Midterm 1 - Quiz 6
This quiz is intended to quiz you on basic concepts of the planet Mercury.
- 1.
The orbit of Mercury is such that its angular distance from the Sun is never more than 28 degrees. As a consequence:
- A.
It can only be seen during full daylight.
- B.
It is generally visible during the 2 to 3 hours just after sunset or just before sunrise.
- C.
It is generally visible during the 1 to 2 hours just after sunset or just before sunrise.
- D.
It can be seen during total solar eclipse.
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. It is generally visible during the 1 to 2 hours just after sunset or just before sunrise.Explanation
The orbit of Mercury is such that its angular distance from the Sun is never more than 28 degrees. This means that Mercury is always relatively close to the Sun in the sky and is often obscured by the Sun's glare. However, during the 1 to 2 hours just after sunset or just before sunrise, when the Sun is below the horizon but its light still illuminates the sky, Mercury can be seen in the twilight. This is why it is generally visible during these specific times.Rate this question:
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- 2.
The rotation axis of Mercury is almost perfectly at right angles to the plane of its orbit. As a consequence Mercury's seasons:
- A.
Are similar to seasons on Earth.
- B.
Are more extreme than seasons on Earth.
- C.
Are almost non-existent(much less seasonal differences than on Earth).
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Are almost non-existent(much less seasonal differences than on Earth).Explanation
Mercury's rotation axis being almost perfectly perpendicular to the plane of its orbit means that the planet does not experience significant tilting or changes in its orientation relative to the Sun throughout its orbit. This lack of tilt results in minimal variations in solar radiation and temperature across different regions of the planet, leading to very little seasonal differences. Therefore, the correct answer is that Mercury's seasons are almost non-existent, with much less seasonal differences compared to Earth.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Because of "tidal locking" the period of Mercury's rotation on its axis is:
- A.
The same as the Moon's revolution period around the Earth(27.3 days)
- B.
The same as Mercury's revolution period around the Sun(88.0 days)
- C.
2/3 of Mercury's revolution period around the Sun(58.67 days)
- D.
Tidal locking only occurs for the Moon's period around the Earth
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. 2/3 of Mercury's revolution period around the Sun(58.67 days)Explanation
The correct answer is 2/3 of Mercury's revolution period around the Sun (58.67 days). Tidal locking is a phenomenon where the gravitational forces between two celestial bodies cause one body to always face the other with the same side. In the case of Mercury, its rotation period on its axis is 2/3 of its revolution period around the Sun. This means that it takes Mercury 58.67 days to rotate once on its axis while it takes 88.0 days for it to complete one revolution around the Sun.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Becuase of "tidal locking" on Mercury:
- A.
Ocean tides on Mercury occur only once per day.
- B.
As with our Moon, only one "side" of Mercury faces the Sun.
- C.
As with our Moon, only one "side" of Mercury faces the Earth.
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
E. None of the aboveExplanation
Tidal locking refers to a phenomenon where the rotation period of a celestial body matches its orbital period, causing one side to always face the other. However, tidal locking does not directly affect the occurrence of ocean tides. Ocean tides on Mercury would still occur more than once per day, just like on Earth, due to the gravitational forces exerted by the Sun and other planets. Therefore, the correct answer is none of the above.Rate this question:
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- 5.
It would be difficult to breathe on Mercury because:
- A.
Mercury has almost no atmosphere.
- B.
The low escape speed(4.2 km/s) means it is difficult for any atmosphere to "stick" to the planet.
- C.
The heat of mid-day has "boiled away" the atmosphere.
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
Mercury has almost no atmosphere, which means there is very little air or gases surrounding the planet. The low escape speed of Mercury makes it difficult for any atmosphere to "stick" to the planet, as the gases can easily escape into space. Additionally, the heat of mid-day on Mercury is extremely high, causing the atmosphere to "boil away" and evaporate. Therefore, all of the given options explain why it would be difficult to breathe on Mercury.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Typical "mid-day" high temperatures (at Mercury's equator) are about:
- A.
The same as Earth.
- B.
About the temperature of boiling water on Earth.
- C.
About the temperature of melting lead on Earth.
- D.
About the temperature of melting iron on Earth.
