SMT 314 - Introduction to Cosmology » Fall 2020 » HW 7

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Question #1
Jupiter, Saturn & Neptune radiate more energy than they receive from the Sun. The most likely source of this excess energy is
A.   radioactive decay
B.   hydrogen fusion
C.   the magnetic fields of these planets
D.   gravitational contraction or settling
E.   chemical reactions
Question #2
Saturn's rings are at such a large distance from the planet that it was difficult or impossible for the sparse material to coalesce into a moon.
A.   FALSE
B.   TRUE
Question #3
The distance from a planet within which it is not possible to form a moon through gravitational attraction between particles is called the _________ Limit. In other words, the tidal forces of the planet tear apart any moon that tries to form or orbit within this Limit.
A.   TECTONIC
B.   ROCHE
C.   KUIPER
Question #4
The existence of Uranus was correctly predicted after astronomers noted that Neptune's observed and expected positions in the sky differed.
A.   TRUE
B.   FALSE
Question #5
The low average density of Jupiter and Saturn compared with Earth suggest that
A.   they contain large quantities of light elements, such as hydrogen and helium
B.   they are hollow
C.   volcanic eruptions have ejected all the iron that was originally in their cores.
D.   their gravitational attraction has squeezed material out of their cores
E.   they consist mostly of water
Question #6
There is only one moon in the Solar System that generates its own magnetic field. What is its name?
A.   Luna (the Earth's Moon)
B.   Callisto
C.   Titan
D.   Ganymede
E.   Triton
F.   Europa
Question #7
Tidal forces from Jupiter heat its large moons Io and Europa, leading to extensive volcanism on Io and an icy slush beneath Europa's surface.
A.   FALSE
B.   TRUE
Question #8
Uranus’s rotational axis points toward:
A.   almost parallel to the solar ecliptic
B.   perpendicular to the ecliptic plane
C.   Polaris
D.   Sun
E.   Saturn
Question #9
Which celestial body has a retrograde orbit?
A.   Venus
B.   Triton
C.   Uranus
D.   Io
Question #10
Which one of the following statements about the Jovian planets is false?
A.   Despite their size, they rotate about their axis very rapidly, in fewer than 24 hours.
B.   They generally have the thickest atmospheres of all the planets in the Solar System
C.   They are the largest of all planets in the Solar System, with diameters up to nearly 1/10 the diameter of the Sun.
D.   They have many moons, probably due to their large gravitational fields.
E.   They are the most massive of all the planets in the Solar System since they are mainly composed of heavy elements like iron.
Question #11
Many of Saturn and Jupiter's moons are small, potato-shaped objects that don't orbit within their planet's orbital plane. Mark all of the reasons that astronomers have proposed to explain this:
A.   The moons are extra solar objects.
B.   The moons were captured asteroids.
C.   The moons were not formed at the same time as their planets.
D.   The moons were not formed in the same method as their planets.
E.   All of the above.

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