Question 1

The predominant large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern on Jupiter is characterized by

Accepted Answer

A)  strong winds blowing eastward at all latitudes so that the entire atmosphere rotates faster than the planet. 
B)  isolated cyclones (low-pressure areas) and anticyclones (high-pressure areas), similar to those on Earth. 
C)  strong winds blowing parallel to the equator but in opposite directions at different latitudes. 
D)  strong winds blowing westward at all latitudes so that the entire atmosphere rotates more slowly than the planet. 
A)  strong winds blowing eastward at all latitudes so that the entire atmosphere rotates faster than the planet. 
B)  isolated cyclones (low-pressure areas) and anticyclones (high-pressure areas), similar to those on Earth. 
C)  strong winds blowing parallel to the equator but in opposite directions at different latitudes. 
D)  strong winds blowing westward at all latitudes so that the entire atmosphere rotates more slowly than the planet.

Question 2

Based on its average density of 2970 kg/m3 compared with that of water at 1000 kg/m3, what is the internal structure of Jupiter's moon Europa thought to be?

Accepted Answer

A)  almost entirely water in liquid form or as ice 
B)  large iron core, the rest rock 
C)  half rock, half water and ice 
D)  a metallic core of high density with one-quarter of its mass composed of water and ice 
A)  almost entirely water in liquid form or as ice 
B)  large iron core, the rest rock 
C)  half rock, half water and ice 
D)  a metallic core of high density with one-quarter of its mass composed of water and ice

Question 3

Which of these objects rotates the MOST quickly around its own axis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus 
B)  Earth's Moon 
C)  Earth 
D)  Jupiter 
A)  Venus 
B)  Earth's Moon 
C)  Earth 
D)  Jupiter

Question 4

Which is the largest planetary satellite in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's Moon 
B)  Neptune's satellite Triton 
C)  Jupiter's satellite Ganymede 
D)  Saturn's satellite Titan 
A)  Earth's Moon 
B)  Neptune's satellite Triton 
C)  Jupiter's satellite Ganymede 
D)  Saturn's satellite Titan

Question 5

When Io passes between Jupiter and Europa, both moons experience gravitational stress. On Europa this is responsible for three of the features listed below. Which feature does NOT occur as a result of the gravitational flexing of Europa?

Accepted Answer

A)  cracks on the surface 
B)  heat to keep subsurface water liquid 
C)  water geysers 
D)  lava/sulfur volcanoes 
A)  cracks on the surface 
B)  heat to keep subsurface water liquid 
C)  water geysers 
D)  lava/sulfur volcanoes

Question 6

Which chemical or chemicals appear to play a prominent role in the "volcanoes" of Io?

Accepted Answer

A)  water and steam 
B)  molten lava 
C)  methane and ammonia 
D)  sulfur and sulfur dioxide 
A)  water and steam 
B)  molten lava 
C)  methane and ammonia 
D)  sulfur and sulfur dioxide

Question 7

What is the pattern followed by the average densities of the Galilean moons of Jupiter with increasing distance from the planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  Average density increases with distance from the planet. 
B)  Average density shows no pattern with distance; the highest-density moon is Ganymede, the largest moon. 
C)  Average density is the same for all moons because they were made from the same material. 
D)  Average density decreases with distance from the planet. 
A)  Average density increases with distance from the planet. 
B)  Average density shows no pattern with distance; the highest-density moon is Ganymede, the largest moon. 
C)  Average density is the same for all moons because they were made from the same material. 
D)  Average density decreases with distance from the planet.

Question 8

Which is the only satellite in the solar system known to possess a permanent, dense atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  Titan 
B)  Charon 
C)  Callisto 
D)  Ganymede 
A)  Titan 
B)  Charon 
C)  Callisto 
D)  Ganymede

Question 9

Which one of these features has NOT been found on Enceladus?

Accepted Answer

A)  jets of ice water shooting into the atmosphere 
B)  a uniformly and heavily cratered surface 
C)  stripes of recently formed material 
D)  a magnetic field 
A)  jets of ice water shooting into the atmosphere 
B)  a uniformly and heavily cratered surface 
C)  stripes of recently formed material 
D)  a magnetic field

Question 10

The required heating of the large Galilean moon Io of Jupiter in order to produce volcanic activity is probably caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  tidal distortion by Jupiter and its other moons. 
B)  its original heat of formation. 
C)  nuclear fission within its interior. 
D)  radioactive elements in its surface. 
A)  tidal distortion by Jupiter and its other moons. 
B)  its original heat of formation. 
C)  nuclear fission within its interior. 
D)  radioactive elements in its surface.

