distinct cloud layers varying in color.

A.It has the largest mass of any object in the Solar System

Which of the following statements about the atmosphere of Venus is not true? A.It is 90 times less dense than Earth's atmosphere. B.It is mostly CO2 C.Its heat and acidity quickly disable spacecraft that land on the surface. D.It contains sulfuric acid clouds E.Its composition has changed significantly over time.

A.It is 90 times less dense than Earth's atmosphere.

Imagine a terrestrial planet, Minutia, with a mass m and radius r. A second planet, Garganzo, has mass of 1.4m and radius of 1.4r. How does the surface gravity on Garganzo compare with that on Minutia? A.It is less B.It is greater. C.It is about the same. D.It depends on whether there are atmospheres on either or both. E.It depends on the density of the two planets.

A.It is less

The planet with the most powerful magnetic field is: A.Jupiter. B.Uranus. C.Earth D.Mercury.

A.Jupiter.

Which of the following characteristics do Jupiter and the Earth have in common. A.Magnetic field, Aurorae and at least one moon B.Large quantities of liquid water. C.Confirmation of life on the planet. D.Everything. Jupiter and Earth are planetary twins. E.Nothing. Jupiter is a gas giant and Earth is a terrestrial planet.

A.Magnetic field, Aurorae and at least one moon

Four planets that formed at the same time have equal density and the following radii:planet W: 2,000 kmplanet X: 2,500 kmplanet Y: 2,700 kmplanet Z: 5,000 kmIgnoring any other factors, which planet would be expected to cool fastest? A.Planet W, with radius 2,000 km B.planet X, with radius 2,500 km C.planet Y, with radius 2,700 km D.planet Z, with radius 5,000 km

A.Planet W, with radius 2,000 km

What object was designed, built and mounted to the spacecrafts to communicate with extra-terrestrials. A.The Golden Record B.The Golden DVD C.The first i-phone D.nothing

A.The Golden Record

Which of the following is a unique feature of Mars? A.The Solar System's largest volcano B.Confirmation of the existence of life. C.Has liquid water on its surface D.It is the home of Bigfoot

A.The Solar System's largest volcano

Which statement about the inputs to and outputs from nuclear fusion in the Sun is true? A.The total mass of outputs is less than the corresponding inputs B.Only lighter elements up to iron can be inputs. C.Outputs have smaller atomic weights than their corresponding inputs. D.Any element can be an output of nuclear fusion. E.Outputs are always radioacti

A.The total mass of outputs is less than the corresponding inputs

Why do we know so little about Uranus and Neptune? A.Their large distance from the Sun creates very cold and dark worlds that are difficult to study. B.We have not studied them because they are of very little scientific value. C.We do know a lot about them. After the Earth, Neptune and Uranus are the most studied planets. D.The life forms of Uranus and Neptune are not friendly and have refused our repeated requests to visit.

A.Their large distance from the Sun creates very cold and dark worlds that are difficult to study.

Which of the following statements about sunspots is true? A.They occur in predictable cycles. B.They are permanent features on the Sun's surface C.They are a primary cause of climate change. D.They exist in the convective zone E.Each sunspot is unrelated to any nearby sunspots.

A.They occur in predictable cycles.

What was the overall purpose of the Voyager mission A.To study Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus B.To land a probe on a moon of Saturn C.To collect solar wind particles D.To communicate with extra-terrestrials.

A.To study Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus

Which of the giant planets contain significant amounts of water ice? A.Uranus and Neptune B.Jupiter and Saturn C.Saturn and Neptune D.all of there giant planets

A.Uranus and Neptune

Which planet has the highest average temperature? A.Venus B.Earth C.Mercury D.Mars E.The moon

A.Venus

Why was Voyager 2 launched before Voyager 1? A.Voyager 1 would move faster than Voyager 2, so it was launched after Voyager 2 B.Voyager 1 was damaged during construction C.Voyager 1 was launched first. D.They were launched together.

A.Voyager 1 would move faster than Voyager 2, so it was launched after Voyager 2

The principal component of Venus's atmosphere is: A.carbon dioxide. B.sulfuric acid C.water vapor. D.nitrogen.

A.carbon dioxide.

Which of the following events have caused extensive power outages on Earth? A.coronal mass ejections B.meteor strikes C.gamma ray bursts D.supernovae

A.coronal mass ejections

If a star like the Sun did not have the ability to create energy by nuclear fusion, A.it would have exhausted its energy long ago. B.it could have sustained itself by nuclear fission as long as it was not a first-generation star. C.thermal energy from gravitational contraction would have sustained it until now, but its life expectancy would be much shorter. D.it would last longer because it would not be radiating away its stored energy. E.its antimatter and matter would have recombined, making it disappear.

