Question 1

The Cassini observations of Jupiter suggest that, contrary to previous models, the light-colored zones on Jupiter are:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Cassini observations of Jupiter suggest that,...

Question 2

The Cassini observations of Jupiter suggest that, contrary to previous modes, the dark belts on Jupiter are:

Accepted Answer

The Cassini observations of Jupiter suggest that the dark belts on Jupiter are regions in which the gas is rising, which is the opposite of the previously believed idea that they were regions in which the gas was falling.

Question 3

When viewed in the infrared light emitted by the clouds, the brightest parts of Jupiter are:

Accepted Answer

Infrared light can penetrate through Jupiter's thick cloud cover and reveal the temperature differences in the atmosphere. The belts correspond to deeper and hotter regions, which emit more infrared light than the cooler zones. Therefore, the brightest parts of Jupiter in infrared light are in the belts.

Question 4

The dark-colored belts on Jupiter are brighter than the surrounding regions when viewed in infrared or heat radiation because:

Accepted Answer

The reason the dark-colored belts on Jupiter are brighter in infrared or heat radiation is that these regions are deeper and therefore hotter layers of gas in Jupiter's atmosphere.

Question 5

The white spots observed in Saturn's atmosphere are believed to be crystals of:

Accepted Answer

The white spots in Saturn's atmosphere are believed to be crystals of ammonia, which is a common component of the planet's atmosphere.

Question 6

Which of the following chemicals is the least abundant in the atmosphere of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the least abundant chemical in the atmosphere of Jupiter, with concentrations of only about 100 parts per million. Ammonia (NH3), water vapor (H2O), and methane (CH4) are all more abundant in Jupiter's atmosphere.

Question 7

The composition of Jupiter's clouds is:

Accepted Answer

The composition of Jupiter's clouds is primarily made up of ice crystals of ammonia, ammonium hydrosulfide, and water. Studies show that these clouds are made up of three distinct layers with ammonia ice clouds at the top, ammonium hydrosulfide clouds in the middle, and water clouds at the bottom.

Question 8

An astronomer detects a new feature in Jupiter's atmosphere. Subsequent observation shows that this feature is brighter than its surroundings when observed in infrared light. We can conclude that this feature is a:

Accepted Answer

The answer of An astronomer detects a new feature in...

Question 9

Saturn's rotation rate is very fast but slower than Jupiter's. The wind speed at Saturn's equator, compared to the wind speed at Jupiter's equator, is:

Accepted Answer

Saturn's equatorial wind speeds are indeed larger than Jupiter's, despite Saturn having a slower rotation rate. This phenomenon is not fully understood, indicating complex atmospheric dynamics and influences beyond just rotation rate.

Question 10

The high-speed winds observed on Jupiter occur mainly:

Accepted Answer

The high-speed winds on Jupiter are primarily observed at the boundaries between the dark belts and the light zones. These regions are where the most significant atmospheric dynamics occur, leading to the formation of Jupiter's characteristic jet streams and turbulent weather patterns.

Question 11

On Jupiter and Saturn the wind currents move generally:

Accepted Answer

Jupiter and Saturn have strong eastward and westward winds, moving in parallel to the equator. This is due to the rotation of the planets, which causes a Coriolis effect, making winds deflect towards the east on the equator and towards the west at higher latitudes. While the winds may not be perfectly parallel, option A is the most accurate description.

Question 12

What are zonal winds on Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

Zonal winds on Jupiter are winds blowing horizontally eastward and westward in the cloud layer. These winds are caused by the Coriolis effect due to Jupiter's rapid rotation. The zonal winds are responsible for the prominent cloud bands visible on Jupiter's surface.

Question 13

The source of excess heat emitted by Jupiter, above that which is absorbed as sunlight and reemitted, is thought to be:

Accepted Answer

Jupiter emits more heat than it receives from the Sun because it is still releasing heat from its formation. This heat comes from the gravitational potential energy that was converted to thermal energy as the planet formed and compressed.

Question 14

We have discovered that the temperature in Jupiter's atmosphere increases as one moves inward toward the planet, and that the planet gives out more energy than it receives from the Sun. What is the cause of this?

Accepted Answer

The Kelvin-Helmholtz contraction is the gradual collapse of a contracting cloud of gas where the energy released by gravitational compression is equal to the energy radiated away from the cloud's surface. This gradual collapse is thought to be the cause of the increasing temperature of Jupiter's atmosphere as one moves inward toward the planet. This contraction also releases energy, which is believed to be the source of the excess energy radiated by Jupiter.

Question 15

Because its interior is so hot, Jupiter radiates about twice as much heat as it receives from the Sun. How does this fraction compare with the excess energy radiated by Earth as a fraction of the energy Earth receives from the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Because its interior is so hot, Jupiter...

Question 16

How thick are the cloud layers on Jupiter's visible "surface"?

Accepted Answer

The cloud layers on Jupiter's visible "surface" are about 100 km thick. This thickness allows for the diverse and dynamic weather patterns observed on the planet, including the famous Great Red Spot.

Question 17

One unsolved question about Jupiter and Saturn is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of One unsolved question about Jupiter and Saturn...

Question 18

Jupiter and Saturn each have the same three basic cloud layers, but the spacing of the layers differs on the two planets. Why is this?

Accepted Answer

Jupiter's greater gravity has compressed the layers, so they are closer together there.

Question 19

Spectroscopy of Jupiter and Saturn has revealed atmospheres containing large quantities of which of the following gases, in addition to hydrogen and helium?

Accepted Answer

Spectroscopy of Jupiter and Saturn has revealed atmospheres containing large quantities of methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), and water vapor (H2O), in addition to hydrogen and helium.

Question 20

One observational fact that is common to both Jupiter and Saturn is that:

Accepted Answer

Both Jupiter and Saturn emit more energy (in the form of infrared radiation) than they receive from the Sun. This is due to their internal heat sources (primarily left over from their formation).

Quiz 12: Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets