Astronomy Ch. 8

How many more times is the atmospheric pressure in Jupiter's core greater than the atmospheric pressure at Earth's surface? 10 thousand 100 thousand 1 million 10 million 100 million

100 million

Why do the jovian planet interiors differ? They differ due to giant impacts at the late stages of planet formation. Accretion took longer further from the Sun, so the more distant planets formed their cores later and captured less gas from the solar nebula than the closer jovian planets. The more distant planets had longer to form than the closer planets, since the solar nebula lasted longer at greater distances from the Sun. The more distant planets formed in a cooler region of the solar nebula and therefore contain a greater proportion of ices than the closer jovian planets.

Accretion took longer further from the Sun, so the more distant planets formed their cores later and captured less gas from the solar nebula than the closer jovian planets

How do the jovian planet interiors differ? The composition changes from mostly hydrogen in Jupiter and Saturn to mostly helium in Uranus and Neptune. The composition changes from mostly ammonia in Jupiter and Saturn to mostly methane in Uranus and Neptune. The core mass decreases with the mass of the planet. All have about the same amount of hydrogen and helium but the proportion of rocks is greater in those planets closer to the Sun. All have cores of about the same mass, but differ in the amount of surrounding hydrogen and helium.

All have cores of about the same mass, but differ in the amount of surrounding hydrogen and helium.

The dwarf planet Eris was discovered in 2005, orbiting the Sun at an average distance about twice that of Pluto. In which of the following ways do Pluto and Eris differ from the terrestrial and jovian planets in our solar system? Select all that apply. Both Pluto and Eris are smaller than any of the terrestrial planets. Both Pluto and Eris travel in more elliptical orbits than any of the terrestrial or jovian planets. Both Pluto and Eris are denser than any of the terrestrial planets. Both Pluto and Eris are less massive than any of the terrestrial or jovian planets. Both Pluto and Eris have more hydrogen gas than any of the jovian planets.

Both Pluto and Eris are smaller than any of the terrestrial planets; Both Pluto and Eris travel in more elliptical orbits than any of the terrestrial or jovian planets; Both Pluto and Eris are less massive than any of the terrestrial or jovian planets

________ is the most distant of Jupiter's four Galilean moons.

Callisto

Why does Jupiter have several distinct cloud layers? Winds prevent clouds from forming at some altitudes, so we see clouds only at the other altitudes. Different layers represent the various regions where the temperature is cool enough for liquid water to condense. Different gases are present at different altitudes in Jupiter's atmosphere. Clouds form randomly, so on average there are always several layers. Different layers represent clouds made of gases that condense at different temperatures.

Different layers represent clouds made of gases that condense at different temperatures

Rank Earth and the Jovian planets from left to right based on their distance from the Sun, from closest to farthest.

Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranis, Neptune

Rank Earth and the Jovian planets from left to right based on their size (average equatorial radius), from smallest to largest,

Earth, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter

Rank Earth and the Jovian planets from left to right based on their mass, from lowest to highest.

Earth, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter

Strong evidence both from surface features and magnetic field data support the existence of a subsurface ocean on ______.

Europa

Which moon is considered likely to have a deep, subsurface ocean of liquid water? Miranda Europa Io Triton

Europa

The largest moon in the solar system is ________.

Ganymede

The jovian moon with the most geologically active surface is __.

Io

Why are there no impact craters on the surface of Io? Jupiter's strong gravity attracted the planetesimals more strongly than Io, and thus none landed on its surface. Any craters that existed have been eroded through the strong winds on Io's surface. Io's thick atmosphere obscures the view of the craters. It is too small to have been bombarded by planetesimals in the early solar system. Io did have impact craters, but they have all been buried in lava flows.

Io did have impact craters, but they have all been buried in lava flows

Io's elliptical orbit is necessary to its tidal heating. This elliptical orbit, in turn, is a result of the orbital resonance among Io, Europa, and Ganymede. This orbital resonance causes Io to have a more elliptical orbit than it would otherwise, because __________. All three moons orbit with the same period, staying aligned at all times. Europa and Ganymede are unusually large moons. Io periodically passes Europa and Ganymede in the same orbital position. Europa and Ganymede always pull on Io from the same direction as Jupiter pulls on Io.

