WorksheetsCh 11 Concept Quiz
Total questions: 18
Worksheet time: 9mins
According to models of planetary interiors, the differences in mass among the four jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) are due primarily to differences __________.
in composition
in density
in the amounts of material in the layers extending from the tops of their cores to their surfaces
in their core masses
According to current models of solar system formation, why did Uranus and Neptune end up to be much less massive than Jupiter and Saturn?
The size differences are thought to be a random coincidence.
The solar nebula had different chemical composition at different distances from the Sun, leading to the differences in mass.
Particles in the solar nebula were more spread out at greater distances, so that accretion took longer and there was less time to pull in gas before the solar wind cleared the nebula.
Ices were able to condense at the distance of Jupiter and Saturn, but only rock and metal could condense at the distances of Uranus and Neptune.
Jupiter and the other jovian planets are sometimes called "gas giants." In what sense is this term misleading?
The materials they are made of are not the kinds of thing we usually think of as gases.
They are not in any sense "giants."
They actually contain relatively little material in a gaseous state.
Actually, it's a great description because these worlds are big and gaseous throughout.
What would happen to Jupiter if we could somehow double its mass?
It would become a star, with nuclear fusion in its core.
Its density would increase, but its diameter would barely change.
Its density would stay about the same and its volume would double.
Its density would decrease and its diameter would double.
Which of the following most likely explains why Jupiter's interior releases so much heat?
heat from radioactive decay
a slow rate of nuclear fusion in Jupiter's core
Jupiter is gradually contracting in size
tidal heating
Which planet may have helium rain in its interior, and what does this rain do?
Uranus, where it makes the ground wet.
Jupiter, where it may be an energy source for the Great Red Spot.
Saturn, where it generates heat as it falls downward.
Neptune, where it is restructuring the planet's interior.
Why does Jupiter have three distinct layers of clouds?
Jupiter has three different types of wind, each of which makes a different type of cloud.
The three layers reflect regions of Jupiter's atmosphere with different chemical compositions.
Clouds form randomly, so on average there are always three layers.
The three layers represent clouds made of gases that condense at different temperatures.
Which of the following best explains why we see horizontal "stripes" in images of Jupiter and Saturn?
There are three different color stripes corresponding to the three different types of clouds found on these planets.
The light stripes are regions of high clouds, and the dark stripes are regions where we can see down to deeper, darker clouds.
Dark stripes are in places with strong winds and light stripes are in places with weak winds.
The dark and light stripes correspond to alternating bands of different chemical composition.
Uranus and Neptune have methane clouds but Jupiter and Saturn do not. Which factor explains why?
Jupiter and Saturn do not contain any methane gas.
The stronger gravity on Jupiter and Saturn pulls methane downward so that it can't form clouds.
Temperatures on Jupiter and Saturn are too high for methane to condense.
The rapid rotation of Jupiter and Saturn prevents methane clouds from forming.
Which jovian planet has the most extreme seasonal changes, and why?
Jupiter, because of its large mass
Neptune, because of its varying distance from the Sun
Saturn, because it has an axis tilt similar to Earth
Uranus, because of its extreme axis tilt
Why is the radiation so intense in the region that traces Io's orbit around Jupiter (the Io torus)?
The region is full of gases that become ionized after they are released from volcanoes on Io.
An orbital resonance between Io, Europa, and Ganymede makes the radiation intense.
Io's gravity allows this region to capture huge numbers of charged particles from the solar wind.
Jupiter's strong magnetic field makes the radiation intense everywhere, and the region around Io is no different than any other region.
Which of the following is a key factor in explaining why many jovian moons have been more geologically active than the Moon or Mercury?
The jovian moons are considerably larger than the Moon and Mercury and therefore have retained much more internal heat.
Because of their greater distances from the Sun, the jovian moons receive much less heat from the Sun.
Jovian moons contain much more ice that can melt or deform at lower temperatures than can the rock and metal that make up the Moon and Mercury.
The jovian moons probably have far more internal heat generated by radioactive decay than do the Moon or Mercury.
All the following statements are true. Which one is most important in explaining the tremendous tidal heating that occurs on Io?
Io orbits Jupiter on an elliptical orbit as a result of orbital resonances with other moons.
Io exhibits synchronous rotation, meaning that its rotation period and orbital period are the same.
Io orbits Jupiter in the Io torus, and therefore has a surface that is bombarded by many charged particles.
Io is the closest to Jupiter of Jupiter's large moons.
Which of the following is not a piece of evidence supporting the idea that Europa may have a subsurface ocean?
Photos of Europa's surface show regions that appear to consist of jumbled icebergs frozen in place.
Astronomers have detected small lakes of liquid water on Europa's surface.
Europa has a magnetic field that appears to be induced by Jupiter's magnetic field.
Europa's surface shows few impact craters.
Which of the following is most unlikely to be found on Titan?
lakes of liquid methane ethane
volcanic outgassing of methane and other gases
lakes of liquid water in the warmer equatorial regions
rain or snow consisting of methane or ethane droplets or ice crystals
What major feature of Saturn's moon Enceladus led scientists to suspect it might have a subsurface ocean?
fountains of ice spraying out from the surface into space
its large mass and size
its many active volcanoes
surface lakes of liquid methane or ethane
What key evidence suggests that Triton is a captured moon?
Triton appears to be made mostly of ice.
Triton orbits Neptune in a direction opposite that of Neptune's rotation.
Triton is too large to have been formed in the "miniature solar nebula" thought to have surrounded Neptune in its early history.
Triton is small and potato-shaped, which is common of captured moons.
Which statement about Saturn's rings is not true?
The rings must look much the same today as they did shortly after Saturn formed.
Some features of the rings are shaped by small moons that actually orbit within the ring system.
The rings are so thin that they essentially disappear from view when seen edge-on.
The large gap known as the Cassini Division is shaped by an orbital resonance with the moon Mimas, which orbits well outside the rings.
