Question 1

Which physical properties of Venus are very similar in value to those of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)   mass and radius and hence average density and surface gravity
B)   rotation rate around its axis and length of solar day
C)   temperatures of surface and atmosphere
D)   magnetic field and magnetosphereE) C) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 2

The Martian magnetic field is apparently created by:

Accepted Answer

A)   the interaction of the solar wind with the Martian ionosphere.
B)   permanent magnetism in the solidified core.
C)   permanent magnetism in the crust.
D)   electric currents in the molten, metallic core.E) All of the above
F) A) and D)

Question 3

Experiments carried out to detect life on another world were performed by the:

Accepted Answer

A)   Apollo astronauts.
B)   Venera landers.
C)   Galileo spacecraft.
D)   Viking landers.E) B) and D)
F) C) and D)

Question 4

The crust and the upper layer of the mantle,together,are called the:

Accepted Answer

A)   magnetosphere.
B)   magmasphere.
C)   lithosphere.
D)   troposphere.E) A) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 5

All the boundaries of the major interacting tectonic plates on Earth's surface are coincident with:

Accepted Answer

A)   regions of great biological activity and growth.
B)   regions where ocean depths are greatest.
C)   the edges of the continental shelves around the major continents.
D)   the positions of maximum earthquake occurrence.E) All of the above
F) C) and D)

Question 6

A major feature of the atmosphere of Mars is:

Accepted Answer

A)   very dense clouds shrouding most of the planet.
B)   very high temperatures and pressures.
C)   occasional strong winds and dust storms.
D)   a chemical mixture very similar to that of Earth.E) None of the above
F) A) and C)

Question 7

Compared with the orbital distance of Earth from the Sun,the equivalent orbital distances for the outer planets are _____ times greater.

Accepted Answer

A)   between 2 and 20
B)   more than 10
C)   between 2 and 5
D)   more than 5E) None of the above
F) A) and C)

Question 8

Which statement is a CORRECT description of the Moon's orbit?

Accepted Answer

A)   The Moon is gradually spiraling away from Earth.
B)   The Moon's distance from Earth increases and decreases cyclically once every 26,000 years.
C)   The Moon is gradually spiraling toward Earth.
D)   The Moon's distance from Earth remains constant from year to year, on average.E) A) and B)
F) None of the above

Question 9

The Martian magnetic field is:

Accepted Answer

A)   nonexistent-no spacecraft has ever detected a magnetic field on Mars.
B)   much stronger and more extensive than Earth's magnetic field.
C)   weak and localized, not at all like the global magnetic field of Earth.
D)   comparable to Earth's magnetic field.E) A) and B)
F) A) and D)

Question 10

The type of rock of which the lunar maria are composed is:

Accepted Answer

A)   basalt.
B)   limestone.
C)   anorthosite.
D)   granite.E) All of the above
F) C) and D) A

Question 11

Which kind of material is NOT found on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)   basalt
B)   anothosite
C)   limestone
D)   regolithE) A) and C)
F) None of the above

Question 12

Radar observations are used from Venus-orbiting spacecraft to evaluate mountain heights by measuring the time difference between echoes from mountain peaks and from the surrounding plains.In this technique,what would be the time difference for signals reflected from Maxwell Montes,which rises 12 km above the plain? (Think about the geometry and total path length.)

Accepted Answer

A)   80 ns, or 8 × 10-⁸ s
B)   800 ns, or 8 × 10-⁷ s
C)   80 ms, or 8 × 10-² s
D)   80 µs, or 8 × 10-⁵ sE) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 13

In what way was the production of the major volcanoes on Mars similar to the production of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)   The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by the collision of an oceanic plate with a continental plate.
B)   The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by hot-spot volcanism resulting from the upflow of heat from below.
C)   The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by upwelling magma along a boundary where two plates are separating.
D)   The major volcanoes on Mars and the Hawaiian Islands were both produced by shattering of the crust by a major impact and the consequent release of subsurface magma.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 14

The molecular oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere was most probably produced:

Accepted Answer

A)   at the formation of Earth and has always been present.
B)   from volcanic eruptions as the primitive Earth cooled down.
C)   from volcanoes, by out-gassing.
D)   by biological activity such as photosynthesis from living things.E) A) and C)
F) None of the above

Question 15

Which event would NOT be a consequence of the destruction of the ozone layer on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)   large-scale (perhaps total)  destruction of life on Earth
B)   large-scale freezing of the oceans
C)   a drastic increase in ultraviolet radiation at Earth's surface
D)   the elimination of the rise in temperature in the stratosphereE) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 16

Which technique is the primary one used by geologists and geophysicists to probe the structure of Earth's core and mantle?

