question

t/f The largest planets also have the largest densities

answer

False

question

t/f the total mass of all the planets is much less than the mass of the sun

answer

True

question

t/f asteroids were recently formed by the collision and breakup of an object orbiting in the asteroid belt

answer

False

question

t/f most comets have short periods and orbit close to the ecliptic plane

answer

False

question

t/f Astronomers have no theoretical explanation for the "hot Jupiters" observed orbiting some other stars

answer

False

question

t/f the solar system is of largely uniform composition

answer

False

question

t/f asteroids, meteoroids, and comets are remnants of the early solar system

answer

True

question

if we were to construct an accurate scale model of the solar system on a football field with the sun at one end, and pluto on the other, the planet closest to the center of the field would be a)earth b) jupiter c) saturn d)uranus

answer

d) uranus

question

In the leading theory of solar system formation, the planets a) were ejected from the sun following a close encounter with another star b) formed from the same flattened, swirling gas cloud that formed the sun c) are much younger than the sun d) are much older than the sun

answer

B formed from the same flattened, swirling gas cloud that formed the sun

question

The solar system is differentiated because a) the heavy elements in the outer solar system sank to the center b) the light elements in the inner solar system fell into the sun c) the light elements in the inner solar system were carried off as comets d) only rocky and metallic particles could form close to the sun

answer

D only rocky and metallic particles could form close to the sun

question

Water on Earth was a) transported here by comets b) accreted from the solar nebula c) produced by volcanoes in the form of steam d) created by chemical reactions involving hydrogen and oxygen shortly after Earth formed

answer

a) transported here by comets

question

The number of confirmed exoplanets is a) less than 10 b) roughly 50 c) more than 500 d) more than 5000

answer

C more than 500

question

Astronomers have not yet reported any Earth like planets orbiting other stars because a) there are none b) they are not detectable with current technology c) no nearby stars are of the type expected to have Earth like planets d) the government is preventing us from reporting their discovery

answer

b) they are not detectable with current technology

question

t/f because of tidal forces, the moon is in a synchronous orbit around earth

answer

True

question

t/f lunar maria are extensive lava flowing regions

answer

True

question

t/f except for the layer of air closest to earths surface, the ozone layer is the warmest part of the atomosphere

answer

True

question

t/f Earths magnetic field is the result of our planets large, permanently magnetized iron core

answer

False

question

t/f Motion of the crustal plates is driven by convection in earths upper mantle

answer

True

question

t/f Volcanic activity continues today on the surface of the moon

answer

False

question

t/f Like earth, the moon has a molten metal core

answer

False

question

If you were making a scale model of earth, representing or planet by a 12 inch basketball, the inner core would be about the size of a) a half inch ball bearing b) a 2 inch golf ball c) a 4 inch tangerine d) a 7 inch grapefruit

answer

b) a 2 inch golf ball

question

Earths average density is about the same as that of a) a glass of water b) a heavy meteorite c) an ice cube d) a chunk of black volcanic rock

answer

d) a chunk of black volcanic rock

question

Sunlight absorbed by earths surface is reemitted in the form of a) microwave b) infrared c) visible d) ultraviolet radiation

answer

b) infrared

question

The deepest that geologists have drilled into earth is about the same as a) the height of the statue of liberty b) the altitude most commercial jet airplanes fly c) the distance between new york and los angeles d) the distance between the united states and china

answer

b) the altitude most commercial jet airplanes fly

question

If earth had no moon, then tides would a) not occur b)occur more often and with more intensity c) still occur but not really be measurable d) occur with the same frequency but would not be as strong

answer

d) occur with the same frequency but would not be as strong

question

The most likely theory of the formation of the moon is that it a) was formed by the gravitational capture of a large asteroid b) formed simultaneously with earths formation c) was created from a collision scooping out the pacific ocean d) formed from a collision of earth with a mars sized object

answer

d) formed from a collision of earth with a mars sized object

question

t/f Mercurys solar day is longer than its solar year

answer

True

question

t/f Numerous surface features on Venus can be seen in earth based images made in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum

answer

False

question

t/f Evidence of lava flows is common on the surface of venus

answer

True

question

t/f There is strong circumstantial evidence that active volcanism continues on venus

answer

True

question

t/f Mars has the largest volcanoes in the solar system

answer

True

question

t/f There are many indications of past plate tectonics on Mars

answer

False

question

t/f Valles Marineris is comparable in size to Earths Grand Canyon

answer

False

question

Mercurys large overall density suggests that the planet a) has an interior structure similar to that of Earths moon b) has a dense metal core c) has a weaker magnetic field than the moon d) is younger than the moon

