AST 111 Test 3
Comets are not actually members of the solar system, but captured by the Sun.
False
Due to their great masses, all four Jovian worlds are much denser than the Earth.
False
Our Solar System contains 65 moons (as of Summer 2007)
False
Seismic S-waves can travel through Earth's liquid outer core.
False
The partial trapping of solar radiation is known as the ________.
Greenhouse Effect
The continuing rise in the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere should cause our surface temperatures to rise.
True
In composition, asteroids and meteoroids are most like: a.jovian planets. b. Kuiper Belt objects. c. comets. d. terrestrial planets. e. the moons of Jupiter.
D
Like other solid bodies in the solar system, Earth's surface was kept molten by: a. radioactivity. b. differentiation. c. convection. d. bombardment by small bodies. e. the solar nebula.
D
The energy for plate tectonics comes primarily from radioactive decay in our core.
True
The hydrosphere accounts in large part for the fact that our atmosphere in thinner than Venus' and contains far less carbon dioxide.
True
The ozone layer lies at the boundary of the stratosphere and mesosphere.
True
The solar system contains the sun, eight major bodies called planets, and at least thousands smaller bodies.
True
The three most abundant gases in our atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.
True
Trenches are areas where the denser oceanic plates are subducted beneath the leading edges of lighter continental ones.
True
We find from igneous rock dating that the polarity of the Earth's magnetic field has undergone many unexplained changes in periods of thousands of years.
True
While most large moons orbit counterclockwise above their planets' equators, the smaller moons often show eccentric or even retrograde orbits, suggesting capture.
True
________ is the planet with the slowest rotation period.
Venus
When strong solar wind storms are diverted poleward by our magnetic fields, we often observe ________ in the ionosphere.
aurorae
When strong solar winds are directed poleward, we see ________ at night.
aurorae
The least dense form of interplanetary debris are ________.
comets
While all planet orbits are ellipses, the eight large planets have fairly ________ eccentricities.
low
Small rocky bodies with compositions similar to Earth that are in orbit around the Sun are called ________.
meteroids or asteroids
Plate ________ is the process by which convection within the mantle reforms the crust above it.
tectonics
A meteorite is: a. a chunk of space debris that has struck the ground. b. a streak of light in the atmosphere. c. an icy body with a long tail extending from it. d. a chunk of space debris orbiting the Earth. e. an irregularly shaped body, mostly found orbiting between Mars and Jupiter.
A
As the solar nebula contracts due to gravitation, the cloud: a. spins faster. b. expands. c. becomes more spherical in shape. d. changes direction of motion. e. begins to cool.
A
Dust is an important part of the nebular theory of solar system formation because dust is needed to explain: a. how the inner planets came to be rocky bodies. b. how the outer planets came to be gaseous bodies. c. how the initial cloud cooled enough to collapse. d. how the initial cloud heated as it contracted. e. why the icy bodies are located so far from the Sun.
A
The plane in which almost all planets orbit the Sun is called the: a. equator of the solar system. b. ecliptic. c. equant. d. node. e. galactic plane.
B
Interstellar dust grains start the process of condensation in the early solar nebula.
False
Jupiter and the other jovian planets may have formed significantly closer to the Sun than their current orbits.
False
One characteristic of the terrestrial planets is their extensive moon systems.
False
The asteroids are very young and appear to be made from the same material.
False
The gravitational slingshot effect can increase the speed of a spacecraft, but not decrease it.
False
The hydrosphere covers about 50% of the Earth's crust.
False
The most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere is oxygen.
False
The ozone layer blocks much of the Sun's visible radiation.
False
The speed of the current warming trend is no different than those seen in fossil records.
False
Water began condensing around 1 A.U. from the Sun, which is why Earth has so much water and Venus has almost none.
False
When plates collide, they fuse together and come to rest.
False
The ________ theory describes the origin of the planets as having been formed by accretion of small particles into progressively larger and larger bodies.
condensation
All of the Jovian planets rotate more rapidly than any of the terrestrial planets.
True
All planets revolve around the Sun counterclockwise, and most also rotate on their axis counterclockwise.
True
All the Jovian planets lie beyond the asteroid belt.
True
All the terrestrial planets lie inside the asteroid belt.
True
Almost all the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is unique among the planets in our solar system.
