Midterm 1 - Quiz 7

Venus is known for its large number of volcanoes. This is because Venus is a geologically active planet with a thick atmosphere and high surface temperatures, which create conditions suitable for volcanic activity. The planet's surface is covered in numerous volcanic features, including vast lava plains, volcanic domes, and shield volcanoes. The presence of these volcanoes indicates that Venus has experienced significant volcanic eruptions throughout its history, making it one of the most volcanic bodies in the solar system.

Shield volcanoes are the most common type of volcano on Venus. These volcanoes are characterized by their low, broad shape and gentle slopes. They are formed by the eruption of fluid lava that flows easily and covers large areas, creating a shield-like shape. The lava on Venus is primarily composed of basalt, which is less viscous compared to other types of lava. This allows it to flow for longer distances, resulting in the formation of shield volcanoes.

The correct answer is radar "images" from Earth and the Magellan space craft. This is because the surface details on Venus are mainly observed using radar technology. Satellites with orbits below the cloud layers can only observe the atmosphere, while Russian landers reached the surface but did not provide extensive surface detail. Therefore, the most reliable method for studying the surface details on Venus is through radar "images" obtained from Earth and the Magellan spacecraft.

Aphrodite Terra, the largest "continent" like region on Venus, is about the size of Africa. This means that it is larger than Europe, Asia, and Lake Superior. Africa is known for its vast land area, diverse ecosystems, and numerous countries, making it a suitable comparison for the size of Aphrodite Terra.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that the surface details of Venus have fewer "continent" like elevated regions compared to the Earth. This means that Venus has less landmass and more flat, low-lying areas resembling an ocean-like surface. This is in contrast to the Earth, which has more elevated regions resembling continents.

The correct answer is sulfuric acid droplets. Venus has a thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds made of sulfuric acid droplets. These clouds are responsible for the planet's highly reflective nature, causing it to appear very bright in the sky. The presence of sulfuric acid droplets in Venus' atmosphere is due to various chemical reactions occurring in the atmosphere, making it different from Earth's atmosphere which contains water droplet clouds.

The correct answer is all of the above. This is because both short term variations in sulfur dioxide levels in the atmosphere and bursts of radio signals similar to lightning are suggestive evidence for ongoing volcanism on Venus. These phenomena are similar to what occurs during volcanic eruptions on Earth, indicating that similar processes may be happening on Venus.

The correct answer is "it turns in the opposite direction (on its axis) in comparison to the rotation of the Earth (on its axis)." This is because Venus has a retrograde rotation, meaning it rotates from east to west, opposite to the rotation of the Earth. This is unique among the planets in our solar system.

The orbit of Venus is such that its angular distance from the Sun is never more than 47 degrees. This means that Venus is always relatively close to the Sun in the sky. As a result, it is generally visible during the 2 to 3 hours just after sunset or just before sunrise when the Sun is below the horizon and Venus is still visible. This is because Venus is either ahead of or behind the Sun in its orbit, allowing it to be seen during these twilight hours.

The rotation axis of Venus being almost perfectly at right angles to the plane of its orbit means that there is very little tilt in Venus' axis compared to Earth. This lack of tilt results in minimal seasonal differences on Venus, making the seasons almost non-existent. Therefore, the correct answer is that Venus' seasons are almost non-existent, with much less seasonal differences than on Earth.

The correct answer is "run-way greenhouse effect." The high surface temperatures on Venus are primarily the result of this phenomenon. Venus has a thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, which traps heat from the Sun and creates a greenhouse effect. This effect is intensified on Venus due to the dense atmosphere and the presence of clouds that further contribute to the trapping of heat. As a result, Venus experiences extreme temperatures reaching up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the hottest planet in our solar system.

Coronae is the correct answer because it refers to the largest volcanic structures on Venus. These structures are characterized by a circular shape and are thought to be the result of upwelling and mantle plumes. They are different from other volcanic features like shield volcanoes, domes, and ticks, making "coronae" the most appropriate option.

The correct answer is "was deduced using 'Doppler broadening' of radar echoes from the surface." This means that scientists were able to determine the retrograde rotation of Venus by studying the Doppler broadening effect in radar echoes from the surface. This technique involves analyzing the changes in frequency and wavelength of the radar signals reflected from Venus, which provided evidence of the planet's unusual rotation direction. The other options mentioned, such as watching cloud patterns, surface patterns, or seasonal variations of the polar ice caps, are not directly related to deducing the retrograde rotation of Venus.

The correct answer is "no evidence for any magnetic field on Venus." This means that there is no scientific proof or data indicating the presence of a magnetic field on Venus. Unlike Earth, which has a significant magnetic field, Venus does not exhibit any magnetic field. This information suggests that Venus lacks certain geological processes or conditions necessary for the generation of a magnetic field.

The correct answer is "all of the above." This means that all the options mentioned in the question (ticks and domes) are considered unusual types of volcanoes on Venus.

The radar images from the Magellan satellite suggest little or no evidence for plate tectonics on Venus. This means that the images did not show any significant geological activity or movement of the Venusian crust, which is a key characteristic of plate tectonics. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is little or no evidence supporting the presence of plate tectonics on Venus based on these radar images.