Unit 8 Lesson 4 The Terrestrial Planets
Quiz by Kevin Buhl
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20 questions
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- Q1Which of the following is the primary reason Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system?The rotation affects how the sun penetrate its atmosphereThe atmosphere radiates heat back down to the surfaceThe atmosphere of Venus reflects sunlight back into spaceThe surface of Venus absorbs solar radiation from the sun30s
- Q2Unlike Earth, which tilts on its axis, Mercury has no axial tilt. How does Mercury’s lack of axial tilt affect its seasons?Mercury has shorter seasons.Mercury has longer seasons.Mercury has two seasons.Mercury has no seasons.30s
- Q3A planet’s surface gravity influences the thickness of the atmosphere that surrounds the planet. The table shows the surface gravities of the terrestrial planets as a percentage of the surface gravity of Earth. Based on their surface gravities, which terrestrial planets would have the thinnest atmospheres?Mars and VenusEarth and VenusMars and MercuryEarth and Mercury30s
- Q4Venus and Earth have similar surface gravities. Mercury and Mars have almost the same surface gravity, even though Mercury is much smaller. Density is related to the force of gravity. The figure below contains information about the densities of the four planets. Which of these statements explains the similar surface gravities on Mars and Mercury? (Hint: Step 1. Compare the densities of Mercury and Mars. Step 2. Relate the densities to the surface gravity of the planets.)Mars is less dense than Mercury.Mars is less rocky than Mercury.Mars is smaller than Mercury.Mars is denser than Mercury.30s
- Q5Mars’ year is 686 days long. That is about twice as long as a year on Earth. Why is a year on Mars so long?Mars’ atmosphere is very thin.Mars’ rotation speed is very slow.Mars’ orbit is elliptical.Mars’ orbit is the longest of the terrestrial planets.30s
- Q6What is the order of the distances of the terrestrial planets from the Sun, from closest to farthest?Venus, Earth, Mars, MercuryMars, Venus, Earth, MercuryMercury, Venus, Earth, MarsMars, Earth, Venus, Mercury30s
- Q7Which of the following statements best describes the characteristics of the terrestrial planets?rocky cores; close to sun; surface craterssmall, dense, rocky surfacesmade up of hydrogen and helium; small; close to sunlarge, planetary rings; many moons30s
- Q8The table shows surface temperatures and atmospheric pressures for the terrestrial planets. How does atmospheric pressure appear to relate to surface temperatures on these planets? (Hint: Step 1. Decide which planets have higher pressures and which have lower pressures. Step 2. Determine what the temperature variation is like for the planets with lower pressures and the planets with higher pressures.)least temperature variation for planet(s) with higher pressuresmost temperature variation for planet(s) with higher pressureno temperature variation for planet(s) with lower pressuresleast temperature variation for planet(s) with lower pressures30s
- Q9Earth is 1 AU away from the sun. This distance stays nearly the same as Earth revolves around the sun. This is because Earth’s orbit is almost circular. Mercury’s orbit is elliptical. What does this mean in regard to Mercury’s distance from the sun?Mercury’s distance from the sun is always the same.Mercury travels farther from the sun than Earth does.Mercury’s distance from the sun varies in predictable ways.Mercury follows an irregular path around the sun.30s
- Q10Earth is made up of layers. The figure shows the composition of Earth’s layers. Which of these statements best describes the density of Earth’s layers?Density decreases from crust to core.Density is greatest in the crust.Density increases and then decreases from crust to core.Density increases from crust to core.30s
- Q11Mercury’s year is 88 days long. That is about one-fourth as long as a year on Earth. Why is a year on Mercury so short?Mercury’s atmosphere is very thin.Mercury’s orbit is elliptical.Mercury’s rotation speed is very slow.Mercury’s orbit is the shortest in the solar system.30s
- Q12A planet’s surface gravity influences the thickness of the atmosphere that surrounds the planet. The table below shows the surface gravities of the terrestrial planets as a percentage of the surface gravity of Earth. Based on their surface gravities, which terrestrial planets would have atmospheres that are the most thick?Earth and MercuryEarth and VenusMars and VenusMars and Mercury30s
- Q13What type of surface do the terrestrial planets have?ice-coveredliquidsolidgaseous30s
- Q14The terrestrial planets include Mars, Mercury, Earth, and which other planet?MerucryJupiterSaturnVenus30s
- Q15Which terrestrial planets have diameters that are nearly equal in size?Mars and VenusEarth and MarsMars and MercuryEarth and Venus30s