True
Any model of solar system formation must explain why comets come from the Oort Cloud, with orbits very different from the planets, asteroids, and Kuiper Belt Objects.
True
Any model of solar system formation must explain why every planet is relatively isolated in space.
True
Any model of solar system formation must explain why terrestrial planets and Jovian planets formed differently.
True
Any model of solar system formation must explain why the planets revolve in the same direction as the Sun rotates.
True
Asteroids are the densest form of interplanetary debris.
True
Collisions between low density continental plates create the tallest mountain chains, such as the Himalayas.
True
Comets are easier to identify than asteroids when they are closer to the Sun.
True
Conservation of angular momentum explains why the contracting solar nebula's rotation rate increased as it contracted.
True
Different temperatures within the solar nebula ultimately determined the compositions of the planets and their moons.
True
Greenhouse gases in our atmosphere trap just enough heat to keep the Earth's oceans liquid.
True
In addition to revolving around the Sun counterclockwise, most planets also rotate on their axis counterclockwise.
True
In the past, most of the landmass on Earth was concentrated in a single, large continent.
True
Infrared radiation is trapped close to our surface by the Greenhouse Effect.
True
Of all the terrestrial planets, Mercury's orbit is most eccentric and tilted most above the ecliptic.
True
Our solar system contains more than 100 Kuiper Belt objects larger than 300 km in diameter.
True
Seismic P-waves can travel through both solid and liquid materials.
True
Subduction of higher density oceanic plates under the continents not only creates deep trenches but also tall volcanic chains ashore as well.
True
The Kuiper Belt is a collection of asteroid-sized icy bodies orbiting the Sun beyond the orbit of Neptune.
True
The Masses of all the planets combines is about 1% of that of the Sun.
True
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the largest tectonic feature on our planet.
True
The Pioneer and Voyager space probes passed near the jovian planets without landing or crashing into them.
True
4. Evidence that the Earth was nearly molten at one time comes from the differentiation of materials by ________ from core to crust.
density
In terms of ________, all the terrestrials are greater than any of the jovians.
density
A hot, molten body of different materials will become ________.
differentiated
the oldest rocks found on the Earth's surface date back about ________ billion years.
four
The principal difference between the terrestrial and jovian planets is the absence of ________ and helium close to the Sun.
hydrogen
The chemical composition differences between the planets are basically the result of the fact that different elements condense out of gas at different ________.
temperatures
The ________ on the edges of the continents come from subduction of oceanic basalt beneath the advancing continental plate.
trenches
Earth is nearly twice as large as Venus
False
________ is the only planet with a mean density less than water.
Saturn
All Jovians have at least 8 moons and equatorial rings.
True
The aurora displays occur in our ________.
ionosphere
In general, the surfaces of the planets will be ________ than the age of the solar system.
younger
Earth's magnetic field: a. prevents charged particles in the solar wind from reaching the surface. b. is a remnant of the solar nebula's magnetic field. c. is weakening the Van Allen radiation belts. d. is the force behind plate tectonics. e. lines intersect the atmosphere at the equator.
A
How is the existence of Earth's unique atmosphere explained? a. The oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is a result of early life on Earth. b. Volcanic gases containing nitrogen were outgassed from Earth's interior. c. As Earth cooled, water vapor fell out of the atmosphere to form the oceans. d. Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun freed the hydrogen, allowing it to escape. e. When Earth formed, its atmosphere formed from the gases most common in the early solar system.
A
In the convential scenario, during phase of planet formation caused the Jovian planets to form? a. core-accretion b. fragmentation c. differentiation d. collision e. condensation
A
In what part of our atmosphere do we live? a. troposphere b. stratosphere c. mesosphere d. ionosphere e. exosphere
A
One possible way that future scientists may determine whether the core-accretion model or the gravitational instability theory better explains the formation of the jovian planet is: a. measuring the mass of the rocky material in the jovian planets' cores. b. measuring the metallic hydrogen layer in the jovian planets. c. observing the changes in the rings around the jovian planets. d. observing the changes in the magnetic fields of the jovian planets.
A
The Kuiper Belt is an "outer asteroid belt" consisting of what types of solar system bodies? a. icy cometlike bodies b. asteroids c. meteoroids d. jovian planets e. terrestrial planets
A
The Kuiper Belt is found where in the solar system? a. beyond the orbit of Neptune b. among the orbits of the terrestrial planets c. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter d. between the orbits of Jupiter and Uranus e. sixty degrees ahead of or behind Jupiter
A
The Oort Cloud is believed to have been formed by: a. planetesimals that were flung far from the Sun in gravitational encounters with the jovian planets. b. icy bodies formed between stars that have been captured by our solar system's gravity. c. moons that escaped from the jovian planets. d. debris from an icy planet that broke apart early in the solar system's history. e. debris from impacts of planetesimals, asteroids and comets with the jovian planets.
A
The difference between a meteoroid and an asteroid is the object's: a. size. b. shape. c. composition. d. orbital period. e. location in the solar system.
A
The most detailed look we've had of an asteroid comes from: a. spacecraft sent to an asteroid. b. ground based optical images. c. Earth orbital X-ray images. d. ground based radar images. e. high-altitude UV spectroscopy.
A
What is true about solar system densities? a. The denser planets lie closer to the Sun. b. In differentiated bodies, the denser materials lie near their surfaces. c. The asteroids all have about the same density. d. Saturn has the same density as water. e. Planetary density increases with increasing distance from the Sun.
A
Which body has the greatest gravitational pull on Earth? a. the Sun b. the Moon c. Mars d. Jupiter e. None has an impact, as all are too distant.
A
Which of the following layers of the Earth is unique among the terrestrial planets? a. hydrosphere b. ionosphere c. mantle d. crust e. core
A
Which planet by itself contains the majority of mass of all the planets? a. Jupiter b. Saturn c. Earth d. Venus e. Uranus
A
Within Earth's atmosphere, in which layer does convection occur? a. the troposphere b. the stratosphere c. the mesosphere d. the ionosphere e. Convection occurs in all layers of Earth's atmosphere.
A
A region where a denser basaltic plate is subducted under a continental one is: a. the Himalayas. b. the Nazca Trench. c. the Mid-Atlantic Rift. d. Hawaii. e. the San Andreas Fault.
B
According to the planetary migration model, the jovian planets are thought to have formed: a. in the orbit where they are now. b. further from the Sun than they are now. c. in another solar system. d. closer to the Sun than they are now. e. None of the above.
B
As a result of the ejection of planetesimals into the Oort Cloud, simulations indicate that Uranus and Neptune moved: a. closer to the Sun. b. further from the Sun. c. along their orbits at a different rate. d. from the inner solar system to the outer solar system. e. from the outer solar system to the inner solar system.
B
As the solar nebula contracts it: a. flattens out into the ecliptic plane around the Sun's poles. b. spins faster due to conservation of angular momentum. c. cools due to condensation. d. loses angular momentum. e. reverses it direction of rotation.
B
At what phase would tidal variation be the least during the entire day? a. new moon b. first quarter c. waxing gibbous d. full moon e. waning crescent
B
From the center outward, the correct order is: a. liquid iron inner core, solid nickel outer core, rocky mantle, silicate crust. b. solid metallic inner core, molten metal outer core, silicate mantle and crust. c. solid metal core, molten metal hydrosphere, rocky lithosphere, gases in atmosphere. d. solid rock core, liquid metal mantle, solid rock crust. e. molten metal hydrosphere, molten rock lithosphere, solid silicate crust.
B
In the planet must have: a. rings. b. moons. c. a solid surface. d. a known size and distance from Earth. e. planets further from the Sun than itself. order to determine the mass of a planet by applying Newton's laws of motion and gravity,
B
In what other scenario is the blue component of incoming sunlight is scattered much more than any other color component? a. when the Sun is setting b. when the Sun is high in the sky c. when the Sun is rising d. during the night time e. during a solar eclipse what scenario is the blue component of incoming sunlight is scattered much more than any
B
Mercury's most unusual orbital feature, as compared to the other planets, is: a. the size of its orbit. b. the shape of its orbit. c. its orbital period. d. the size of the planet. e. that it has no moons.
B
Objects in the Kuiper belt: a. are in random orbits at all inclinations to the ecliptic. b. lie beyond the orbit of Neptune, and close to the ecliptic. c. are the sources of long-period comets. d. are dense, like the iron meteorites. e. lie beyond the orbit of Neptune and perpendicular to the ecliptic.
