GEOLOGY 109 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Which is the correct sequence of planets, based on increasing average radius of their
orbits? - Answer -Closest to Sun:
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
the inner planets - Answer -all of these are incorrect
Which statement is true for the outer planets of our solar system? - Answer -they are
largely made of hydrogen and helium.
Water ice is - Answer -most abundant on the moons of the outer planets
What sets the composition of the moons of the outer planets apart from the inner
planets? - Answer -the moons of the outer planets generally have lower densities
Which objects have orbits that take them the farthest from the Sun in our solar system?
- Answer -comets
Which of the following objects is most like Earth in size and composition? - Answer -
Venus
What is a major difference between planets and stars? (Select all that apply.) - Answer
-Planets are much smaller in diameter than the stars around which they revolve.
Planets do not generate energy through nuclear fusion.
What are the major differences between a moon and a planet? (Select all that apply.) -
Answer -Planets revolve around the Sun.
Moons revolved around a Sun-orbiting planet.
Which of the following are the characteristics of the asteroid belt? (Select all that apply.)
- Answer -The asteroids mark the transition from the rocky terrestrial planets to the
outer planets.
Some asteroids appear to be rocky; some seem covered with lava; others seem to be
metallic; and yet others may have water ice.
Many meteorites that fall on Earth come from the asteroid belt.
, According to our best modern day evidence, how long ago was the Big Bang? - Answer
-About 14 billion years ago.
The most basic subatomic particles include which of the following? (Select all that
apply.) - Answer -Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
How are elements heavier than iron produced? - Answer -During a supernova
explosion
What is the principal method of light element (up to iron, atomic number 26) production?
- Answer -nuclear fusion
The T-Tauri phase of a star's history - Answer -is typified by extreme fluctuations in
energy and a strong magnetic field
Many supernovas are the result of - Answer -collapse of a star with multiple burning
shells
How will the Sun's life probably end? - Answer -With the formation of a planetary
nebula.
Which of the following are correct about red giant stars? (Select all that apply). -
Answer -They form as a star expands and the surface cools.
They evolved from medium-sized stars.
Put the following stages in the evolution of a medium-sized star in the correct time
order, placing the first stage on the top and the last stage on the bottom. - Answer -First
Stage:
Molecular Cloud
Protostar
Main Sequence Star
Red Giant
Planetary Nebula
Which kind of stars have the longest lifetimes (~10 billion years)? - Answer -Medium-
sized stars like our Sun.
A giant molecular cloud is best described by which statement? - Answer -It is a cool
mass of gas and dust that can be light years across.
Which of the following is correct about the nebulas we see in the sky today? (Select all
that apply.) - Answer -They are concentrations of interstellar gas and dust.
Many are the birth grounds of stars.
Some form when stars explode.
Which is the correct sequence of planets, based on increasing average radius of their
orbits? - Answer -Closest to Sun:
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
the inner planets - Answer -all of these are incorrect
Which statement is true for the outer planets of our solar system? - Answer -they are
largely made of hydrogen and helium.
Water ice is - Answer -most abundant on the moons of the outer planets
What sets the composition of the moons of the outer planets apart from the inner
planets? - Answer -the moons of the outer planets generally have lower densities
Which objects have orbits that take them the farthest from the Sun in our solar system?
- Answer -comets
Which of the following objects is most like Earth in size and composition? - Answer -
Venus
What is a major difference between planets and stars? (Select all that apply.) - Answer
-Planets are much smaller in diameter than the stars around which they revolve.
Planets do not generate energy through nuclear fusion.
What are the major differences between a moon and a planet? (Select all that apply.) -
Answer -Planets revolve around the Sun.
Moons revolved around a Sun-orbiting planet.
Which of the following are the characteristics of the asteroid belt? (Select all that apply.)
- Answer -The asteroids mark the transition from the rocky terrestrial planets to the
outer planets.
Some asteroids appear to be rocky; some seem covered with lava; others seem to be
metallic; and yet others may have water ice.
Many meteorites that fall on Earth come from the asteroid belt.
, According to our best modern day evidence, how long ago was the Big Bang? - Answer
-About 14 billion years ago.
The most basic subatomic particles include which of the following? (Select all that
apply.) - Answer -Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
How are elements heavier than iron produced? - Answer -During a supernova
explosion
What is the principal method of light element (up to iron, atomic number 26) production?
- Answer -nuclear fusion
The T-Tauri phase of a star's history - Answer -is typified by extreme fluctuations in
energy and a strong magnetic field
Many supernovas are the result of - Answer -collapse of a star with multiple burning
shells
How will the Sun's life probably end? - Answer -With the formation of a planetary
nebula.
Which of the following are correct about red giant stars? (Select all that apply). -
Answer -They form as a star expands and the surface cools.
They evolved from medium-sized stars.
Put the following stages in the evolution of a medium-sized star in the correct time
order, placing the first stage on the top and the last stage on the bottom. - Answer -First
Stage:
Molecular Cloud
Protostar
Main Sequence Star
Red Giant
Planetary Nebula
Which kind of stars have the longest lifetimes (~10 billion years)? - Answer -Medium-
sized stars like our Sun.
A giant molecular cloud is best described by which statement? - Answer -It is a cool
mass of gas and dust that can be light years across.
Which of the following is correct about the nebulas we see in the sky today? (Select all
that apply.) - Answer -They are concentrations of interstellar gas and dust.
Many are the birth grounds of stars.
Some form when stars explode.
