Chapter 26

The parts of Saturn's rings with the greatest rotational speed are the inner parts. Neither, for all parts of Saturn's rings rotate equally. outer parts.

inner parts.

Consider a huge rotating cloud of particles in space that gravitate together to form an increasingly dense ball. As the cloud shrinks in size, it rotates faster. rotates at the same rate. rotates slower.

rotates faster.

Nebular theory pertains to the formation of a galaxy. the solar system. the asteroid belt. the Earth.

the solar system.

Nebular theory pertains to the formation of the asteroid belt. the Earth. a galaxy. the solar system.

the solar system.

How deep is the Photosphere? 300 meters 500 km 500 meters 300 km

500 km

In what region of the Sun is solar energy generated? The inner core, with temperatures more than 15,000,000 K. The outer surface, where the greatest pressure resides The inner surface, the region of greatest density The mid-interior, where the gravitational field between the core and periphery is balanced.

The inner core, with temperatures more than 15,000,000 K.

In what region of the Sun is solar energy generated? The outer surface, where the greatest pressure resides The inner core, with temperatures more than 15,000,000 K. The mid-interior, where the gravitational field between the core and periphery is balanced. The inner surface, the region of greatest density

The inner core, with temperatures more than 15,000,000 K.

When a contracting hot ball of gas spins into a disk shape, it cools faster due to eddy currents. increased convection currents. increased radiation transfer. increased surface area. decreased insulation.

increased surface area.

The parts of Saturn's rings with the greatest rotational speed are the Neither, for all parts of Saturn's rings rotate equally. inner parts. outer parts.

inner parts.

When the alignment of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth produce a solar eclipse, the body between the other two is the Earth. Moon. Sun.

Moon.

When a contracting hot ball of gas spins into a disk shape, it cools faster due to decreased insulation. increased surface area. increased convection currents. increased radiation transfer. eddy currents.

increased surface area.

Most meteors seen as shooting stars are about the size of small continents. very large buildings. small buildings. grains of sand. baseballs.

grains of sand.

How long does it take for Earth to revolve around the sun? one month one week one day one year

one year

At about what frequency is Earth struck by a meteorite large enough (about 10 km in diameter) to cause mass extinctions? About every 1 million years About every 100 million years This has yet to occur on Earth About every 10 million years

About every 100 million years

What is the cause of Jupiter's extremely high-energy radiation belts? An enormous magnetic field that captures high energy particles. The capture of a high number of metallic asteroids. Tidal forces due to the interaction between Jupiter and its moons. The remnants of a massive collision between Jupiter and another large body.

An enormous magnetic field that captures high energy particles.

Evidence of the solar wind on Earth is the meteor showers in the upper atmosphere. solar sunspots, seen with care by the naked eye. higher ocean tides in winter. preponderance of hurricanes at certain latitudes. Aurora Borealis.

Aurora Borealis.

For what reason was Pluto demoted from full planetary status in 2006? Because according to the standard definition, no planet can be smaller than the Earth's moon Because of objects as large or larger than Pluto in the Kuiper belt Because Pluto was discovered to be a twin planet system Because Pluto resides outside of the zone that can truly be described as the solar system

Because of objects as large or larger than Pluto in the Kuiper belt

Why do comet's tails always point away from the Sun? Because the inner planets cause the ice and other volatile materials to be pulled towards their orbits. Because of the comet's interaction with dark matter. Because of radiation pressure. Because when they move away from the Sun they begin to lose inertia.

Because of radiation pressure.

Between which planets is the asteroid belt found? Between Earth and Mars Between Earth and Venus Between Jupiter and Neptune Between Mars and Jupiter

Between Mars and Jupiter

What are Saturn's rings composed of? Hydrogen Old satellites and other space junk lost from Earth's orbit and other space missions Methane gas Chunks of ice and rock

Chunks of ice and rock

Where did Saturn's rings likely come from? The decay of radioactive particles in the outer fringes of Saturn's upper atmosphere The gravitational capture of old satellites and other space junk lost from Earth's orbit and other space missions Either a moon that never formed, or a moon destroyed by tidal forces Volcanic activity on its surface ejecting matter into space

Either a moon that never formed, or a moon destroyed by tidal forces

The predominant gas in the atmosphere of Venus is nitrogen. water vapor. carbon dioxide. methane. oxygen.

carbon dioxide.

Venus and Earth started out with roughly the same amount of water. While Earth still has water in abundance, all of Venus' was lost. Where did it go? Scientists are still trying to determine this. It chemically combined with CO2. to form CO4H. Ultraviolet rays split the hydrogen from the oxygen components, and the hydrogen escaped into space. It all evaporated into space due to the intense daytime heat of 470°C.

Ultraviolet rays split the hydrogen from the oxygen components, and the hydrogen escaped into space.

Like Jupiter and Saturn, Neptune emits about 2.5 times as much heat energy as it receives from the Sun, although calculations show it should have already lost all of its original heat. What is the most likely explanation? Uranus' gravity is creating a 'slingshot' effect, catapulting solar winds into Neptune's atmosphere in the form of as of yet undetected radiation. Radioactive decay has kicked into overdrive, with runaway reactions taking place. There are also unexplained gravitational effects taking place, which may hold some clue as to where the heat may be coming from. The basis for these calculations is currently being questioned by a new breed of more probing scientists. Unlike Uranus, it is still contracting.

Unlike Uranus, it is still contracting.

The planet that is most tipped to its orbital plane is Uranus. Mars. Jupiter. Neptune. Saturn.

Uranus.

With daytime temperatures that can reach 430°C, why is nighttime on Mercury so cold? Because the year is so short, there isn't enough time for the heat to build up in the equatorial regions. The solar winds quickly dissipate all heat on the planet's dark side. With very little atmosphere, heat is quickly lost back into space. The weak gravitational field doesn't retain the daytime's heat.

With very little atmosphere, heat is quickly lost back into space

The solar wind blows in a direction away from the Sun. toward the Sun.

away from the Sun.

A spinning cloud of interstellar gas tends to turn into a sphere. condense. flatten. disperse.

flatten.

In a museum collection you can likely see a meteorite but not a meteoroid. meteor but not a meteoroid. meteoroid but not a meteorite.

meteorite but not a meteoroid.