Question 1

Which of these would be UNCHANGED if Earth had been formed metal-poor?

Accepted Answer

A)  smaller magnetic field 
B)  less gravity at Earth's surface 
C)  much higher and lower tides 
D)  less volcanic activity 
A)  smaller magnetic field 
B)  less gravity at Earth's surface 
C)  much higher and lower tides 
D)  less volcanic activity

Question 2

What is the basic structure of the planet Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  rocky core overlaid by a thick mantle of liquid hydrogen, relatively thin gaseous atmosphere 
B)  small rocky core overlaid by a thin mantle of liquid hydrogen, thick gaseous atmosphere 
C)  large rocky core with a thin mantle of liquid hydrogen, thin gaseous atmosphere 
D)  rocky core, liquid hydrogen mantle, and gaseous atmosphere, all having about the same thickness 
A)  rocky core overlaid by a thick mantle of liquid hydrogen, relatively thin gaseous atmosphere 
B)  small rocky core overlaid by a thin mantle of liquid hydrogen, thick gaseous atmosphere 
C)  large rocky core with a thin mantle of liquid hydrogen, thin gaseous atmosphere 
D)  rocky core, liquid hydrogen mantle, and gaseous atmosphere, all having about the same thickness

Question 3

Which of these spacecraft did NOT visit Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  Galileo 
B)  Viking 
C)  Pioneer 
D)  Voyager 
A)  Galileo 
B)  Viking 
C)  Pioneer 
D)  Voyager

Question 4

Detailed observations of Jupiter's rotation suggest that Jupiter

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Which of these does NOT accurately characterize Jupiter's moon Callisto?

Accepted Answer

A)  a subsurface ocean 
B)  a very large impact crater 
C)  a changing magnetic field 
D)  evidence of tectonic activity 
A)  a subsurface ocean 
B)  a very large impact crater 
C)  a changing magnetic field 
D)  evidence of tectonic activity

Question 6

The size of Saturn's moon Titan is

Accepted Answer

A)  about the same as the size of the moons of Mars. 
B)  intermediate between the sizes of Mercury and Mars. 
C)  intermediate between the sizes of Mars and Earth. 
D)  intermediate between the size of Mercury and the size of Earth's Moon. 
A)  about the same as the size of the moons of Mars. 
B)  intermediate between the sizes of Mercury and Mars. 
C)  intermediate between the sizes of Mars and Earth. 
D)  intermediate between the size of Mercury and the size of Earth's Moon.

Question 7

The internal structure of the two largest Jovian planets (from the center outward) is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  iron-nickel core (from which the Jovian magnetic field arises), a semifluid rocky mantle, and a solid rocky crust covered by a thin atmosphere. 
B)  rocky core covered by a very thick gaseous hydrogen and helium layer. 
C)  rocky core, a liquid "ice" layer that may overlap with the rocky core, a liquid metallic hydrogen and helium layer, and an ordinary hydrogen and helium gaseous layer. 
D)  rocky core, a liquid methane mantle, and a gaseous methane atmosphere. 
A)  iron-nickel core (from which the Jovian magnetic field arises), a semifluid rocky mantle, and a solid rocky crust covered by a thin atmosphere. 
B)  rocky core covered by a very thick gaseous hydrogen and helium layer. 
C)  rocky core, a liquid "ice" layer that may overlap with the rocky core, a liquid metallic hydrogen and helium layer, and an ordinary hydrogen and helium gaseous layer. 
D)  rocky core, a liquid methane mantle, and a gaseous methane atmosphere.

