Question 1

A plasma torus has been discovered around Jupiter associated with each of the following moons:

Accepted Answer

A)  Io and Europa. 
B)  Io and Ganymede. 
C)  Europa and Ganymede. 
D)  all four Galilean moons. 
A)  Io and Europa. 
B)  Io and Ganymede. 
C)  Europa and Ganymede. 
D)  all four Galilean moons.

Question 2

How many moons are now known to orbit Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  only 4, discovered by Galileo 
B)  10 
C)  more than 60 
D)  none, just like Mercury and Venus 
A)  only 4, discovered by Galileo 
B)  10 
C)  more than 60 
D)  none, just like Mercury and Venus

Question 3

The outer three Galilean moons of Jupiter differ from Io,the innermost Galilean moon,by surfaces of:

Accepted Answer

A)  smoothly polished rock. 
B)  carbon dioxide ice. 
C)  sulfur. 
D)  water ice. 
A)  smoothly polished rock. 
B)  carbon dioxide ice. 
C)  sulfur. 
D)  water ice.

Question 4

The deepest central sections of the interiors of Jupiter and Saturn are thought to be composed of:

Accepted Answer

A)  methane, ammonia, and water vapor. 
B)  liquid metallic hydrogen. 
C)  magnetized iron. 
D)  rock. 
A)  methane, ammonia, and water vapor. 
B)  liquid metallic hydrogen. 
C)  magnetized iron. 
D)  rock.

Question 5

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 6

What percentage of Io's surface is covered with dormant volcanic vents?

Accepted Answer

A)  5% 
B)  40% 
C)  100% 
D)  zero-the surface is perpetually ice-covered 
A)  5% 
B)  40% 
C)  100% 
D)  zero-the surface is perpetually ice-covered

Question 7

The inner two Galilean satellites of Jupiter differ from the outer two by having:

Accepted Answer

A)  much higher average densities and almost crater-free surfaces. 
B)  almost the same average densities but much older, more heavily cratered surfaces. 
C)  much lower average densities and heavily cratered surfaces. 
D)  almost the same average densities but much younger, less-cratered surfaces. 
A)  much higher average densities and almost crater-free surfaces. 
B)  almost the same average densities but much older, more heavily cratered surfaces. 
C)  much lower average densities and heavily cratered surfaces. 
D)  almost the same average densities but much younger, less-cratered surfaces.

Question 8

The outer cores of Jupiter and Saturn are made of "ices" that are actually in the liquid state.Why are they not solid?

Accepted Answer

A)  The pressure in the outer cores of Jupiter and Saturn is too great. 
B)  The temperature in the outer cores of Jupiter and Saturn is too high. 
C)  The material of the ices is hydrogen and helium, which cannot exist in a solid form. 
D)  The constant agitation caused by the planets' rotation prevents the formation of a solid. 
A)  The pressure in the outer cores of Jupiter and Saturn is too great. 
B)  The temperature in the outer cores of Jupiter and Saturn is too high. 
C)  The material of the ices is hydrogen and helium, which cannot exist in a solid form. 
D)  The constant agitation caused by the planets' rotation prevents the formation of a solid.

Question 9

Which clause describes the surface of Europa,one of the giant moons of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  entirely ice, with fractures and ridges going in every direction 
B)  entirely ice, with light and dark areas containing many impact craters and parallel ridges up to about a kilometer high 
C)  rocky and densely cratered, except for a few large, dark, relatively uncratered plains 
D)  We don't know what the surface of Io is like; it is hidden below a dense layer of clouds. 
A)  entirely ice, with fractures and ridges going in every direction 
B)  entirely ice, with light and dark areas containing many impact craters and parallel ridges up to about a kilometer high 
C)  rocky and densely cratered, except for a few large, dark, relatively uncratered plains 
D)  We don't know what the surface of Io is like; it is hidden below a dense layer of clouds.

