EAPS 105 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Why is Mercury's orbit more eccentric than the orbits of the other terrestrial planets? -
Answer- It is perturbed by Jupiter's gravity
Which is not a terrestrial planet? - Answer- Neptune
Why are the spin rates of the giant planets faster than that of Earth? - Answer- They are
more massive
What is the prime source of most current nebula? - Answer- They are supernova
remnants
What was Copernicus' great contribution to science? - Answer- He placed the Sun at
the center of the universe
What is the spinning disc of gas and dust from which planets will form around a star
referred to? - Answer- All of the above
-which includes a solar nebula, a protoplanetary disc, and an accretionary disc
Long period comets have very elongated orbits, coming from far out in the solar system
to swing close by the sun and return to where they came. What would be the most likely
eccentricity of their orbits? - Answer- 0.95
What is the heaviest element that can be fused (created) in the core of a high mass
star? - Answer- Iron
Which of the following characteristics of a solar nebula increases with distance from the
Sun? - Answer- Material available to build planets
How was Neptune discovered? - Answer- By the manner in which it perturbed the orbit
of Uranus
What does it mean for an asteroid or planet to be differentiated? - Answer- Its internal
structure is layered with density increasing with depth.
Which of the following can generate a supernova? - Answer- All of the above
-which includes The collapse of the core of a massive star, A white dwarf accreting
material from a companion star, and the collision of two neutron stars
AND ANSWERS
Why is Mercury's orbit more eccentric than the orbits of the other terrestrial planets? -
Answer- It is perturbed by Jupiter's gravity
Which is not a terrestrial planet? - Answer- Neptune
Why are the spin rates of the giant planets faster than that of Earth? - Answer- They are
more massive
What is the prime source of most current nebula? - Answer- They are supernova
remnants
What was Copernicus' great contribution to science? - Answer- He placed the Sun at
the center of the universe
What is the spinning disc of gas and dust from which planets will form around a star
referred to? - Answer- All of the above
-which includes a solar nebula, a protoplanetary disc, and an accretionary disc
Long period comets have very elongated orbits, coming from far out in the solar system
to swing close by the sun and return to where they came. What would be the most likely
eccentricity of their orbits? - Answer- 0.95
What is the heaviest element that can be fused (created) in the core of a high mass
star? - Answer- Iron
Which of the following characteristics of a solar nebula increases with distance from the
Sun? - Answer- Material available to build planets
How was Neptune discovered? - Answer- By the manner in which it perturbed the orbit
of Uranus
What does it mean for an asteroid or planet to be differentiated? - Answer- Its internal
structure is layered with density increasing with depth.
Which of the following can generate a supernova? - Answer- All of the above
-which includes The collapse of the core of a massive star, A white dwarf accreting
material from a companion star, and the collision of two neutron stars
