question

Asteroids were recently formed by the collision and breakup of an object orbiting in the asteroid belt. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Most comets have short periods and orbit close to the ecliptic plane. (T/F)

answer

False

question

The largest planets also have the largest densities. (T/F)

answer

False

question

The total mass of all the planets is much less than the mass of the Sun. (T/F)

answer

True

question

The solar system is of largely uniform composition. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Asteroids, meteoroids, and comets are remnants of the early solar system. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Astronomers have no theoretical explanation for the "hot Jupiters" observed orbiting some other stars. (T/F)

answer

False

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 at the other, the planet closest to the center of the field would be: a) Earth b) Jupiter c) Saturn d) Uranus

answer

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

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

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

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

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 the type expected to have Earth-like planets d) the government is preventing us from reporting their discovery

answer

they are not detectable with current technology

question

In Habitable Zones, the habitable zone of a star twice as massive as the Sun a) is centered roughly 3 AU from the star b) is more than 10 AU wide c) lies entirely within 1 AU of the star d) is the same size as the Sun's habitable zone

answer

is centered roughly 3 AU from the star

question

According to Temperature in the Early Solar Nebula, the temperature in the solar nebula at the location now at the center of the asteroid belt is a) 2000 K b) 900 K c) 400 K d) 100 K

answer

400 K

question

Because of tidal forces, the Moon is in a synchronous orbit around the Earth. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Lunar maria are extensive lava-flow regions (T/F)

answer

True

question

Except for the layer of air closest to Earth's surface, the ozone layer is the warmest part of the atmosphere. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Earth's magnetic field is the result of our planet's large, permanently magnetized iron core. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Motion of the crustal plates is driven by convection in Earth's upper mantle. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Volcanic activity continues today on the surface of the Moon. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Like Earth, the Moon has a molten metal core. (T/F)

answer

False

question

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

answer

2 inch golf ball

question

Earth's average density is about the same as that of a(n) a) glass of water b) heavy iron meteorite c) ice cube d) chunk of black volcanic rock

answer

chunk of black volcanic rock

question

Sunlight absorbed by Earth's surface is remitted in the form of a) microwave b) infrared c) visible d) ultraviolet radiation

answer

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 of most commercial jet airplanes fly c) the distance between the US and China

answer

the altitude of most commercial jet airplanes fly

question

If Earth had no moon, then the 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

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 Earth's 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

formed from a collision of Earth with a Mars sized object

question

According to Earth's Atmosphere, commercial jet airplanes flying at 10 km are in a) the troposphere b) the stratosphere c) the ozone d) the mesosphere

answer

troposphere

question

Mercury's solar day is longer than its solar year. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Numerous surface features on Venus can be seen in Earth-based images made in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Evidence of lava flows is common on the surface of Venus. (T/F)

answer

True

question

There is strong circumstantial evidence that active volcanism continues on Venus. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Mars has the largest volcanoes in the solar system. (T/F)

answer

True

question

There are many indications of past plate tectonics on Mars. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Valles Marineris is comparable in size to Earth's Grand Canyon. (T/F)

answer

False

question

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

answer

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

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

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

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) Earth's Moon

answer

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) reverse greenhouse effect c) absence of greenhouse gases in the Martian atmosphere d) greater distance from the Sun

answer

reverse greenhouse effect

question

The solid surface of Jupiter lies just below the cloud layers that are visible from Earth. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Storms in the jovian planets' atmospheres are generally much longer lived than storms on Earth. (T/F)

answer

True

question

The element helium plays an important role in producing Saturn's atmospheric colors. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Jupiter emits more energy than it receives from the Sun. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Although often referred to as a gaseous planet, Jupiter is mostly liquid in its interior. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Neptune probably does not have a rocky core. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Around northern midsummer on Uranus, an observer near the north pole would observe the Sun high and almost stationary in the sky. (T/F)

answer

True

question

The magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune are highly tilted relative to their rotational axes and offset from the planets' center. (T/F)

answer

True

question

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

answer

hydrogen

question

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

answer

weaker gravity

question

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

answer

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) American civil war d) the depression

answer

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

roughly the same size

question

According to Jupiter's Atmosphere, if ammonia and ammonium hydrosulfide ice were transparent to visible light, Jupiter would appear a) bluish b) red c) tawny brown d) exactly as it does now

