Solar System Questions! Earth Science Trivia Quiz

1. It takes the Earth 365.25 days to orbit the sun one time.

True

False

The explanation for the given correct answer is that it takes the Earth approximately 365.25 days to complete one orbit around the sun. This extra quarter day is why we have a leap year every four years to account for the accumulating time difference.

Explanation

The explanation for the given correct answer is that it takes the Earth approximately 365.25 days to complete one orbit around the sun. This extra quarter day is why we have a leap year every four years to account for the accumulating time difference.

2. Venus could support human life because of its atmosphere.

True

False

Venus cannot support human life despite having an atmosphere. The atmosphere of Venus is composed mainly of carbon dioxide and thick clouds of sulfuric acid, making it extremely hot and inhospitable. The surface temperature on Venus is around 900 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than the surface of Mercury, even though Venus is further from the Sun. Additionally, the atmospheric pressure on Venus is about 90 times greater than Earth's, which would be fatal to humans. Therefore, the statement that Venus could support human life because of its atmosphere is false.

Explanation

Venus cannot support human life despite having an atmosphere. The atmosphere of Venus is composed mainly of carbon dioxide and thick clouds of sulfuric acid, making it extremely hot and inhospitable. The surface temperature on Venus is around 900 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than the surface of Mercury, even though Venus is further from the Sun. Additionally, the atmospheric pressure on Venus is about 90 times greater than Earth's, which would be fatal to humans. Therefore, the statement that Venus could support human life because of its atmosphere is false.

3. Mars is known as the Red Planet due to the abundance of iron-oxide on the planet's surface.

True

False

Mars is known as the Red Planet because of the presence of iron-oxide on its surface. Iron-oxide, commonly known as rust, gives the planet its reddish appearance. The iron-oxide particles in the Martian soil and rocks reflect sunlight in a way that makes the planet appear red from a distance. This distinguishing feature has earned Mars the nickname "Red Planet."

Explanation

Mars is known as the Red Planet because of the presence of iron-oxide on its surface. Iron-oxide, commonly known as rust, gives the planet its reddish appearance. The iron-oxide particles in the Martian soil and rocks reflect sunlight in a way that makes the planet appear red from a distance. This distinguishing feature has earned Mars the nickname "Red Planet."

4. In a solar eclipse, the moon blocks the sun and prevents its light from reaching Earth, while a lunar eclipse happens when the moon is in the Earth's shadow, preventing the moon from reflecting the Sun's light.

True

False

During a solar eclipse, the moon comes between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth and blocking the sun's light from reaching us. This occurs when the moon is in its new moon phase. On the other hand, during a lunar eclipse, the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, causing the Earth's shadow to fall on the moon, making it appear dark. This happens when the moon is in its full moon phase. Therefore, the statement that the moon blocks the sun's light during a solar eclipse and the moon is in the Earth's shadow during a lunar eclipse is true.

Explanation

During a solar eclipse, the moon comes between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth and blocking the sun's light from reaching us. This occurs when the moon is in its new moon phase. On the other hand, during a lunar eclipse, the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, causing the Earth's shadow to fall on the moon, making it appear dark. This happens when the moon is in its full moon phase. Therefore, the statement that the moon blocks the sun's light during a solar eclipse and the moon is in the Earth's shadow during a lunar eclipse is true.

5. The Sun is a giant ball of exploding gas.

True

False

The Sun is indeed a giant ball of exploding gas. It is a massive star made up of mostly hydrogen and helium, undergoing nuclear fusion in its core, which releases enormous amounts of energy in the form of light and heat. This continuous fusion process causes the Sun to emit energy and radiation, making it a source of heat and light for our solar system.

Explanation

The Sun is indeed a giant ball of exploding gas. It is a massive star made up of mostly hydrogen and helium, undergoing nuclear fusion in its core, which releases enormous amounts of energy in the form of light and heat. This continuous fusion process causes the Sun to emit energy and radiation, making it a source of heat and light for our solar system.

6. The presence of methane gas in the atmosphere of Uranus gives the planet it's blue-green appearance.

True

False

The presence of methane gas in the atmosphere of Uranus gives the planet its blue-green appearance. Methane absorbs red light and reflects blue and green light, resulting in the planet's distinct color. This is supported by observations and scientific studies of Uranus, which have confirmed the presence of methane in its atmosphere. Therefore, the statement is true.