B
Our best close-up views of the jovian moons came from the many passes by: a. Voyager 2. b. Galileo. c. Cassini. d. New Horizons. e. Global Surveyor.
B
The Kuiper Belt is found where in the solar system? a. among the orbits of the terrestrial planets b. beyond the orbit of Neptune c. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter d. between the orbits of Jupiter and Uranus e. sixty degrees ahead of or behind Jupiter
B
The Kuiper Belt is: a. another name for the Asteroid Belt. b. a band of icy planetesimals found beyond Neptune's orbit. c. where all comets come from. d. the name given to icy bodies found between Jupiter and Saturn. e. the name given to icy bodies found between Mars and Jupiter.
B
The jovian planets: a. all lie less than 5 AU from the Sun. b. all have rings around their equators. c. all spin slower than the Earth. d. have satellite systems with less than 4 moons. e. are all much more dense than any of the terrestrials planets.
B
The planet's orbital period is: a. the time it takes it to rotate and have the same face toward us again. b. the time it takes to return to the same location in the sky, relative to the Sun. c. the time it takes for a satellite to orbit it. d. the time it takes for it to retrograde back to the same position as we pass it. e. the time its magnetic field takes to spin once.
B
The smallest sort of interplanetary matter is called: a. an asteroid. b. interplanetary dust. c. a meteoroid. d. a Kuiper Belt Object. e. a comet
B
What aspects of the planets orbits are nearly the same for most planets? a. orbital period and shape b. shape and tilt from the ecliptic c. shape and distance from the Sun d. orbital period and distance from the Sun e. tilt from the ecliptic and distance from the Sun
B
What is the process of accretion? a. the separation of materials in a protoplanet by density, with dense material in core b. growth of an object by the accumulation of matter c. the breakup of large objects by violent collisions with other similar-sized objects d. the period of time during which the Sun swept away all the excess material in the solar nebula e. the process by which the solar nebula became heated during its collapse
B
What is the role of irregularities in the solar system in terms of theories of its origin? a. They are too minor to play a role; astronomers ignore them. b. They introduce a need for flexibility in theories of the solar system's origin. c. Theories of the solar system are entirely based on the many irregularities found among the planets and moons. d. The solar system has no irregularities; it is perfectly regular and orderly. e. The solar system is chaotic, with irregularities the rule.
B
What is true of spring tides? a. The third quarter Moon would be high overhead at dawn. b. The difference between low and high tides would be greatest. c. There would be one high and one low tide each day. d. The Moon's phase will be first quarter. e. The difference between low and high tides would be smallest.
B
When strong solar winds are displaced poleward by our magnetic fields, we get: a. the Van Allen radiation belts. b. intense auroral displays. c. sunspots. d. hurricanes in the tropics. e. droughts and dust bowls in the American West.
B
Which objects in the solar system have been least modified since the formation of the solar system? a. asteroids b. Kuiper Belt objects c. meteoroids d. terrestrial planets e. jovian moons
B
Which spacecraft gave or is giving us our best information about Mercury? a. Pioneer 10 b. Mariner 10 c. Voyager I d. Viking 2 e. Messenger
B
Which statement about seismic waves is true? a. Only S waves can travel through liquid. b. P waves travel faster, and thus arrive sooner than do the S waves. c. In the shadow zones, neither type is observed. d. S waves can travel though the outer core, but P waves cannot. e. On the far side of the Earth, only the S waves on the surface can be detected.
B
Without the Greenhouse Effect operating in our atmosphere, a. we would not have to worry about any warming problems in the future. b. Earth would have an average temperature of -23 degrees Celsius. c. the ice in the polar regions would have melted long ago. d. the ozone layer would not be weakening. e. the Earth would have become much more like Venus long ago.
B
11. Which major atmospheric component is chiefly a product of life processes? a. carbon dioxide b. water c. oxygen d. hydrogen sulfide e. nitrogen
C
Almost all of our atmospheric gases lie in the: a. ionosphere. b. stratosphere. c. troposphere. d. ozone layer. e. mesosphere.
C
An alternative to the core-accretion theory that explains the formation of the jovian planets is the: a. differentiation theory. b. collision theory. c. gravitational instability theory. d. Big Bang theory. e. nebular contraction theory.
