Question 1

Which jovian planet does not have rings?

Accepted Answer

A)  All the jovian planets have rings. 
B)  Jupiter 
C)  Neptune 
D)  Uranus 
E)  Mars 
A)  All the jovian planets have rings. 
B)  Jupiter 
C)  Neptune 
D)  Uranus 
E)  Mars A

Question 2

In essence, the Kepler mission is searching for extrasolar planets by ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  observing a star carefully enough to notice that it is experiencing a gravitational tug caused by an unseen planet 
B)  obtaining high-resolution photographs of other star systems 
C)  identifying spectral lines that look like what we expect to see from a planet rather than a star 
D)  monitoring stars for slight dimming that might occur as unseen planets pass in front of them 
A)  observing a star carefully enough to notice that it is experiencing a gravitational tug caused by an unseen planet 
B)  obtaining high-resolution photographs of other star systems 
C)  identifying spectral lines that look like what we expect to see from a planet rather than a star 
D)  monitoring stars for slight dimming that might occur as unseen planets pass in front of them D

Question 3

Which new idea has been added into our theory of solar system formation as a result of the discoveries of extrasolar planets?

Accepted Answer

A)  Planets can migrate from the orbits in which they are born. 
B)  In addition to the categories of terrestrial and jovian, there must be an "in-between" category of planet that has the mass of a jovian planet but the composition of a terrestrial planet. 
C)  In some star systems, it is possible for jovian planets to form in the inner solar system and terrestrial planets to form in the outer solar system. 
D)  Some of the "exceptions to the rules" in our own solar system are likely to have been the result of giant impacts. 
A)  Planets can migrate from the orbits in which they are born. 
B)  In addition to the categories of terrestrial and jovian, there must be an "in-between" category of planet that has the mass of a jovian planet but the composition of a terrestrial planet. 
C)  In some star systems, it is possible for jovian planets to form in the inner solar system and terrestrial planets to form in the outer solar system. 
D)  Some of the "exceptions to the rules" in our own solar system are likely to have been the result of giant impacts. A

Question 4

According to our theory of solar system formation, what three major changes occurred in the solar nebula as it shrank in size?

Accepted Answer

A)  It got hotter, its rate of rotation increased, and it flattened into a disk. 
B)  Its mass, temperature, and density all increased. 
C)  It gained energy, it gained angular momentum, and it flattened into a disk. 
D)  Its gas clumped up to form the terrestrial planets, nuclear fusion produced heavy elements to make the jovian planets, and central temperatures rose to more than a trillion Kelvin. 
A)  It got hotter, its rate of rotation increased, and it flattened into a disk. 
B)  Its mass, temperature, and density all increased. 
C)  It gained energy, it gained angular momentum, and it flattened into a disk. 
D)  Its gas clumped up to form the terrestrial planets, nuclear fusion produced heavy elements to make the jovian planets, and central temperatures rose to more than a trillion Kelvin.

Question 5

According to our theory of solar system formation, why do we find some exceptions to the general rules and patterns of the planets?

Accepted Answer

A)  Our theory is not quite correct because it cannot explain these exceptions. 
B)  Most of the exceptions are the result of giant impacts or close gravitational encounters. 
C)  The exceptions probably represent objects that formed recently, rather than early in the history of the solar system. 
D)  The exceptions probably represent objects that were captured by our solar system from interstellar space. 
E)  The exceptions exist because, even though our theory is as correct as possible, nature never follows rules precisely. 
A)  Our theory is not quite correct because it cannot explain these exceptions. 
B)  Most of the exceptions are the result of giant impacts or close gravitational encounters. 
C)  The exceptions probably represent objects that formed recently, rather than early in the history of the solar system. 
D)  The exceptions probably represent objects that were captured by our solar system from interstellar space. 
E)  The exceptions exist because, even though our theory is as correct as possible, nature never follows rules precisely.

Question 6

Which planet could an astronaut visit without the need for a spacesuit (and survive)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury 
B)  Venus 
C)  the Moon 
D)  Mars 
E)  None; an astronaut would need a spacesuit to survive a visit to any other planet in the solar system. 
A)  Mercury 
B)  Venus 
C)  the Moon 
D)  Mars 
E)  None; an astronaut would need a spacesuit to survive a visit to any other planet in the solar system.

Question 7

In what way is Pluto more like a comet than a planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is made mostly of rock and ice. 
B)  It sometimes enters the inner solar system. 
C)  It has a long tail. It has a moon. 
A)  It is made mostly of rock and ice. 
B)  It sometimes enters the inner solar system. 
C)  It has a long tail. It has a moon.

