Question 1

What material serves as the main electrical conductor in Jupiter's interior?

Accepted Answer

A)  liquid metallic helium 
B)  solid metallic hydrogen 
C)  liquid metallic hydrogen 
D)  a molten iron-nickel mixture 
A)  liquid metallic helium 
B)  solid metallic hydrogen 
C)  liquid metallic hydrogen 
D)  a molten iron-nickel mixture

Question 2

We suspect liquid water under the surface of Europa for a number of reasons.Which factor is NOT one of these reasons?

Accepted Answer

A)  the existence of cracks and fractures on the moon's surface 
B)  the existence of smooth areas apparently formed by fluid erupting onto the surface 
C)  the discovery of a second magnetic field around Europa 
D)  the discovery of lenticulae of rising, warmed ice 
A)  the existence of cracks and fractures on the moon's surface 
B)  the existence of smooth areas apparently formed by fluid erupting onto the surface 
C)  the discovery of a second magnetic field around Europa 
D)  the discovery of lenticulae of rising, warmed ice

Question 3

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 4

Saturn,like Jupiter,is composed primarily of:

Accepted Answer

A)  gases. 
B)  liquids. 
C)  solids. 
D)  plasma. 
A)  gases. 
B)  liquids. 
C)  solids. 
D)  plasma.

Question 5

How do the moons of Jupiter behave when considered in terms of the relationship between the period P and radius a of their orbits around the planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jupiter's moons follow the Keplerian relationship P² = ka³, where k is a constant that is different from that in the relation governing planetary motion around the Sun. 
B)  Jupiter's moons do not obey the Keplerian relationship P² = ka³ because their motion about Jupiter is affected by Jupiter's motion about the Sun. 
C)  Jupiter's moons obey the Keplerian relationship P² = ka³, where k is the same as that for planetary motion around the Sun because it is a universal constant. 
D)  Jupiter's moons do not obey the Keplerian relationship P² = ka³ because they orbit Jupiter, not the Sun. 
A)  Jupiter's moons follow the Keplerian relationship P² = ka³, where k is a constant that is different from that in the relation governing planetary motion around the Sun. 
B)  Jupiter's moons do not obey the Keplerian relationship P² = ka³ because their motion about Jupiter is affected by Jupiter's motion about the Sun. 
C)  Jupiter's moons obey the Keplerian relationship P² = ka³, where k is the same as that for planetary motion around the Sun because it is a universal constant. 
D)  Jupiter's moons do not obey the Keplerian relationship P² = ka³ because they orbit Jupiter, not the Sun.

Question 6

The Cassini division is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the division between terrestrial and Jovian planets. 
B)  a gap between two groups of asteroids in the asteroid belt. 
C)  a gap between two specific mountain ranges collectively called Cassini on the Moon. 
D)  a major division in the rings of Saturn, seen from Earth. 
A)  the division between terrestrial and Jovian planets. 
B)  a gap between two groups of asteroids in the asteroid belt. 
C)  a gap between two specific mountain ranges collectively called Cassini on the Moon. 
D)  a major division in the rings of Saturn, seen from Earth.

Question 7

In the rings of Saturn,there are two main rings,the outer A ring and the inner B ring.How are the particles in these rings seen to move when examined (by Doppler effect of reflected sunlight)from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Particles in the A ring move more slowly than those in the B ring. 
B)  Speeds of the particles in all rings are the same because mutual gravitational forces between them ensure that they move as a solid disk. 
C)  Speeds of the particles vary because of attraction by the Sun, so A particles sometimes move faster and at other times B particles move faster. 
D)  Particles in the A ring move faster than particles in the B ring because they are farther from the planet. 
A)  Particles in the A ring move more slowly than those in the B ring. 
B)  Speeds of the particles in all rings are the same because mutual gravitational forces between them ensure that they move as a solid disk. 
C)  Speeds of the particles vary because of attraction by the Sun, so A particles sometimes move faster and at other times B particles move faster. 
D)  Particles in the A ring move faster than particles in the B ring because they are farther from the planet.