Io periodically passes Europa and Ganymede in the same orbital position

Io experiences tidal heating primarily because __________. Io has an elongated shape that makes it look more like an egg than a sphere. Io is located very close to Jupiter. Io is made of relatively soft materials that deform quite easily. Io's elliptical orbit causes the tidal force on Io to vary as it orbits Jupiter.

Io's elliptical orbit causes the tidal force on Io to vary as it orbits Jupiter

Which statement about Io is true? It is the most volcanically active body in our solar system. It is thought to have a deep, subsurface ocean of liquid water. It is the largest moon in the solar system. It is the only moon in the solar system with a thick atmosphere.

It is the most volcanically active body in our solar system

What is unusual about Triton? It orbits its planet backward. It does not keep the same face toward its planet. It is the only moon with its own rings.

It orbits its planet backward

What would happen to Jupiter if we could somehow double its mass? Its density would increase, but its diameter would barely change. Its density would decrease, and its diameter would double. Its density would stay about the same, and its volume would double. It would become a star, with nuclear fusion in its core.

Its density would increase, but its diameter would barely change

Why is Jupiter denser than Saturn? It has a larger proportion of rock and metal. It has a larger proportion of hydrogen. Its higher mass and gravity compress its interior.

Its higher mass and gravity compress its interior

Which of the following best explains why many jovian moons have been more geologically active than the Moon or Mercury? Jovian moons are made mostly of ice that can melt or deform at lower temperatures than can the rock and metal that make up the Moon and Mercury. The jovian moons probably have far more internal heat generated by radioactive decay than do the Moon or Mercury. The jovian moons are considerably larger than the Moon and Mercury and therefore have retained much more internal heat. Because of their greater distances from the Sun, the jovian moons receive much less heat from the Sun.

Jovian moons are made mostly of ice that can melt or deform at lower temperatures than can the rock and metal that make up the Moon and Mercury

Based on the leading scientific theory of solar system formation, which of the following statements best explains why Uranus and Neptune have a significantly different composition and higher density than Jupiter and Saturn? Jupiter and Saturn captured more gas from the solar nebula than Uranus and Neptune. Jupiter and Saturn formed closer to the Sun, where there was more hydrogen and helium gas and less hydrogen compounds and rock. The lower masses of Uranus and Neptune allowed more of their hydrogen and helium gas to escape into space. The lower temperatures at the locations of Uranus and Neptune allowed more material to condense into solid form into solid form.

Jupiter and Saturn captured more gas from the solar nebula than Uranus and Neptune

Which of the following statements best describes the general pattern of composition among the four jovian planets? Jupiter is made mostly of hydrogen, Saturn is made mostly of helium, Uranus is made mostly of hydrogen compounds, and Neptune is made mostly of rock. All four planets have essentially the same composition. Jupiter is made mostly of hydrogen and helium, while the other three jovian planets are made mostly of hydrogen compounds. Jupiter and Saturn have compositions that are fairly different from the compositions of Uranus and Neptune.

Jupiter and Saturn have compositions that are fairly different from the compositions of Uranus and Neptune

Which of the following best explains why Jupiter's density is higher than Saturn's? Jupiter has a higher proportion of hydrogen compounds and rock than Saturn. Jupiter is closer to the Sun than Saturn. Jupiter is more massive than Saturn. Jupiter has a stronger magnetic field than Saturn.

Jupiter is more massive than Saturn

Why does Neptune appear blue and Jupiter red? Neptune is hotter, which gives bluer thermal emission. Methane in Neptune's atmosphere absorbs red light. Neptune's air molecules scatter blue light, much as Earth's atmosphere does.

