Astronomy: Ch7 The Jovian Planets

If you could find a bathtub big enough for Saturn, the planet would A) float. B) catch fire, as liquid sodium reacts with water. C) explode due to its liquid metallic hydrogen. D) precipitate more helium. E) sink due to its metallic interior.

float

Compared to Jupiter, the element ________ is notably less common in Saturn's atmosphere, perhaps condensing to fall toward the core as rain.

helium

Which common gas is less abundant in the top of Saturn's atmosphere, compared to what we observe at Jupiter? A) hydrogen B) argon C) methane D) helium E) nitrogen

helium

While the mantles of Jupiter and Saturn are made of liquid metallic hydrogen, the mantles of Uranus and Neptune are chiefly ________.

ice

While Saturn is almost as large as Jupiter, its mass is only about ________ of Jupiter's.

1/3

The spacecraft Cassini went into orbit around A) Pluto. B) Jupiter. C) Saturn. D) Uranus. E) Neptune.

Saturn

Contrast the differential rotations of the four jovian planets. Explain

All Jovial planets exhibit differential rotation. During this differential rotation, the planets' equator spins faster than the North and South poles. Jupiter orbits at 13.06 Km/sec, Saturn orbits at 9.64 Km/sec, Uranus orbits at 6.81 Km/sec, and Neptune orbits at 5.43 Km/sec.

Which planet had the Great Dark Spot in 1989, but had lost it by 1995? A) Uranus B) Saturn C) Mars D) Jupiter E) Neptune

Neptune

Compare and contrast the Galileo and Cassini missions.

Both are orbiters of Jovian planets, but the probe for Galileo fell into Jupiter's atmosphere, while the Huygens probe from Cassini was sent to Saturn's large moon Titan. Both used a gravitational slingshot via Earth and Venus to reach their destinations, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and possibly a longer than expected useful life. Cassini was able to collect data on Jupiter as it flew past. NEEDS REVISION

While ________ rotation axis is only tilted 29 degrees, its magnetic fields are just as strange as its twin's.

Neptune

The only probe into the atmospheres of any jovian planet was launched by A) Cassini into Saturn's clouds. B) Voyager 2 into Titan's atmosphere. C) Galileo into Jupiter's equatorial zone. D) Pathfinder into Mars' atmosphere. E) Huygens into Saturn's equatorial belt.

Galileo into Jupiter's equatorial zone

Jupiter radiates twice as much energy as it receives from solar light; the source of this "excess" energy is ________.

Gravitational contraption

Why does Saturn radiate even more excess heat than Jupiter? A) Saturn's thick clouds give it a stronger greenhouse effect. B) Saturn's atmosphere contains much methane, which is very flammable. C) Only Saturn is still radiating heat left over from its formation. D) Helium rain falling inward generates heat as it descends. E) Saturn is more massive than Jupiter, so its gravitational compression is stronger.

Helium rain falling inward generates heat as it descends

How are Jupiter and Saturn similar?

Jupiter and Saturn as similar in several ways. First, they are both extremely large planets--roughly 9 and 10 times larger than the Sun. Next, they are both comprised of 2/3 hydrogen. Finally, the both have rings around them, but Saturn's are much more prominent.

Uranus and ________ are very similar in size, mass, and color

Neptune

Of the planets, ________ is the least dense, and could float on water.

Saturn

Why was Voyager 2 an extremely efficient and productive probe?

The Voyager 2 was an extremely efficient and productive probe. In one mission, the spacecraft was able to observe all four Jovian planets as well as make numerous valuable observations along its journey.

What element is notably deficient in Saturn's atmosphere, and why?

The element most notably deficient in Saturn's atmosphere is Helium. The cause of this deficiency can be attributed to Helium condensing in Saturn's cold atmosphere and falling deeper into the planet.

The Galileo mission put a spacecraft into orbit around Jupiter. Which statement is true? A) Intense magnetic fields were discovered in the asteroid belt. B) A probe was released which soft landed on Io. C) The spacecraft used a gravity assist from both Venus and Earth. D) A saltwater ocean was discovered on Jupiter. E) The spacecraft crashed into the moon Europa.

The spacecraft used gravity assist from both venus and earth

Why do Uranus and Neptune appear bluish?

They both consist of hydrogen, helium, and methane. The blue color results from the methane. UPDATE PLZ

Adams and Leverrier both predicted the position of Neptune, based on its effects on A) Jupiter. B) Uranus. C) Saturn. D) the Sun. E) Pluto.

Uranus

Of the jovian planets, which generates the least internal heat? A) Jupiter B) Pluto C) Neptune D) Saturn E) Uranus

Uranus

William Herschel discovered the green disk of ________ as the first telescopic planet.

