1.
Which gases are found in the atmospheres of the gas giants?
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A. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen
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B. Hydrogen and nitrogen
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C. Hydrogren and helium
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D. Nitrogen and oxygen
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E. Carbon dioxide and helium
Correct Answer
C. C
Explanation
The correct answer is C. The atmospheres of gas giants, such as Jupiter and Saturn, are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. These gases make up the majority of the gas giants' atmospheres and are responsible for their massive size and low density compared to terrestrial planets.
2.
Why do the gas giants have more moons than the terrestrial planets?
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A. They are located within an asteroid belt.
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B. They are larger and so they have more gravity.
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C. They are made of ice.
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D. They do not have solid surfaces.
Correct Answer
B. B
Explanation
Gas giants have more moons than terrestrial planets because they are larger and therefore have more gravity. This increased gravity allows them to capture and retain more moons in their orbit compared to the terrestrial planets, which have less gravitational pull.
3.
What aspect of the gas giants has the biggest effect on their rings and satellites?
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A. Their gaseous composition
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B. Their gravity
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C. Their distance from the sun
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D. Their rate of spinning
Correct Answer
B. B
Explanation
The correct answer is B. The aspect of the gas giants that has the biggest effect on their rings and satellites is their gravity. Gas giants have a strong gravitational pull, which affects the motion and stability of their rings and satellites. The gravity of the gas giant can cause the rings and satellites to orbit around the planet, and it can also influence their shape and structure.
4.
Why do the gas giants have many moons?
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A. They are located within an asteroid belt.
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B. They are large and so they have a lot of gravity.
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C. They have rings of particles that eventually form moons.
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D. Violent surface conditions emit rocks that form moons.
Correct Answer
B. B
Explanation
Gas giants have many moons because they are large and therefore have a lot of gravity. The strong gravitational pull of gas giants allows them to capture and hold onto numerous moons in their orbit.
5.
Which is true of Pluto?
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A. Pluto is not always the planet farthest from the sun.
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B. Pluto's orbit is almost perfectly round.
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C. Pluto does not revolve around the sun.
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D. Pluto revolves around the sun but does not rotate.
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation
Pluto is not always the planet farthest from the sun. This means that there are times when other planets in our solar system, such as Neptune, are farther from the sun than Pluto.
6.
Why do gas giants generally have lower average temperatures than the terrestrial planets?
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A. They do not have rocky cores.
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B. They feature the greenhouse effect.
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C. They rotate more quickly.
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D. They are farther from the sun.
Correct Answer
D. D
Explanation
Gas giants generally have lower average temperatures than terrestrial planets because they are farther from the sun. The distance from the sun affects the amount of solar radiation received by a planet, and the gas giants being farther away receive less solar radiation compared to the terrestrial planets. This results in lower temperatures on the gas giants.
7.
What aspect of gas giants is most responsible for their low temperatures?
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A. Their lack of atmosphere
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B. Their gaseous composition
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C. Their speed of rotation
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D. Their distance from the sun
Correct Answer
D. D
Explanation
Gas giants have low temperatures primarily because of their distance from the sun. The farther a planet is from the sun, the less solar radiation it receives, resulting in lower temperatures. The gaseous composition and lack of atmosphere may also play a role in temperature regulation, but the main factor is the distance from the sun. The speed of rotation does not directly affect the temperature of gas giants.
8.
Why are temperatures on the gas giants so low?
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A. They do not have atmospheres.
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B. Gases do not retain heat energy as well as solids.
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C. They rotate relatively quickly.
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D. They are far from the sun.
Correct Answer
D. D
Explanation
The correct answer is D: They are far from the sun. Gas giants, such as Jupiter and Saturn, are located in the outer regions of the solar system, where the sun's heat and radiation are much weaker compared to the inner planets. As a result, the temperatures on the gas giants are significantly lower.
9.
Approximately how many moons does Saturn have?
Correct Answer
C. C
Explanation
Saturn has approximately 46 moons.
10.
Which of Saturn's moons has an atmosphere that is most like Earth's?
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A. Pandora
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B. Atlas
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C. Titan
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D. Europa
Correct Answer
B. B
11.
Why are three of Saturn's satellites -- Atlas, Prometheus and Pandora -- called "shepherd moons"?
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A. They cause intense winds on Saturn's surface.
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B. They speed up Saturn's rotation.
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C. They keep Saturn's rings in order.
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D. They create rings around Saturn.
Correct Answer
C. C
Explanation
The three satellites, Atlas, Prometheus, and Pandora, are called "shepherd moons" because they keep Saturn's rings in order. They help to maintain the structure and stability of the ring system by confining and shaping the particles within the rings.
12.
Which is true of Pluto?
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A. Pluto has a tilted orbit.
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B. Pluto's orbit is the third longest.
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C. Pluto is considered a terrestrial planet.
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D. Pluto does not rotate around its axis.
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation
Pluto has a tilted orbit. This means that its orbit is not aligned with the plane of the solar system like the other planets. Instead, it is tilted at an angle, causing it to have a unique path around the Sun.
13.
Approximately how many moons are there in the solar system that are larger than Pluto?
Correct Answer
6-10
6 - 10
six
ten
6
10
six to ten
7
8
9
seven
eight
nine
Explanation
There are between 6 and 10 moons in the solar system that are larger than Pluto.
14.
Approximately how many years does it take Pluto to revolve around the sun?
Correct Answer
240-250
240 - 250
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
Explanation
Pluto takes approximately 240-250 years to revolve around the sun.