answer

bluish

question

Jupiter's magnetosphere extends about _______ beyond the planet. a) 1 AU b) 5 AU c) 10 AU d) 20 AU

answer

5 AU

question

Scientists speculate that Europa may have liquid water below its frozen surface. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Saturn's ring particles are made up of mainly water ice. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Saturn's rings lie withing the planet's Roche limit. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Two small shepard satellites are responsible for the unusually complex form of Saturn's F ring. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Titan's surface is obscured by thick clouds of ammonia ice. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Uranus has no moons. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Triton's orbit is unusual because it is retrograde. (T/F)

answer

True

question

Pluto was discovered via its gravitational effect on Neptune. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Io's surface appears very smooth because it a) is continually resurfaced by volcanic activity b) is covered with ice c) has been shielded by Jupiter from meteorite impacts d) is liquid

answer

is continually resurfaced by volcanic activity

question

The Galilean moons of Jupiter are sometimes described as a miniature inner solar system because a) there are the same number of Galilean moons as there are terrestrial planets b) the moons have generally "terrestrial" composition c) the moons' densities decrease with increasing distance from Jupiter d) the moons all move on circular, synchronous orbits

answer

the moons' densities decrease with increasing distance from Jupiter

question

Compared to Earth's surface, the pressure at the surface of Titan is _________ that of Earth a) less than b) about the same as c) about 1.5 times greater than

answer

about 1.5 times greater than

question

The rings of Uranus are a) broad and bright b) narrow and dark c) narrow and bright d) undetectable from Earth

answer

narrow and dark

question

The solar system object most similar to Pluto is a) Mercury b) the Moon c) Titan d) Triton

answer

Triton

question

The most abundant element in the Sun is hydrogen. (T/F)

answer

True

question

There are as many absorption lines in the solar spectrum as there are elements present in the Sun. (T/F)

answer

False

question

The density and temperature in the solar corona are much higher than in the photosphere. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Sunspots appear dark because they are hotter than the surrounding gas of the photosphere. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Flares are caused by magnetic disturbances in the lower atmosphere of the Sun. (T/F)

answer

True

question

The proton-proton chain releases energy because mass is created in the process. (T/F)

answer

False

question

Neutrinos have never been detected experimentally. (T/F)

answer

False

question

The Sun is roughly ________ larger than Earth. a) the same size b) 10 times larger c) 100 times larger d) 1 million times larger

answer

1 million times larger

question

The Sun spins on its axis roughly once each a) hour b) day c) month d) year

answer

month

question

Astronomers on Venus would measure a solar constant ______ Earth. a) larger than b) smaller than c) the same size as on

answer

larger than

question

A typical solar granule is about the size of (a) a) US city b) large US state c) the moon d) Earth

answer

large US state

question

The time between successive sunspot maxima is about a a) month b) year c) decade d) century

answer

decade

question

Solar energy is produced by a) fusion of light nuclei into heavier ones b) fission of heavy nuclei into lighter ones c) the release of heat left over from the Sun's formation d) solar magnetism

answer

fusion of light nuclei into heavier ones

question

In the standard solar model (solar interior,) as the distance from the center increases a) the density and temperature decrease at about the same rate b) the density decreases faster than the temperature c) the density decreases more slowly than the temperature d) the density decreases but the temperature increases

answer

the density decreases faster than the temperature

question

Comparing the Solar Interior and Solar Atmospheric Temperature, the temperature in the solar corona is about the same as in a) the core b) the bottom of the radiation zone c) the bottom of the convection zone d) the photosphere

answer

the bottom of the convection zone

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

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

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

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

question

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

answer

rocky composition

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

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

terrestrial planets are different from jovian planets

question

So few extrasolar planets the size of Earth have been seen with current techniques because a) small planets probably don't exist. b) the large planets nearby have swept them up. c) Earth-like planets take time to form. d) large planets orbiting near to their stars are more easily detected. e) small planets can only be seen if they cross in front of their star.

