Online Quiz 1 Flashcards
The hypothesis that explains the formation of the solar system is referred to as the..
Nebular hypothesis
Under intense pressure and high temperature, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium. This process is called..
Nuclear fusion
According to the nebular hypothesis, the inner planets are dense and rocky because:
The lighter gases were blown away by the suns radiation
What caused dust and condensing material to accrete into planetesimals?
Gravitational attraction and collisions
The four inner planets are
Small, rocky, and relatively lacking in volatile elements
Nebulae are composed primarily of which elements?
Hydrogen and helium
Which planet is not one of the giant outer planets?
Pluto
The giant outer planets are composed mostly of
Hydrogen and helium
What is the process by which an originally homogenous Earth developed a dense core and a light crust?
Differentiation
The heat that caused melting in Earth’s early history was supplied by?
A large impact event and radioactivity
The effect of the collision of a large Mars-sized body with the Earth about 4.5Ga caused..
A magma ocean to form at Earth’s surface, Earths speed of rotation to increase, and Earths spin axis to tilt
Evidence that Mars once had water includes:
Dry river beds and valleys
Mars has liquid water and a corrosive atmosphere
False
Which solar system body is least likely to have water ice on its surface?
Venus
The asteroid belt lies between which two planets?
Mars and Jupiter
Mercurys thin atmosphere is composed mostly of?
Oxygen
Which planet is surrounded by a hot atmosphere composed of CO2 and clouds of sulfuric acid?
Venus
Which planet is closest to Earths size?
Venus
Mars atmosphere is composed of?
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
The time in early solar system history when there were numerous crater-forming impacts known as..
Heavy bombardment
The light-colored regions visible on the moons surface correspond to
Lunar highlands
The dark regions visible on the moons surface correspond to
Lunar Maria
What kind of rocks are found in the lunar Maria?
Basalt
Which planet had shield volcanoes?
Earth, Mars, and Venus
Venus’ unique surface is thought to have formed through a process of vigorous mantle connection, volcanic activity, and crustal stretching referred to as
Flake tectonics
The tallest volcano in the solar system is found on
Mars
The longest and deepest canyon in the solar system is called
Valles Marineris
Water is present on Mars as..
Polar ice caps
The only other planet in the solar system that is thought to be tectonically active
Venus
What is an accepted explanation of the moons origin?
It formed when a mars-sized object collided with Earth (collision theory)
Which ingredient is considered vital for the emergence of life on any given planet?
Liquid water
All planets have moons
False