Question 11

Seasonal variations over a full Uranian year at a particular point on Uranus would

Accepted Answer

A)  not be present at any point on the planet because dense clouds shield it from climate changes. 
B)  be nonexistent because such variations at any point on the planet will be smoothed out during its long "year" by the planet's rapid rotation. 
C)  be almost nonexistent because Uranus moves in an almost perfectly circular orbit and its distance from the Sun remains constant. 
D)  be extreme because its spin axis is nearly in its orbital plane. 
A)  not be present at any point on the planet because dense clouds shield it from climate changes. 
B)  be nonexistent because such variations at any point on the planet will be smoothed out during its long "year" by the planet's rapid rotation. 
C)  be almost nonexistent because Uranus moves in an almost perfectly circular orbit and its distance from the Sun remains constant. 
D)  be extreme because its spin axis is nearly in its orbital plane.

Question 12

For how long has it been known that the planet Jupiter has moons?

Accepted Answer

A)  since the first spacecraft flybys by Pioneer I in 1979 
B)  since 1948, when the Mount Palomar telescope was completed 
C)  since Galileo turned his telescope toward the sky in 1610 
D)  since the time of the ancient Greeks 
A)  since the first spacecraft flybys by Pioneer I in 1979 
B)  since 1948, when the Mount Palomar telescope was completed 
C)  since Galileo turned his telescope toward the sky in 1610 
D)  since the time of the ancient Greeks

Question 13

What appears to be the origin of the light, grooved terrain on the surface of Ganymede?

Accepted Answer

A)  impacts by cometary debris 
B)  cracking of the surface caused by shrinkage of the moon as it cooled 
C)  cracking of the icy surface, releasing water that expanded as it froze into ice 
D)  flow of water on the solid surface of the moon at some time in the past, which subsequently shrank as it froze into this distinctive terrain 
A)  impacts by cometary debris 
B)  cracking of the surface caused by shrinkage of the moon as it cooled 
C)  cracking of the icy surface, releasing water that expanded as it froze into ice 
D)  flow of water on the solid surface of the moon at some time in the past, which subsequently shrank as it froze into this distinctive terrain

Question 14

Callisto, the outer Galilean moon of Jupiter, has a surface consisting of

Accepted Answer

A)  an icy crust showing two interlocking types of terrain, one ancient and heavily cratered, the other younger with systems of parallel grooves. 
B)  rock, heavily cratered like the highlands of Earth's Moon. 
C)  a relatively young, icy crust covered with a network of streaks and cracks and only a few impact craters. 
D)  a very dark and ancient icy crust covered with numerous craters, with no surface cracks or groove belts that would indicate internal activity. 
A)  an icy crust showing two interlocking types of terrain, one ancient and heavily cratered, the other younger with systems of parallel grooves. 
B)  rock, heavily cratered like the highlands of Earth's Moon. 
C)  a relatively young, icy crust covered with a network of streaks and cracks and only a few impact craters. 
D)  a very dark and ancient icy crust covered with numerous craters, with no surface cracks or groove belts that would indicate internal activity.

Question 15

What were the results of the impacts of the fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 into Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  Holes punched through the clouds, and craters gouged Jupiter's surface. 
B)  There were essentially no visible effects because the fragments plummeted deep below the cloud layers before being destroyed. 
C)  Rings of debris were flung into orbit around Jupiter's equator. 
D)  Fireballs hotter than the Sun's surface made dark splotches that lasted for months. 
A)  Holes punched through the clouds, and craters gouged Jupiter's surface. 
B)  There were essentially no visible effects because the fragments plummeted deep below the cloud layers before being destroyed. 
C)  Rings of debris were flung into orbit around Jupiter's equator. 
D)  Fireballs hotter than the Sun's surface made dark splotches that lasted for months.

Question 16

Which satellite of Jupiter is volcanically active?

Accepted Answer

A)  Europa 
B)  Io 
C)  Callisto 
D)  Ganymede 
A)  Europa 
B)  Io 
C)  Callisto 
D)  Ganymede

Question 17

Which of these satellites of planets in the solar system has a significant and dense atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  Triton, a moon of Neptune 
B)  Io, a moon of Jupiter 
C)  Titan, a moon of Saturn 
D)  Earth's Moon 
A)  Triton, a moon of Neptune 
B)  Io, a moon of Jupiter 
C)  Titan, a moon of Saturn 
D)  Earth's Moon

Question 18

Which of the moons of the giant planets is known to have a significant and dense atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  Europa, a moon of Jupiter 
B)  Titan, a moon of Saturn 
C)  Triton, a moon of Neptune 
D)  Io, a moon of Jupiter 
A)  Europa, a moon of Jupiter 
B)  Titan, a moon of Saturn 
C)  Triton, a moon of Neptune 
D)  Io, a moon of Jupiter

Question 19

Figure 9-7 shows the three cloud layers of Jupiter and Saturn. What is the unlabeled blank space beneath these layers?