answer

large planets orbiting near to their stars are more easily detected

question

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

answer

nitrogen

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) IV, III, II, I b) III, II, IV, I c) I, IV, III, II d) II, III, IV, I

answer

I, IV, III, II

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

the Earth's oceans would be frozen

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

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

Van Allen radiation belts

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

it is never more than 28 degrees from the Sun

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

like our Moon, Mercury keeps the same side facing the Sun

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

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

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

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

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

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

question

How much bigger is the Sun's radius compared to Earth's radius? a) 100 b) 1000 c) 100,000 d) 1,000,000

answer

100

question

The density of the Sun is most similar to that of a) a comet. b) Jupiter. c) Earth. d) interstellar gas. e) an asteroid.

answer

Jupiter

question

The light from the East limb (edge) of the Sun is blue shifted and the light from the West limb is redshifted. This is because a) different kinds of atoms emit light at the opposite edges. b) the Sun is rotating. c) the distance from the Sun to Earth changes. d) the two sides of the Sun are at different temperatures.

answer

the Sun is rotating

question

The photosphere (the visible surface) of the Sun is like a) the surface of Earth; you could stand on it, if you could survive the heat. b) the surface of the ocean; you couldn't stand on it, but you would clearly be able to detect differences above and below it. c) an apparent surface; you would notice very little change as you go through it, as when you fly through a cloud. d) the surface of a trampoline; you could land on it, but the intense pressure would push you away again.

answer

an apparent surface; you would notice very little change as you go through it, as when you fly through a cloud

question

Sunspots appear dark because the are a) holes in the photosphere through which you can see deeply into the solar interior. b) a bit cooler, thus dimmer than the rest of the photosphere. c) large opaque structures that block light from the glowing solar surface. d) causing retinal damage.

answer

a bit cooler, thus dimmer than the rest of the photosphere

question

Tremendous pressure is created at the Sun's center due to its own gravity. The Sun is kept from collapsing by a) neutrinos and other particles generated by nuclear fusion. b) a hard inner core. c) gas pressure created by the heat of nuclear fusion. d) gas pressure created from left over heat from the formation of the Sun.

answer

gas pressure created by the heat of nuclear fusion

question

The proton-proton cycle involves what kind of fusion process? a) carbon (C) into oxygen (O) b) helium (He) into carbon (C) c) hydrogen (H) into helium (He) d) neon (Ne) into silicon (Si) e) oxygen (O) into iron (Fe)

answer

hydrogen into helium

question

Which theory of lunar origin lost support when the Apollo landing results showed similar abundances of isotopes of oxygen on both Earth and Moon? a) the fission theory b) the capture theory c) formation together form the same gas cloud

answer

the capture theory

question

Your latest discovery, Planet Eris, never had volcanoes. The processes of erosion on Eris have unequal but constant rates in different surface regions. A reasonable way to estimate which region has the least erosion is simply by choosing the region with a) the fewest craters. b) the largest craters. c) the most craters. d) maria.

answer

the most craters

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

mostly on the side facing Earth

question

The atmosphere of Jupiter has few heavy elements due to a) evaporation. b) the lack of heavy elements in the outer solar system. c) the vacuum-like power of the great red spot. d) gravitational settling toward the planet's center. e) none of the above.

answer

gravitational settling toward the planet's center

question

Synchrotron radiation - as seen in the figure - implies that the planet has a) powerful electrical storms. b) many moons. c) a magnetic field. d) excess thermal radiation. e) all of the above.

answer

a magnetic field

question

The two outer jovian planets appear bluish in color because a) gaseous ammonia in their atmospheres absorbs blue light. b) methane absorbs red light. c) cold hydrogen reflects blue light. d) dust in their atmospheres scatters blue light, similar to Earth.

answer

methane absorbs red light

question

Inside a star the mass of our Sun, energy is transported from the deep interior outward by a process most like the process that a) makes a blacktop hot in the summertime. b) heats the coil of an electric stove. c) makes hot water boil. d) makes your hand feel heat when you put it near a candle flame.

answer

makes your hand feel heat when you put it near a candle flame

question

What is probably responsible for the increase in temperature of the corona far from the Sun's surface? a) the higher rate of fusion b) the Sun's magnetism c) higher radiation pressures d) absorption of X rays e) convection currents

answer

the Sun's magnetism

question

Solar energy is produced by a) the release of heat leftover from the Sun's formation. b) solar magnetism. c) fission of heavier nuclei into lighter ones. d) fusion of light nuclei into heavier ones.

answer

fusion of light nuclei into heavier ones

Astronomy 101 Chapters 4-9 – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards