Mercury and Venus Quiz

Which planet is the closest to the Sun?

• Venus

• Earth

• Mars

• Mercury

What is unusual about Mercury's orbit compared to other planets?

• It is perfectly circular

• It is the most elliptical

• It is the least elliptical

• It does not orbit the Sun

Mercury is locked into a ___ spin-orbit resonance, where it rotates three times on its axis for every two orbits around the sun.

• 1:1

• 2:3

• 3:2

• 1:2

What unique phenomenon can be observed from the right spot on Mercury's surface due to its spin-orbit relationship?

• The Sun appears to rise twice in one day.

• The Sun appears to stop in the sky and move backwards for a few days.

• The Sun sets in the east instead of the west.

• The Sun never sets or rises.

What are the craters on Mercury named after?

• Scientists

• Politicians

• Artists

• Astronomers

What is unusual about Mercury's magnetic field?

• It is extremely weak compared to Earth's.

• It is stronger than Earth's despite Mercury's slow rotation.

• It is surprising because of Mercury's slow rotation.

• It changes direction every few years.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-3

What forms the long comet-like tail that Mercury has?

• Its atmosphere being stripped away by the solar wind.

• Material flung up from the surface after impacts from comets and asteroids.

• Gases emitted from Mercury's volcanic activity.

• The interaction of Mercury's magnetic field with the solar wind.

How do impacts on Mercury compare to those on Earth?

• They are less violent because Mercury has weaker gravity.

• They are more violent because Mercury is closer to the Sun.

• They are the same as on Earth.

• They are more violent because Mercury has a stronger magnetic field.

Why do temperatures in the deep craters near Mercury's poles never get above -170°C?

• Because these craters are always exposed to sunlight.

• Because these craters are shielded from asteroids and comets.

• Because these craters are located in areas where sunlight never reaches.

• Because of Mercury's overall low temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What is it called when Venus passes directly across the Sun's face, as seen from Earth?

• A solar eclipse

• A lunar eclipse

• A Venus transit

• A Venus eclipse

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1