Question 8

Which of the following puzzles in the solar system cannot be explained by a giant impact event?

Accepted Answer

A)  the formation of the Moon 
B)  the large metallic core of Mercury 
C)  the backward rotation of Venus 
D)  the extreme axis tilt of Uranus 
E)  the orbit of Triton in the opposite direction to Neptune's rotation 
A)  the formation of the Moon 
B)  the large metallic core of Mercury 
C)  the backward rotation of Venus 
D)  the extreme axis tilt of Uranus 
E)  the orbit of Triton in the opposite direction to Neptune's rotation

Question 9

Consider a star with 2 planets. The mass of planet A is the same as the mass of planet B. The orbit of Planet A is on average, closer to the star than the orbit of Planet B. Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Planet A is on average, moving faster than Planet B. 
B)  Planet A is on average, moving slower than Planet B. 
C)  The relative orbital speeds depend on the masses of the planets. 
D)  Planet A moves with the same speed as Planet B. 
A)  Planet A is on average, moving faster than Planet B. 
B)  Planet A is on average, moving slower than Planet B. 
C)  The relative orbital speeds depend on the masses of the planets. 
D)  Planet A moves with the same speed as Planet B.

Question 10

Hot Jupiters were a surprise to astronomers. What is the current explanation for their existence?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jupiters form as a companion to the host star, but fail to become actual stars themselves because they are not massive enough. 
B)  Jupiters are supposed to form far away from their host star, then they migrate closer through gravitational interactions with the protoplanetary disk. 
C)  The temperature of the hot Jupiters is highly uncertain, so they might not be as hot as the astronomers say. 
D)  Jupiters actually can form close to the host star, since they do not require as much hydrogen compounds and ice as originally thought. 
A)  Jupiters form as a companion to the host star, but fail to become actual stars themselves because they are not massive enough. 
B)  Jupiters are supposed to form far away from their host star, then they migrate closer through gravitational interactions with the protoplanetary disk. 
C)  The temperature of the hot Jupiters is highly uncertain, so they might not be as hot as the astronomers say. 
D)  Jupiters actually can form close to the host star, since they do not require as much hydrogen compounds and ice as originally thought.

Question 11

Which of the following statements does NOT apply to the formation of gas giants like Jupiter, compared to terrestrial planets?

Accepted Answer

A)  Caused icy planetesimals to slingshot away from the Sun, to become Oort cloud comets 
B)  Formed in a region with lower orbital speeds 
C)  Accreted from icy planetesimals 
D)  Surface dramatically altered during bombardment 
E)  Formed in regions cold enough for water to freeze 
A)  Caused icy planetesimals to slingshot away from the Sun, to become Oort cloud comets 
B)  Formed in a region with lower orbital speeds 
C)  Accreted from icy planetesimals 
D)  Surface dramatically altered during bombardment 
E)  Formed in regions cold enough for water to freeze

Question 12

Mars has two moons that are most similar in character to:

Accepted Answer

A)  small asteroids. 
B)  comets. 
C)  Earth's Moon. 
D)  particles in the rings of Saturn. 
A)  small asteroids. 
B)  comets. 
C)  Earth's Moon. 
D)  particles in the rings of Saturn.

Question 13

Briefly describe the modern theory of how our Moon formed.

Accepted Answer

The Moon formed from a giant i

Question 14

According to our present theory of solar system formation, which of the following statements about the growth of terrestrial and jovian planets is not true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The jovian planets began from planetesimals made only of ice, while the terrestrial planets began from planetesimals made only of rock and metal. 
B)  Both types of planet begun with planetesimals growing through the process of accretion, but only the jovian planets were able to capture hydrogen and helium gas from the solar nebula. 
C)  Swirling disks of gas, like the solar nebula in miniature, formed around the growing jovian planets but not around the growing terrestrial planets. 
D)  The terrestrial planets formed inside the frost line of the solar nebula and the jovian planets formed beyond it. 
A)  The jovian planets began from planetesimals made only of ice, while the terrestrial planets began from planetesimals made only of rock and metal. 
B)  Both types of planet begun with planetesimals growing through the process of accretion, but only the jovian planets were able to capture hydrogen and helium gas from the solar nebula. 
C)  Swirling disks of gas, like the solar nebula in miniature, formed around the growing jovian planets but not around the growing terrestrial planets. 
D)  The terrestrial planets formed inside the frost line of the solar nebula and the jovian planets formed beyond it.

Question 15

The heavy bombardment phase of the solar system lasted

Accepted Answer

A)  several million years. 
B)  several tens of millions of years. 
C)  several hundreds of millions of years. 
D)  about a billion years. 
E)  to the present time. 
A)  several million years. 
B)  several tens of millions of years. 
C)  several hundreds of millions of years. 
D)  about a billion years. 
E)  to the present time.

