2.3 Study Sheet #4
About This Quiz
2.3 Study Sheet #4 explores key aspects of the Sun and the terrestrial planets, focusing on their common features, solar phenomena like flares and wind, and the nuclear processes within the Sun. This quiz is designed to assess understanding of fundamental solar and planetary science.
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- 2.
Which of the following do all the terrestrial planets have in common?
- A. They all have moderate temperatures.
- B. They all have a solid, rocky surface.
- C. They all have liquid cores.
- D. They can all support human life.
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D
Correct Answer
A. BExplanation
All the terrestrial planets have a solid, rocky surface.Rate this question:
- 3.
At 15.6 million degrees Celcius, the temperature of the sun's core is high enough for nuclear _____ to occur.
Correct Answer
fusion
nuclear fusionExplanation
At a temperature of 15.6 million degrees Celsius, the sun's core is extremely hot. This high temperature allows for nuclear fusion to occur. Nuclear fusion is the process in which atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process. In the sun's core, hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium nuclei through nuclear fusion, releasing a vast amount of energy in the form of light and heat.Rate this question:
- 4.
Of all the rocky planets, Venus is the one humans are most likely to colonize.
- A. True
- B. False
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True
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False
Correct Answer
A. FalseExplanation
Venus is not the planet that humans are most likely to colonize among all the rocky planets. While Venus is similar in size and composition to Earth, it has a hostile environment with extremely high temperatures, toxic atmosphere, and crushing atmospheric pressure. Mars is considered a more viable option for human colonization due to its closer proximity to Earth, the potential for water resources, and a more moderate climate. Therefore, the given statement is false.Rate this question:
- 5.
Which best describes how the sun rotates?
- A. The sun rotates once each year.
- B. The sun does not rotate.
- C. The sun rotates every 11 years.
- D. The sun rotates more slowly at its poles.
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Correct Answer
A. DExplanation
The correct answer is D. The sun rotates more slowly at its poles. This is because the sun is a gaseous body and it does not rotate as a solid object. The equator of the sun rotates faster than the poles due to the differential rotation caused by the convective motion of the sun's outer layers. This causes the sun to have a faster rotation at its equator and a slower rotation at its poles.Rate this question:
- 6.
It takes an extremely high temperature for nuclear _____ to occur inside the sun.
Correct Answer
fusion
nuclear fusionExplanation
Nuclear fusion is the process in which two atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This process is what powers the sun and other stars. The phrase "nuclear _____" suggests that the missing word is related to nuclear reactions, and "fusion" is the most appropriate term to complete the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer is "fusion" or "nuclear fusion."Rate this question:
- 7.
How do we know the sun rotates?
- A. Both sides are red-shifted.
- B. Both sides are blue-shifted.
- C. Because Earth rotates.
- D. One side is blue-shifted and the other side is red-shifted.
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Correct Answer
A. DExplanation
We know the sun rotates because one side is blue-shifted and the other side is red-shifted. This is known as the Doppler effect, where the wavelengths of light from an object moving towards us (blue-shifted) are shorter, and the wavelengths of light from an object moving away from us (red-shifted) are longer. By observing the different shifts in the wavelengths of light from different sides of the sun, we can conclude that it is rotating.Rate this question:
- 8.
The sun rotates _______.
- A. once per year.
- B. around Earth once per year.
- C. every 31 days.
- D. at different speeds along its sphere.
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Correct Answer
A. DExplanation
The correct answer is D. The sun rotates at different speeds along its sphere. This means that different parts of the sun rotate at different speeds. The equator of the sun rotates faster than the poles, which is known as differential rotation. This differential rotation is caused by the sun's composition and magnetic field.Rate this question:
- 9.
What do all of the terrestrial planets have in common?
- A. They all have solid cores.
- B. They all have rocky surfaces.
- C. They all have liquid cores.
- D. They all have liquid water.
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Correct Answer
A. BExplanation
All of the terrestrial planets have rocky surfaces. This means that the outer layer of these planets is composed of solid rock rather than gas or liquids. This is in contrast to the gas giants, which have thick atmospheres and do not have solid surfaces.Rate this question:
- 10.
Of all the rocky planets, Mars is the one humans are most likely to colonize.
- A. True
- B. False
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True
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False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Mars is considered the most likely planet for humans to colonize among all the rocky planets. This is because Mars has several characteristics that make it a potential candidate for colonization, such as its proximity to Earth, its similar day-night cycle, and the presence of water ice. Additionally, Mars has been the focus of numerous space exploration missions and research, with plans for future manned missions to the planet. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Mars is the most likely rocky planet for human colonization.Rate this question:
- 11.
