Question 1

The reason why the individual particles within Saturn's rings have not combined together by mutual gravitational attraction to form one or two moons is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  the gravitational force from the Sun is sufficient to prevent coalescence.
B)  tidal distortion forces from the planet are greater than the mutual gravity between the particles.
C)  the excess heating from Saturn has melted the ice on the rocks so that the rocks will no longer stick together.
D)  they are moving too fast to stick together even if they bump into one another.E) B) and C)
F) A) and C)

Question 2

The rings of Saturn are composed of very many small particles because they:

Accepted Answer

A)  are made up of ice and ice-coated rocks, which break up easily in sunlight.
B)  are inside the Roche limit of Saturn, where tidal forces are stronger than the mutual gravitational forces between particles.
C)  were formed by the impact of a fast-moving asteroid on a large moon, which broke up into very many pieces.
D)  were spun out of the planet under its rapid rotation over a long period of time.E) C) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 3

How permanent are the features we observe in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  They appear quite permanent. Even the Great Red Spot has not changed in the four centuries it has been observed.
B)  The white ovals come and go and sometimes merge, but the belt and zone structure remains unchanged.
C)  The belt and zone structure has been observed to change, but the spots and ovals appear permanent.
D)  The belts and ovals have both been observed to change.E) A) and B)
F) C) and D)

Question 4

The oblateness of Saturn, due to its composition and rapid rotation, is:

Accepted Answer

A)  0.34%.
B)  6.5%.
C)  9.8%.
D)  0.E) B) and C)
F) B) and D)

Question 5

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

A)  It is about the same.
B)  The fraction is about 10 times larger for Jupiter.
C)  The fraction is about 1000 times larger for Jupiter.
D)  The fraction is about 104 times larger for Jupiter.E) A) and B)
F) B) and D)

Question 6

Saturn's magnetosphere contains many fewer charged particles than does Jupiter's magnetosphere. Which one of the following is NOT part of the reason for this difference?

Accepted Answer

A)  Saturn has a smaller magnetic field than does Jupiter.
B)  Saturn has a much slower rotation rate than Jupiter.
C)  Saturn's rings absorb charged particles.
D)  Saturn does not have a geologically active satellite within its magnetosphere.E) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 7

The source of Jupiter's intense magnetic field is:

Accepted Answer

A)  electric currents in ionized layers of Jupiter's atmosphere.
B)  remnant magnetism in Jupiter's rock and iron core.
C)  electric currents in Jupiter's liquid hydrogen mantle.
D)  electric currents in Jupiter's molten rocky core.E) A) and B)
F) None of the above

Question 8

How do we know the nature of the white ovals in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  They glow brightly in infrared, thus we know they are warm, high-altitude clouds.
B)  They glow brightly in infrared, thus we know they are holes in the atmosphere that allow the escape of infrared from warmer, deeper layers.
C)  The white matches other features at that level, so we know they form a continuous part of that atmospheric layer.
D)  They glow dimly in infrared, thus we know they are actually at higher, colder levels in the atmosphere.E) None of the above
F) C) and D)

Question 9

The distribution of mass inside the planet Saturn is believed to be concentrated more centrally than it is in Jupiter. The most important observation supporting this conclusion is that Saturn:

Accepted Answer

A)  is more massive than Jupiter and is more gravitationally compressed at its center.
B)  has a significantly lower density than has Jupiter.
C)  is less oblate (flattened)  than Jupiter, even though it rotates at approximately the same speed.
D)  is more oblate (flattened)  then Jupiter, even though it rotates more slowly.E) A) and C)
F) C) and D)

Question 10

The relationship between the Saturnian moon Mimas and the Cassini division in the rings of Saturn is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  Mimas's circular orbital distance is twice the radius of the Cassini division.
B)  Mimas passes through the rings of Saturn at the position of the Cassini division on its elliptical orbit, thereby disrupting the rings at this position.
C)  Mimas's orbital period is exactly the same as particles that exist inside the Cassini division, thereby perturbing their orbits.
D)  Mimas's orbital period is a factor of 2 greater than that of particles inside the Cassini division, thereby perturbing their orbits.E) A) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 11

In 1895 James Keeler used the Doppler shift to investigate the motions of Saturn's rings. If you look at the rings edge on, you observe a:

Accepted Answer

A)  Doppler shift that increases as one moves outward from Saturn.
B)  Doppler shift that decreases as one moves outward from Saturn.
C)  blueshift where the rings cross the body of Saturn, indicating radial motion outward from Saturn.
D)  redshift where the rings cross the body of Saturn, indicating radial motion inward toward Saturn.E) None of the above
F) B) and C)