Question 10

Jupiter's core consists of rocky material like that from which the terrestrial planets formed.How does Jupiter's core compare with Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is larger than Earth in both size and mass. 
B)  It is considerably larger in mass, but Jupiter's gravity has compressed it to about Earth's size. 
C)  Because most of the terrestrial materials were in the inner part of the solar nebula, Jupiter's core is smaller than Earth in both size and mass. 
D)  Because of Jupiter's enormous rate of spin, the core is not spherical. So the size is difficult to compare to Earth, but the core's mass appears to be smaller than Earth's mass. 
A)  It is larger than Earth in both size and mass. 
B)  It is considerably larger in mass, but Jupiter's gravity has compressed it to about Earth's size. 
C)  Because most of the terrestrial materials were in the inner part of the solar nebula, Jupiter's core is smaller than Earth in both size and mass. 
D)  Because of Jupiter's enormous rate of spin, the core is not spherical. So the size is difficult to compare to Earth, but the core's mass appears to be smaller than Earth's mass.

Question 11

The ring system around Uranus was originally discovered by what observation technique?

Accepted Answer

A)  infrared observation from the IRAS spacecraft in Earth orbit 
B)  observation by the cameras aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft 
C)  occultation of light from a star as Uranus (and the rings) passed in front of it 
D)  radar reflection from the particles in the rings 
A)  infrared observation from the IRAS spacecraft in Earth orbit 
B)  observation by the cameras aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft 
C)  occultation of light from a star as Uranus (and the rings) passed in front of it 
D)  radar reflection from the particles in the rings

Question 12

When Io passes between Jupiter and Europa,both moons experience gravitational stress.On Europa,this gravitational stress is responsible for some of the characteristic features of the moon.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 13

Which object 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 14

The source of the aurora seen around the magnetic poles of Jupiter is:

Accepted Answer

A)  water vapor evaporated from Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto and ionized by solar UV radiation. 
B)  dust from the rings of Jupiter ionized by friction between the different parts of the rings. 
C)  ionized material from a torus surrounding Jupiter along Io's orbit and originating on Io. 
D)  electrons from the solar wind. 
A)  water vapor evaporated from Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto and ionized by solar UV radiation. 
B)  dust from the rings of Jupiter ionized by friction between the different parts of the rings. 
C)  ionized material from a torus surrounding Jupiter along Io's orbit and originating on Io. 
D)  electrons from the solar wind.

Question 15

Uranus and Neptune resemble each other in many ways.However,which statement 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 16

By which collective name (after their discoverer)are the four major moons of Jupiter known?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Ptolemic," after Ptolemy 
B)  "Newtonian," after Newton 
C)  "Copernican," after Copernicus 
D)  "Galilean," after Galileo 
A)  "Ptolemic," after Ptolemy 
B)  "Newtonian," after Newton 
C)  "Copernican," after Copernicus 
D)  "Galilean," after Galileo

Question 17

The origin of the very thin but measurable atmosphere of molecular oxygen around Jupiter's moon Europa is from:

Accepted Answer

A)  dissociation of water vapor by solar UV radiation. 
B)  the remnant gases from Jupiter that reside within its magnetosphere. 
C)  primitive plant life living in the extensive oceans underneath the icy surface, which has transformed carbon dioxide into oxygen. 
D)  volcanoes that have ejected this gas during recent eruptions. 
A)  dissociation of water vapor by solar UV radiation. 
B)  the remnant gases from Jupiter that reside within its magnetosphere. 
C)  primitive plant life living in the extensive oceans underneath the icy surface, which has transformed carbon dioxide into oxygen. 
D)  volcanoes that have ejected this gas during recent eruptions.