C
At what phase are the tides least noticeable? a. new Moon b. full Moon c. third quarter d. waxing crescent e. waning gibbous
C
How do the densities of the jovian and terrestrial planets compare? a. Made from the same solar nebula, they are all similar. b. More massive jovians all have high densities, compared to the tiny terrestrials. c. All terrestrials are more dense than any of the jovians. d. The closer a planet lies to the Sun, the less its density. e. No real pattern here; densities vary greatly and are very individual to each world.
C
In composition, mass, and density, Jupiter is most like: a. a huge comet. b. a gigantic asteroid. c. the Sun. d. a huge Kuiper belt Object. e. a large terrestrial planet.
C
In light of modern solar system theory, why do the orbits of the planets all lie in the same plane? a. The Sun's gravity forced them into these orbits. b. The angular momentum of the solar system was kept to a minimum this way. c. The early solar nebula flattened into a disk. d. Comets would have wiped out any not in this protected plane. e. This happened purely by chance.
C
In noting that our world is "differentiated," we mean that: a. the density of its materials decreases as you go downward toward the core. b. the Earth has evolved in a different pattern than any other planet. c. the iron and nickel core is denser than the silicate mantle and crust. d. radioactive heating in the core is at a slower pace than when the Earth was new. e. the Earth's magnetic field is different now in polarity than it was 700,000 years ago.
C
Masses of the planets are easiest to determine if: a. they are terrestrial and the extra size of the planet's disk can be measured. b. they are jovian and their oblateness can be found. c. they have natural satellites whose motions can be precisely measured. d. they are dense and easily deflect the path of passing spacecraft. e. they move rapidly and their periods are easily measured.
C
Most asteroids are found: a. beyond the orbit of Neptune. b. between the Earth and Sun. c. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. d. in the orbit of Jupiter, but 60 degrees ahead of or behind it. e. orbiting the jovian planets in captured, retrograde orbits.
C
Planetary orbits: a. are evenly spaced throughout the solar system. b. are highly inclined to the ecliptic. c. are almost circular, with low eccentricities. d. have the Sun at their exact center. e. are spaced more closely together as they get further from the Sun.
C
Seismic waves are most useful for mapping: a. the surface of Venus with Magellan. b. the surface of Mars with Global Surveyor. c. the Earth's core and mantle. d. the density of the hydrosphere. e. the depths of the oceans.
C
The critical part of the atmosphere for protecting life on the ground from excessive ultraviolet radiation is the: a. hydrosphere. b.troposphere. c. ozone layer. d.stratosphere. e. ionosphere.
C
The crust of the Earth is covered by about ________ water in the hydrosphere. a. 50% b. 60% c. 70% d. 80%
C
The meteorites that strike Earth are: a. pieces of comets that fall to Earth. b. mostly made of iron. c. the oldest rocks known. d. the remains of the planet between Mars and Jupiter. e. material from outside our solar system.
C
The presence of a magnetic field is a good indication that: a. the Earth's interior is similar to Mercury's, as both have fields. b. a huge iron meteorite lies somewhere high up in the mantle, not in the core. c. we have a liquid metal outer core, spinning rapidly as we rotate. d. the Earth's interior must be completely molten to the center. e. the Earth's interior has had time to solidify, with a rigid bar magnet created.
C
The principal greenhouse gases in our present atmosphere are: a. hydrogen and helium. b. hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide. c. water vapor and carbon dioxide. d. methane and ammonia. e. sulfuric acid vapor and carbon dioxide.
C
The region around Earth where the magnetic field traps charged particles is the: a. ozone layer. b. exosphere. c. Van Allen Radiation Belts. d. corona. e. aurora borealis and australis.
C
The relative size of the atmosphere layer as compared to the solid part of Earth is most similar to: a. the peel of an orange as compared to the meat of the orange. b. the rind of a watermelon as compared to the meat of the watermelon. c. the skin of a grape as compared to the meat of the grape. d. the meat of a peach as compared to the pit of the peach. e. the meat of a cherry as compared to the pit of the cherry.
