Planetary Science Quiz

This planet has the densest composition overall.

• Mercury

• Venus

• Earth

• Mars

Which planet closely matches Earth in size & composition?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Mars

• Neptune

Mercury has a much larger ___ compared to Earth's moon's.

• Atmosphere

• core

• thicker crust

• polar ice cap

Today, all of the carbon dioxide (CO2) on Venus is located almost entirely in the

• Oceans

• crust

• mantle

• atmosphere

How often do transit pairs happen with Venus?

• every 10 years

• ever 4 years

• every 8 years

• every 6 years

Venus has a level of plate tectonic activity (compared to Earth) that is

• a little less.

• very comparable.

• a little more.

• virtually non-existent.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Why can't astronomers directly study the surface of Venus?

• too many active volcanoes

• the surface is permanently obscured by thick clouds

• the surface is just way too hot

• there is no surface on Venus

• All of the above

Mercury most likely cooled faster (than say Mars) because

• it was smaller.

• plate tectonics took over.

• it was/is larger than the Moon.

• it is/was denser.

One of the many discoveries of the recent MESSENGER space probe to Mercury included

• spider-shaped impact basins.

• Water and ice at the poles.

• strange alien bases on the far-side.

• active volcanoes & a shrinking core.

Venus' atmospheric temperature is even hotter (on average) than Mercury's.

• True

• False