Question 8

A striking characteristic on Triton, the largest satellite of Neptune, is

Accepted Answer

A)  a brightness variation: one hemisphere is as bright as ice and the other hemisphere is as dark as asphalt. 
B)  plumes of nitrogen gas rising from the icy surface, possibly as a result of radioactive heating. 
C)  an interconnecting network of parallel grooves, indicating tectonic activity in geologically recent times. 
D)  a crater so large that the impact that created it must have come close to shattering the satellite. 
A)  a brightness variation: one hemisphere is as bright as ice and the other hemisphere is as dark as asphalt. 
B)  plumes of nitrogen gas rising from the icy surface, possibly as a result of radioactive heating. 
C)  an interconnecting network of parallel grooves, indicating tectonic activity in geologically recent times. 
D)  a crater so large that the impact that created it must have come close to shattering the satellite.

Question 9

The Saturnian satellite Pan moves along the Encke gap. Suppose a rock is orbiting within the gap at an orbital radius slightly smaller than that of Pan. Which one of these passages correctly describes the interaction between Pan and the rock?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pan catches up to and passes the rock. As it does so, Pan pulls back on the rock, slowing it and causing it to move in an orbit with a larger radius. 
B)  Pan catches up to and passes the rock. As it does so, Pan pulls the rock forward, making it move faster and causing it to move in an orbit with a smaller radius. 
C)  The rock catches up to and passes Pan. As it does so, Pan pulls the rock forward, making it move faster and causing it to move into an orbit with a larger radius. 
D)  The rock catches up to and passes Pan. As it does so, Pan pulls back on the rock, slowing it and causing it to move into an orbit with a smaller radius. 
A)  Pan catches up to and passes the rock. As it does so, Pan pulls back on the rock, slowing it and causing it to move in an orbit with a larger radius. 
B)  Pan catches up to and passes the rock. As it does so, Pan pulls the rock forward, making it move faster and causing it to move in an orbit with a smaller radius. 
C)  The rock catches up to and passes Pan. As it does so, Pan pulls the rock forward, making it move faster and causing it to move into an orbit with a larger radius. 
D)  The rock catches up to and passes Pan. As it does so, Pan pulls back on the rock, slowing it and causing it to move into an orbit with a smaller radius.

Question 10

The brown ovals seen in Jupiter's atmosphere appear bright in an image taken in infrared radiation. Why is this?

Accepted Answer

A)  The ovals are moving toward Earth, and the Doppler blueshift makes them appear brighter. 
B)  The ovals are moving away from Earth, and the Doppler redshift makes them appear brighter. 
C)  The ovals are high up in the Jovian atmosphere. 
D)  The ovals are deep within the Jovian atmosphere. 
A)  The ovals are moving toward Earth, and the Doppler blueshift makes them appear brighter. 
B)  The ovals are moving away from Earth, and the Doppler redshift makes them appear brighter. 
C)  The ovals are high up in the Jovian atmosphere. 
D)  The ovals are deep within the Jovian atmosphere.

Question 11

Why is the F ring much narrower than the main rings?

Accepted Answer

A)  The ring is in a stronger part of Saturn's gravitational field and cannot spread out any farther. 
B)  The ring is constrained by Saturn's strong magnetic field. 
C)  Two shepherd satellites focus the particles into a narrow ring. 
D)  There are not enough particles available to make a wider ring. 
A)  The ring is in a stronger part of Saturn's gravitational field and cannot spread out any farther. 
B)  The ring is constrained by Saturn's strong magnetic field. 
C)  Two shepherd satellites focus the particles into a narrow ring. 
D)  There are not enough particles available to make a wider ring.

Question 12

In what form is the hydrogen in the interior of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  liquid metallic hydrogen, electrically conducting 
B)  gaseous molecular hydrogen (H2) electrically conducting 
C)  solid hydrogen, compressed to this state by the very high pressures 
D)  gaseous hydrogen because the pressures are never sufficient to condense it into liquid 
A)  liquid metallic hydrogen, electrically conducting 
B)  gaseous molecular hydrogen (H2) electrically conducting 
C)  solid hydrogen, compressed to this state by the very high pressures 
D)  gaseous hydrogen because the pressures are never sufficient to condense it into liquid