C
What can we conclude about the structure of Earth's interior knowing that the average density of Earth is higher than the average density of the rock on the continents and seafloor? a. that Earth's most dense material must be water b. that Earth's most dense material must be the seafloor and the continents c. that Earth's most dense material must be beneath the surface d. that Earth's least dense material must be the seafloor and the continents e. that Earth's least dense material must be beneath the surface
C
What factor caused different planets to form out of different types of material? a. The angular momentum of the forming planet; faster rotating planets lost the lightest elements. b. The quantity of dust particles in the solar nebula; more dust caused some planets to contain heavier elements. c. The variation in temperature throughout the solar nebula; the higher the temperature, the lower the percentage of light elements in the forming planet. d. The angular momentum of the solar nebula pushed the heavy elements towards the outer regions of the nebula. e. The innate variation of chemical composition of the original nebula; the outer parts of the nebula contained a greater abundance of heavy elements.
C
What gas is the primary constituent of our atmosphere? a. oxygen b. carbon dioxide c. nitrogen d. hydrogen e. helium
C
What is the process that physically transfers heat from a lower (hotter) to a higher (cooler) level? a. radiation b. translation c. convection d. reflection e. conduction
C
What might have made the original solar nebula begin to contract? a. the Big Bang b. the formation of our arm of the Milky Way c. the shock wave from a nearby exploding star d. interstellar magnetism generated by pulsars e. the large amount of angular momentum in the nebula
C
What was the primary role of dust in the formation of the solar system? a. Dust formed the rings around Uranus, Neptune, and Jupiter. b. Dust veiled the process by which our solar system formed. c. Dust acted as condensation nuclei; platforms to which other particles could attach and form larger particles of matter. d. The Sun formed from a vast spinning cloud consisting only of dust. e. Dust provided the radioactive elements that initially heated the Sun.
C
When water vapor condenses out at the cool tops of convection cells, what happens? a. It rains. b. It snows. c. Clouds form. d. A hurricane forms. e. A tropical depression forms.
C
Which characteristic listed below describes the jovian planets? a. close to the Sun b. small masses c. low density d. solid surfaces e. slow rotational period
C
Which of the following have an icy composition? a. most asteroids b. meteoroids c. comets d. the surface of Mars e. meteorites and most asteroids
C
Which of these bodies has the lowest density? a. Saturn b. Jupiter c. a comet d. an asteroid e. a Kuiper Belt object
C
Which of these spacecraft went into orbit about Saturn in July 2004? a. Galileo b. New Horizons c. Cassini d. Voyager 2 e. NEAR-Shoemaker
C
Why is the sky blue? a. The atmosphere reflects the color of the oceans. b. The atmosphere reflects the light from the Sun. c. The atmosphere scatters the light from the Sun. d. The oceans refract the light from the Sun into the atmosphere. e. The oceans reflect the light from the Sun into the atmosphere.
C
Within Earth's atmosphere the ozone layer is located: a. in the troposphere. b. between the troposphere and the stratosphere. c. in the stratosphere. d. between the stratosphere and the mesosphere. e. in the mesosphere.
C
Comets that we can see originate in the ________ and ________.
Kupier Belt and Oort Cloud
In the process of breaking down the ozone layer, the chlorine from the CFCs acts as a ________.
Catalyst
A gravitational "sling-shot": a. causes comets to crash into planets, such as Jupiter in 1994. b. allowed the Apollo astronauts to reach the Moon in 1969. c. is the accepted theory for the formation of the asteroid belt. d. changes the speed and direction of a spacecraft nearing a massive planet. e. explains how the solar system was formed after a near collision with another star.
D
Above about 100 km, the high-energy portion of the Sun's radiation spectrum breaks down molecules into atoms. What is this part of Earth's atmosphere called? a. the troposphere b. the stratosphere c. the mesosphere d. the ionosphere e. the magnetosphere
D
As a rotating gas cloud contracts, it spins: a. faster due to an increase in angular momentum. b. slower due to a decrease in angular momentum. c. at a constant rate. d. faster due to conservation of angular momentum. e. slower due to conservation of angular momentum.
D
Clouds form primarily at the boundary between: a. the stratosphere and the mesosphere. b. the mesosphere and the ionosphere. c. the troposphere and the mesosphere. d. the troposphere and the stratosphere. e. the hydrosphere and the troposphere.