Explanation

The presence of methane gas in the atmosphere of Uranus gives the planet its blue-green appearance. Methane absorbs red light and reflects blue and green light, resulting in the planet's distinct color. This is supported by observations and scientific studies of Uranus, which have confirmed the presence of methane in its atmosphere. Therefore, the statement is true.

7. Neptune is a rocky planet with a lot of cobalt in the rock to give it its blue appearance.

True

False

The statement that Neptune is a rocky planet with a lot of cobalt in the rock to give it its blue appearance is false. Neptune is not a rocky planet, but rather a gas giant composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Its blue appearance is due to the presence of methane in its atmosphere, which absorbs red light and reflects blue light.

Explanation

The statement that Neptune is a rocky planet with a lot of cobalt in the rock to give it its blue appearance is false. Neptune is not a rocky planet, but rather a gas giant composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Its blue appearance is due to the presence of methane in its atmosphere, which absorbs red light and reflects blue light.

8. Saturn's rings are made up of a variety of gases.

True

False

Saturn's rings are not made up of gases, but rather of billions of small particles, mostly made of ice with some rocky material mixed in. These particles range in size from tiny grains to large boulders. The rings are not solid structures, but rather a collection of individual particles orbiting around Saturn.

Explanation

Saturn's rings are not made up of gases, but rather of billions of small particles, mostly made of ice with some rocky material mixed in. These particles range in size from tiny grains to large boulders. The rings are not solid structures, but rather a collection of individual particles orbiting around Saturn.

9. Some comets orbit the sun, some orbit other planets or stars.

True

False

This statement is false because all comets orbit the sun. While some comets may come close to other planets or stars during their orbit, their main gravitational pull and orbit is always around the sun.

Explanation

This statement is false because all comets orbit the sun. While some comets may come close to other planets or stars during their orbit, their main gravitational pull and orbit is always around the sun.

10. All meteorites completely burn in our atmosphere before hitting the surface.

True

False

Meteorites do not completely burn in our atmosphere before hitting the surface. While most of the meteoroid (a small rocky or metallic object in space) burns up due to the intense heat caused by friction with the atmosphere, some fragments can survive and reach the Earth's surface. These surviving fragments are called meteorites. Therefore, the statement is false.

Explanation

Meteorites do not completely burn in our atmosphere before hitting the surface. While most of the meteoroid (a small rocky or metallic object in space) burns up due to the intense heat caused by friction with the atmosphere, some fragments can survive and reach the Earth's surface. These surviving fragments are called meteorites. Therefore, the statement is false.

11. The chromosphere of the sun is composed of solid hydrogen and helium.

True

False

The chromosphere of the sun is not composed of solid hydrogen and helium. The chromosphere is a layer of the sun's atmosphere located above the photosphere and below the corona. It is primarily composed of ionized gases, such as hydrogen and helium, along with other elements. However, these gases are not in solid form but rather exist as a hot, thin plasma. Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation

The chromosphere of the sun is not composed of solid hydrogen and helium. The chromosphere is a layer of the sun's atmosphere located above the photosphere and below the corona. It is primarily composed of ionized gases, such as hydrogen and helium, along with other elements. However, these gases are not in solid form but rather exist as a hot, thin plasma. Therefore, the given statement is false.

12. Please match the following terms to their definitions:

Moon

Eclipse

Galilean Moons

Gas Giants

Dwarf Planet

Asteroid

Comet

Meteor

Meteoroid

Submit

13. Please match the following terms to their definitions:

Photosphere

Prominence

Solar wind

Sunspot

Crater

Planet

Atmosphere

Axis

Orbit

Submit

14. Two factors that contribute to Jupiter's stormy atmosphere are its distance from the sun and the lack of pressure on the planet.

True

False

The explanation for the answer "False" is that the distance from the sun and the lack of pressure on Jupiter do not contribute to its stormy atmosphere. Instead, the main factors that contribute to Jupiter's stormy atmosphere are its rapid rotation and the presence of strong jet streams.

Explanation

The explanation for the answer "False" is that the distance from the sun and the lack of pressure on Jupiter do not contribute to its stormy atmosphere. Instead, the main factors that contribute to Jupiter's stormy atmosphere are its rapid rotation and the presence of strong jet streams.