BYU GEOL 109 EXAM 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTION DIGEST WITH CORRECT
SOLUTIONS
◉Why are many of Saturn's moons shaped like this one (Phoebe),
instead of being essentially spherical?
A. They lie too far from the Sun to become spherical—a feature
caused by more intense solar winds near the Sun.
B. These satellites lie too far from Saturn to be affected by its intense
magnetic field.
C. The size and hence the gravity field are not large enough to
deform the irregular bodies into near spherical shapes.
D. The irregular satellites have solid surfaces unlike the gaseous, but
spherical moons. Answer: C. The size and hence the gravity field are
not large enough to deform the irregular bodies into near spherical
shapes.
◉The only satellite of Jupiter or Saturn known to have a substantial
atmosphere is _________________.
,A. Ganymede
B. Triton
C. Io
D. Rhea
E. Titan Answer: E. Titan
◉What are the principal differences between Titan and the other
satellites of Saturn? (Select all that apply.)
A. Titan is the the biggest moon of Saturn.
B. Titan is the only moon that has a young surface with few impact
craters
C. Titan has liquids that flow and pond on its surface.
D. The small size of Titan compared to the others is an important
feature.
E. Titan is the only moon with dunes. Answer: A. Titan is the the
biggest moon of Saturn.
C. Titan has liquids that flow and pond on its surface.
E. Titan is the only moon with dunes.
◉Titan's atmosphere is rich in nitrogen (N2) and _____________.
A. methane (CH4)
, B. carbon dioxide (CO2)
C. has as much oxygen (O2) as the Earth's atmosphere
D. Ammonia (NH3) Answer: A. methane (CH4)
◉Why does Titan have an atmosphere rich in nitrogen and methane
while the Galilean satellites of Jupiter lack atmospheres?
A. Titan formed farther from the Sun where ammonia and methane
ice were stable in the ancient accretion disk.
B. Titan is big enough to have trapped nitrogen from the solar
nebula.
C. The Galilean satellites never became warm enough to out gas
atmospheres.
D. The galilean satellites of Jupiter once had thick, nitrogen-rich
atmospheres, but they were swept away by Jupiter's intense
magnetic field. Answer: A. Titan formed farther from the Sun where
ammonia and methane ice were stable in the ancient accretion disk.
◉Which of the following Earth-like features have been identified on
Titan? (Select all that apply.)
A. Eolian dunes
B. River channels
C. Lakes or small seas
QUESTION DIGEST WITH CORRECT
SOLUTIONS
◉Why are many of Saturn's moons shaped like this one (Phoebe),
instead of being essentially spherical?
A. They lie too far from the Sun to become spherical—a feature
caused by more intense solar winds near the Sun.
B. These satellites lie too far from Saturn to be affected by its intense
magnetic field.
C. The size and hence the gravity field are not large enough to
deform the irregular bodies into near spherical shapes.
D. The irregular satellites have solid surfaces unlike the gaseous, but
spherical moons. Answer: C. The size and hence the gravity field are
not large enough to deform the irregular bodies into near spherical
shapes.
◉The only satellite of Jupiter or Saturn known to have a substantial
atmosphere is _________________.
,A. Ganymede
B. Triton
C. Io
D. Rhea
E. Titan Answer: E. Titan
◉What are the principal differences between Titan and the other
satellites of Saturn? (Select all that apply.)
A. Titan is the the biggest moon of Saturn.
B. Titan is the only moon that has a young surface with few impact
craters
C. Titan has liquids that flow and pond on its surface.
D. The small size of Titan compared to the others is an important
feature.
E. Titan is the only moon with dunes. Answer: A. Titan is the the
biggest moon of Saturn.
C. Titan has liquids that flow and pond on its surface.
E. Titan is the only moon with dunes.
◉Titan's atmosphere is rich in nitrogen (N2) and _____________.
A. methane (CH4)
, B. carbon dioxide (CO2)
C. has as much oxygen (O2) as the Earth's atmosphere
D. Ammonia (NH3) Answer: A. methane (CH4)
◉Why does Titan have an atmosphere rich in nitrogen and methane
while the Galilean satellites of Jupiter lack atmospheres?
A. Titan formed farther from the Sun where ammonia and methane
ice were stable in the ancient accretion disk.
B. Titan is big enough to have trapped nitrogen from the solar
nebula.
C. The Galilean satellites never became warm enough to out gas
atmospheres.
D. The galilean satellites of Jupiter once had thick, nitrogen-rich
atmospheres, but they were swept away by Jupiter's intense
magnetic field. Answer: A. Titan formed farther from the Sun where
ammonia and methane ice were stable in the ancient accretion disk.
◉Which of the following Earth-like features have been identified on
Titan? (Select all that apply.)
A. Eolian dunes
B. River channels
C. Lakes or small seas