A.it would have exhausted its energy long ago.

Venus and Earth are nearly identical in their: A.mass and diameter B.orbital semimajor axis. C.surface temperature. D.rotation period.

A.mass and diameter

Which of the following most accurately describes the interior structure of Saturn, from its center to its edge? A.rocky core, liquid metallic hydrogen, molecular hydrogen B.liquid metallic hydrogen, ammonia/methane ice, molecular hydrogen C.rocky core, liquid molecular hydrogen, gaseous molecular hydrogen D.ammonia/methane ice, liquid molecular hydrogen, gaseous molecular hydroge

A.rocky core, liquid metallic hydrogen, molecular hydrogen

Nearly half of Mercury's volume is composed of: A.solid iron. B.basalt. C.molten magma D.molten iron

A.solid iron.

What property of neutrinos allows them to mostly pass right through matter? A.their low probability of interaction with other particles B.their very small size C.their zero mass D.their high temperature E.their immutability

A.their low probability of interaction with other particles

Which body has the longest "day"? (A day is defined as the interval between the time at which a particular point on the body faces the Sun and the time at which the point faces the Sun again.) A.Mars B. Venus C.Mercury D.Earth E.Earth's moon

B. Venus

Voyager 2 is the first human made object to leave the solar system? A.True B.False

B.False

A simple description of the proton-proton chain is the Sun converts: A.Helium to hydrogen, light and thermal energy B.Hydrogen to helium, light and thermal energy C.hydrogen and thermal energy to light D.We do not know how the Sun creates energy. E.Burning coal to light and thermal energy

B.Hydrogen to helium, light and thermal energy

Why does Mercury have a thin layer of hydrogen and helium as an atmosphere? A.Other elements move fast enough to escape Mercury's gravity. B.Mercury temporarily traps solar wind particles. C.These are outgassed by rocks in Mercury's crust. D.These gases are released during impacts with comets.

B.Mercury temporarily traps solar wind particles.

Rank the terrestrial planets by the their size, smallest to largest. A.Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars B.Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth C.Mars, Earth, Venus, Mercury D.Venus, Mercury, Mars, Earth E.Mars, Mercury, Earth, Venu

B.Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth

The Solar System planet with the LOWEST density is: A.Jupiter B.Saturn C.Uranus D.Neptune

B.Saturn

What is the only moon in our Solar System to have a substantial atmosphere? A.Io B.Titan C.Europa D.Triton

B.Titan

In its composition, Mars's atmosphere most closely resembles that of: A.Mercury. B.Venus C.Earth D.none

B.Venus

Which body has the longest "day"? (A day is defined as the interval between the time at which a particular point on the body faces the Sun and the time at which the point faces the Sun again.) A.Mercury B.Venus C.Earth D.Mars E.Earth's Moon

B.Venus

Arrange the following planets by rotation period, longest to shortest. A.Uranus, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury B.Venus, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn C.Mars, Mercury, Venus, Uranus, Saturn D.Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Uranus E.Saturn, Uranus, Mars, Mercury, Venus

B.Venus, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn

Convection in the Sun can be observed through: A.sunspots B.granulation. C.solar flares. D.solar neutrinos.

B.granulation.

Jupiter's Great Red Spot is a: A.region of thick ammonium sulfide clouds. B.hurricane. C.region of powerful magnetic fields. D.fixed and unchanging feature.

B.hurricane.

Which of the following is the most likely source of heat radiated by the ice and gas giants? A.magnetic fields B.planet contraction C.nuclear fusion D.falling rain E.solar radiation

B.planet contraction

What forces maintain hydrostatic equilibrium in an object? A.centrifugal force and gravity B.pressure and gravity C.magnetism and gravity D.radiation and pressure

B.pressure and gravity

Which of the following correctly characterizes the structure of Uranus, if the layers are listed from the most central outward to the surface? A.rocky core, liquid molecular hydrogen, slush of light elements and hydrogen B.rocky core, slush of light elements and hydrogen, liquid molecular hydrogen C.rocky core, liquid metallic hydrogen, slush of light elements and hydrogen D.liquid metallic hydrogen, liquid molecular hydrogen, slush of light elements and hydrogen

B.rocky core, slush of light elements and hydrogen, liquid molecular hydrogen

Where is water ice most prominently found on present-day Mars? A.throughout the surface rocks B.underneath the northern polar cap C.underneath both polar caps D.nowhere; Mars is now dry

B.underneath the northern polar cap

Which two planets are the closest in rotational period? A.Venus and Earth B.Mars and Venus C.Earth and Mars D.Mars and Mercury E.Mercury and Earth

C.Earth and Mars

The terrestrial world most similar to Mercury is: A.Venus. B.Earth. C.Earth's Moon. D.Mars.

