Astronomy 101 Chapter 9; Mastering Astronomy Assignment

Shown below are the four terrestrial planets of our solar system. Assume that all the planets started out equally hot inside. Rank the planets based on their expected cooling rates, from fastest cooling to slowest cooling.

(FASTEST COOLING) Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth (SLOWEST COOLING)

Shown following are three terrestrial planets of our solar system. Rank the planets based on the amount of time the surface of the planet has had a moderate to high level of volcanic/tectonic activity, from longest to shortest.

(LONGEST TIME) Earth, Mars, Mercury (SHORTEST TIME)

Start on the home screen of the interactive figure, with "Elevation is off." Then turn elevation on, and compare what you see. You may wish to switch back and forth between elevation on and off a few times. Then select the statements below that are true. Note: Features such as impact craters that are actually round in shape are distorted into oval shapes at mid- to high-latitudes by map projection effects. Select all that apply.

-Most of the northern hemisphere has much lower elevation than the southern hemisphere. -There is a long, deep canyon that stretches along a region close to Mars's equator. -Several large volcanoes are found near or somewhat north of Mars's equator. -There is a large, roundish region of low-elevation in the southern hemisphere.

Go to the screen "Key Evidence of Water," and and select the feature called "Recurring Slope Lineae." Study this feature at each of the four zoom levels offered, and be sure to view the animation called "recurring slope linaea (gif)" that you will see at the third zoom level. Which of the following statements are true?

-The recurring slope lineae look like narrow dark streaks. -The recurring slope lineae are found among impact craters. -The recurring slope lineae appear to grow in spring and summer.

Based on Planet Z's size, orbital distance, and rotation rate, which of the following properties is it likely to have? Check all that apply.

-an atmosphere produced by outgassing -active tectonics -active volcanoes

The large, roundish, low-elevation region in the southern hemisphere is called _______

Hellas Basin

Each of the following statements is best associated with one of the four major geological processes. Drag each statement into the correct bin for its associated process. Drag the appropriate items to their respective bins.

Impact Cratering: -Mostly occurred during heavy bombardment. -Affected all solid worlds similarly. Volcanism: -Created the smooth lunar maria. -Erased virtually all craters on Io. -Responsible for the existence of Earth's atmosphere and oceans. Tectonics: -On Earth, involves motion of plates. -Includes surface compression that builds mountains. Erosion: -Includes features sculpted by wind.

The tallest mountain on Mars is called ___________

Olympus Mons

________ found in the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe is composed of dense and relatively young rock.

Seafloor crust

_______ is a high-elevation region dotted by tall volcanoes.

Tharsis Bulge

Go to the screen "Mars Mission Landing Sites," and and select Opportunity landing site (2004). Explore all five zoom levels offered, making sure to read the captions at the tops of the screens. Based on the information provided, why was the landing site,called Meridiani Planum, chosen for the Opportunity mission?

The region was already known to have minerals likely to have formed in liquid water.

The long, deep canyon running along the equator is called _______

Valles Marineris

In Part A, you found that Planet Z should not have polar ice caps or liquid water. What single change to Planet Z's characteristics would allow it to have these things?

a greater distance from its star

The earthquakes that occur in Southern California generally occur above a _________

fault

You have found that Planet Z should have active tectonics and volcanism and an atmosphere produced by volcanic outgassing. What single factor explains why the planet should have these characteristics?

has a large size for a terrestrial planet.

Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone National Park in the United States acquires its energy from a _______

hot spot

Scientists can estimate the age of a planetary surface by counting __________.

impact craters

The slowly increasing distance between South America and Africa is due to ______

seafloor spreading

Layered ________ exposed by erosion can be seen when looking at the Grand Canyon in the United States.

sedimentary rock

The extremely deep ocean Marianas Trench is a result of _______

subduction

Australia is composed of relatively old and thick ______

continental crust