Question 13

Which planet in the solar system has the fastest rotation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury 
B)  Uranus 
C)  Jupiter 
D)  Earth 
A)  Mercury 
B)  Uranus 
C)  Jupiter 
D)  Earth

Question 14

What is the basic structure of the planet Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  rocky core, liquid hydrogen mantle, gaseous atmosphere 
B)  rocky core, liquid methane and water mantle, gaseous atmosphere 
C)  entirely liquid hydrogen except for a thin gaseous atmosphere 
D)  rocky core, frozen water mantle, thin methane atmosphere 
A)  rocky core, liquid hydrogen mantle, gaseous atmosphere 
B)  rocky core, liquid methane and water mantle, gaseous atmosphere 
C)  entirely liquid hydrogen except for a thin gaseous atmosphere 
D)  rocky core, frozen water mantle, thin methane atmosphere

Question 15

What is the visual appearance of Neptune from space?

Accepted Answer

A)  reddish belts and light zones parallel to the equator with large red spots 
B)  blue-green and featureless 
C)  perpetually covered with yellowish, sulfur-rich clouds 
D)  blue-green with white, high-altitude clouds and dark storms 
A)  reddish belts and light zones parallel to the equator with large red spots 
B)  blue-green and featureless 
C)  perpetually covered with yellowish, sulfur-rich clouds 
D)  blue-green with white, high-altitude clouds and dark storms

Question 16

What causes Io to be so active geologically?

Accepted Answer

A)  Its mantle has an unusually high density of long-term radioactive elements. 
B)  It is still contracting gravitationally and gives out energy via the Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism. 
C)  It is in a highly eccentric orbit and thus is subjected to tidal flexing from Jupiter. 
D)  It is in a very circular orbit, but it is subjected to tidal flexing from Jupiter because of orbital perturbations from the other Galilean satellites. 
A)  Its mantle has an unusually high density of long-term radioactive elements. 
B)  It is still contracting gravitationally and gives out energy via the Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism. 
C)  It is in a highly eccentric orbit and thus is subjected to tidal flexing from Jupiter. 
D)  It is in a very circular orbit, but it is subjected to tidal flexing from Jupiter because of orbital perturbations from the other Galilean satellites.

Question 17

Io's composition is believed to be similar to that of the terrestrial planets rather than to that of the giant planets, yet its density is intermediate between these two groups. Explain.

Accepted Answer

A)  Like the Earth-Moon system, Io is believed to have formed from part of the mantle of Jupiter and thus has a density different from Jupiter as a whole. 
B)  The intense cold at Io's distance from the Sun compresses its materials and increases its density. 
C)  The internal heat caused by its gravitational interaction with Jupiter causes Io to expand and decreases its density. 
D)  Io's smaller mass causes its materials to be compressed less by its own gravity compared, for example, to Earth. 
A)  Like the Earth-Moon system, Io is believed to have formed from part of the mantle of Jupiter and thus has a density different from Jupiter as a whole. 
B)  The intense cold at Io's distance from the Sun compresses its materials and increases its density. 
C)  The internal heat caused by its gravitational interaction with Jupiter causes Io to expand and decreases its density. 
D)  Io's smaller mass causes its materials to be compressed less by its own gravity compared, for example, to Earth.

Question 18

Uranus and Neptune resemble each other in many ways. However, which of these statements is NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both planets (probably) have three layers: rocky core, watery mantle, and thick hydrogen-helium atmosphere. 
B)  Both planets appear basically featureless in photographs from Voyager 2. 
C)  Both planets have magnetic field axes tilted at large angles from their rotation axes. 
D)  A system of rings circles both planets. 
A)  Both planets (probably) have three layers: rocky core, watery mantle, and thick hydrogen-helium atmosphere. 
B)  Both planets appear basically featureless in photographs from Voyager 2. 
C)  Both planets have magnetic field axes tilted at large angles from their rotation axes. 
D)  A system of rings circles both planets.

Question 19

Even though Ganymede, one of the large Galilean satellites of Jupiter, and Earth are very different, they share one feature. What is it?

Accepted Answer

A)  dense atmosphere 
B)  evidence of plate tectonic activity 
C)  thick rocky mantle and a large iron core under icy crust 
D)  active volcanoes 
A)  dense atmosphere 
B)  evidence of plate tectonic activity 
C)  thick rocky mantle and a large iron core under icy crust 
D)  active volcanoes

Question 20

How were the first rings of Uranus discovered?

Accepted Answer

A)  from Earth, when each ring momentarily blocked the light from a background star 
B)  by the Ulysses spacecraft when observing from above the Sun's north pole 
C)  by Voyager 2 during its pass through the Uranian system 
D)  by the Hubble Space Telescope, observing in infrared light 
A)  from Earth, when each ring momentarily blocked the light from a background star 
B)  by the Ulysses spacecraft when observing from above the Sun's north pole 
C)  by Voyager 2 during its pass through the Uranian system 
D)  by the Hubble Space Telescope, observing in infrared light

Which of these would be UNCHANGED if Earth had been formed metal-poor?

What is the basic structure of the planet Jupiter?

Which of these spacecraft did NOT visit Jupiter?

Detailed observations of Jupiter's rotation suggest that Jupiter

Which of these does NOT accurately characterize Jupiter's moon Callisto?

The size of Saturn's moon Titan is

The internal structure of the two largest Jovian planets (from the center outward) is a(n)

A striking characteristic on Triton, the largest satellite of Neptune, is

The Saturnian satellite Pan moves along the Encke gap. Suppose a rock is orbiting within the gap at an orbital radius slightly smaller than that of Pan. Which one of these passages correctly describes the interaction between Pan and the rock?

The brown ovals seen in Jupiter's atmosphere appear bright in an image taken in infrared radiation. Why is this?

Why is the F ring much narrower than the main rings?

In what form is the hydrogen in the interior of Jupiter?

Which planet in the solar system has the fastest rotation?

What is the basic structure of the planet Jupiter?

What is the visual appearance of Neptune from space?

What causes Io to be so active geologically?

Io's composition is believed to be similar to that of the terrestrial planets rather than to that of the giant planets, yet its density is intermediate between these two groups. Explain.

Uranus and Neptune resemble each other in many ways. However, which of these statements is NOT correct?

Even though Ganymede, one of the large Galilean satellites of Jupiter, and Earth are very different, they share one feature. What is it?

How were the first rings of Uranus discovered?

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

Exam 9: The Outer Planets

Which of these would be UNCHANGED if Earth had been formed metal-poor?

What is the basic structure of the planet Jupiter?

Which of these spacecraft did NOT visit Jupiter?

Detailed observations of Jupiter's rotation suggest that Jupiter

Which of these does NOT accurately characterize Jupiter's moon Callisto?

The size of Saturn's moon Titan is

The internal structure of the two largest Jovian planets (from the center outward) is a(n)

A striking characteristic on Triton, the largest satellite of Neptune, is

The Saturnian satellite Pan moves along the Encke gap. Suppose a rock is orbiting within the gap at an orbital radius slightly smaller than that of Pan. Which one of these passages correctly describes the interaction between Pan and the rock?

The brown ovals seen in Jupiter's atmosphere appear bright in an image taken in infrared radiation. Why is this?

Why is the F ring much narrower than the main rings?

In what form is the hydrogen in the interior of Jupiter?

Which planet in the solar system has the fastest rotation?

What is the basic structure of the planet Jupiter?

What is the visual appearance of Neptune from space?

What causes Io to be so active geologically?

Io's composition is believed to be similar to that of the terrestrial planets rather than to that of the giant planets, yet its density is intermediate between these two groups. Explain.

Uranus and Neptune resemble each other in many ways. However, which of these statements is NOT correct?

Even though Ganymede, one of the large Galilean satellites of Jupiter, and Earth are very different, they share one feature. What is it?

How were the first rings of Uranus discovered?

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