Methane in Neptune's atmosphere absorbs red light

Which of the following statements about the moons of the jovian planets is NOT true? Most of the moons are large enough to be spherical in shape, but a few have the more potato-like shapes of asteroids. One of the moons has a thick atmosphere. Many of the moons are made largely of ices. Some of the moons are big enough that we'd call them planets (or dwarf planets) if they orbited the Sun.

Most of the moons are large enough to be spherical in shape, but a few have the more potato-like shapes of asteroids

Which of the following statements correctly describes the motion of the particles in Saturn's rings? Particles in all the rings hover motionlessly high above Saturn. Particles in the inner rings orbit Saturn at a faster speed than particles in the outer rings. Particles in the inner rings orbit Saturn at a slower speed than particles in the outer rings. All the particles in the rings orbit Saturn with the same orbital period.

Particles in the inner rings orbit Saturn at a faster speed than particles in the outer rings

According to our theory of solar system formation, why did Uranus and Neptune end up to be much less massive than Jupiter and Saturn? The size differences are thought to be a random coincidence. The colder gas in the outer regions of the solar nebula had less gravity and therefore could not gather up into such large balls as it could closer in. Ices were able to condense at the distance of Jupiter and Saturn, but only rock and metal could condense at the distances of Uranus and Neptune. Particles in the solar nebula were more spread out at greater distances, so that accretion took longer and there was less time to pull in gas before the solar wind cleared the nebula.

Particles in the solar nebula were more spread out at greater distances, so that accretion took longer and there was less time to pull in gas before the solar wind cleared the nebula

Uranus and Neptune have methane clouds but Jupiter and Saturn do not. Which factor explains why? Temperatures on Jupiter and Saturn are too high for methane to condense. The stronger gravity on Jupiter and Saturn pulls methane downward so that it can't form clouds. The rapid rotation of Jupiter and Saturn prevents methane clouds from forming. Jupiter and Saturn do not contain any methane gas.

Temperatures on Jupiter and Saturn are too high for methane to condense

Assuming that other planetary systems form in the same way as our solar system formed, where would you expect to find terrestrial planets? Terrestrial planets will likely be located farther from the planetary system's star than any jovian planets. Terrestrial planets will likely be located nearer the planetary system's star than any jovian planets. There is no way to know where terrestrial planets are likely to be.

Terrestrial planets will likely be located nearer the planetary system's star than any jovian planets

Which statement about Saturn's rings is not true? The rings are so thin that they essentially disappear from view when seen edge-on. The large gap known as the Cassini Division is shaped by an orbital resonance with the moon Mimas, which orbits well outside the rings. Some features of the rings are shaped by small moons that actually orbit within the ring system. The rings must look much the same today as they did shortly after Saturn formed.

The rings must look much the same today as they did shortly after Saturn formed

Which of the following is not one of the four major features of the solar system? Swarms of asteroids and comets populate the solar system. The solar system contains eight planets plus dwarf planets (including Ceres, Pluto, and Eris). Planets fall into two major categories (terrestrial and jovian). Several exceptions to the general trends stand out. Large bodies in the solar system have orderly motions.

The solar system contains eight planets plus dwarf planets

Why does Jupiter have three distinct layers of clouds? The three layers reflect regions of Jupiter's atmosphere with different overall chemical compositions. Jupiter has three different types of wind, each of which makes a different type of cloud. Clouds form randomly, so on average there are always three layers. The three layers represent clouds made of gases that condense at different temperatures.

The three layers represent clouds made of gases that condense at different temperatures

Jupiter and the other jovian planets are sometimes called "gas giants." In what sense is this term misleading? Actually, it's a great description, because these worlds are big and gaseous throughout. The materials they are made of are not the kinds of thing we usually think of as gases. They are not in any sense "giants." They actually contain relatively little material in a gaseous state.

They actually contain relatively little material in a gaseous state

Which of the following is not a general characteristic of the four jovian planets in our solar system? They are higher in average density than are the terrestrial planets. They are composed mainly of hydrogen, helium, and hydrogen compounds. They are much more massive than any of the terrestrial planets. They lack solid surfaces.