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. About the temperature of melting lead on Earth.Explanation
The correct answer is "about the temperature of melting lead on Earth." This means that the typical "mid-day" high temperatures at Mercury's equator are extremely hot, similar to the temperature at which lead melts on Earth. This suggests that the temperatures on Mercury can reach extremely high levels, making it much hotter than Earth.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Typical "midnight" low temperatures (at Mercury's poles) are about:
- A.
The same as Earth.
- B.
About the temperature of freezing water on Earth.
- C.
About the temperature of freezing carbon dioxide(dry ice) on Earth.
- D.
Somewhat warmer than the temperature of liquifying nitrogen on Earth.
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. Somewhat warmer than the temperature of liquifying nitrogen on Earth.Explanation
Mercury's poles experience extremely cold temperatures due to their lack of sunlight and their distance from the sun. The temperature of liquifying nitrogen on Earth is around -346 degrees Fahrenheit (-210 degrees Celsius), which is extremely cold. Therefore, if the typical "midnight" low temperatures on Mercury's poles are somewhat warmer than this temperature, it means that they are still very cold but not as cold as liquifying nitrogen on Earth.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Typical "mid-day" high temperatures (at Mercury's equator) are a result of:
- A.
Run away "greenhouse" effect.
- B.
"ozone hole" that extends over the entire planet.
- C.
Burning of fossil fuels.
- D.
Closeness to the Sun.
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. Closeness to the Sun.Explanation
The sun's intensity is about 7x that on Earth according to Energy/Surface Area.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The surface of Mercury looks rather similar to our Moon:
- A.
But less heavily cratered than the Moon.
- B.
But with light colored extensive "inter-crater plains" instead of dark colored "maria".
- C.
But with numerous ridges("scarps") in the crust.
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
The surface of Mercury is similar to our Moon in several ways. It is less heavily cratered than the Moon, meaning it has fewer impact craters. Additionally, Mercury has light-colored extensive "inter-crater plains" instead of dark-colored "maria" like the Moon. These inter-crater plains cover large areas of Mercury's surface. Furthermore, Mercury has numerous ridges, known as "scarps," in its crust. These scarps are thought to be the result of the planet's surface shrinking as its core cools. Therefore, all of the given options accurately describe the surface of Mercury.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Both the Moon and Mercury show evidence of near destructive impacts. The structures(the evidence we see today) are called:
- A.
Complex craters
- B.
Basins
- C.
Highlands
- D.
Plains
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. BasinsExplanation
Ex. Caloris Basin (Mercury) Orientale Basin (Moon)Rate this question:
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- 11.
Evidence for plate tectonics on Mercury includes:
- A.
Complex craters
- B.
Basins
- C.
Highlands
- D.
Plains
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
E. None of the aboveExplanation
The statement "none of the above" suggests that the evidence for plate tectonics on Mercury does not include any of the listed options, namely complex craters, basins, highlands, or plains. This implies that there must be other forms of evidence that support the existence of plate tectonics on Mercury, which are not mentioned in the given options.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Like the Moon, Mercury appears to have been geologically "dead" for roughly the past:
- A.
1 million years (comparable to early man on Earth).
- B.
1 billion years based on current estimates of surface weathering.
- C.
4 billion years using cratering age estimates as for our Moon.
- D.
4.6 billion years (shortly after the formation of the planet).
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. 4 billion years using cratering age estimates as for our Moon.Explanation
Mercury is believed to have become geologically inactive, or "dead," around 4 billion years ago. This estimation is based on the age of craters on its surface, which are similar to those found on the Moon. The lack of geological activity suggests that Mercury's internal heat source had depleted, causing its surface to cool and solidify. Therefore, the correct answer is 4 billion years using cratering age estimates as for our Moon.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Mercury has a magnetic field that is about:
- A.
1% of the magnetic field of the Earth.
- B.
10% of the magnetic field of the Earth.
- C.
The same as the magnetic field of the Earth.
- D.
10 times the magnetic field of the Earth.
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
A. 1% of the magnetic field of the Earth.Explanation
Mercury has a magnetic field that is only about 1% of the magnetic field of the Earth. This means that the strength of Mercury's magnetic field is much weaker compared to Earth's magnetic field.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 19, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Oct 05, 2008Quiz Created by
Naspah
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