Midterm 1 - Quiz 8
This quiz is intended to cover your knowledge on the planet Mars.
- 1.
The orbit of Mars lies "outside" the orbit or the Earth (ie. further from the Sun). 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 only be seen during total solar eclipse.
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
E. None of the aboveExplanation
The correct answer is none of the above. The orbit of Mars being outside the orbit of Earth means that it is further from the Sun than Earth. As a consequence, Mars is generally visible during the 2 to 3 hours just after sunset or just before sunrise, but not during full daylight. It cannot be seen during a total solar eclipse because it is not in line with the Sun and Earth during that time.Rate this question:
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- 2.
The rotation axis of Mars is tilted at 24 degrees from being at right angles to the plane of its orbit:
- A.
Are similar to seasons on Earth.
- B.
Are much more extreme that seasons on Earth.
- C.
Are almost non-existent (much less seasonal differences than on Earth).
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
A. Are similar to seasons on Earth.Explanation
The rotation axis of Mars being tilted at 24 degrees means that it experiences seasons similar to Earth. This tilt causes the amount of sunlight received by different parts of Mars to vary throughout the year, resulting in seasonal changes in temperature and weather patterns. Just like on Earth, Mars has a summer and winter season, with corresponding changes in climate and length of daylight. Therefore, the seasons on Mars are similar to those on Earth.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Because the rotational period of Mars is 24.6 hours:
- A.
Like Mercury, Mars has a complex version of "tidal locking" to the Sun.
- B.
Like our Moon, Mars has a complex version of "tidal locking" to the Earth.
- C.
Its daytime and nighttime are almost the same as those on Earth.
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Its daytime and nighttime are almost the same as those on Earth.Explanation
The correct answer is "its daytime and nighttime are almost the same as those on Earth." This is because the rotational period of Mars is similar to that of Earth, resulting in a similar length of day and night.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The rotational period of Mars was deduced by:
- A.
Watching patterns in the cloud layers of Mars.
- B.
Watching patterns in the surface of Mars.
- C.
Watching the seasonal variations of the polar ice caps.
- D.
Using "Doppler broadening" of radar echoes from the surface.
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. Watching patterns in the surface of Mars.Explanation
The rotational period of Mars was deduced by watching patterns in the surface of Mars. By observing the surface features, such as craters and mountains, over a period of time, scientists were able to determine the time it takes for Mars to complete one rotation on its axis. This method allows for the calculation of the rotational period without relying on other factors such as cloud patterns or seasonal variations.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The highest temperatures (at Mars' equator) are:
- A.
Almost as warm as a healthy human.
- 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
A. Almost as warm as a healthy human.Explanation
The highest temperatures at Mars' equator are almost as warm as a healthy human. This suggests that the temperatures can reach a relatively high level, comparable to the normal body temperature of a human. However, it is important to note that this answer does not provide an exact temperature range or specific measurement.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Unlike Earth's atmosphere with water droplet clouds, Mars' clouds include IN ADDITION:
- A.
Dry ice
- B.
Sulfuric acid droplets
- C.
Ozone droplets
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
A. Dry iceExplanation
Mars' clouds include dry ice in addition to water droplet clouds found in Earth's atmosphere. Dry ice, which is solid carbon dioxide, can form clouds on Mars due to the planet's extremely low temperatures. These clouds are composed of tiny particles of frozen carbon dioxide, creating a different cloud composition compared to Earth. Therefore, the correct answer is dry ice.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Surface details on Mars are mainly observed using:
- A.
Satellites with orbits below the cloud layers.
- B.
Radar "images" from Earth and the Magellan space craft.
- C.
From Russian "landers" that reached the surface of Mars.
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
E. None of the aboveExplanation
The question asks about the methods used to observe surface details on Mars. The options provided are satellites with orbits below the cloud layers, radar "images" from Earth and the Magellan space craft, and Russian landers. However, none of these options are correct. Surface details on Mars are mainly observed using rovers and landers, such as the Mars rovers Curiosity and Perseverance, which have been sent by NASA to explore the Martian surface. Therefore, the correct answer is "none of the above".Rate this question:
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- 8.
The surface details of Mars show:
- A.
Very different "northern" hemisphere vs "southern" hemisphere
- B.
Lower, smoother, volcanic planes in the north.
- C.
Higher, heavily cratered, southern highlands.
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
The correct answer is "all of the above." This is because the statement correctly summarizes the surface details of Mars, stating that the "northern" hemisphere and "southern" hemisphere have very different characteristics. The northern hemisphere is described as having lower, smoother, volcanic planes, while the southern hemisphere is described as having higher, heavily cratered, southern highlands. Therefore, all of these statements are true and accurately describe the surface details of Mars.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The largest volcano on Mars is named:
- A.
Gula Mons
- B.
Tharsis bulge
- C.
Aine corona
- D.
Olympus Mons
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. Olympus MonsExplanation
Olympus Mons is the correct answer because it is the largest volcano on Mars. It is a shield volcano and is the tallest volcano in the solar system, with a height of about 13.6 miles (22 kilometers) and a diameter of about 370 miles (600 kilometers). It is located on the Tharsis bulge, a volcanic region on Mars. Gula Mons and Aine corona are not the correct answers as they are not the largest volcanoes on Mars. "None of the above" is also not the correct answer as Olympus Mons is the largest volcano on Mars.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The Tharsis bulge is about the size of:
- A.
Rhode Island
- B.
Lake Superior
- C.
Texas
- D.
North America
- E.
