Mastering Astronomy Review #5 – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Assuming that other planetary systems form in the same way as our solar system formed, where would you expect to find terrestrial planets?
answer
Terrestrial planets will likely be located nearer the planetary system's star than any jovian planets.
question
Which planet is approximately halfway between Pluto's orbit and the Sun?
answer
Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun
question
The dwarf planet Eris was discovered in 2005, orbiting the Sun at an average distance about twice that of Pluto. In which of the following ways do Pluto and Eris differ from the terrestrial and jovian planets in our solar system?
answer
1. Both Pluto and Eris are SMALLER than any of the terrestrial planets. 2. Both Pluto and Eris travel in MORE ELLIPTICAL orbits than any of the terrestrial or jovian planets. 3. Both Pluto and Eris are LESS MASSIVE than any of the terrestrial or jovian planets.
question
Highlands have or are. . .
answer
high elevations, mountainous regions, highly cratered
question
Maria have or are. . .
answer
low elevations, flat, low cratered
question
How do the densities of the jovian and terrestrial planets compare?
answer
All terrestrials are more dense than any of the jovians.
question
Without the greenhouse effect operating in our atmosphere
answer
Earth would have an average temperature of -23 degrees Celsius.
question
Moon's rotation period and orbital period are the same due to. . .
answer
tidal locking
question
We determine the structure of the Earth's core using
answer
seismic wave data.
question
What gas is the primary constituent of our atmosphere?
answer
Nitrogen
question
The crust of the Earth is covered by about ________ water in the hydrosphere.
answer
70%
question
The Greenhouse Effect works by trapping
answer
outgoing infrared radiation from the Earth.
question
The average density of the Moon is less than that of the Earth.
answer
TRUE
question
The three most abundant gases in our atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.
answer
TRUE
question
All the jovian planets lie beyond the asteroid belt.
answer
True
question
What is the best description of the Earth's rotation over its entire history?
answer
It has slowed down very gradually at about .0015 seconds per century.
question
All the terrestrial planets lie inside the asteroid belt.
answer
True
question
The presence of a magnetic field is a good indication that
answer
we have a liquid metal outer core, spinning rapidly as we rotate.
question
Where does the energy come from to create tidal bulges?
answer
The orbital and rotational motion of the Earth and Moon
question
prevents charged particles in the solar wind from reaching the surface.
answer
Earth's magnetic field
question
Which of the following are the jovian planets?
answer
NOT Pluto, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune only
question
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?
answer
That Earth's most dense material must be beneath the surface
question
Planetary orbits
answer
are almost circular, with low eccentricities.
question
How is the existence of Earth's unique atmosphere explained?
answer
The oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is a result of early life on Earth.
question
What is TRUE of spring tides?
answer
The difference between low and high tides would be GREATEST
