Online Quiz 1

Question 1

The hypothesis that explains the formation of the solar system is referred to as the..

Answer 1

Nebular hypothesis

Question 2

Under intense pressure and high temperature, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium. This process is called..

Answer 2

Nuclear fusion

Question 3

According to the nebular hypothesis, the inner planets are dense and rocky because:

Answer 3

The lighter gases were blown away by the suns radiation

Question 4

What caused dust and condensing material to accrete into planetesimals?

Answer 4

Gravitational attraction and collisions

Question 5

The four inner planets are

Answer 5

Small, rocky, and relatively lacking in volatile elements

Question 6

Nebulae are composed primarily of which elements?

Answer 6

Hydrogen and helium

Question 7

Which planet is not one of the giant outer planets?

Answer 7

Pluto

Question 8

The giant outer planets are composed mostly of

Answer 8

Hydrogen and helium

Question 9

What is the process by which an originally homogenous Earth developed a dense core and a light crust?

Answer 9

Differentiation

Question 10

The heat that caused melting in Earth’s early history was supplied by?

Answer 10

A large impact event and radioactivity

Question 11

The effect of the collision of a large Mars-sized body with the Earth about 4.5Ga caused..

Answer 11

A magma ocean to form at Earth’s surface, Earths speed of rotation to increase, and Earths spin axis to tilt

Question 12

Evidence that Mars once had water includes:

Answer 12

Dry river beds and valleys

Question 13

Mars has liquid water and a corrosive atmosphere

Answer 13

False

Question 14

Which solar system body is least likely to have water ice on its surface?

Answer 14

Venus

Question 15

The asteroid belt lies between which two planets?

Answer 15

Mars and Jupiter

Question 16

Mercurys thin atmosphere is composed mostly of?

Answer 16

Oxygen

Question 17

Which planet is surrounded by a hot atmosphere composed of CO2 and clouds of sulfuric acid?

Answer 17

Venus

Question 18

Which planet is closest to Earths size?

Answer 18

Venus

Question 19

Mars atmosphere is composed of?

Answer 19

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Question 20

The time in early solar system history when there were numerous crater-forming impacts known as..

Answer 20

Heavy bombardment

Question 21

The light-colored regions visible on the moons surface correspond to

Answer 21

Lunar highlands

Question 22

The dark regions visible on the moons surface correspond to

Answer 22

Lunar Maria

Question 23

What kind of rocks are found in the lunar Maria?

Answer 23

Basalt

Question 24

Which planet had shield volcanoes?

Answer 24

Earth, Mars, and Venus

Question 25

Venus’ unique surface is thought to have formed through a process of vigorous mantle connection, volcanic activity, and crustal stretching referred to as

Answer 25

Flake tectonics

Question 26

The tallest volcano in the solar system is found on

Answer 26

Mars

Question 27

The longest and deepest canyon in the solar system is called

Answer 27

Valles Marineris

Question 28

Water is present on Mars as..

Answer 28

Polar ice caps

Question 29

The only other planet in the solar system that is thought to be tectonically active

Answer 29

Venus

Question 30

What is an accepted explanation of the moons origin?

Answer 30

It formed when a mars-sized object collided with Earth (collision theory)

Question 31

Which ingredient is considered vital for the emergence of life on any given planet?

Answer 31

Liquid water

Question 32

All planets have moons

Answer 32

False