Physics 121 Quiz 6 with Correct
Answers
The process which causes heavier metals to sink to the center of a planet, while the
lightest minerals float to the surface to form a crust is called - Answer-differentiation
The atmosphere of which of these planets is primary, as opposed to secondary, in
origin? - Answer-Saturn
As the solar system was forming, the Sun was shining due to nuclear reactions on its
surface. - Answer-False
What is the most important quality to determine whether a planet will be made primarily
from rock or gas? - Answer-its mass
its temperature
its distance from the star it orbits
Comets and asteroids originated from a large body that split into many pieces, some of
which were icy and some of which were rocky. - Answer-False
Life existed on Earth roughly _____________ before the first human ancestors existed -
Answer-4 billion years
Evidence that the Sun and planets formed together from the same cloud (the nebular
theory) includes - Answer-planets revolve in the same direction as the Sun rotates.
the composition of Jupiter and Saturn is similar to the composition of the Sun.
circumstellar disks similar to the solar nebula are observed around other stars younger
than the Sun
The minimum mass a star must have to begin nuclear reactions in its core is 8% the
mass of the Sun. - Answer-True
A failed star (i.e. an object without the mass needed to become a star) is known as a -
Answer-brown dwarf
The Sun is the most massive object in the solar system. As a percent of the total solar
system mass, the mass of the Sun is - Answer->99%
The planets (especially Jupiter) pull on the Sun and hence the Sun actually revolves
about a very small orbit. - Answer-True
Answers
The process which causes heavier metals to sink to the center of a planet, while the
lightest minerals float to the surface to form a crust is called - Answer-differentiation
The atmosphere of which of these planets is primary, as opposed to secondary, in
origin? - Answer-Saturn
As the solar system was forming, the Sun was shining due to nuclear reactions on its
surface. - Answer-False
What is the most important quality to determine whether a planet will be made primarily
from rock or gas? - Answer-its mass
its temperature
its distance from the star it orbits
Comets and asteroids originated from a large body that split into many pieces, some of
which were icy and some of which were rocky. - Answer-False
Life existed on Earth roughly _____________ before the first human ancestors existed -
Answer-4 billion years
Evidence that the Sun and planets formed together from the same cloud (the nebular
theory) includes - Answer-planets revolve in the same direction as the Sun rotates.
the composition of Jupiter and Saturn is similar to the composition of the Sun.
circumstellar disks similar to the solar nebula are observed around other stars younger
than the Sun
The minimum mass a star must have to begin nuclear reactions in its core is 8% the
mass of the Sun. - Answer-True
A failed star (i.e. an object without the mass needed to become a star) is known as a -
Answer-brown dwarf
The Sun is the most massive object in the solar system. As a percent of the total solar
system mass, the mass of the Sun is - Answer->99%
The planets (especially Jupiter) pull on the Sun and hence the Sun actually revolves
about a very small orbit. - Answer-True