Question 8

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 9

Triton,the giant moon of Neptune,differs from all other major moons of the planets because:

Accepted Answer

A)  its orbit is very elliptical. 
B)  it orbits faster than the rotation of the planet. 
C)  it orbits in a retrograde direction, opposite to the planet's rotation. 
D)  its orbit takes it over the planet's poles. 
A)  its orbit is very elliptical. 
B)  it orbits faster than the rotation of the planet. 
C)  it orbits in a retrograde direction, opposite to the planet's rotation. 
D)  its orbit takes it over the planet's poles.

Question 10

What scientific method was first used to discover the rings around Uranus?

Accepted Answer

A)  X-ray photography from the Einstein satellite 
B)  spacecraft exploration of the planet 
C)  direct photography of the rings from Earth 
D)  occultation of a star as the planet and rings moved in front of it 
A)  X-ray photography from the Einstein satellite 
B)  spacecraft exploration of the planet 
C)  direct photography of the rings from Earth 
D)  occultation of a star as the planet and rings moved in front of it

Question 11

Uranus is tilted on its side with its rotation axis almost in the plane of its orbital motion around the Sun.As a result,seasonal variations in temperature on Uranus are:

Accepted Answer

A)  nonexistent. 
B)  much less extreme than seasonal variations in temperature on Earth. 
C)  about the same as on Earth since the degree to which the axis is tilted does not matter. 
D)  much more extreme than seasonal variations in temperature on Earth. 
A)  nonexistent. 
B)  much less extreme than seasonal variations in temperature on Earth. 
C)  about the same as on Earth since the degree to which the axis is tilted does not matter. 
D)  much more extreme than seasonal variations in temperature on Earth.

Question 12

What is the composition of Saturn's rings?

Accepted Answer

A)  particles of methane and ammonia ice 
B)  sodium and sulfur ions 
C)  small grains of rock 
D)  water ice or ice-coated rock 
A)  particles of methane and ammonia ice 
B)  sodium and sulfur ions 
C)  small grains of rock 
D)  water ice or ice-coated rock

Question 13

Which feature(s)has/have NOT been found on the surface of Titan?

Accepted Answer

A)  drifting lakes 
B)  sand-dune-like features 
C)  a high mountain range 
D)  water 
A)  drifting lakes 
B)  sand-dune-like features 
C)  a high mountain range 
D)  water

Question 14

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

Question 15

What characteristic of Saturn's satellite Titan makes it different from any other known satellite in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Titan is volcanically active. 
B)  Titan has geyserlike plumes of nitrogen gas on its surface. 
C)  Titan has a permanent and dense atmosphere. 
D)  The surface of Titan is broken into heavily cratered and lightly cratered regions in a pattern similar to plate tectonics. 
A)  Titan is volcanically active. 
B)  Titan has geyserlike plumes of nitrogen gas on its surface. 
C)  Titan has a permanent and dense atmosphere. 
D)  The surface of Titan is broken into heavily cratered and lightly cratered regions in a pattern similar to plate tectonics.

Question 16

The major constituent in the interior of Saturn is:

Accepted Answer

A)  rock. 
B)  hydrogen. 
C)  carbon dioxide. 
D)  nitrogen. 
A)  rock. 
B)  hydrogen. 
C)  carbon dioxide. 
D)  nitrogen.

Question 17

The MAJOR constituent of the atmosphere of Titan (the largest moon of Saturn)is:

Accepted Answer

A)  water vapor, H₂O. 
B)  nitrogen, N₂. 
C)  carbon dioxide, CO₂. 
D)  methane, CH₄. 
A)  water vapor, H₂O. 
B)  nitrogen, N₂. 
C)  carbon dioxide, CO₂. 
D)  methane, CH₄.

Question 18

Which is the eighth planet from the Sun (in order of increasing mean distance or semimajor axis)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Saturn 
B)  Jupiter 
C)  Neptune 
D)  Uranus 
A)  Saturn 
B)  Jupiter 
C)  Neptune 
D)  Uranus

Question 19

The rings of Saturn are seen by:

Accepted Answer

A)  emitted light from the molecules of the material of the rings, such as methane, ammonia, and water vapor. 
B)  reflected and scattered sunlight. 
C)  reflected light from Saturn because we can see them at night. 
D)  fluorescence, a glow produced by photochemistry when material is irradiated by solar UV light and/or high-speed cosmic particles. 
A)  emitted light from the molecules of the material of the rings, such as methane, ammonia, and water vapor. 
B)  reflected and scattered sunlight. 
C)  reflected light from Saturn because we can see them at night. 
D)  fluorescence, a glow produced by photochemistry when material is irradiated by solar UV light and/or high-speed cosmic particles.

Question 20

At the end of the mission of Galileo in 2003,the spacecraft was sent to burn up in the atmosphere of Jupiter.Why was it not just left floating in space?

Accepted Answer

A)  The last part of the mission was a final probe of Jupiter's atmosphere. 
B)  It was feared that Galileo might someday crash on Europa and contaminate its oceans with biological organisms from Earth. 
C)  It was feared that the new Cassini spacecraft might crash into it. 
D)  Galileo carried a nuclear reactor, and the spacecraft was destroyed to prevent possible radioactive contamination. 
A)  The last part of the mission was a final probe of Jupiter's atmosphere. 
B)  It was feared that Galileo might someday crash on Europa and contaminate its oceans with biological organisms from Earth. 
C)  It was feared that the new Cassini spacecraft might crash into it. 
D)  Galileo carried a nuclear reactor, and the spacecraft was destroyed to prevent possible radioactive contamination.

What material serves as the main electrical conductor in Jupiter's interior?

We suspect liquid water under the surface of Europa for a number of reasons.Which factor is NOT one of these reasons?

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

Saturn,like Jupiter,is composed primarily of:

How do the moons of Jupiter behave when considered in terms of the relationship between the period P and radius a of their orbits around the planet?

The Cassini division is:

In the rings of Saturn,there are two main rings,the outer A ring and the inner B ring.How are the particles in these rings seen to move when examined (by Doppler effect of reflected sunlight)from Earth?

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

Triton,the giant moon of Neptune,differs from all other major moons of the planets because:

What scientific method was first used to discover the rings around Uranus?

Uranus is tilted on its side with its rotation axis almost in the plane of its orbital motion around the Sun.As a result,seasonal variations in temperature on Uranus are:

What is the composition of Saturn's rings?

Which feature(s)has/have NOT been found on the surface of Titan?

How were the first rings of Uranus discovered?

What characteristic of Saturn's satellite Titan makes it different from any other known satellite in the solar system?

The major constituent in the interior of Saturn is:

The MAJOR constituent of the atmosphere of Titan (the largest moon of Saturn)is:

Which is the eighth planet from the Sun (in order of increasing mean distance or semimajor axis)?

The rings of Saturn are seen by:

At the end of the mission of Galileo in 2003,the spacecraft was sent to burn up in the atmosphere of Jupiter.Why was it not just left floating in space?

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

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Exam 7: The Outer Planets and Their Moons

What material serves as the main electrical conductor in Jupiter's interior?

We suspect liquid water under the surface of Europa for a number of reasons.Which factor is NOT one of these reasons?

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

Saturn,like Jupiter,is composed primarily of:

How do the moons of Jupiter behave when considered in terms of the relationship between the period P and radius a of their orbits around the planet?

The Cassini division is:

In the rings of Saturn,there are two main rings,the outer A ring and the inner B ring.How are the particles in these rings seen to move when examined (by Doppler effect of reflected sunlight)from Earth?

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

Triton,the giant moon of Neptune,differs from all other major moons of the planets because:

What scientific method was first used to discover the rings around Uranus?

Uranus is tilted on its side with its rotation axis almost in the plane of its orbital motion around the Sun.As a result,seasonal variations in temperature on Uranus are:

What is the composition of Saturn's rings?

Which feature(s)has/have NOT been found on the surface of Titan?

How were the first rings of Uranus discovered?

What characteristic of Saturn's satellite Titan makes it different from any other known satellite in the solar system?

The major constituent in the interior of Saturn is:

The MAJOR constituent of the atmosphere of Titan (the largest moon of Saturn)is:

Which is the eighth planet from the Sun (in order of increasing mean distance or semimajor axis)?

The rings of Saturn are seen by:

At the end of the mission of Galileo in 2003,the spacecraft was sent to burn up in the atmosphere of Jupiter.Why was it not just left floating in space?

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