answer

b) has a dense metal core

question

Venus's surface is permanently obscured by clouds. As a result, the surface has been studied primarily by a) robotic landers b) orbiting satellites using radar c) spectroscopy d) radar signals from earth

answer

b) orbiting satellites using radar

question

Compared with earth, venus has a level of plate tectonic activity that is a) much more rapid b) somewhat less rapid c) about the same d) virtually nonexistent

answer

d) virtually nonexistent

question

Venus's atmospheric temperature is a) about the same as Earth's b) cooler than temperatures on Mercury c) hotter than temperatures on Mercury d) high due to the presence of sulfuric acid

answer

c) hotter than temperatures on Mercury

question

In terms of area, the extinct Martian volcano Olympus Mons is about the size of a) Mt Everest b) Colorado c) North america d) Earths Moon

answer

b) Colorado

question

In comparison to the atmosphere of Venus, the vastly different atmospheric character of mars is likely due to a(n) a) ineffective greenhouse effect b) a reverse greenhouse effect c) absence of greenhouse gases in the Martian atmosphere d) greater distance from the sun

answer

b) a reverse greenhouse effect

question

t/f The solid surface of Jupiter lies just below the cloud layers that are visible from earth

answer

False

question

t/f Storms in the jovian planets atmospheres are generally much longer lived than storms on earth

answer

True

question

t/f The element helium plays an important role in producing saturns atmospheric colors

answer

False

question

t/f Jupiter emits more energy than it receives from the Sun

answer

True

question

t/f Although often referred to as a gaseous planet, jupiter is mostly liquid in its interior

answer

True

question

t/f Neptune probably does not have a rocky core

answer

False

question

t/f Around northern midsummer on Uranus, an observer near the north pole would observe the sun high and almost stationary in the sky

answer

True

question

t/f The magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune are highly tilted relative to their rotation axes and offset from the planets centers

answer

True

question

The main constituent of Jupiters atmosphere is a) hydrogen b) helium c) ammonia d) carbon dioxide

answer

a) hydrogen

question

Saturns cloud layers are much thicker than those of Jupiter because Saturn has a) more mass b) lower density c) a weaker magnetic field d) weaker gravity

answer

d) weaker gravity

question

Compared to Earth, Saturns core is roughly a) half the mass b) the same mass c) twice as massive d) 10 times more massive

answer

d) 10 times more massive

question

Uranus was discovered about the same time as a) Columbus reached North america b) the US declaration of Independence c) The american civil war d) the depression

answer

b) the US declaration of Independence

question

Compared with uranus, the planet Neptune is a) much smaller b) much larger c) roughly the same size d) closer to the sun

answer

c) roughly the same size

question

Which of the following are terrestrial planets a) only Earth b) Earth, Moon, and Venus c) Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars d) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars, and Pluto e) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars, and Ceres

answer

c) Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

question

The terrestrial (inner) planets are characterized by a) low density b) rapid rotation c) large size d) rocky composition

answer

D) rocky composition

question

What causes a meteor shower? a) A comet and an asteroid collide. b) Earth runs into a stray swarm of asteroids. c) Earth runs into the debris of an old comet littering its orbit. d) Meteorites are ejected from the Moon. e) Debris from a supernova enters Earth's atmosphere

answer

c) Earth runs into the debris of an old comet littering its orbit.

question

Most asteroids are found a) beyond the orbit of Neptune. b) between Earth and the Sun. c) between Mars and Jupiter. d) in the orbit of Jupiter, but 60 degrees ahead or behind it. e) orbiting the Jovian planets in captured,retrograde orbits.

answer

c) between mars and jupiter

question

The condensation sequence theory explains why a) our planet Earth has water and rain. b) stars are more likely to form large planets orbiting very near. c) terrestrial planets are different from jovian planets. d) the Moon formed near to Earth. e) Pluto has such a circular orbit.

answer

c) terrestrial planets are different from jovian planets.

question

The Moon's internal structure is similar to Earth's, but the Moon lacks a) an atmosphere. b) a hydrosphere. c) a magnetosphere. d) It lacks all of the above.

answer

d) it lacks all of the above

question

What is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere? a) oxygen b) hydrogen c) nitrogen d) carbon dioxide e) argon

answer

c) nitrogen

question

A planetary atmosphere with ozone could protect surface dwellers from a) ultraviolet radiation. b) charged particles in the solar wind. c) meteor impacts. d) optical radiation. e) radar waves.