Question 12

Which of the following exhibits differential rotation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth
B)  Jupiter
C)  Ganymede
D)  CallistoE) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

A)  in the belts, which correspond to deeper and hotter regions.
B)  directly along the equator, where sunlight is most direct and effective in heating the gas.
C)  in the zones, corresponding as expected to brighter regions in visible light.
D)  over the north and south magnetic poles, where magnetospheric interaction heats the atmosphere.E) C) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 14

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

A)  localized storm feature.
B)  region of higher density in the ammonium hydrosulfide layer.
C)  region of high-altitude clouds created by upwardly moving winds.
D)  deeper layer observed through a hole in Jupiter's clouds.E) None of the above
F) All of the above

Question 15

There are some very narrow features in Saturn's ring system that have distinct colors. This suggests all but one of the following. Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  Saturn's rings were all formed at the same time.
B)  The ring particles contain trace amounts of chemicals other than water ice.
C)  Ring particles do not migrate substantially from one ringlet to another.
D)  Different materials may have been added to the ring system at various times.E) B) and C)
F) A) and C)

Question 16

Cassini's division in the rings of Saturn is thought to be due to gravitational forces from the moon Mimas. The orbital period of Mimas is 22.6 hours. What is the orbital period of any particles that exist within Cassini's division?

Accepted Answer

A)  22.6 hours-Mimas moves within Cassini's division.
B)  7.5 hours-this is one-third of Mimas's period.
C)  45.2 hours-this is 2× Mimas's period.
D)  11.3 hours-this is one-half of Mimas's period.E) All of the above
F) A) and D)

Question 17

The dark, reddish bands across the surface of Jupiter are known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  great circles.
B)  brown ovals.
C)  zones.
D)  belts.E) None of the above
F) A) and B)

Exam 12: Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets

The distribution of mass inside the planet Saturn is believed to be concentrated more centrally than it is in Jupiter. The most important observation supporting this conclusion is that Saturn:

Correct Answer
verified

There are some very narrow features in Saturn's ring system that have distinct colors. This suggests all but one of the following. Which is the exception?

Correct Answer
verified

How do we know the nature of the white ovals in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Correct Answer
verified

The relationship between the Saturnian moon Mimas and the Cassini division in the rings of Saturn is that:

Correct Answer
verified

Cassini's division in the rings of Saturn is thought to be due to gravitational forces from the moon Mimas. The orbital period of Mimas is 22.6 hours. What is the orbital period of any particles that exist within Cassini's division?

Correct Answer
verified

The dark, reddish bands across the surface of Jupiter are known as:

Correct Answer
verified

The reason why the individual particles within Saturn's rings have not combined together by mutual gravitational attraction to form one or two moons is that:

Correct Answer
verified

The oblateness of Saturn, due to its composition and rapid rotation, is:

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified

The rings of Saturn are composed of very many small particles because they:

Correct Answer
verified

How permanent are the features we observe in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Correct Answer
verified

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?

Correct Answer
verified

The source of Jupiter's intense magnetic field is:

Correct Answer
verified

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:

Correct Answer
verified

In 1895 James Keeler used the Doppler shift to investigate the motions of Saturn's rings. If you look at the rings edge on, you observe a:

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following exhibits differential rotation?

Correct Answer
verified

Saturn's magnetosphere contains many fewer charged particles than does Jupiter's magnetosphere. Which one of the following is NOT part of the reason for this difference?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 12: Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets

The distribution of mass inside the planet Saturn is believed to be concentrated more centrally than it is in Jupiter. The most important observation supporting this conclusion is that Saturn:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

There are some very narrow features in Saturn's ring system that have distinct colors. This suggests all but one of the following. Which is the exception?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How do we know the nature of the white ovals in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The relationship between the Saturnian moon Mimas and the Cassini division in the rings of Saturn is that:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Cassini's division in the rings of Saturn is thought to be due to gravitational forces from the moon Mimas. The orbital period of Mimas is 22.6 hours. What is the orbital period of any particles that exist within Cassini's division?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The dark, reddish bands across the surface of Jupiter are known as:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The reason why the individual particles within Saturn's rings have not combined together by mutual gravitational attraction to form one or two moons is that:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The oblateness of Saturn, due to its composition and rapid rotation, is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The rings of Saturn are composed of very many small particles because they:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How permanent are the features we observe in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The source of Jupiter's intense magnetic field is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In 1895 James Keeler used the Doppler shift to investigate the motions of Saturn's rings. If you look at the rings edge on, you observe a:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following exhibits differential rotation?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Saturn's magnetosphere contains many fewer charged particles than does Jupiter's magnetosphere. Which one of the following is NOT part of the reason for this difference?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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