GEOL 109 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Lesson 1: The Solar System
Which is the correct sequence of planets, based on increasing average radius of their
orbits? - Answer -Closest to Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Farthest from Sun
The inner planets - Answer -All of these are incorrect.
Which statement is true for the outer planets of our solar system? - Answer -They are
largely made of hydrogen and helium.
Water ice is - Answer -most abundant on the moons of the outer planets
What sets the composition of the moons of the outer planets apart from the inner
planets? - Answer -The moons of the outer planets generally have lower densities.
Which objects have orbits that take them the farthest from the Sun in our solar system?
- Answer -Comets
Which of the following objects is most like Earth in size and composition? - Answer -
Venus
What is a major difference between planets and stars? (Select all that apply.) - Answer
-- Planets are much smaller in diameter than the stars around which they revolve.
- Planets do not generate energy through nuclear fusion.
What are the major differences between a moon and a planet? (Select all that apply.) -
Answer -- Planets revolve around the Sun.
- Moons revolve around a Sun-orbiting planet.
, Which of the following are the characteristics of the asteroid belt? (Select all that apply.)
- Answer -- The asteroids mark the transition from the rocky terrestrial planets to the
outer planets.
- Some asteroids appear to be rocky; some seem covered with lava; others seem to be
metallic; and yet others may have water ice.
- Many meteorites that fall on Earth come from the asteroid belt.
Lesson 2: Origin of the Elements - Answer -...
According to our best modern day evidence, how long ago was the Big Bang? - Answer
-About 14 billion years ago.
The most basic subatomic particles include which of the following? (Select all that
apply.) - Answer -- Protons
- Neutrons
- Electrons
How are elements heavier than iron produced? - Answer -During a supernova
explosion
What is the principal method of light element (up to iron, atomic number 26) production?
- Answer -nuclear fusion
The T-Tauri phase of a star's history - Answer -is typified by extreme fluctuations in
energy and a strong magnetic field
Many supernovas are the result of - Answer -collapse of a star with multiple burning
shells
How will the Sun's life probably end? - Answer -With the formation of a planetary
nebula.
Which of the following are correct about red giant stars? (Select all that apply.) -
Answer -- They form as a star expands and the surface cools.
- They evolve from medium-sized stars.
Put the following stages in the evolution of a medium-sized star in the correct time
order, placing the first stage on the top and the last stage on the bottom. - Answer -First
Stage
Molecular Cloud
Protostar
Main Sequence Star
Red Giant
Planetary Nebula
Lesson 1: The Solar System
Which is the correct sequence of planets, based on increasing average radius of their
orbits? - Answer -Closest to Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Farthest from Sun
The inner planets - Answer -All of these are incorrect.
Which statement is true for the outer planets of our solar system? - Answer -They are
largely made of hydrogen and helium.
Water ice is - Answer -most abundant on the moons of the outer planets
What sets the composition of the moons of the outer planets apart from the inner
planets? - Answer -The moons of the outer planets generally have lower densities.
Which objects have orbits that take them the farthest from the Sun in our solar system?
- Answer -Comets
Which of the following objects is most like Earth in size and composition? - Answer -
Venus
What is a major difference between planets and stars? (Select all that apply.) - Answer
-- Planets are much smaller in diameter than the stars around which they revolve.
- Planets do not generate energy through nuclear fusion.
What are the major differences between a moon and a planet? (Select all that apply.) -
Answer -- Planets revolve around the Sun.
- Moons revolve around a Sun-orbiting planet.
, Which of the following are the characteristics of the asteroid belt? (Select all that apply.)
- Answer -- The asteroids mark the transition from the rocky terrestrial planets to the
outer planets.
- Some asteroids appear to be rocky; some seem covered with lava; others seem to be
metallic; and yet others may have water ice.
- Many meteorites that fall on Earth come from the asteroid belt.
Lesson 2: Origin of the Elements - Answer -...
According to our best modern day evidence, how long ago was the Big Bang? - Answer
-About 14 billion years ago.
The most basic subatomic particles include which of the following? (Select all that
apply.) - Answer -- Protons
- Neutrons
- Electrons
How are elements heavier than iron produced? - Answer -During a supernova
explosion
What is the principal method of light element (up to iron, atomic number 26) production?
- Answer -nuclear fusion
The T-Tauri phase of a star's history - Answer -is typified by extreme fluctuations in
energy and a strong magnetic field
Many supernovas are the result of - Answer -collapse of a star with multiple burning
shells
How will the Sun's life probably end? - Answer -With the formation of a planetary
nebula.
Which of the following are correct about red giant stars? (Select all that apply.) -
Answer -- They form as a star expands and the surface cools.
- They evolve from medium-sized stars.
Put the following stages in the evolution of a medium-sized star in the correct time
order, placing the first stage on the top and the last stage on the bottom. - Answer -First
Stage
Molecular Cloud
Protostar
Main Sequence Star
Red Giant
Planetary Nebula
