AST Test 2

What method was used o determine the age of the solar system?
Click the card to flip 👆
1 / 17
Terms in this set (17)
What method was used o determine the age of the solar system?
radioactive dating of meteorites
most abundant material in the universe
hydrogen
The material from which our SS formed is believed to be:
A) hot, dense gases at the center of a globular star cluster
B) vast cloud of pure hydrogen
C) convergence of the solar winds of several nearby stars
D) cold, dark cloud of gas and dust
A) hot, dense gases at the center of a globular star cluster
The protosun became a full-fledged star when:
A) thermonuclear fusion began at its center
B) the temperature began to rise at its center
C) it became hot enough to emit light and heat
D) planetary formation was complete
A) thermonuclear fusion began at its center
Which of the following materials has the highest condensation temperature in the planetary system?
A) hydrogen
B) rocks and dust grains
C) nitrogen gas
D) gases such as methane, ammonia, and water vapor
B) rocks and dust grains
At the present time, how many extrasolar planets have had confirmed discoveries?
A) none
B) one
C) thousands
D) millions
C) thousands
What is surprising about the extrasolar planets that have been discovered?
A) More than half have strong lines of molecular oxygen in their spectra, a possible indication of life on these planets
B) The majority rotate much faster than the planets in our solar system
C) Many of them are giant planets like Jupiter, orbiting at distances characteristic of terrestrial planets
D) Many of them are terrestrial planets but orbiting at distances characteristic of giant planets
C) Many of them are giant planets like Jupiter, orbiting at distances characteristic of terrestrial planets
What is the astrometric method used in searches for planets orbiting stars other than the Sun?
A) search for excess infrared radiation from the star caused by the presence of planets that are cool and thus emit primarily in the infrared
B) search for tiny wobbles in position of the star due to gravitational pull of a planet orbiting around it
C) search for tiny wobbles in positions of absorption lines in the star's spectrum, caused by radial velocity variations of the star due to a planet orbiting around it
D) search for tiny bumps on images of the star due to the light from a planet located close to the star
B) search for tiny wobbles in position of the star due to gravitational pull of a planet orbiting around it
What is the process of chemical differentiation?
sinking of heavy material to the center of a planet or other object and the rising of lighter material toward the surface
One distinct difference between Earth and its neighboring planets Venus and Mars is the presence of:
A) evidence of volcanic action
B) desert regions
C) gaseous atmosphere
D) liquid water on the surface and water molecules chemically locked into rocks
D) liquid water on the surface and water molecules chemically locked into rocks
The core of the Earth is mostly composed of:ironEarth's mantle is composed largely of: A) almost pure iron B) silicon-rich rocks and minerals C) solid hydrogen and helium D) minerals rich in calcium and potassiumB) silicon-rich rocks and mineralsApproximately how many tectonic plates make up Earth's surface?tenVan Allen beltsregions of high-energy charged particles in Earth's magnetospheremost abundant gas in Earth's atmospherenitrogenlayers of Earth's atmosphere upward in ordertroposphere stratosphere mesosphere thermosphereWhat atmospheric constituent causes the greenhouse effect on Earth?carbon dioxide