Question 1

The MOST probable theory for the formation of the solar system is:

Accepted Answer

A)   an encounter in which a passing star ripped off material from the Sun to form the planets.
B)   a capture theory in which the Sun, after formation, captured objects moving through space to form the planets.
C)   the condensation of a nebula of cold gas and dust into the Sun and planets.
D)   the condensation of a nebula of hot gas into the Sun and planets.

Question 2

What is the Kuiper belt?

Accepted Answer

A)   a band of dust in the plane of the ecliptic, extending from near the orbit of Mars to beyond the orbit of Pluto
B)   the broadest band of asteroids in the asteroid belt, separated from other bands by Kirkwood gaps
C)   the relatively flat distribution of objects in the plane of the ecliptic, extending from around the orbit of Pluto out to about 50 AU from the Sun
D)   the approximate spherical distribution of comets centered on the Sun and extending out to about 50,000 AU

Question 3

Evidence of extensive cratering can be seen on most bodies in the inner solar system.Two bodies,however,have surfaces that are continually reformed by geologic processes.These bodies are:

Accepted Answer

A)   Earth and Mars.
B)   Mercury and the Moon.
C)   Venus and Earth.
D)   Earth and the Moon.

Question 4

The MOST probable process for the formation or acquisition of the planets of the Sun is the:

Accepted Answer

A)   capture of planets from outer space by gravity.
B)   relatively slow growth of smaller objects by collisions and mutual gravitational attraction.
C)   freezing of immense gas clouds by the cold temperature of space.
D)   breakup by tidal distortion of a single large companion body to the Sun.

Question 5

What fraction of the mass of the universe is in the form of atoms other than hydrogen and helium?

Accepted Answer

A)   10%
B)   much less than 1%
C)   2%
D)   50%

Question 6

Suppose that observers using the Hubble Space Telescope detect around several solar-type stars the presence of planets with the following characteristics: low density,large size,fluid surfaces,rapid rotation.How would these planets be classified in terms of our solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)   asteroids
B)   comet nuclei
C)   terrestrial planets
D)   Jovian planets

Question 7

In the solar system,what is the snow line?

Accepted Answer

A)   either one of a pair of lines on any planet, parallel to its equator, between which snow is never found
B)   a boundary in the solar system such that ices of water, carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia are found only outside of this line (i.e., farther from the Sun) 
C)   a boundary in the solar system such that all fluids outside of this line (i.e., farther from the Sun)  must be frozen
D)   a boundary within the asteroid belt that divides the asteroids into those composed of rock and those composed of ice

Question 8

A gas and dust cloud that is unstable and will collapse is characterized by all the factors EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)   low temperature
B)   rapid internal motion
C)   low pressure
D)   high density

Question 9

In our solar system,which planet is a member of the terrestrial group?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

The asteroid belt is made up of:

Accepted Answer

A)   irregularly shaped bodies composed primarily of ices.
B)   several planet-sized objects with dense methane atmospheres.
C)   large, rocky bodies typically about the size of our Moon.
D)   rocky bodies with diameters ranging from less than a kilometer to hundreds of kilometers.

Question 11

Which object might be classified as a small solar system body?

Accepted Answer

A)   a small planet
B)   a small asteroid
C)   a particle in a ring system
D)   a moon of a planet

Question 12

The low average density of the large outer planets,which have high masses and hence high gravitational fields,is an indication of what fact about their interiors?

Accepted Answer

A)   The large, outer planets have hot, gaseous interiors, similar to the interiors of cool stars.
B)   The interiors of the large, outer planets are composed of water, methane, and ammonia.
C)   The large, outer planets are composed mainly of very light elements, such as hydrogen and helium.
D)   The interiors of the large, outer planets have not been condensed to liquid or solid form. C

Question 13

The universe contains about ten times as many hydrogen atoms as helium atoms,but a helium atom has four times the mass of a hydrogen atom.What is the approximate ratio of the universe's hydrogen to helium by mass?

Accepted Answer

A)   2.5 to 1
B)   10 to 1
C)   4 to 1
D)   1 to 4

Question 14

What is the basic difference between comets and asteroids?

Accepted Answer

A)   Comets always move in open orbits around the Sun and hence visit the Sun only once in their lifetime, whereas asteroids move in closed orbits.
B)   Comets always emit their own light, whereas asteroids only reflect sunlight.
C)   Comets are spherical, whereas asteroids are mostly irregular in shape.
D)   Comets are mostly composed of ices, whereas asteroids are mainly composed of rocks.

Question 15

Which planet is the largest in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Most of the weight of our bodies comes from heavy elements such as carbon and oxygen.This fact immediately tells us that:

Accepted Answer

A)   our bodies have converted the original hydrogen and helium into heavier elements.
B)   the Big Bang model of the universe must be wrong.
C)   the solar system did not form directly from the material created by the Big Bang.
D)   the Big Bang created elements unevenly because the Sun, unlike our bodies, is mostly hydrogen and helium.

Question 17

At what point in time do we say that the protosun became the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)   when thermonuclear fusion reactions began at its center
B)   when it became hot enough to emit light and heat
C)   when the temperature began to rise at its center
D)   when planetary formation was complete A

Question 18

The timescale over which material in the solar nebula accreted to form planets was about _____ years.

Accepted Answer

A)   100 million
B)   4.6 million
C)   4.6 billion
D)   100,000

Question 19

The LARGEST of the terrestrial planets is:

Accepted Answer

A)   Venus.
B)   Earth.
C)   Mars.
D)   Jupiter.

Question 20

Hydrogen and helium together account for what percentage of the total mass of all the matter in the universe?

Accepted Answer

A)   90%
B)   98%
C)   75%
D)   about 50%

Exam 4: Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

The MOST probable theory for the formation of the solar system is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the Kuiper belt?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Evidence of extensive cratering can be seen on most bodies in the inner solar system.Two bodies,however,have surfaces that are continually reformed by geologic processes.These bodies are:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The MOST probable process for the formation or acquisition of the planets of the Sun is the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What fraction of the mass of the universe is in the form of atoms other than hydrogen and helium?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Suppose that observers using the Hubble Space Telescope detect around several solar-type stars the presence of planets with the following characteristics: low density,large size,fluid surfaces,rapid rotation.How would these planets be classified in terms of our solar system?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In the solar system,what is the snow line?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A gas and dust cloud that is unstable and will collapse is characterized by all the factors EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In our solar system,which planet is a member of the terrestrial group?

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The asteroid belt is made up of:

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Which object might be classified as a small solar system body?

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The low average density of the large outer planets,which have high masses and hence high gravitational fields,is an indication of what fact about their interiors?

Correct AnswerverifiedC

The universe contains about ten times as many hydrogen atoms as helium atoms,but a helium atom has four times the mass of a hydrogen atom.What is the approximate ratio of the universe's hydrogen to helium by mass?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the basic difference between comets and asteroids?

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Which planet is the largest in our solar system?

Correct AnswerverifiedB

Most of the weight of our bodies comes from heavy elements such as carbon and oxygen.This fact immediately tells us that:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

At what point in time do we say that the protosun became the Sun?

Correct AnswerverifiedA

The timescale over which material in the solar nebula accreted to form planets was about _____ years.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The LARGEST of the terrestrial planets is:

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Hydrogen and helium together account for what percentage of the total mass of all the matter in the universe?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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C

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