Question 1

Compared the Galilean satellites, the larger satellites of Saturn have ____ average density.

Accepted Answer

A)  lower 
B)  higher 
C)  about the same (as the Galilean satellites)

Question 2

The low average densities of Jupiter and Saturn compared with Earth suggests __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  they are hollow 
B)  they have no solid cores 
C)  they contain large quantities of light elements, such as hydrogen and helium 
D)  they are very hot 
E)  heavier elements must be in gaseous form in their interiors

Question 3

The Great Red Spot on Jupiter is __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a large rising cloud of gas 
B)  a giant vortex that has persisted for over 300 years 
C)  a planetesimal impact site 
D)  a largo tornado sweeping the planet from north to south

Question 4

Jupiter's core is hotter than Earth's core.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The Roche limit refers to a _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  distance 
B)  force 
C)  speed 
D)  mass 
E)  density

Question 6

Neptune's blue color comes from water vapor in its upper atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The existence of auroral activity and lightning on Jupiter proves that Jupiter's atmosphere has the same chemical composition as Earth's atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

The average density of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter _____ with increasing distance from the planet.

Accepted Answer

A)  increases 
B)  decreases 
C)  does not change

Question 9

Which of the following lists the outer planets in order of increasing mass?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Why will astronauts probably never set foot on any of the Giant Planets?

Accepted Answer

A)  These planets have no solid surfaces for them to land on. 
B)  Their clouds are so hot that any spacecraft getting near it would burn up. 
C)  Their gravitational attraction is so weak that they would float off. 
D)  Astronauts will land on the Giant Planets-the idea is perfectly reasonable.

Question 11

On which of Jupiter's moons do scientists think there may exist an ocean covered with ice?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

Astronomers believe that the interior of Saturn's satellites is mostly ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  ice 
B)  rock 
C)  hydrogen and helium 
D)  iron

Question 13

Why do astronomers believe that the Jovian planets must contain rocky material in their cores?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because silicates and irons were part of the overall composition of the Solar nebula. 
B)  Because the Jovian planets have large magnetic fields. 
C)  Because the Jovian planets have large gravity. 
D)  The statement of the question is incorrect. Astronomers believe that the Jovian planets consist exclusively of hydrogen and helium.

Question 14

The rings of Saturn consist primarily of _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  hydrogen and helium 
B)  silicate rocks 
C)  water ice 
D)  methane and ammonia

Question 15

The darker-colored bands in Jupiter's atmosphere are _________.

Accepted Answer

A)  warmer than the lighter-colored bands 
B)  lower in altitude than the lighter-colored bands 
C)  transparent, relative to the lighter-colored bands 
D)  moving downward 
E)  All of these choices are correct.

Question 16

What are the rings of Saturn made of?

Accepted Answer

A)  chunks composed of water, ice, and carbon compounds 
B)  a huge sheet of ice 
C)  helium droplets 
D)  small fragments of dust

Question 17

Uranus completes an orbit around the Sun every 84 years and spins once every 17 hours, approximately. Which of the following could be observed from the planet Uranus?

Accepted Answer

A)  season cycle of 84 years near the poles 
B)  one sunrise every 17 hours on the equator 
C)  days lasting several years near the pole tipped toward the Sun 
D)  nights lasting several years near the pole tipped away from the Sun 
E)  All of these choices are correct.

Question 18

Compared to Uranus, Neptune has a smaller diameter and more mass. What can we conclude from this comparison?

Accepted Answer

A)  Neptune has higher average density than Uranus. 
B)  Uranus has higher average density than Neptune. 
C)  Uranus spins faster and therefore has a larger diameter. 
D)  The statement of the question is incorrect. Uranus is larger and has more mass than Neptune.

Question 19

Which of the following statements comparing Uranus and Neptune is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Uranus has larger diameter and Neptune has more mass. 
B)  Uranus has larger diameter and more mass. 
C)  Neptune has larger diameter and smaller mass. 
D)  Neptune has larger diameter and more mass.

Question 20

What makes some astronomers think that Uranus was hit by a large body early in its history?

Accepted Answer

A)  It goes around the Sun in a direction opposite to the other planets. 
B)  Its rotation axis has such a large tilt with respect to its orbit. 
C)  Its composition is so different from those of Neptune, Jupiter, and Saturn. 
D)  It has no moons. 
E)  All of these choices are correct.

Exam 10: The Outer Planets

Compared the Galilean satellites, the larger satellites of Saturn have ____ average density.

The low average densities of Jupiter and Saturn compared with Earth suggests __________.

The Great Red Spot on Jupiter is __________.

Jupiter's core is hotter than Earth's core.

The Roche limit refers to a _____.

Neptune's blue color comes from water vapor in its upper atmosphere.

The existence of auroral activity and lightning on Jupiter proves that Jupiter's atmosphere has the same chemical composition as Earth's atmosphere.

The average density of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter _____ with increasing distance from the planet.

Which of the following lists the outer planets in order of increasing mass?

Why will astronauts probably never set foot on any of the Giant Planets?

On which of Jupiter's moons do scientists think there may exist an ocean covered with ice?

Astronomers believe that the interior of Saturn's satellites is mostly ____.

Why do astronomers believe that the Jovian planets must contain rocky material in their cores?

The rings of Saturn consist primarily of _____.

The darker-colored bands in Jupiter's atmosphere are _________.

What are the rings of Saturn made of?

Uranus completes an orbit around the Sun every 84 years and spins once every 17 hours, approximately. Which of the following could be observed from the planet Uranus?

Compared to Uranus, Neptune has a smaller diameter and more mass. What can we conclude from this comparison?

Which of the following statements comparing Uranus and Neptune is correct?

What makes some astronomers think that Uranus was hit by a large body early in its history?