Introduction to Our Solar System and The Sun

Based on the Sun’s physical properties, which combination is accurate?

• Diameter about 1.4 million km; surface temperature around 5,500°C; mainly hydrogen and helium.

• Diameter about 4,880 km; surface temperature around 430°C; no atmosphere.

• Diameter 109 times Earth’s diameter; rotates every 59 Earth days; composed of rock and iron.

• Diameter similar to Earth; surface temperature 9,940°F; composed mainly of oxygen.

Mercury’s location and movement can be inferred to cause which observed feature?

• Dense atmosphere with mild temperatures.

• Heavily cratered surface and extreme temperature swings due to its proximity to the Sun and lack of atmosphere.

• Rapid rotation that shortens its day-night cycle to hours.

• Abundant liquid water because it orbits far from the Sun.

Earth’s atmosphere is primarily made of which two gases in the approximate percentages provided?

• Nitrogen 78% and oxygen 21%

• Carbon dioxide 60% and nitrogen 30%

• Oxygen 50% and nitrogen 49%

• Methane 40% and oxygen 40%

Which statement best explains why Earth experiences seasons according to the material?

• Earth’s distance from the Sun changes dramatically during its orbit

• Earth rotates backwards once every 243 Earth days

• Earth has a tilted axis (23.5°)

• Earth’s atmosphere is mostly nitrogen and oxygen

Mars is known as the “Red Planet” primarily because of which feature on its surface?

• Basaltic lava plains

• Iron oxide (rust)

• Sulfuric acid clouds

• Frozen methane lakes

Which pair of natural satellites belongs to Mars as described?

• Io and Europa

• Phobos and Deimos

• Titan and Enceladus

• The Moon and Charon

A student claims Saturn’s rings are less extensive than Jupiter’s. Using the provided information, what is the best evaluation of this claim?

• Correct; Saturn’s rings are faint compared to Jupiter’s.

• Incorrect; Saturn has the most extensive ring system of any planet.

• Correct; Saturn has no rings.

• Incorrect; Jupiter does not have rings at all.

Neptune’s orbital and rotational motion can be summarized as which pair of values?

• Orbits the Sun in 84 Earth years; rotates once every 17.2 hours

• Orbits the Sun in 165 Earth years; rotates once every 16.1 hours

• Orbits the Sun in 29.5 Earth years; rotates once every 24 hours

• Orbits the Sun in 225 Earth days; rotates once every 10 hours

Uranus has a unique axial tilt. Using the data provided, which consequence follows from this tilt?

• It rotates backward around the Sun

• Its axis tilt of 98° makes it appear to rotate on its side

• It stops rotating for part of its orbit

• Its rotation period is identical to Neptune’s

Which comparison about large moons is supported by the material?

• Earth’s Moon is the largest moon in the solar system

• Ganymede is smaller than Mercury

• Titan has a thin atmosphere with no surface liquids

• Earth’s Moon is the fifth largest; Ganymede is the largest (larger than Mercury)