Question 1

The masses of all the planets combined is about 1% of that of the Sun.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Mercury's most unusual orbital feature,as compared to the other planets,is:

Accepted Answer

A)   the size of its orbit.
B)   the shape of its orbit.
C)   its orbital period.
D)   the size of the planet.
E)   that it has no moons.

Question 3

As a rotating gas cloud contracts,it spins:

Accepted Answer

A)   faster due to an increase in angular momentum.
B)   slower due to a decrease in angular momentum.
C)   at a constant rate.
D)   faster due to conservation of angular momentum.
E)   slower due to conservation of angular momentum.

Question 4

The largest asteroid,and probably the only one to be a spherical "world," is:

Accepted Answer

A)   Eros.
B)   Ida.
C)   Vesta.
D)   Ceres.
E)   Gaspra.

Question 5

Most of the angular momentum of the solar system is found in the ________.

Accepted Answer

orbits of ...

Question 6

Name several characteristics the orbits of the eight planets share.

Accepted Answer

All orbit in almost circular orbits of l...

Question 7

The moons of the jovian planets formed by which two processes?

Accepted Answer

A)   accretion and collisions
B)   capture and collisions
C)   collisions and differentiation
D)   accretion and capture
E)   differentiation and capture

Question 8

Explain the stage in which the solar system formed pretty much in a plane.

Accepted Answer

The flat shape of the solar sy...

Question 9

A planet's sidereal orbital period can be measured from repeated observations of its location in the sky (so long as Earth's own motion around the Sun is properly taken into account).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

In composition and density,the asteroids most resemble:

Accepted Answer

A)   comets.
B)   the Sun.
C)   jovian moons.
D)   pieces of terrestrial planets.
E)   Kuiper Belt objects like Pluto.

Question 11

Which planet by itself contains the majority of mass of all the planets?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

Astronomers have not yet been able to detect planets outside our solar system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

In addition to revolving around the Sun counterclockwise,most planets also rotate on their axis counterclockwise.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

While most large moons orbit counterclockwise above their planets' equators,the smaller moons often show eccentric or even retrograde orbits,suggesting capture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The "Grand Tour" of all four jovians was conducted by:

Accepted Answer

A)   Galileo.
B)   Cassini.
C)   Pioneer 11.
D)   Voyager 1 and 2 both.
E)   Voyager 2.

Question 16

The most detailed look we've had of an asteroid comes from:

Accepted Answer

A)   spacecraft sent to an asteroid.
B)   ground based optical images.
C)   Earth orbital X-ray images.
D)   ground based radar images.
E)   high-altitude UV spectroscopy.

Question 17

Comets that we can see originate in the ________ and ________.

Accepted Answer

Kuiper Bel...

Question 18

Explain the effect angular momentum has on a gas cloud as it contracts.

Accepted Answer

Angular momentum must be conserved.As th...

Question 19

In general,the surfaces of the planets will be ________ than the age of the solar system.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In general,the surfaces of the planets will...

Question 20

Which statement about the motion of the planets is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

A)   Most orbit above the Sun's equator.
B)   All revolutions of major planets are counterclockwise.
C)   The orbits of most planets are almost circular, with low eccentricities.
D)   Most planets move in the Earth's equatorial plane.
E)   Most planets rotate in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the North.

Exam 6: The Solar System: Comparative Planetology and Formation Models

A planet's sidereal orbital period can be measured from repeated observations of its location in the sky (so long as Earth's own motion around the Sun is properly taken into account).

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In addition to revolving around the Sun counterclockwise,most planets also rotate on their axis counterclockwise.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Most of the angular momentum of the solar system is found in the ________.

Correct Answerverifiedorbits of ...View AnswerShow Answer

Astronomers have not yet been able to detect planets outside our solar system.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Name several characteristics the orbits of the eight planets share.

Correct AnswerverifiedAll orbit in almost circular orbits of l...View AnswerShow Answer

The largest asteroid,and probably the only one to be a spherical "world," is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which planet by itself contains the majority of mass of all the planets?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Comets that we can see originate in the ________ and ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedKuiper Bel...View AnswerShow Answer

The masses of all the planets combined is about 1% of that of the Sun.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The moons of the jovian planets formed by which two processes?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

As a rotating gas cloud contracts,it spins:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Explain the effect angular momentum has on a gas cloud as it contracts.

Correct AnswerverifiedAngular momentum must be conserved.As th...View AnswerShow Answer

In composition and density,the asteroids most resemble:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In general,the surfaces of the planets will be ________ than the age of the solar system.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Mercury's most unusual orbital feature,as compared to the other planets,is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The "Grand Tour" of all four jovians was conducted by:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Explain the stage in which the solar system formed pretty much in a plane.

Correct AnswerverifiedThe flat shape of the solar sy...View AnswerShow Answer

Which statement about the motion of the planets is incorrect?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The most detailed look we've had of an asteroid comes from:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

While most large moons orbit counterclockwise above their planets' equators,the smaller moons often show eccentric or even retrograde orbits,suggesting capture.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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orbits of ...
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All orbit in almost circular orbits of l...
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Correct Answer
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Comets that we can see originate in the and .

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Kuiper Bel...
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Angular momentum must be conserved.As th...
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Correct Answer
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The flat shape of the solar sy...
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Correct Answer
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