answer

a) ultraviolet radiation

question

As seen from the Moon, how often does the Sun rise? a) never b) about every 24 hours c) about once per week d) about once per month e) about once per year

answer

d) once per month

question

The principal greenhouse gasses in our present atmosphere are a) hydrogen and helium. b) oxygen and nitrogen. c) water vapor and carbon dioxide. d) methane and ammonia. e) sulfuric acid vapor and CO2.

answer

c) water vapor and carbon dioxide.

question

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.

answer

c) Van Allen radiation belts.

question

Without the greenhouse effect in our atmosphere a) we would not have to worry about ecological problems. b) the Earth's oceans would be frozen. c) the amount of nitrogen & oxygen would be much less. d) the icecaps would have melted. e) global warming would still occur.

answer

b) the Earth's oceans would be frozen.

question

Lunar maria are found a) uniformly all over the Moon. b) mostly on the side facing Earth. c) mostly on the far side of the Moon. d) only in the dark areas, out of sunlight. e) in the highlands, among mountains.

answer

b) mostly on the side facing Earth.

question

Place the statements concerning lunar formation below in chronological order from the time of formation. I. coalesced from orbiting debris II. cooling of interior III. mare formed IV. surface melting by heavy bombardment a) I, IV, III, II b) III, II, IV, I c) IV, III, II, I d) II, III, IV, I

answer

a) I, IV, III, II

question

Which statement about the rotations of Mercury and the Moon is FALSE? a) Our Moon keeps the same side toward us. b) The rotation period of Mercury is 59 EARTH days. c) Like our Moon, Mercury keeps the same side facing the Sun. d) On Mercury, three rotations ("sidereal days") equals two Mercurial "years" e) On the Moon, sunlight lasts for about 15 EARTH days in a row.

answer

c) Like our Moon, Mercury keeps the same side facing the Sun.

question

Mercury is very hard to observe from Earth because a) it always appears only half lit. b) it is never more than 28° from the Sun. c) its elliptical orbit causes it to change speed unpredictably. d) its surface reflects too little sunlight. e) its surface does not allow radar to bounce back to Earth.

answer

b) it is never more than 28° from the Sun.

question

Mercury has extreme high and low temperatures between night and day because a) it is so close to the Sun. b) its surface rocks don't retain heat. c) it spins too fast to cool down. d) Mercury's axis has no tilt; its equator receives direct sunlight. e) it has no atmosphere to moderate temperatures over the globe.

answer

e) it has no atmosphere to moderate temperatures over the globe.

question

Which of the following inner solar system bodies has the densest atmosphere? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Moon e) Mars

answer

b) Venus

question

Venus and Mars probably evolved differently from Earth because a) they are slightly bigger than Earth. b) they are more massive than Earth. c) they have thicker atmospheres than Earth. d) they formed sooner than Earth. e) they orbit at different distances from the Sun.

answer

e) they orbit at different distances from the Sun.

question

Which of the following are correct? a) Mars is essentially in the same orbit as Earth. b) There are canals filled with liquid water on Mars. c) If there is water, that means there is oxygen and therefore we can breath on Mars. d) Both (b) and (c) are true. e) None of the above.

answer

e) None of the above are true

question

Which of the following inner solar system bodies has the largest volcanoes? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Earth d) Mars e) Moon

answer

d) Mars

question

Venus' surface shows all of the following EXCEPT a) many impact craters of all sizes. b) shield volcanoes. c) a continent-sized plateau. d) huge circular volcanic coronae. e) lava domes.

answer

a) many impact craters of all sizes.

question

The Jovian planets have retained most of their atmospheres because a) they are further from the Sun's gravitational pull than the terrestrial planets b) they are very warm and massive c) they are very cold and massive d) the planet's rings "fence in" the planetary atmosphere

answer

c) they are very cold and massive

question

The Jovian planets are characterized by their a) high density. b) slow rotation. c) small size. d) composition - mainly hydrogen and helium.

answer

d) composition - mainly hydrogen and helium.

question

What is the source of Jupiter's large magnetic field? a) charged particles moving in the atmosphere b) thermonuclear fusion in Jupiter's core c) the gravitational attraction of Jupiter's many large moons d) the Great Red Spot e) metallic hydrogen swirling in its interior

answer

e) metallic hydrogen swirling in its interior

question

Saturn radiates even more excess energy than Jupiter because a) Saturn is still radiating heat left over from its formation. b) Saturn's thick cloud layer contributes to a larger greenhouse effect. c) helium rain gives off heat as it falls toward Saturn's center. d) Saturn's atmosphere contains methane. e) Saturn can fuse hydrogen into helium in its core, like the Sun.

answer

c) helium rain gives off heat as it falls toward Saturn's center.

Astronomy Ch 4 – Ch7 – Flashcards

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