C.Earth's Moon.

The solar neutrino problem is accurately described in which of the following statements? A.Too many neutrinos are produced in solar fusion, and they are damaging to Earth. B.No neutrinos were found coming from the Sun. C.Experimental results found fewer neutrinos than models of nuclear fusion suggested would exist. D.The Sun lacks enough neutrinos to sustain fusion. E.Experimental results found more neutrinos than were expected from models of nuclear fusion

C.Experimental results found fewer neutrinos than models of nuclear fusion suggested would exist.

What is the most volcanically active world in the Solar System? A.Venus B.Earth C.Io D.Titan

C.Io

In which of the following ways is Io unique among the Galilean moons? A.It is bigger than Earth's Moon. B.It is strongly influenced by tidal forces from Jupiter C.It has a very high concentration of volcanoes. D.It was first observed by Galileo. E.Its orbital period is measured in (Earth) days rather than (Earth) months or years.

C.It has a very high concentration of volcanoes.

A gamma ray is produced in the core of the Sun. What happens after that? A.It emerges intact from the photosphere. B.It is scattered many times as a gamma ray before emerging from the photosphere. C.It is scattered and converted into lower-energy photons many times before emerging from the photosphere. D.It remains intact in the Sun's interior. E.It undergoes nuclear fusion.

C.It is scattered and converted into lower-energy photons many times before emerging from the photosphere.

Which of the following bodies is closest in composition to the Sun? A.Oort cloud B.Uranus C.Jupiter D.saturn

C.Jupiter

Picture the following five Solar System planets placed on the surface of a vast, deep, cosmic water ocean. Which would sink fastest? A.Uranus B.Mars C.Mercury D.Saturn E.Jupiter

C.Mercury

Four planets that formed at the same time have equal density and the following radii:planet W: 2,000 kmplanet X: 2,500 kmplanet Y: 2,700 kmplanet Z: 5,000 kmIgnoring any other factors, which planet would be expected to cool fastest? A.There is no way to know. B.planet Z, with radius 5,000 km C.Planet W, with radius 2,000 km D.planet X, with radius 2,500 km E.planet Y, with radius 2,700 km

C.Planet W, with radius 2,000 km

Which of the following statements about sunspots is true? A.They are a primary cause of climate change. B.They exist in the convective zone. C.They occur in predictable cycles. D.They are permanent features on the Sun's surface. E.Each sunspot is unrelated to any nearby sunspots.

C.They occur in predictable cycles.

Which of the following energy transport mechanisms does NOT occur to a significant degree in the Sun? A.radiative transport B.convection C.conduction D.thermal

C.conduction

Choose the correct order of the Sun's layers from the center outward. A.corona, chromosphere, convective zone, photosphere, radiative zone, core B.atmosphere, heliosphere, magnetosphere, core, solar wind C.core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona D.core, magnetosphere, heliosphere, atmosphere E.corona, chromosphere, photosphere, convective zone, radiative zone, core

C.core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona

What powers a star? A.combustion B.gravitational contraction C.fusion D.fission

C.fusion

Mercury's long day-night cycle is a result of: A.its position near the center of the Solar System. B.tides C.its eccentric orbit. D.all of above

C.its eccentric orbit.

Martian "blueberries" provide strong evidence for: A.liquid water on Mars today. B.subsurface water on Mars today. C.liquid water in Mars's past. D.biologic activity in Mars's past.

C.liquid water in Mars's past.

Sunspots always occur in: A.13-year cycles B.weak magnetic fields. C.pairs. D.the Sun's polar regions.

C.pairs.

When energy is carried by photons, astronomers call it: A.conduction. B.convection. C.radiative energy transport. D.coherence.

C.radiative energy transport.

Most likely, Venus's magnetic field is weak because it: A.lacks a liquid metal core B.is deficient in iron C.rotates slowly D.is too close to the Sun's magnetic field.

C.rotates slowly

The Sun produces energy through: A.fission. B.the triple alpha reaction. C.the proton-proton chain. D.the CNO cycle.

C.the proton-proton chain.

Approximately how long ago was the Sun's light we see today produced by fusion ? A.8 minutes B.30 days C.100 years D.10,000 years

D.10,000 years

Approximately what fraction of the Solar System's mass is inside the Sun? A.50% B.75% C.90% D.99.9%

D.99.9%

What happens to a gamma ray photon produced in the Sun's interior as it travels through the radiative zone? A.It breaks apart heavy nuclei, producing more energy. B.It is trapped within a blob of gas and carried upward slo C.It streams to the edge of the zone without interacting. D.It scatters every few centimeters and is transformed into many lower energy photons.