D
Compared to the density of water, our Earth averages about: a. the same density, similar to Saturn. b. 3 times denser, much like our Moon. c. 4 times denser, similar to Mars. d. 5 times denser, like the Mercury and Venus. e. 10 times denser, due to our core of iron and nickel.
D
In composition and density, the asteroids most resemble: a. comets. b. the Sun. c. jovian moons. d. pieces of terrestrial planets. e. Kuiper Belt objects like Pluto.
D
The Dynamo Theory holds that: a. lightning plays a major role in generating our magnetic fields. b. any other planet of similar density will also have a strong magnetic field. c. the Earth's core, like Mercury's, is now a solid, rigid bar magnet. d. magnetic fields are generated by rapidly spinning, fluid magnetic interiors. e. the Earth's magnetic field must switch polarities every few million years.
D
The Greenhouse Effect works by trapping: a. incoming ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. b. outgoing ultraviolet radiation from the Earth. c. incoming infrared radiation from the Sun. d. outgoing infrared radiation from the Earth. e. the heat from the Sun in Earth's atmosphere.
D
The largest asteroid, and probably the only one to be a spherical "world," is: a. Eros. b. Ida. c. Vesta. d. Ceres. e. Gaspra.
D
The moons of the jovian planets formed by which two processes? a. accretion and collisions b. capture and collisions c. collisions and differentiation d. accretion and capture e. differentiation and capture
D
The oldest rocks on our crust are radioactively dated at about: a. 200 million years old. b. one billion years old. c. 2.7 billion years old. d. four billion years old. e. 4.6 billion years old.
D
The rotation periods of Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are difficult to determine because: a. they rotate so fast. b. they are all gas giants. c. they are so far away from the Sun. d. their surface features are obscured by their atmospheres. e. each one has a large satellite that interferes with this measurement.
D
What happens when a solar nebula contracts? a. It flattens out. b. It spins faster. c. It heats up. d. All of the above. e. None of the above.
D
What is the best description of the Earth's rotation over its entire history? a. It has periodically reversed directions, as the magnetic polarity reversals show. b. It has been constant over the entire history of the solar system. c. It undergoes abrupt changes, as the magnetic variations show. d. It has slowed down very gradually at about .0015 seconds per century. e. It has sped up at about .013 seconds per century.
D
What is the goal of comparative planetology? a. to use planetary positions to foretell the future b. to find which planets will be most suitable for future colonization c. to help plan future visits by unmanned probes, orbiters, and rovers d. to determine the origin and evolution of the solar system e. to find out how our own solar system compares with extrasolar ones
D
What is the hole in the ozone layer thought to be caused by? a. greenhouse gases b. carbon dioxide c. water vapor d. CFCs e. acid rain
D
When two tectonic plates collide: a. they both stop moving. b. they always produce high mountain chains like the Himalayas. c. volcanoes always mark the boundary between them. d. they continue moving, producing a variety of large deformations. e. that region is safe from earthquakes now the plates are fixed.
D
Which of the characteristics below describes the terrestrial planets? a. having rings b. large and gaseous c. small, dark and icy d. possessing weak magnetic fields e. widely spaced through the outer solar system
D
Which of the following are the jovian planets? a. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto b. only Jupiter c. only Jupiter and Saturn d. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune only e. everything past Mars and the asteroid belt
D
Which of the following is NOT icy in composition? a. comet nuclei b. Kuiper Belt Objects c. the polar cap of Mars d. asteroids e. most Jovian satellites
D
Which of these gases are outgassed from our volcanic eruptions? a. oxygen, methane, ammonia b. carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen c. ammonia, water vapor, oxygen d. water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide e. helium, carbon dioxide, methane
D
Which of these is NOT a characteristic of the solar nebula theory? a. The ecliptic is the equator for the Sun. b. All the planets should follow the ecliptic plane. c. All the planets should orbit the Sun counterclockwise. d. Larger planets should form closer to their star, where there is more debris. e. Planets should rotate counterclockwise as well.
D
Which parts of the Sun's radiation are responsible for heating Earth's surface? a. the radio and the ultraviolet b. the X-ray and the gamma ray c. the ultraviolet and the visible d. the visible and the infrared e. the infrared and the high energy particles
D
Which statement about seismic waves is FALSE? a. Both S and P waves can be detected by seismographs. b. Close to the epicenter, both S and P waves can be recorded. c. P waves travel faster, so the gap between their arrival times gives the source's distance. d. Only P waves can be detected in the shadow zone. e. S waves are blocked by the fluid outer core and cannot be observed on the other side of the planet from the epicenter.
