Question 1

All the planets in the solar system have at least one moon.

Accepted Answer

Not all planets in the solar system have moons. Mercury and Venus, for example, do not have any moons.

Question 2

All four of the giant outer planets-Jupiter,Saturn,Uranus,and Neptune-have rings.

Accepted Answer

It is true that all four of the giant outer planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - have rings.

Question 3

For the following questions,classify the spacecraft in one of these categories:
-Hubble Space Telescope

Accepted Answer

The Hubble Space Telescope is an Earth orbiter, designed to orbit Earth and observe the universe without the distortion of Earth's atmosphere.

Question 4

The planet Uranus held a special place in the mythology of the ancient Romans.

Accepted Answer

Uranus was not a deity recognized in ancient Roman mythology; instead, it is a name derived from Greek mythology, representing the god of the sky.

Question 5

What is comparative planetology,and what is its basic premise?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is comparative planetology,and what is its...

Question 6

For the following questions,classify the spacecraft in one of these categories:
-the main part of the Galileo spacecraft (i.e. ,not its atmospheric probe)

Accepted Answer

The main part of the Galileo spacecraft was a planetary orbiter.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes Pluto in terms of the general characteristics of terrestrial and jovian planets?

Accepted Answer

Pluto has a solid surface and similar size to terrestrial planets, but its distance from the sun is more similar to that of the jovian planets. Its solid surface and lack of atmosphere also make it more similar to terrestrial planets than to gas giants.

Question 8

Based on the frequency with which we see comets from Earth,astronomers estimate the total number of comets in the solar system to be

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on the frequency with which we...

Question 9

All comets orbit the Sun in the same direction as the planets.

Accepted Answer

Comets can orbit the Sun in either the same direction as the planets (prograde orbit) or in the opposite direction (retrograde orbit).

Question 10

Briefly summarize the differences between terrestrial and jovian planets.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly summarize the differences between terrestrial and...

Question 11

Which of the following is not a pattern of motion in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

Planets do not all rotate in the same direction. For example, Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets, and Uranus has a unique tilt that makes it appear to rotate on its side.

Question 12

Oceans cover more of Earth's surface than land.

Accepted Answer

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), oceans cover about 71 percent of the Earth's surface, while land covers only about 29 percent. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 13

For the following questions,classify the spacecraft in one of these categories:
-Curiosity

Accepted Answer

Curiosity is a Mars rover and a lander.

Question 14

How do asteroids differ from comets?

Accepted Answer

Asteroids are primarily composed of rocky material and are denser than comets, which are made of icy material.

Question 15

What are some of the things that make Earth unique in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are some of the things that...

Question 16

Astronomers have decided that,rather than being a planet,Pluto is really just a large member of

Accepted Answer

According to current astronomical classification, Pluto is considered a dwarf planet and a member of the Kuiper belt, a region of the solar system beyond Neptune that contains many small icy objects. It is not classified as an asteroid, a moon of Neptune, or part of the Oort cloud. It is also not an extrasolar planetary system, as it is part of our own solar system.

Question 17

The more massive planets in the solar system tend to be less dense than the lower mass planets.

Accepted Answer

This is because the more massive planets are made up of lighter elements like hydrogen and helium, while the lower mass planets are made up of heavier elements like rock and metals.

Question 18

In the 1800s,many people assumed that Venus would have tropical temperatures,but instead it is very hot.Explain why tropical temperatures would have made sense given what was known in the 1800s,and why Venus instead turns out to be very hot.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the 1800s,many people assumed that Venus...

Question 19

All planets orbit the Sun in the same direction (counterclockwise as viewed from above Earth's North Pole).

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. All planets in our solar system orbit the Sun in the same direction counterclockwise as viewed from above Earth's North Pole.

Question 20

The jovian planets have no solid surface.

Accepted Answer

The jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) are predominantly composed of gas and do not have a solid surface. Their atmospheres gradually transition from gas to liquid as the pressure increases towards the center of the planet.

Quiz 7: Our Planetary System