Big Nick's Extra Questions

Question 1

What are the 4 Stages of Earth’s Evolution?

Answer 1

Differentiation, bombardment, cooling, surface evolution.

Question 2

Where does the Heat in the Earth’s Crust come from?

Answer 2

Radioactive decay of isotopes in the mantle and crust.

Question 3

What are the 2 Types of Rock on the Moon?

Answer 3

Anorthosite and basalt.

Question 4

How was the Moon Formed?

Answer 4

From debris after something collided with Earth.

Question 5

What is Inferior Conjunction?

Answer 5

2 planets in line on same side of Sun.

Question 6

What is Superior Conjunction?

Answer 6

In line with Earth on opposite side of the Sun.

Question 7

What is Conjunction in General?

Answer 7

Same ecliptic longitude.

Question 8

What is Opposition?

Answer 8

Two celestial bodies on opposite sides of the sky.

Question 9

Describe Mercury’s Surface.

Answer 9

Heavily cratered, ancient lava flows.

Question 10

Describe Venus’ Surface.

Answer 10

Fresh, few craters, dense atmosphere, volcanoes?

Question 11

Describe Mars’ Surface.

Answer 11

1% of Earth’s atmosphere, giant volcanoes, few craters.

Question 12

What is an Astronomical Unit?

Answer 12

Mean distance from the centre of Earth to the centre of the Sun.

Question 13

Describe the Atmosphere of Jupiter.

Answer 13

Very thick - made of hydrogen and helium gas.

Question 14

Why is Io so Volcanic?

Answer 14

Opposing gravitational pulls (Jupiter and Galilean moons) heats up surface.

Question 15

What is the Evidence for Oceans on Europa?

Answer 15

Surface is cracked and appears to move freely.

Question 16

Describe Titan’s Atmosphere.

Answer 16

94% hydrogen (similar to Earth), also has an ocean - discovered by Cassini spacecraft.

Question 17

Describe the Compositions of Uranus and Neptune.

Answer 17

Iron, rock, hydrogen compounds.

Question 18

What is the Core Accretion Model?

Answer 18

Rocky core forms through the coagulation of planetismals until it is massive enough to accrete a gaseous envelope.

Question 19

Why is there an Asteroid Belt?

Answer 19

10th planet couldn’t form as Jupiter’s gravity was too strong.

Question 20

How are Comet Tails Formed?

Answer 20

Sun pressures coma (comet’s atmosphere) to form tail away from the Sun.

Question 21

What do Comet’s Contain?

Answer 21

Materials from the formation of the Solar System.

Question 22

Which aspect of Planetary Discovery does NZ Contribute to?

Answer 22

Micro-lensing.