Accepted Answer

A)  gaseous hydrogen 
B)  liquid hydrogen 
C)  solid metallic hydrogen 
D)  Rocks 
A)  gaseous hydrogen 
B)  liquid hydrogen 
C)  solid metallic hydrogen 
D)  Rocks

Question 20

Earth experiences an equinox when the day and night are of equal length everywhere on the planet. Does Uranus experience an equinox? If so, how often? (The orbital period of Uranus is 84 years.)

Accepted Answer

A)  No. 
B)  Yes, every 6 months just like Earth. 
C)  Yes, every 42 years. 
D)  Yes, every 84 years. 
A)  No. 
B)  Yes, every 6 months just like Earth. 
C)  Yes, every 42 years. 
D)  Yes, every 84 years.

The predominant large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern on Jupiter is characterized by

Based on its average density of 2970 kg/m³ compared with that of water at 1000 kg/m³, what is the internal structure of Jupiter's moon Europa thought to be?

Which of these objects rotates the MOST quickly around its own axis?

Which is the largest planetary satellite in the solar system?

When Io passes between Jupiter and Europa, both moons experience gravitational stress. On Europa this is responsible for three of the features listed below. Which feature does NOT occur as a result of the gravitational flexing of Europa?

Which chemical or chemicals appear to play a prominent role in the "volcanoes" of Io?

What is the pattern followed by the average densities of the Galilean moons of Jupiter with increasing distance from the planet?

Which is the only satellite in the solar system known to possess a permanent, dense atmosphere?

Which one of these features has NOT been found on Enceladus?

The required heating of the large Galilean moon Io of Jupiter in order to produce volcanic activity is probably caused by

Seasonal variations over a full Uranian year at a particular point on Uranus would

For how long has it been known that the planet Jupiter has moons?

What appears to be the origin of the light, grooved terrain on the surface of Ganymede?

Callisto, the outer Galilean moon of Jupiter, has a surface consisting of

What were the results of the impacts of the fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 into Jupiter?

Which satellite of Jupiter is volcanically active?

Which of these satellites of planets in the solar system has a significant and dense atmosphere?

Which of the moons of the giant planets is known to have a significant and dense atmosphere?

Figure 9-7 shows the three cloud layers of Jupiter and Saturn. What is the unlabeled blank space beneath these layers?

Earth experiences an equinox when the day and night are of equal length everywhere on the planet. Does Uranus experience an equinox? If so, how often? (The orbital period of Uranus is 84 years.)

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

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Exam 9: The Outer Planets

The predominant large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern on Jupiter is characterized by

Based on its average density of 2970 kg/m3 compared with that of water at 1000 kg/m3, what is the internal structure of Jupiter's moon Europa thought to be?

Which of these objects rotates the MOST quickly around its own axis?

Which is the largest planetary satellite in the solar system?

When Io passes between Jupiter and Europa, both moons experience gravitational stress. On Europa this is responsible for three of the features listed below. Which feature does NOT occur as a result of the gravitational flexing of Europa?

Which chemical or chemicals appear to play a prominent role in the "volcanoes" of Io?

What is the pattern followed by the average densities of the Galilean moons of Jupiter with increasing distance from the planet?

Which is the only satellite in the solar system known to possess a permanent, dense atmosphere?

Which one of these features has NOT been found on Enceladus?

The required heating of the large Galilean moon Io of Jupiter in order to produce volcanic activity is probably caused by

Seasonal variations over a full Uranian year at a particular point on Uranus would

For how long has it been known that the planet Jupiter has moons?

What appears to be the origin of the light, grooved terrain on the surface of Ganymede?

Callisto, the outer Galilean moon of Jupiter, has a surface consisting of

What were the results of the impacts of the fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 into Jupiter?

Which satellite of Jupiter is volcanically active?

Which of these satellites of planets in the solar system has a significant and dense atmosphere?

Which of the moons of the giant planets is known to have a significant and dense atmosphere?

Figure 9-7 shows the three cloud layers of Jupiter and Saturn. What is the unlabeled blank space beneath these layers?

Earth experiences an equinox when the day and night are of equal length everywhere on the planet. Does Uranus experience an equinox? If so, how often? (The orbital period of Uranus is 84 years.)

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Based on its average density of 2970 kg/m³ compared with that of water at 1000 kg/m³, what is the internal structure of Jupiter's moon Europa thought to be?