Accepted Answer

A)   X-ray analysis from satellites
B)   extrapolation of surface features (e.g., mountain chains)  into the deep interior
C)   direct sampling of interior rock by deep drilling through the ocean floor
D)   study of the deflection of seismic waves from earthquakesE) B) and C)
F) A) and C) D

Question 17

Spacecraft measurements indicate that the surface of Venus is dominated by:

Accepted Answer

A)   sandstone, a sedimentary rock formed on Venus by sand grains deposited by wind.
B)   granite, a plutonic rock formed when lava solidifies deep below the surface.
C)   basalt, a volcanic rock formed when lava solidifies on the surface.
D)   schist, a metamorphic rock formed by the deformation of other rocks by pressure and heat.E) A) and C)
F) A) and B) C

Question 18

What process created the lunar regolith?

Accepted Answer

A)   successive cracking and shattering of lunar rocks by very rapid and extreme temperature changes throughout the Moon's history
B)   cracking and pulverizing by meteoric bombardment
C)   billions of years of the alternating freezing and thawing of subsurface water
D)   continuous erosion by charged particles in the solar windE) A) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 19

Does Earth's gravity raise tides on the Moon today?

Accepted Answer

A)   No. The Moon has now moved beyond the reach of Earth's gravity.
B)   No. Since the Moon is now in a synchronous orbit, Earth's gravity can no longer raise tides.
C)   Yes. Tides can be raised in the molten core (if it exists)  and in the plastic mantle.
D)   Yes. In fact, it is the monthly deformation of the Moon's shape by tides that allows us to see more than 50% of the Moon's surface.E) None of the above
F) A) and D)

Question 20

Which is the lowest layer in Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)   the thermosphere
B)   the magnetosphere
C)   the troposphere
D)   the stratosphereE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Exam 6: The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

Which physical properties of Venus are very similar in value to those of Earth?

Correct Answer
verified

The Martian magnetic field is apparently created by:

Correct Answer
verified

Experiments carried out to detect life on another world were performed by the:

Correct Answer
verified

The crust and the upper layer of the mantle,together,are called the:

Correct Answer
verified

All the boundaries of the major interacting tectonic plates on Earth's surface are coincident with:

Correct Answer
verified

A major feature of the atmosphere of Mars is:

Correct Answer
verified

Compared with the orbital distance of Earth from the Sun,the equivalent orbital distances for the outer planets are _____ times greater.

Correct Answer
verified

Which statement is a CORRECT description of the Moon's orbit?

Correct Answer
verified

The Martian magnetic field is:

Correct Answer
verified

The type of rock of which the lunar maria are composed is:

Correct Answer
verified
A

Which kind of material is NOT found on the Moon?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

In what way was the production of the major volcanoes on Mars similar to the production of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth?

Correct Answer
verified

The molecular oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere was most probably produced:

Correct Answer
verified

Which event would NOT be a consequence of the destruction of the ozone layer on Earth?

Correct Answer
verified

Which technique is the primary one used by geologists and geophysicists to probe the structure of Earth's core and mantle?

Correct Answer
verified
D

Spacecraft measurements indicate that the surface of Venus is dominated by:

Correct Answer
verified
C

What process created the lunar regolith?

Correct Answer
verified

Does Earth's gravity raise tides on the Moon today?

Correct Answer
verified

Which is the lowest layer in Earth's atmosphere?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 6: The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

Which physical properties of Venus are very similar in value to those of Earth?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Martian magnetic field is apparently created by:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Experiments carried out to detect life on another world were performed by the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The crust and the upper layer of the mantle,together,are called the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

All the boundaries of the major interacting tectonic plates on Earth's surface are coincident with:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A major feature of the atmosphere of Mars is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Compared with the orbital distance of Earth from the Sun,the equivalent orbital distances for the outer planets are _____ times greater.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which statement is a CORRECT description of the Moon's orbit?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Martian magnetic field is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The type of rock of which the lunar maria are composed is:

Correct AnswerverifiedA

Which kind of material is NOT found on the Moon?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In what way was the production of the major volcanoes on Mars similar to the production of the Hawaiian Islands on Earth?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The molecular oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere was most probably produced:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which event would NOT be a consequence of the destruction of the ozone layer on Earth?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which technique is the primary one used by geologists and geophysicists to probe the structure of Earth's core and mantle?

Correct AnswerverifiedD

Spacecraft measurements indicate that the surface of Venus is dominated by:

Correct AnswerverifiedC

What process created the lunar regolith?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Does Earth's gravity raise tides on the Moon today?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which is the lowest layer in Earth's atmosphere?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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A

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D

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C

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