Question 16

How do we think the "hot Jupiters" around other stars were formed?

Accepted Answer

A)  They formed as gas giants close to the star in the same orbits that they are seen today. 
B)  They formed as dense, rocky planets close to the star in the same orbits that they are seen today. 
C)  They formed as gas giants beyond the frost line and then migrated inwards. 
D)  Many planets were formed around the star but coalesced into a single planet close in. 
A)  They formed as gas giants close to the star in the same orbits that they are seen today. 
B)  They formed as dense, rocky planets close to the star in the same orbits that they are seen today. 
C)  They formed as gas giants beyond the frost line and then migrated inwards. 
D)  Many planets were formed around the star but coalesced into a single planet close in.

Question 17

Once a planet forms in a a disk-like nebula around a star, its orbit is fixed and will never change.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Explain why the early Earth did not form with water, and how it gained it later in its formation.

Accepted Answer

Earth, and all terrestrial planets, form

Question 19

List at least three of the notable exceptions to the general patterns of the solar system.

Accepted Answer

Several possibilities: (a) The rotationa

Question 20

Which of the following is furthest from the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pluto 
B)  Neptune 
C)  an asteroid in the asteroid belt 
D)  a comet in the Kuiper belt 
E)  a comet in the Oort cloud 
A)  Pluto 
B)  Neptune 
C)  an asteroid in the asteroid belt 
D)  a comet in the Kuiper belt 
E)  a comet in the Oort cloud

Which jovian planet does not have rings?

In essence, the Kepler mission is searching for extrasolar planets by ________.

Which new idea has been added into our theory of solar system formation as a result of the discoveries of extrasolar planets?

According to our theory of solar system formation, what three major changes occurred in the solar nebula as it shrank in size?

According to our theory of solar system formation, why do we find some exceptions to the general rules and patterns of the planets?

Which planet could an astronaut visit without the need for a spacesuit (and survive)?

In what way is Pluto more like a comet than a planet?

Which of the following puzzles in the solar system cannot be explained by a giant impact event?

Consider a star with 2 planets. The mass of planet A is the same as the mass of planet B. The orbit of Planet A is on average, closer to the star than the orbit of Planet B. Which of the following statements is true?

Hot Jupiters were a surprise to astronomers. What is the current explanation for their existence?

Which of the following statements does NOT apply to the formation of gas giants like Jupiter, compared to terrestrial planets?

Mars has two moons that are most similar in character to:

Briefly describe the modern theory of how our Moon formed.

According to our present theory of solar system formation, which of the following statements about the growth of terrestrial and jovian planets is not true?

The heavy bombardment phase of the solar system lasted

How do we think the "hot Jupiters" around other stars were formed?

Once a planet forms in a a disk-like nebula around a star, its orbit is fixed and will never change.

Explain why the early Earth did not form with water, and how it gained it later in its formation.

List at least three of the notable exceptions to the general patterns of the solar system.

Which of the following is furthest from the Sun?

Our Place in the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

Filters

Exam 6: Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond

Which jovian planet does not have rings?

In essence, the Kepler mission is searching for extrasolar planets by ________.

Which new idea has been added into our theory of solar system formation as a result of the discoveries of extrasolar planets?

According to our theory of solar system formation, what three major changes occurred in the solar nebula as it shrank in size?

According to our theory of solar system formation, why do we find some exceptions to the general rules and patterns of the planets?

Which planet could an astronaut visit without the need for a spacesuit (and survive)?

In what way is Pluto more like a comet than a planet?

Which of the following puzzles in the solar system cannot be explained by a giant impact event?

Consider a star with 2 planets. The mass of planet A is the same as the mass of planet B. The orbit of Planet A is on average, closer to the star than the orbit of Planet B. Which of the following statements is true?

Hot Jupiters were a surprise to astronomers. What is the current explanation for their existence?

Which of the following statements does NOT apply to the formation of gas giants like Jupiter, compared to terrestrial planets?

Mars has two moons that are most similar in character to:

Briefly describe the modern theory of how our Moon formed.

According to our present theory of solar system formation, which of the following statements about the growth of terrestrial and jovian planets is not true?

The heavy bombardment phase of the solar system lasted

How do we think the "hot Jupiters" around other stars were formed?

Once a planet forms in a a disk-like nebula around a star, its orbit is fixed and will never change.

Explain why the early Earth did not form with water, and how it gained it later in its formation.

List at least three of the notable exceptions to the general patterns of the solar system.

Which of the following is furthest from the Sun?

Our Place in the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

Filters