Which planet has high temperatures due to the runaway greenhouse effect?
- A. Venus
- B. Earth
- C. Mercury
- D. Mars
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Correct Answer
A. AExplanation
Venus has high temperatures due to the runaway greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect occurs when certain gases in a planet's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, causing the planet to warm up. On Venus, the atmosphere is mostly made up of carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. The thick atmosphere on Venus traps heat, causing the temperatures to rise to extremely high levels, making it the hottest planet in our solar system.Rate this question:
- 12.
Visible light comes from which one of the sun's layers?
- A. The core
- B. The radiative zone
- C. The convection zone
- D. The photosphere
- E. The corona
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Correct Answer
A. DExplanation
The correct answer is D. The photosphere. The photosphere is the outermost layer of the sun's surface that emits visible light. It is the layer that we see when we look at the sun. The other layers mentioned in the options (core, radiative zone, convection zone, and corona) do not emit visible light.Rate this question:
- 13.
Solar flares may be seen in the sun's _____.
Correct Answer
coronaExplanation
Solar flares may be seen in the sun's corona. The corona is the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, consisting of extremely hot plasma. Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation and energy that occur on the sun's surface. They are often associated with magnetic activity and can cause disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. Since the corona is the region where solar flares originate, it is the most likely place to observe them.Rate this question:
- 14.
Prominences may be seen in the sun's _____.
Correct Answer
coronaExplanation
Prominences are large, bright, gaseous features that are often seen extending from the sun's corona. The corona is the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, consisting of extremely hot plasma. Prominences are formed by the interaction between the sun's magnetic field and the plasma in the corona. They can appear as loops, arcs, or sheets of glowing gas, and can extend for thousands of kilometers above the sun's surface. Therefore, it is correct to say that prominences may be seen in the sun's corona.Rate this question:
- 15.
Why are Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars called the "terrestrial" planets?
- A. They all have solid cores.
- B. They are all made of rock.
- C. They all have liquid cores and rocky surfaces.
- D. They have all been able to support some form of life.
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Correct Answer
A. BExplanation
The reason Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are called the "terrestrial" planets is because they are all made of rock. They have solid surfaces and are primarily composed of silicate rocks and metals. This distinguishes them from the gas giants, such as Jupiter and Saturn, which have a mostly gaseous composition.Rate this question:
- 16.
The sun produces energy from matter in its core through the process of _______.
Correct Answer
fusion
nuclear fusion
nuclearfusionExplanation
The sun produces energy from matter in its core through the process of fusion, specifically nuclear fusion. Fusion is the process in which two atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. In the sun's core, hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium nuclei, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of light and heat. This process is known as nuclear fusion and is the primary source of the sun's energy.Rate this question:
- 17.
In which layer of the sun is energy transferred between atoms?
- A. The core
- B. The radiative zone
- C. The photosphere
- D. The convection zone
- E. The corona
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Correct Answer
A. DExplanation
In the convection zone of the sun, energy is transferred through the movement of hot plasma. This layer is located just below the photosphere and is characterized by convective currents that transport energy from the interior of the sun to its outer layers.Rate this question:
- 18.
Which planet experiences the widest range of temperatures?
- A. Mercury
- B. Venus
- C. Earth
- D. Mars
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Correct Answer
A. AExplanation
Mercury experiences the widest range of temperatures compared to the other planets listed. This is because Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and has very little atmosphere to retain heat. During its daytime, temperatures on Mercury can reach up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius), while during its nighttime, temperatures can drop to -290 degrees Fahrenheit (-180 degrees Celsius). This extreme difference in temperature makes Mercury the planet with the widest range of temperatures.Rate this question:
- 19.
Which planet experiences the smallest range of temperatures?
- A. Earth
- B. Venus
- C. Mercury
- D. Mars
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Correct Answer
A. AExplanation
Earth experiences the smallest range of temperatures compared to the other planets listed. This is because Earth has a relatively stable climate due to its atmosphere, which helps regulate temperature by trapping heat and distributing it evenly. Venus, on the other hand, experiences extreme temperatures due to its thick atmosphere and greenhouse effect. Mercury has a large temperature range because it lacks an atmosphere to regulate heat. Mars also has a large temperature range due to its thin atmosphere and distance from the sun.Rate this question:
- 20.
Which lists the terrestrial planets in order from smallest to largest?
- A. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
- B. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth
- C. Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth
- D. Mercury, Mars, Earth, Venus
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Correct Answer
A. CExplanation
The correct answer is C because it lists the terrestrial planets (Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth) in order from smallest to largest.Rate this question:
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Mar 14, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jan 07, 2013Quiz Created by
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