Asia
Correct Answer
D. North AmericaExplanation
The Tharsis bulge is a volcanic region on Mars that is about the size of North America. This comparison suggests that the Tharsis bulge is significantly larger than Rhode Island, Lake Superior, Texas, and Asia. The Tharsis bulge is known for its massive volcanoes, including Olympus Mons, which is the largest volcano in the solar system. Its size and geological features make it a prominent and distinct feature on the Martian surface.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Olympus Mons is about the size of:
- A.
Rhode Island
- B.
Lake Superior
- C.
Texas
- D.
North America
- E.
Asia
Correct Answer
C. TexasExplanation
Olympus Mons is about the size of Texas. This means that the area covered by Olympus Mons is similar to the area of the state of Texas.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Mars volcanoes rise to great heights (mainly) because:
- A.
"focused" plate tectonics.
- B.
Thicker magma on Mars.
- C.
Reduced gravity on Mars.
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Reduced gravity on Mars.Explanation
The correct answer is reduced gravity on Mars. Mars has a lower gravity compared to Earth, which allows volcanoes to rise to greater heights. The reduced gravity means that the weight of the volcanic material is less, allowing it to be ejected higher into the atmosphere before falling back down. This, in turn, leads to the formation of taller volcanoes on Mars compared to those on Earth.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Mars' gigantic "grand canyon" is named:
- A.
Chryse Planitia
- B.
Valles Marineris
- C.
Aphrodite Terra
- D.
Hellas Basin
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. Valles MarinerisExplanation
Valles Marineris is the correct answer because it is the name of Mars' gigantic "grand canyon". Valles Marineris is a system of canyons that stretches for about 4,000 kilometers across the Martian surface. It is the largest canyon system in the solar system and is much longer and deeper than Earth's Grand Canyon. The name Valles Marineris was given in honor of the Mariner 9 spacecraft, which captured the first close-up images of the feature in 1971.Rate this question:
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- 14.
(Sugesstive) evidence for ongoing volcanism on Mars includes:
- A.
Short term variations in the levels of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere
- B.
Bursts of radio signals (from the surface) similar to lightning that occurs in the plumes of erupting volcanoes on Earth.
- C.
All of the above
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. None of the aboveExplanation
The correct answer is "none of the above" because the question asks for evidence of ongoing volcanism on Mars, but neither of the provided options provide direct evidence for this. Short-term variations in sulfur dioxide levels in the atmosphere could be caused by other factors, and bursts of radio signals similar to lightning do not necessarily indicate volcanic activity. Therefore, none of the given options can be considered as evidence for ongoing volcanism on Mars.Rate this question:
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- 15.
It is suggested that the (observed) surface temperatures on Mars are primarily the result of:
- A.
Being further to the Sun than the Earth.
- B.
Failed greenhouse effect
- C.
Highly reflective clouds from extensive and active volcanoes
- D.
Remnants of planet formation
Correct Answer
A. Being further to the Sun than the Earth.Explanation
The correct answer is being further to the Sun than the Earth. This is because the distance from a planet to its star affects its surface temperature. Mars is further from the Sun than Earth, which means it receives less solar radiation and has lower surface temperatures. The other options, such as failed greenhouse effect, highly reflective clouds from volcanoes, and remnants of planet formation, do not directly explain the observed surface temperatures on Mars.Rate this question:
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- 16.
The Hellas Basin (or Hellas Planitia) is thought to be:
- A.
A gigantic sink hole.
- B.
A gigantic impact crater (like the "basins" on Mercury and the Moon).
- C.
The bed(bottom) of an ancient lake.
- D.
An erosion feature from recurrent cyclones.
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. A gigantic impact crater (like the "basins" on Mercury and the Moon).Explanation
The correct answer is a gigantic impact crater (like the "basins" on Mercury and the Moon). This is because the Hellas Basin, also known as Hellas Planitia, is a large impact crater on the surface of Mars. It is one of the largest impact craters in the solar system, with a diameter of about 2,300 kilometers. The basin was formed billions of years ago when a large asteroid or comet collided with Mars, creating a massive crater. The similarities between the Hellas Basin and the basins on Mercury and the Moon suggest that they were all formed by similar impact events.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The "age" of the Tharsis bulge (2-3 billion years) and the Hellas Basin (about 4 billion years) are different based on:
- A.
Fossil remains at the two sites.
- B.
Number counts of river erosion channels in each.
- C.
Density of crater impacts in each.
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Density of crater impacts in each.Explanation
The correct answer is "density of crater impacts in each." The age of a planetary feature can be determined by studying the density of crater impacts on its surface. The more craters there are, the older the feature is likely to be. In this case, the Tharsis bulge and the Hellas Basin have different ages because they have different densities of crater impacts. This suggests that they were formed at different times in the past. The other options, such as fossil remains and river erosion channels, are not relevant for determining the age of these planetary features.Rate this question:
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- 18.
The Valles Marineris is different from the Earth's Grand Canyon in:
- A.
Not being primarily the result of water erosion.
- B.
Resulting from crustal forces that caused the surface to split and crack.
- C.
Being on the size scale of an entire continent on Earth.
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
The Valles Marineris is different from the Earth's Grand Canyon because it is not primarily the result of water erosion. Instead, it is believed to have formed due to crustal forces that caused the surface to split and crack. Additionally, the Valles Marineris is on a much larger scale than the Grand Canyon, as it spans the size of an entire continent on Earth. Therefore, the correct answer is all of the above.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Aug 17, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Oct 05, 2008Quiz Created by
Naspah
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