Uranus

The magnetic field tilts of which two bodies are the most unusual? A) Mars and Saturn B) Jupiter and Saturn C) Uranus and Neptune D) Saturn and Pluto E) Mercury and Earth

Uranus and Neptune

Which two jovian planets have magnetic field tilts that are not along their rotation poles? A) Jupiter and Saturn B) Saturn and Neptune C) Jupiter and Uranus D) Uranus and Neptune E) All jovian planets have magnetic fields close to their rotational axes.

Uranus and Neptune

How might the odd tilt of Uranus have been produced?

Uranus' axis is tilted at 98 degrees compared to the Sun's orbital plane, which causes Uranus to orbit the sun in a manner unlike other plants. Some astronomers theorize that billions of years ago, a large protoplanet collided into Uranus caused its peculiar tilt.

Essentially, the Great Red Spot is A) traveling north and south across Jupiter's face. B) a large cyclonic storm (hurricane). C) Neptune's largest atmospheric feature. D) always located within 10 degrees of Jupiter's north pole. E) composed primarily of iron oxide.

a large cyclonic storm

What is thought to lie at the center of Jupiter? A) gaseous hydrogen and helium, for Jupiter is not differentiated like Earth B) a massive core of rocky materials with some iron mixed in C) a fusion core like the Sun's, with hydrogen being turned into helium D) a solid core of crystalline helium E) a hot sea of liquid metallic hydrogen

a massive core of rocky materials with some iron mixed in

Which three played a role in the finding of Neptune? A) Bode, Herschel, and Fraunhofer B) Shapley, Hubble, and Whipple C) Adams, Leverrier, and Galle D) Newton, Einstein, and Tombaugh E) Herschel, Hubble, and Einstein

adams, leverrier, and galle

The white zones of Jupiter and Saturn are made of ________ ice, apparently dissolved in the deep oceans of Uranus and Neptune.

ammonia

Cometary impacts with Jupiter A) are extremely rare. B) have been observed from Earth at least twice. C) are impossible to observe from Earth. D) would not be catastrophic if they happened on Earth. E) are spectacular but do not teach us much.

are extremely rare

Alternating zones of rising and sinking gas in Jupiter's atmosphere A) create light and dark bands. B) produced the ring system discovered by Voyager. C) generate magnetic fields. D) circle the planet from pole to pole. E) cause Jupiter's magnetic field to ripple.

create light and dark bands

The Great ________ Spot of Neptune was striking in 1989, but gone by 1995

dark

Like Jupiter's, Saturn's rotation is fast and differential, with the ________ rotating fastest.

equator

Unlike Jupiter and Saturn, at Uranus and Neptune the ________ rotates the slowest.

equator

All four Jovian magnetic fields are good examples of the dynamo theory, with the magnetic fields aligned well with the planets' rapid rotations.

false

All four jovian planets are made primarily of hydrogen and oxygen.

false

All four jovian planets are oblate, with larger polar than equatorial diameters.

false

Aurorae like ours have been seen above the poles of Jupiter and Uranus

false

Galileo's early telescopes revealed the four large moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and its large moon Titan.

false

Jupiter's atmosphere looks uniform and calm, with no visible detail.

false

Like the discovery of Uranus, the finding of Neptune was accidental.

false

Most of our detailed knowledge of the jovian planets comes from the Hubble Space Telescope

false

The axial tilts of Uranus and Neptune are similar.

false

The equators of all four jovian planets rotate more rapidly than the polar regions.

false

Small deviations in a planet's orbital motion A) show we don't fully understand gravitational forces yet. B) imply the nearby presence of a massive body. C) indicate the presence of an extensive atmosphere. D) indicate the presence of a powerful magnetic field. E) show the planet's orbit isn't stable.

imply the nearby presence of a massive body

Studying the magnetospheres of the jovian planets has allowed us to measure their A) gravity. B) interior rotation rates. C) orbital periods. D) orbital radius. E) ring system diameters.

interior rotation rates

The most famous and long lasting storm in the solar system is ________.

jupiter's great red spot

The reason the jovian planets lost very little of their original atmosphere is due to their A) rapid rotation. B) many moons. C) strong magnetic fields. D) large mass. E) ring systems.

large mass

Uranus was discovered A) by Galileo. B) less than 250 years ago. C) with a radio telescope. D) after examining perturbations in Neptune's orbit. E) thousands of years ago

less than 250 years ago

What is the source of Jupiter's intense radio waves and magnetism? A) charged particles trapped in Jupiter's solid iron core similar to Earth B) a liquid iron and nickel outer core, just like Earth's magnetic field C) the ionized sulfur ejected into a torus around Jupiter by Io D) the auroral displays in the polar regions, just like with Earth E) liquid metallic hydrogen swirling in the rapidly spinning mantle

liquid metallic hydrogen swirling in the rapidly spinning mantle

Compared to the terrestrial planets, the jovian planets have ________ average densities.

