Question 1

The dynamo theory says that a planet will have a strong magnetic field if it has

Accepted Answer

The dynamo theory states that a planet will have a strong magnetic field if it has a fast rotation and a liquid core. The fast rotation causes strong convection currents in the liquid core, which generate a dynamo effect that produces a strong magnetic field. A solid core would not be able to generate these convection currents, and slow rotation would not generate enough energy to sustain the dynamo effect.

Question 2

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 3

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

Accepted Answer

All of the above are sites of volcanic activity on Earth. Local hot spots are areas where magma rises from the mantle to the surface, causing volcanoes such as Hawaii. Spreading centers are regions where tectonic plates diverge, allowing magma to rise and form mid-ocean ridges. Subduction zones occur where one tectonic plate is forced under another, causing melting and volcanic activity at the boundary.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A solid iron core would not allow for convective motions in the liquid outer core, which is necessary for generating a magnetic field.

Question 5

The rovers named Spirit and Opportunity that recently explored Mars' surface discovered

Accepted Answer

The rovers discovered minerals that must have formed in an environment rich in liquid water, suggesting that Mars had a wetter past and the potential for life.

Question 6

What are the four main processes that shape the surfaces of the terrestrial planets?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the four main processes that...

Question 7

Based on the assumption that a liquid,conducting core and rapid rotation are both required for a magnetic dynamo 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 8

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

Accepted Answer

Mercury shows the least evidence of recent volcanic activity, as its surface is heavily cratered and lacks signs of recent geological activity compared to the other terrestrial planets.

Question 9

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 tallest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus Mons, is located on Mars and is three times taller than Mount Everest.

Question 10

Give a specific example of impacts of asteroids/comets that have happened on Earth.Why are impact craters rare on the surface of Earth,but plentiful on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Give a specific example of impacts of...

Question 11

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 12

We have direct evidence for the current existence of water on the surface of which terrestrial object?

Accepted Answer

There is evidence of liquid water on the surface of Mars, as well as frozen water in the polar ice caps and as subsurface permafrost. This evidence comes from observations made by orbiting spacecraft and exploration rovers on the surface.

Question 13

Name the terrestrial planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun.What are the terrestrial planets in order of increasing geologic age of their surface?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Name the terrestrial planets in order of...

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The timescale of the Earth's magnetic field reversals can be determined by studying the magnetic anomalies recorded in rocks on the sea floor at spreading centers. As magma rises and cools, the magnetic minerals in the rock align with the Earth's magnetic field at the time of solidification, creating a record of the field's direction and intensity. By studying the magnetic anomalies in the rocks, scientists can determine the timescale of the Earth's magnetic field reversals. Volcanoes, faults, and subduction zones may not record this information in a consistent or reliable manner.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

All the given options provide evidence that supports the claim that Mars once had liquid water on its surface. Dry river beds and outflow channels suggest the existence of flowing water in the past, while the detection of minerals that form in the presence of liquid water provides further evidence to support this theory. Therefore, option D is the best choice as it includes all the above evidence.

Question 16

Plate tectonics is NOT responsible for the formation of

Accepted Answer

Plate tectonics is responsible for the formation of mountain ranges, volcanoes, and ocean trenches. Canyons are usually formed by erosion, usually from a river or glacier, and are not directly related to plate tectonics.

Question 17

What are two materials present in the K-T boundary that support the idea that a 10 km-wide asteroid or comet hit the Yucatán peninsula and caused or accelerated the extinction of 70 percent of all living species on the Earth? Explain where these two materials came from.How long ago did this happen?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are two materials present in the...

Question 18

Which of the following does NOT contribute to the large size of Mars' 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 are factors that allow volcanoes on Mars to grow larger.

Question 19

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 mountain range is presently 8,000 m in height and is rising at a rate of 0.5 m per century, then it would take 8,000 / 0.5 = 16,000 centuries to create this mountain range. 16,000 centuries is equal to 1.6 million years (since there are 100 centuries in a millennium and 1,000 years in a millennium). Therefore, the answer is C) 1.6 million years.

Question 20

Erosion on the surface of the Moon is primarily caused by

Accepted Answer

The Moon has no atmosphere, no flowing water, and no wind, which rules out options A and B. Solar radiation is the primary cause of erosion on the Moon, as the constant bombardment of high-energy particles from the Sun can break down and displace surface materials over time. Dust storms are not a significant factor in erosion on the Moon.

Quiz 7: The Terrestrial Planets and Earths Moon