Question 1

What role did solar radiation play in the loss of Mars's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

The ultraviolet from the Sun s...

Question 2

Mars's magnetic field is so weak because:

Accepted Answer

A)  it spins much slower than Earth does.
B)  its core may no longer be molten.
C)  its core contains less iron than our own.
D)  All of the above are correct.
E)  Both B and C are probable.

Question 3

The main constituent of the Martian atmosphere is:

Accepted Answer

A)  hydrogen.
B)  helium.
C)  methane.
D)  carbon dioxide.
E)  nitrogen.

Question 4

Why does Mars appear red from Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

The soil on Mars contains larg...

Question 5

Evidence for a permafrost layer of ice just a few meters below the surface of Mars include:

Accepted Answer

A)  outflow channels and ancient river deltas.
B)  "hydrated" chemical compounds found on surface rocks.
C)  carbonate rock layers that are in low abundance.
D)  "fluidized ejecta" craters.
E)  river channels and flood plains that look identical to such features on Earth.

Question 6

Evidence of liquid water in Mars's distant past suggests that it had a substantial atmospherecompared to what it has presently. What happened to its water vapor?

Accepted Answer

A)  The carbon dioxide in its atmosphere dissolved in the water and combined with surface rocks.
B)  Its atmosphere was mostly hydrogen and helium. Mars's gravity is too weak to hold them.
C)  The water vapor has frozen out into the polar ice caps and permafrost as Mars has cooled.
D)  Mars initially had such a large greenhouse effect that the atmosphere became quite hot andslowly escaped.
E)  It has now all been lost in space, including the carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Question 7

Seasonal changes in the darker surface features of Mars are due to ________ and ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Seasonal changes in the darker surface features...

Question 8

Where is most of the water on Mars believed to be?

Accepted Answer

In the polar caps an...

Question 9

The most striking valley in the solar system is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
B)  Gwenivere on Venus.
C)  the Discovery Scarp of Mercury.
D)  Valles Marineris on Mars.
E)  Valhalla on Callisto.

Question 10

The Earth's orbital eccentricity does not play a major role in our seasons, for perihelion occursin January. Is this true on Mars also?

Accepted Answer

No, the more eccentric orbit of Mars mea...

Question 11

The difference between the Grand Canyon and the Valles Marineris is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Grand Canyon was formed by water.
B)  the Valles Marineris is much larger than the Grand Canyon.
C)  the Valles Marineris has tectonic features surrounding it.
D)  the Valles Marineris has craters in and around it.
E)  all of the above.

Question 12

The magnetic field of Mars was first detected by the Mars Global Surveyor.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The low surface gravity helps Martian volcanoes grow to great heights.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

It used to be thought that both of Mars's moons were captured asteroids. Information fromMars Express and Mars Global Surveyor has led to the conclusion that Phobos may have formedby a different process. Briefly describe that process.

Accepted Answer

Phobos may have form...

Question 15

Olympus Mons is the tallest (volcanic)mountain in the entire solar system. Explain how Marscan have mountains taller than the ones on Earth.

Accepted Answer

Due to Mars's smaller mass and...

Question 16

Mars appears red due to ________ on its surface.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mars appears red due to ________ on...

Question 17

The NASA mission(s) that landed on Mars in 1976 was (were) the:

Accepted Answer

A)  Voyagers.
B)  Magellan lander.
C)  Vikings 1 and 2.
D)  Venera 14.
E)  Galileo probe.

Question 18

The polar caps and dust storms of Mars can be seen with Earth-based amateur telescopes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Mars is often called a "midway world," similar in some respects to Earth, and in others to ourMoon. Explain.

Accepted Answer

Like our Moon, much of Mars is ancient c...

Question 20

The large canyon of Mars, Valles Marineris, is a(n)________ produced when the entireTharsis region bulged outward causing the surface to split.

Accepted Answer

rift valle...

Exam 10: Mars: a Near Miss for Life

Mars is often called a "midway world," similar in some respects to Earth, and in others to ourMoon. Explain.

Correct AnswerverifiedLike our Moon, much of Mars is ancient c...View AnswerShow Answer

The Earth's orbital eccentricity does not play a major role in our seasons, for perihelion occursin January. Is this true on Mars also?

Correct AnswerverifiedNo, the more eccentric orbit of Mars mea...View AnswerShow Answer

Seasonal changes in the darker surface features of Mars are due to ________ and ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The NASA mission(s) that landed on Mars in 1976 was (were) the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The polar caps and dust storms of Mars can be seen with Earth-based amateur telescopes.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Where is most of the water on Mars believed to be?

Correct AnswerverifiedIn the polar caps an...View AnswerShow Answer

Evidence for a permafrost layer of ice just a few meters below the surface of Mars include:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Evidence of liquid water in Mars's distant past suggests that it had a substantial atmospherecompared to what it has presently. What happened to its water vapor?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

It used to be thought that both of Mars's moons were captured asteroids. Information fromMars Express and Mars Global Surveyor has led to the conclusion that Phobos may have formedby a different process. Briefly describe that process.

Correct AnswerverifiedPhobos may have form...View AnswerShow Answer

Olympus Mons is the tallest (volcanic)mountain in the entire solar system. Explain how Marscan have mountains taller than the ones on Earth.

Correct AnswerverifiedDue to Mars's smaller mass and...View AnswerShow Answer

The magnetic field of Mars was first detected by the Mars Global Surveyor.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The difference between the Grand Canyon and the Valles Marineris is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The main constituent of the Martian atmosphere is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why does Mars appear red from Earth's surface?

Correct AnswerverifiedThe soil on Mars contains larg...View AnswerShow Answer

The large canyon of Mars, Valles Marineris, is a(n)________ produced when the entireTharsis region bulged outward causing the surface to split.

Correct Answerverifiedrift valle...View AnswerShow Answer

What role did solar radiation play in the loss of Mars's atmosphere?

Correct AnswerverifiedThe ultraviolet from the Sun s...View AnswerShow Answer

Mars appears red due to ________ on its surface.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The most striking valley in the solar system is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Mars's magnetic field is so weak because:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The low surface gravity helps Martian volcanoes grow to great heights.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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Like our Moon, much of Mars is ancient c...
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No, the more eccentric orbit of Mars mea...
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Seasonal changes in the darker surface features of Mars are due to and .

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In the polar caps an...
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Phobos may have form...
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Due to Mars's smaller mass and...
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The soil on Mars contains larg...
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rift valle...
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The ultraviolet from the Sun s...
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