D
Which statement about the motion of the planets is incorrect? a. Most orbit above the Sun's equator. b. All revolutions of major planets are counterclockwise. c. The orbits of most planets are almost circular, with low eccentricities. d. Most planets move in the Earth's equatorial plane. e. Most planets rotate in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the North.
D
A successful theory of the formation of the solar system must explain: a. that all planets rotate in a prograde sense. b. that all planets have elliptical orbits with high eccentricities. c. the existence of the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Neptune. d. that the inner planets have more hydrogen and helium in their atmospheres than do the outer planets. e. all observed properties of the solar system.
E
Conservation of angular momentum means that a spinning body tends to: a. fly apart. b. slow down. c. wobble into an eccentric orbit. d. gravitationally collapse. e. keep spinning.
E
Our understanding of the solar system has come in a way that can best be described as: a. constant since prehistoric times. b. slow and steady since the discovery of the telescope by Galileo. c. erratic, with spurts when new planets were found. d. steady until the last decade, when the decline in the space program slowed it a great deal. e. explosive, with us learning more in the past few decades than in all previous history.
E
The "Grand Tour" of all four jovians was conducted by: a. Galileo. b. Cassini. c. Pioneer 11. d. Voyager 1 and 2 both. e. Voyager 2.
E
The average density of each planet in the solar system is determined by taking its mass and dividing that by its: a. radius. b. diameter. c. surface area. d. radius squared. e. volume.
E
The relative size of the mantle of Earth compared to the solid inner core of Earth is most similar to: a. the peel of an orange as compared to the meat of the orange. b. the rind of a watermelon as compared to the meat of the watermelon. c. the skin of a grape as compared to the meat of the grape. d. the meat of a peach as compared to the pit of the peach. e. the meat of a cherry as compared to the pit of the cherry.
E
We determine the structure of the Earth's core using: a. deep mine shafts. b. satellite imaging. c. radar and sonar. d. seismic wave data. e. magnetic resonance imaging.
E
What event triggered the dramatic increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration seen over the last couple of centuries? a. the invention of CFCs b. the invention of the automobile c. the Tunguska meteoric impact d. the volcanic eruption in Iceland in 1783 e. the Industrial Revolution
E
What is the percentage of Earth's atmosphere (by volume) that is carbon dioxide (CO2)? a. 78 b. 21 c. 3 d. 0.9 e. 0.03
E
Which are places on Earth where convection is operating on a grand scale, creating conditions important to life on Earth? a. in the mantle b. in hot springs like Old Faithful c. in the troposphere, such as a summer thunderstorm d. at the thermal vents in the rift valleys e. All of the above are good examples.
E
Which of the following is considered "interplanetary matter"? a. Titan b. Triton c. the Moon d. Ganymede e. Comet Hale-Bopp
E
Which of these is NOT a product of plate tectonics and hot spots? a. Hawaii b. Yellowstone and Old Faithful c. the Mid Atlantic Rift d. the Andes e. the Grand Canyon's eroded depths
E
Astronomers have not yet been able to detect planets outside our solar systems.
False
All the planets orbit the Sun in the ________ plane.
Ecliptic
Accretion occurred sooner in the inner part of the solar system than it did in the outer regions.
False
All terrestrial planets have moons.
False
By itself, ________ makes up 70% of the masses of all the planets combined.
Jupiter
The Kuiper Belt is located beyond the orbit of ________.
Neptune
Most of the angular momentum of the solar system is found in the ________.
Orbits of the planets
Most comets spend the majority of their time beyond the orbit of ________, yet many of them have perihelions very close to the Sun.
Pluto
At about the position of the Earth, in the early solar nebula, the temperature was about 1,000 K, cool enough for ________ to condense out of the gas.
Silicates or rocky material
In the currently accepted theory for the formation of the solar system, the planets and other minor bodies and the ________ formed at about the same time.
Sun
A planet's sidereal orbital period can be measured from repeated observations of its location in the sky (so long as Earth's own motion around the Sun is properly taken into account).
True
All Jovian planets have rings around their equators and at least eight moons.
True