D.It scatters every few centimeters and is transformed into many lower energy photons.

How will the composition of the Sun change over the next billion years? A.It will not change appreciably. B.There will be more hydrogen, more helium, and less of the heavier elements. C.The proportions of carbon and iron will increase. D.There will be less hydrogen and more helium. E.There will be less hydrogen and more of all the heavier elements.

D.There will be less hydrogen and more helium.

How will the composition of the Sun change over the next billion years? A.The proportions of carbon and iron will increase. B.There will be more hydrogen, more helium, and less of the heavier elements. C.It will not change appreciably. D.There will be less hydrogen and more helium. E.There will be less hydrogen and more of all the heavier elements.

D.There will be less hydrogen and more helium.

Why are sunspots dark? A.They are moving downward toward the center of the Sun. B.They have more dust than their surroundings. C.They are less dense than their surroundings. D.They are cooler than their surroundings.

D.They are cooler than their surroundings.

Why were the rings of Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune not discovered until the 20th century? A.They are composed of highly energetic particles that don't emit light. B.The planets are all at greater distances than Saturn. C.They have large magnetic fields. D.They have low albedos E.They have no shepherd moons.

D.They have low albedos

Which of the following Solar System moons did NASA land a probe on? A.Io B.Callisto C.Enclaedus D.Titan

D.Titan

The spectrum of an exoplanet reveals significant amounts of methane with smaller amounts of ammonia. Considering this information alone, to which planet in our Solar System might we expect the exoplanet to be similar? A.Jupiter B.Mars C.Earth D.Uranus E.Saturn

D.Uranus

Which planet rotates in the opposite direction from which it orbits the Sun? A.Jupiter B.Mars C.Neptune D.Venus

D.Venus

Solar neutrinos: A.change their identities en route to Earth. B.were not detected in the expected numbers until 2002. C.are a powerful probe of the proton-proton chain. D.all of the above

D.all of the above

The giant planets all have: A.strong magnetic fields. B.ring systems C.rapid rotation all of the above

D.all of the above

The origin of Mars's moons is: A.The origin of Mars's moons is: B.ejecta from giant impacts. C.fragmentation of a larger body. D.currently an area of active investigation

D.currently an area of active investigation

In which of the following environments are ice and gas giant planets most likely to harbor life? A.atmosphere of one of the planet's moons B.none, since these planets orbit where it is too cold for life to exist C.surface of the planet D.subsurface ocean on one of the planet's moons E.atmosphere of the planet

D.subsurface ocean on one of the planet's moons

Where does fusion occur in the Sun? A.Where does fusion occur in the Sun? B.the photosphere C.the radiative zone D.the core

D.the core

Uranus is unique among the Solar System planets because it has: A.strong evidence for a giant impact affecting its rotation B.the strongest storms. C.the lowest density D.the most extreme seasonal variations.

D.the most extreme seasonal variations.

The solar neutrino problem is accurately described in which of the following statements? A.The Sun lacks enough neutrinos to sustain fusion. B.Too many neutrinos are produced in solar fusion, and they are damaging to Earth. C.No neutrinos were found coming from the Sun. D.Experimental results found more neutrinos than were expected from models of nuclear fusion. E.Experimental results found fewer neutrinos than models of nuclear fusion suggested would exist.

E.Experimental results found fewer neutrinos than models of nuclear fusion suggested would exist.

Which statement about energy from nuclear fusion is correct? A.Fusion converts radio photons into gamma-ray photons. B.Matter is annihilated and completely converted to energy in nuclear fusion. C.The proportion of hydrogen converted to energy in nuclear fusion is 7 percent. D.Nuclear fusion requires more energy put in than it gives back. E.The proportion of hydrogen converted to energy in nuclear fusion is 0.7 percent.

E.The proportion of hydrogen converted to energy in nuclear fusion is 0.7 percent.

Choose the correct order of the Sun's layers from the center outward. A.corona, chromosphere, photosphere, convective zone, radiative zone, core B.core, magnetosphere, heliosphere, atmosphere C.atmosphere, heliosphere, magnetosphere, core, solar wind D.corona, chromosphere, convective zone, photosphere, radiative zone, core E.core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona

E.core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona

Which of the following is not a source of heat in the interiors of the terrestrial planets? A.differentiation B.collisions from other bodies C.gravitational compression D.radioactive decay E.friction between atmosphere and surface

E.friction between atmosphere and surface

Which object is most similar to Mercury? A.Mars B.Venus C.Earth D.Saturn E.the moon

E.the moon