They are higher in average density than are the terrestrial planets

Which of the following is a general characteristic of the four jovian planets in our solar system? They are lower in average density than are the terrestrial planets. They are less massive than any of the terrestrial planets. They have very little hydrogen, helium, and hydrogen compounds. They have solid surfaces.

They are lower in average density than are the terrestrial planets

How do typical wind speeds in Jupiter's atmosphere compare to typical wind speeds on Earth? They are slightly faster than average winds on Earth. They are slightly slower than average winds on Earth. They are much faster than hurricane winds on Earth. They are about the same as average winds on Earth.

They are much faster than hurricane winds on Earth

Which of the following statements best explains why the densities of Uranus and Neptune are higher than those of Jupiter and Saturn? They are at greater distances from the Sun. They have stronger magnetic fields. They have a higher proportion of hydrogen compounds and rock. They have higher masses. Their interiors are more compressed due to stronger gravity.

They have a higher proportion of hydrogen compounds and rock

_____ _______ is responsible for the tremendous volcanic activity on Io.

Tidal heating

Which moon did the Huygens spacecraft land on? Triton Callisto Titan Europa Ganymede

Titan

Which moon has a thick atmosphere made mostly of nitrogen? Titan Europa Ganymede Triton

Titan

Which moon shows evidence of rainfall and erosion by some liquid substance? Europa Titan Ganymede

Titan

Why do astronomers believe that Triton is a captured moon? Triton orbits Neptune in a direction opposite that of Neptune's rotation. Triton is too large to have been formed in the "miniature solar nebula" thought to have surrounded Neptune in its very early history. Triton is very small and potato-shaped, which is common of captured moons. Triton appears to be made mostly of ice.

Triton orbits Neptune in a direction opposite that of Neptune's rotation

Which jovian planet should have the most extreme seasonal changes? Saturn Jupiter Uranus Neptune

Uranus

Which planet is approximately halfway between Pluto's orbit and the Sun? Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun Jupiter, the fifth planet from the Sun Saturn, the sixth planet from the Sun Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun

Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun

We now know of many Jupiter-size planets around other stars. Suppose that future observations show that one of these planets has two orbiting moons. What additional information, if any, would we need to decide whether these moons experience tidal heating? We need to know whether either moon is volcanically active. We need to know whether the planet also has a third moon. We need to know their orbital periods. No other information is needed: With two moons, there is sure to be tidal heating. No other information is needed: With two moons, there is no chance of any tidal heating.

We need to know their orbital periods

How thick are Saturn's rings from top to bottom? a few hundred kilometers a few tens of meters a few tens of thousands of kilometers a few million kilometers a few kilometers

a few tens of meters

What is the Great Red Spot? a region on Jupiter where the temperature is so high that the gas glows with red visible light a hurricane that comes and goes on Jupiter a long-lived, high-pressure storm on Jupiter a place where reddish particles from Io impact Jupiter's surface

a long-lived, high-pressure storm on Jupiter

If Jupiter were scaled to the size of a basketball, Earth would be the closest to the size of a pinhead. a baseball. a basketball. a grapefruit. a marble.

a marble

We cannot see tidal forces or tidal heating; rather, we predict that they must occur based on the orbital characteristics of the moons. What observational evidence confirms that tidal heating is important on Io? Io's surprisingly elliptical orbit Io's unusual, egg-like shape the orbital resonance between Io, Europa, and Ganymede active volcanoes on Io

active volcanoes on Io

Which of the jovian planets has/have rings? Saturn Neptune Jupiter Uranus all of the above

all of the above

Where would you expect terrestrial planets to form in the solar nebula? within the inner 0.3 AU anywhere between 0.3 AU and the frost line anywhere outside 0.3 AU anywhere outside the frost line

anywhere between 0.3 AU and the frost line

Saturn's rings have looked basically the same since they formed along with Saturn. were created long ago when tidal forces tore apart a large moon. are continually supplied by impacts with small moons.