Question 18

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 19

The major components of the visible surfaces of the Jupiter and Saturn atmospheres,other than hydrogen and helium,have been found to be:

Accepted Answer

A)  dust and iron oxides. 
B)  CH₄ (methane), NH₃ (ammonia), and H₂O (water). 
C)  N₂ (nitrogen), O₂ (oxygen), and CO₂ (carbon dioxide). 
D)  H₂O (water) and CO₂ (carbon dioxide). 
A)  dust and iron oxides. 
B)  CH₄ (methane), NH₃ (ammonia), and H₂O (water). 
C)  N₂ (nitrogen), O₂ (oxygen), and CO₂ (carbon dioxide). 
D)  H₂O (water) and CO₂ (carbon dioxide).

Question 20

Other than the rings,how does the appearance of Saturn differ from that of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  Saturn's visible surface is basically featureless, with no hint of the belts and zones of Jupiter. 
B)  Saturn shows an ever-changing system of dark storms and light eddies, without the belts and zones of Jupiter. 
C)  There are belts and zones on Saturn, but they are very faint and hazy compared to Jupiter. 
D)  Saturn has many more belts and zones than Jupiter, with large storms distorting their shapes. 
A)  Saturn's visible surface is basically featureless, with no hint of the belts and zones of Jupiter. 
B)  Saturn shows an ever-changing system of dark storms and light eddies, without the belts and zones of Jupiter. 
C)  There are belts and zones on Saturn, but they are very faint and hazy compared to Jupiter. 
D)  Saturn has many more belts and zones than Jupiter, with large storms distorting their shapes.

A plasma torus has been discovered around Jupiter associated with each of the following moons:

How many moons are now known to orbit Jupiter?

The outer three Galilean moons of Jupiter differ from Io,the innermost Galilean moon,by surfaces of:

The deepest central sections of the interiors of Jupiter and Saturn are thought to be composed of:

What is the basic structure of the planet Jupiter?

What percentage of Io's surface is covered with dormant volcanic vents?

The inner two Galilean satellites of Jupiter differ from the outer two by having:

The outer cores of Jupiter and Saturn are made of "ices" that are actually in the liquid state.Why are they not solid?

Which clause describes the surface of Europa,one of the giant moons of Jupiter?

Jupiter's core consists of rocky material like that from which the terrestrial planets formed.How does Jupiter's core compare with Earth?

The ring system around Uranus was originally discovered by what observation technique?

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

Which object rotates the MOST quickly around its own axis?

The source of the aurora seen around the magnetic poles of Jupiter is:

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

By which collective name (after their discoverer)are the four major moons of Jupiter known?

The origin of the very thin but measurable atmosphere of molecular oxygen around Jupiter's moon Europa is from:

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

The major components of the visible surfaces of the Jupiter and Saturn atmospheres,other than hydrogen and helium,have been found to be:

Other than the rings,how does the appearance of Saturn differ from that of Jupiter?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 7: The Outer Planets and Their Moons

A plasma torus has been discovered around Jupiter associated with each of the following moons:

How many moons are now known to orbit Jupiter?

The outer three Galilean moons of Jupiter differ from Io,the innermost Galilean moon,by surfaces of:

The deepest central sections of the interiors of Jupiter and Saturn are thought to be composed of:

What is the basic structure of the planet Jupiter?

What percentage of Io's surface is covered with dormant volcanic vents?

The inner two Galilean satellites of Jupiter differ from the outer two by having:

The outer cores of Jupiter and Saturn are made of "ices" that are actually in the liquid state.Why are they not solid?

Which clause describes the surface of Europa,one of the giant moons of Jupiter?

Jupiter's core consists of rocky material like that from which the terrestrial planets formed.How does Jupiter's core compare with Earth?

The ring system around Uranus was originally discovered by what observation technique?

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

Which object rotates the MOST quickly around its own axis?

The source of the aurora seen around the magnetic poles of Jupiter is:

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

By which collective name (after their discoverer)are the four major moons of Jupiter known?

The origin of the very thin but measurable atmosphere of molecular oxygen around Jupiter's moon Europa is from:

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

The major components of the visible surfaces of the Jupiter and Saturn atmospheres,other than hydrogen and helium,have been found to be:

Other than the rings,how does the appearance of Saturn differ from that of Jupiter?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters