Question 1

The physical structure of Saturn's rings is

Accepted Answer

A)  a thin,solid ring of rock and ice that is partly transparent. 
B)  hot,ionized gas in a current sheet within the planet's magnetosphere. 
C)  a thin but extensive gas cloud over the equator. 
D)  a sequence of many hundreds of separate rings made of ice and rock particles. 
A)  a thin,solid ring of rock and ice that is partly transparent. 
B)  hot,ionized gas in a current sheet within the planet's magnetosphere. 
C)  a thin but extensive gas cloud over the equator. 
D)  a sequence of many hundreds of separate rings made of ice and rock particles. D

Question 2

When the Cassini spacecraft took a close view of Saturn's rings,it showed the ring system to be

Accepted Answer

A)  one solid ring. 
B)  two solid rings. 
C)  seven ringlets. 
D)  hundreds of closely spaced bands,or ringlets. 
A)  one solid ring. 
B)  two solid rings. 
C)  seven ringlets. 
D)  hundreds of closely spaced bands,or ringlets. D

Question 3

If the orbits of one of the large moons were somehow deflected so that it passed within the Roche limit of Jupiter,it would be torn to pieces by tidal forces.However,there are many artificial satellites orbiting Earth within Earth's Roche limit,and these are not torn apart.Why not?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's smaller gravity is insufficient to tear anything apart. 
B)  The Roche limit applies only to objects held together by gravity. 
C)  Earth's rotation counteracts the tidal forces. 
D)  The satellites are held in balance between Earth's gravity and the Moon's gravity. 
A)  Earth's smaller gravity is insufficient to tear anything apart. 
B)  The Roche limit applies only to objects held together by gravity. 
C)  Earth's rotation counteracts the tidal forces. 
D)  The satellites are held in balance between Earth's gravity and the Moon's gravity. B

Question 4

What features characterize the visible surface of Triton,Neptune's largest moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lava flows,volcanoes,and sulfur dioxide frost 
B)  Ice,heavily cratered by ancient impacts 
C)  Relatively smooth areas surrounding "islands" of chaotic terrain 
D)  Wrinkled surface,frozen lakes,and plumes of nitrogen gas 
A)  Lava flows,volcanoes,and sulfur dioxide frost 
B)  Ice,heavily cratered by ancient impacts 
C)  Relatively smooth areas surrounding "islands" of chaotic terrain 
D)  Wrinkled surface,frozen lakes,and plumes of nitrogen gas

Question 5

The rings of Saturn orbit the planet as

Accepted Answer

A)  a solid body. 
B)  five separate solid rings. 
C)  individual particles,all with periods shorter than the large moons of Saturn. 
D)  individual particles,all with periods longer than the large moons of Saturn. 
A)  a solid body. 
B)  five separate solid rings. 
C)  individual particles,all with periods shorter than the large moons of Saturn. 
D)  individual particles,all with periods longer than the large moons of Saturn.

Question 6

Like,Uranus's rings,Neptune's thin and dark rings were first detected when they passed directly in front of a distant star.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The darker-colored bands that encircle the high atmosphere of Jupiter,which are visible through telescopes from Earth,are known as

Accepted Answer

A)  rings. 
B)  white spots. 
C)  belts. 
D)  zones. 
A)  rings. 
B)  white spots. 
C)  belts. 
D)  zones.

Question 8

The Huygens probe,a small lander from Cassini,entered the atmosphere of

Accepted Answer

A)  Jupiter. 
B)  Titan. 
C)  Io. 
D)  Neptune. 
A)  Jupiter. 
B)  Titan. 
C)  Io. 
D)  Neptune.

Question 9

Uranus and Neptune have seemingly quiet atmospheres.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

The overall interior structure of Jupiter and Saturn is expected to be

Accepted Answer

A)  three-layered: a large,solid,inner core of rock,a liquid outer core of "ices," and an extensive gaseous,hydrogen-rich atmosphere. 
B)  four-layered: a solid iron inner core,a liquid iron outer core,a partially molten mantle of rock,and a solid crust. 
C)  a ball of hydrogen and helium of gradually increasing density inward from gas to liquid to solid. 
D)  four-layered: a rocky inner core,a liquid outer core of "ices," a mantle of liquid hydrogen and helium,and an extensive gaseous atmosphere. 
A)  three-layered: a large,solid,inner core of rock,a liquid outer core of "ices," and an extensive gaseous,hydrogen-rich atmosphere. 
B)  four-layered: a solid iron inner core,a liquid iron outer core,a partially molten mantle of rock,and a solid crust. 
C)  a ball of hydrogen and helium of gradually increasing density inward from gas to liquid to solid. 
D)  four-layered: a rocky inner core,a liquid outer core of "ices," a mantle of liquid hydrogen and helium,and an extensive gaseous atmosphere.

Question 11

If a probe were to descend into Jupiter's atmosphere,the temperature it measured would

Accepted Answer

A)  continually increase. 
B)  continually decrease. 
C)  decrease and then increase. 
D)  increase and then decrease. 
A)  continually increase. 
B)  continually decrease. 
C)  decrease and then increase. 
D)  increase and then decrease.

Question 12

Triton has a young,icy surface,indicative of tectonic activity and

Accepted Answer

A)  a moderate methane atmosphere. 
B)  a thick,hazy carbon dioxide atmosphere. 
C)  a thin,tenuous nitrogen atmosphere. 
D)  no atmosphere. 
A)  a moderate methane atmosphere. 
B)  a thick,hazy carbon dioxide atmosphere. 
C)  a thin,tenuous nitrogen atmosphere. 
D)  no atmosphere.

Question 13

Saturn's moon Titan is different from all other moons of planets because

Accepted Answer

A)  lakes of water with floating icebergs are seen on its surface. 
B)  it possesses a thick atmosphere. 
C)  its orbit carries it directly over both poles of the planet. 
D)  continuously erupting volcanoes are observed on it. 
A)  lakes of water with floating icebergs are seen on its surface. 
B)  it possesses a thick atmosphere. 
C)  its orbit carries it directly over both poles of the planet. 
D)  continuously erupting volcanoes are observed on it.

Question 14

Detailed observations of Jupiter's rotation suggest that it

Accepted Answer

A)  is not a rigid object because equatorial regions rotate faster than polar regions. 
B)  rotates in two separate parts,equatorial regions rotating in a direction opposite to polar regions. 
C)  is slowing down noticeably at the present time. 
D)  rotates like a solid body,with equatorial and polar regions having the same rotational period. 
A)  is not a rigid object because equatorial regions rotate faster than polar regions. 
B)  rotates in two separate parts,equatorial regions rotating in a direction opposite to polar regions. 
C)  is slowing down noticeably at the present time. 
D)  rotates like a solid body,with equatorial and polar regions having the same rotational period.

Question 15

Neptune's high-altitude clouds are probably made of frozen methane.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Saturn's atmosphere does not show the same colorful contrast that we see in Jupiter's atmosphere.This is because

Accepted Answer

A)  Saturn's clouds and circulation pattern resemble those of Earth (individual cyclones and anticyclones)rather than those of Jupiter. 
B)  Saturn's features are obscured by an upper cloud deck of methane ice crystals,whereas Jupiter has too high a temperature for methane ice. 
C)  Saturn has a similar circulation pattern to Jupiter,but it is obscured by a much deeper atmosphere. 
D)  Saturn has counter-flowing eastward and westward winds like Jupiter but lacks the three differently colored cloud levels. 
A)  Saturn's clouds and circulation pattern resemble those of Earth (individual cyclones and anticyclones)rather than those of Jupiter. 
B)  Saturn's features are obscured by an upper cloud deck of methane ice crystals,whereas Jupiter has too high a temperature for methane ice. 
C)  Saturn has a similar circulation pattern to Jupiter,but it is obscured by a much deeper atmosphere. 
D)  Saturn has counter-flowing eastward and westward winds like Jupiter but lacks the three differently colored cloud levels.

Question 17

Compared to that of Earth,the mass of Jupiter is

Accepted Answer

A)  several thousand times larger. 
B)  about 11 times as large. 
C)  about 300 times larger. 
D)  about 1/300 as large. 
A)  several thousand times larger. 
B)  about 11 times as large. 
C)  about 300 times larger. 
D)  about 1/300 as large.

Question 18

As a result of the Huygens-Cassini mission,which one of the following was detected on the surface of Titan?

Accepted Answer

A)  A heavily cratered surface 
B)  Numerous lakes of liquid hydrocarbons 
C)  Evidence of methane rainfall 
D)  Running streams of hydrocarbons 
A)  A heavily cratered surface 
B)  Numerous lakes of liquid hydrocarbons 
C)  Evidence of methane rainfall 
D)  Running streams of hydrocarbons

Question 19

Saturn's clouds are more dramatic than Jupiter's.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The presence of helium in the atmosphere of Jupiter was first established by

Accepted Answer

A)  careful observation of the spectrum of hydrogen by spacecraft. 
B)  precise spectrophotometry of infrared emission lines of helium from Earth. 
C)  detection of weak absorption bands of molecular helium by the Ulysses spacecraft. 
D)  direct sampling of Jupiter's atmosphere by the Galileo probe. 
A)  careful observation of the spectrum of hydrogen by spacecraft. 
B)  precise spectrophotometry of infrared emission lines of helium from Earth. 
C)  detection of weak absorption bands of molecular helium by the Ulysses spacecraft. 
D)  direct sampling of Jupiter's atmosphere by the Galileo probe.

The physical structure of Saturn's rings is

When the Cassini spacecraft took a close view of Saturn's rings,it showed the ring system to be

If the orbits of one of the large moons were somehow deflected so that it passed within the Roche limit of Jupiter,it would be torn to pieces by tidal forces.However,there are many artificial satellites orbiting Earth within Earth's Roche limit,and these are not torn apart.Why not?

What features characterize the visible surface of Triton,Neptune's largest moon?

The rings of Saturn orbit the planet as

Like,Uranus's rings,Neptune's thin and dark rings were first detected when they passed directly in front of a distant star.

The darker-colored bands that encircle the high atmosphere of Jupiter,which are visible through telescopes from Earth,are known as

The Huygens probe,a small lander from Cassini,entered the atmosphere of

Uranus and Neptune have seemingly quiet atmospheres.

The overall interior structure of Jupiter and Saturn is expected to be

If a probe were to descend into Jupiter's atmosphere,the temperature it measured would

Triton has a young,icy surface,indicative of tectonic activity and

Saturn's moon Titan is different from all other moons of planets because

Detailed observations of Jupiter's rotation suggest that it

Neptune's high-altitude clouds are probably made of frozen methane.

Saturn's atmosphere does not show the same colorful contrast that we see in Jupiter's atmosphere.This is because

Compared to that of Earth,the mass of Jupiter is

As a result of the Huygens-Cassini mission,which one of the following was detected on the surface of Titan?

Saturn's clouds are more dramatic than Jupiter's.

The presence of helium in the atmosphere of Jupiter was first established by

Predicting the Motions of the Stars, Sun, and Moon

Decoding the Hidden Messages in Starlight

Analyzing Scales and Motions of the Universe

Exploring Our Evolving Solar System

Uncovering Earths Systems

Exploring Terrestrial Surface Processes and Atmospheres

Looking for Life Beyond Earth

Probing the Dynamic Sun

Observing Properties of Distant Stars

Inferring Patterns in Star Life Cycles

Predicting the Violent End of the Largest Stars

Exploring Our Galaxy

Investigating Other Galaxies

Observing the Evolution of the Universe

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Exam 7: Observing the Dynamic Giant Planets

The physical structure of Saturn's rings is

When the Cassini spacecraft took a close view of Saturn's rings,it showed the ring system to be

If the orbits of one of the large moons were somehow deflected so that it passed within the Roche limit of Jupiter,it would be torn to pieces by tidal forces.However,there are many artificial satellites orbiting Earth within Earth's Roche limit,and these are not torn apart.Why not?

What features characterize the visible surface of Triton,Neptune's largest moon?

The rings of Saturn orbit the planet as

Like,Uranus's rings,Neptune's thin and dark rings were first detected when they passed directly in front of a distant star.

The darker-colored bands that encircle the high atmosphere of Jupiter,which are visible through telescopes from Earth,are known as

The Huygens probe,a small lander from Cassini,entered the atmosphere of

Uranus and Neptune have seemingly quiet atmospheres.

The overall interior structure of Jupiter and Saturn is expected to be

If a probe were to descend into Jupiter's atmosphere,the temperature it measured would

Triton has a young,icy surface,indicative of tectonic activity and

Saturn's moon Titan is different from all other moons of planets because

Detailed observations of Jupiter's rotation suggest that it

Neptune's high-altitude clouds are probably made of frozen methane.

Saturn's atmosphere does not show the same colorful contrast that we see in Jupiter's atmosphere.This is because

Compared to that of Earth,the mass of Jupiter is

As a result of the Huygens-Cassini mission,which one of the following was detected on the surface of Titan?

Saturn's clouds are more dramatic than Jupiter's.

The presence of helium in the atmosphere of Jupiter was first established by

Predicting the Motions of the Stars, Sun, and Moon

Decoding the Hidden Messages in Starlight

Analyzing Scales and Motions of the Universe

Exploring Our Evolving Solar System

Uncovering Earths Systems

Exploring Terrestrial Surface Processes and Atmospheres

Looking for Life Beyond Earth

Probing the Dynamic Sun

Observing Properties of Distant Stars

Inferring Patterns in Star Life Cycles

Predicting the Violent End of the Largest Stars

Exploring Our Galaxy

Investigating Other Galaxies

Observing the Evolution of the Universe

Filters