are continually supplied by impacts with small moons

How do astronomers think Jupiter generates its internal heat? internal friction due to its high rotation rate by contracting, changing gravitational potential energy into thermal energy chemical processes nuclear fusion in the core radioactive decay

by contracting, changing gravitational potential energy into thermal energy

Which of the following best describes the internal layering of Jupiter, from the center outward? solid rock core; layer of solid metallic hydrogen; layer of pure liquid hydrogen; cloud layer liquid core of hydrogen compounds; liquid hydrogen layer; metallic hydrogen layer; gaseous hydrogen layer; cloud layer core of rock and metal; mantle of lower density rock; upper layer of gaseous hydrogen; cloud layer core of rock, metal, and hydrogen compounds; thick layer of metallic hydrogen; layer of liquid hydrogen; layer of gaseous hydrogen; cloud layer

core of rock, metal, and hydrogen compounds; thick layer of metallic hydrogen; layer of liquid hydrogen; layer of gaseous hydrogen; cloud layer

The main ingredients of most satellites of the jovian planets are rock and metal. hydrogen compound ices. hydrogen and helium.

hydrogen compound ices

Orbital resonance also gives Europa an elliptical orbit, so it experiences tidal heating, too. However, Europa experiences less tidal heating than Io, because Europa __________ than Io. is much smaller is farther from Jupiter is more perfectly spherical in shape contains much more ice

is farther from Jupiter

Which of the following is most unlikely to be found on Titan? lakes of liquid water in the warmer equatorial regions rain or snow consisting of methane or ethane droplets or ice crystals lakes of liquid methane ethane volcanic outgassing of methane and other gases

lakes of liquid water in the warmer equatorial regions

Saturn's rings look bright because __________. light from the Sun reflects off the material in the rings the material in the rings is hot and creates its own light light from Saturn reflects off the material in the rings

light from the Sun reflects off the material in the rings

Saturn's rings are composed of __________. gas from the early solar system a series of solid concentric circles lots of individual particles of ice and rock parts of Saturn's upper atmosphere being vented into space

lots of individual particles of ice and rock

Where is Jupiter's strong magnetic field generated? metallic hydrogen layer rocky core cloud tops gaseous hydrogen layer liquid hydrogen layer

metallic hydrogen layer

Compared to terrestrial planets, jovian planets are __________. more massive and higher in average density more massive and lower in average density less massive and lower in average density less massive and higher in average density

more massive and lower in average density

What substances existed as solid flakes within the inner 0.3 AU of the solar system before planets began to form? none only rocks and metals only hydrogen compounds only hydrogen and helium gases

none

The fact that Europa orbits Jupiter twice for every one orbit of Ganymede is an example of a(n) _______ _________.

orbital resonance

Saturn's many moons affect its rings through tidal forces. orbital resonances. magnetic field interactions.

orbital resonances

The jovian planets are thought to have formed as gravity drew hydrogen and helium gas around planetesimals made of __________. only rocks and metals only ices rocks, metals, and ices rocks, metals, ices, and hydrogen and helium gases

rocks, metals, and ices

What substances were found within the inner 0.3 AU of the solar system before planets began to form? nothing at all only rocks and metals only hydrogen compounds only hydrogen and helium gases rocks, metals, hydrogen compounds, hydrogen, and helium, all in gaseous form

rocks, metals, hydrogen compounds, hydrogen, and helium, all in gaseous form

Overall, Jupiter's composition is most like that of _________. an asteroid Earth the Sun a comet

the Sun

The solar system contains vast numbers of small bodies, which we call asteroids when they are rocky and comets when they are icy. These small bodies are concentrated in the region(s) of the solar system that we call __________. Check all that apply. the asteroid belt the solar corona the Doppler belt the Oort cloud the comet belt the Kuiper belt

the asteroid belt; the Oort cloud; the Kuiper belt

What mechanism is most responsible for generating the internal heat of Io that drives its volcanic activity? bombardment radioactive decay tidal heating accretion differentiation

tidal heating

Which of the following best describes the composition of the particles forming Saturn's rings? water ice methane ice metallic grains volcanic rock hydrogen and helium

water ice