lower

Jupiter's magnetic field is produced in its rapidly spinning mantle of ________.

metallic hydrogen

Because it has a higher percentage of ________, Neptune appears even bluer than Uranus.

methane

The two outer jovian planets appear bluish in color because A) methane gas in their atmospheres absorbs red light well. B) dust motes in their atmospheres scatter blue well, just as in our own blue sky. C) hydrogen and helium are both blue in large concentrations. D) ammonia absorbs blue light well. E) from their distance, the Sun would appear hotter and bluer than from Earth.

methane gas in their atmospheres absorbs red light well

Adams and Leverrier predicted the position of ________, which Galle confirmed.

neptune

Jupiter is largest and brightest in our skies when seen at ________.

opposition

The oblateness of the jovian planets' disks is caused by their ________.

rapid rotations

Methane gas absorbs the color ________, accounting for the colors of Uranus and Neptune.

red

Our most detailed knowledge of Uranus and Neptune comes from A) the Hubble Space telescope. B) spacecraft exploration. C) manned missions. D) ground-based visual telescopes. E) ground-based radio telescopes.

space craft exploration

A "gravitational slingshot" enables a spacecraft to ________.

speed up, slow down, change position, navigate

Jupiter gives back into space twice the energy it gets from the distant Sun. Where is this energy coming from, for the most part? A) the impact energy of comets like SL-9 B) the radioactive decay of U-238 in its iron-rich core, just as with the Earth C) helium rain descending into its mantle and core D) the slow escape of gravitational energy left from its formation E) the combined tidal stress of all four large Galilean moons

the slow escape of gravitational energy left from its formation

Jupiter and the other jovian planets are noticeably oblate because A) their powerful gravity acts stronger on the closer poles than the distant equator. B) they are tidally distorted by the pulls for their satellite systems. C) they are fluid bodies that are spinning rapidly. D) they all have strong magnetic fields that deform their shape. E) All of the above are correct

they are fluid bodies that are spinning rapidly

Compared to Saturn, Jupiter is about A) three times more massive and denser. B) half as dense, but the same mass since it is larger. C) twice the diameter, but less dense. D) half as massive and denser. E) 100 times more massive.

three times more massive and denser

A gravitational assist, or slingshot, can be used to either speed up or slow down a spacecraft.

true

All four jovian planets spin faster than any of the terrestrials.

true

All nine planets in the solar system have been visited by spacecraft.

true

Changes in the predicted motion of Uranus led to the search for an eighth planet.

true

Differential rotation is when a planet's equatorial and polar regions rotate at different rates.

true

In keeping with its Greek god, Neptune probably contains a lot of water, in a slushy mantle ocean

true

Jupiter puts back into space twice the energy it gets from the Sun.

true

Jupiter's Great Red Spot is similar to a hurricane on Earth except for its size.

true

Jupiter's axial tilt is similar to that of Mercury, while Saturn's is more like ours.

true

Jupiter's magnetic field is much stronger than Earth's, and has a magnetic tail that extends beyond the orbit of Saturn

true

Methane absorbs red light readily, so we would expect a planet with a mostly methane atmosphere to appear blue.

true

Most of Jupiter's volume is probably in the form of liquid metallic helium.

true

Neptune has a larger fraction of methane in its atmosphere than Uranus.

true

Saturn is less dense than water.

true

The Galileo probe was deliberately steered into Jupiter's atmosphere, ending its mission.

true

There is less ammonia in the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune than in Jupiter or Saturn.

true

We have observed a comet strike Jupiter

true

While Voyagers were probes that flew past in a few days, Galileo and Cassini are orbiters, designed to study Jupiter and Saturn over prolonged periods of time.

true

William Herschel was the discoverer of Uranus

true

At which planet can the pole remain in darkness for 42 years, then have 42 years of constant daylight? A) Jupiter B) Neptune C) Uranus D) Pluto E) Saturn

uranus

In terms of axial tilt, which of the jovian planets shows us the largest inclination? A) Neptune B) Uranus C) Pluto D) Saturn E) Jupiter

uranus

The planet whose pole was facing the Sun when Voyager 2 approached in 1986 was A) Neptune. B) Uranus. C) Mars. D) Jupiter. E) Saturn

uranus

________ looked very bland in Voyager 2 photos in 1986, but as equinox approached in the 1990s, its disk showed belts, zones, and storms.

uranus

In brightness, Jupiter is second only to the planet ________ most of the time.

venus