Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a planetary magnetic field?

Accepted Answer

A solid iron core is not necessary for a planetary magnetic field. In fact, some planets such as Jupiter have liquid metallic hydrogen cores that generate their magnetic fields. Rapid rotation, convective motions, and electrically conducting liquid in the core are all necessary for a planetary magnetic field.

Question 2

Neap tide occurs when the Moon is in the first or third quarter phase and results in:

Accepted Answer

During neap tide, the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's tides partially cancel each other out due to their positions. This results in smaller than usual tides.

Question 3

What is the best explanation for the heating of Earth's interior today?

Accepted Answer

The decay of radioactive elements within Earth's interior generates heat.

Question 4

The current theory is that a planet will have a strong magnetic field if it has:

Accepted Answer

A planet is likely to have a strong magnetic field if it has a fast rotation and a liquid core. This combination facilitates the dynamo effect, where the movement of conducting materials (like the liquid iron in Earth's outer core) generates a magnetic field.

Question 5

Earth's innermost core is solid,not liquid,because:

Accepted Answer

The pressure at the center of the Earth, where the inner core is located, is estimated to be about 3.5 million times stronger than the pressure at the surface. This extreme pressure makes it difficult for the iron in the inner core to melt and remain in a liquid state, resulting in a solid inner core.

Question 6

Erosion on the surface of the Moon is primarily caused by:

Accepted Answer

The Moon has no atmosphere and no flowing water, so erosion on its surface is primarily caused by solar radiation. The bombardment of solar particles causes a process called sputtering, which kicks small particles off the surface and contributes to erosion over time.

Question 7

Which of the following will NOT be a consequence of Earth's consumption of the bulk of its radioactive "fuel" in the future?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following will NOT be...

Question 8

Mars has a diameter that is approximately half that of Earth's.If the interiors of these planets are heated by radioactive decays,how does the heating rate of Mars' interior compare to that of Earth's?

Accepted Answer

The heating rate due to radioactive decay is proportional to the volume of the planet. Since Mars has a diameter approximately half of Earth's, its volume is about 0.5^3 = 0.125 times that of Earth's. Thus, the heating rate is approximately 0.12 times that of Earth's.

Question 9

Which of the following does NOT contribute to the large size of Mars's volcanoes?

Accepted Answer

Mars does have an atmosphere, albeit thin, which does not directly contribute to the size of its volcanoes. The absence of plate tectonics and lower gravity do contribute to the large size of Mars's volcanoes.

Question 10

In the past,the Moon was closer to the Earth and the difference in the heights of the ocean at high and low tides were:

Accepted Answer

The closer proximity of the Moon to the Earth in the past caused stronger gravitational forces, resulting in larger differences between high and low tides.

Question 11

If the Himalaya mountain range is presently 8,000 m in height and is rising at a rate of 0.5 m per century because of the convergence of two continental plates,how long did it take to create this mountain range?

Accepted Answer

If the Himalaya mountain range is currently 8,000 m in height and rising at a rate of 0.5 m per century, then it would have taken 8,000/0.5 = 16,000 centuries or 1.6 million years to create the mountain range.

Question 12

The largest volcanic mountains in the Solar System are found on:

Accepted Answer

The largest volcanic mountains in the Solar System are found on Mars. The planet's Olympus Mons is the largest known volcano and the largest mountain in the Solar System, measuring over 13 miles (22 kilometers) high and over 370 miles (600 kilometers) in diameter at the base.

Question 13

Which terrestrial planet shows the least evidence of recent volcanic activity?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which terrestrial planet shows the least evidence...

Question 14

Based on the assumption that a liquid,conducting core and rapid rotation are both required for a magnetic field to operate,which terrestrial planets would you expect to have magnetic fields?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on the assumption that a liquid,conducting...

Question 15

Plate tectonics is NOT responsible for the formation of:

Accepted Answer

Canyons are generally formed through erosion by rivers or other natural processes, not by plate tectonics.

Question 16

We suspect that Mars once had liquid water on its surface because:

Accepted Answer

Mapping satellites have detected dry river beds and outflow channels coming from impact craters, and rovers have detected minerals that must have formed in the presence of liquid water. These pieces of evidence suggest that Mars once had liquid water on its surface.

Question 17

Continental drift occurs at a typical rate of a few:

Accepted Answer

Continental drift occurs at a typical rate of a few centimeters per year. This slow movement of the earth's crust is due to the tectonic plates moving and colliding with one another, which can lead to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges over millions of years.

Question 18

Which of the following are sites of volcanic activity on Earth?

Accepted Answer

All of the choices are sites of volcanic activity on Earth. Local hot spots, such as the Hawaiian Islands, are caused by magma plumes rising from the mantle. Spreading centers, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, are areas where tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma to rise and create new crust. Subduction zones, such as the Pacific Ring of Fire, are locations where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, creating magma that can lead to volcanic eruptions.

Question 19

The North American Plate and the Pacific Plate are sliding past one another at a rate of approximately 3 cm/year.San Francisco,which is located on the edge of the North American Plate,is sliding southward toward Los Angles,which is located on the Pacific Plate.If they are currently separated by a distance of 600 km,how many years will it take for the two cities to meet?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The North American Plate and the Pacific...

Question 20

What would you study in order to determine the timescale on which the Earth's magnetic field reverses direction?

Accepted Answer

To determine the timescale on which the Earth's magnetic field reverses direction, one would study the magnetic stripes on the seafloor at spreading centers. These stripes record the Earth's magnetic field at the time that the rocks formed and can be used to determine the frequency and timing of magnetic field reversals.

Quiz 6: Terrestrial Worlds in the Inner Solar System