Question 1

The residual polar cap that does not vanish during the Martian summer is ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The residual polar cap that does not...

Question 2

Mars's atmosphere is strongly affected by the solar wind.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

If Mars's atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide, why isn't it as hot as Venus?

Accepted Answer

Although it has a carbon dioxi...

Question 4

Compare the days, seasons, and years of Mars and Earth.

Accepted Answer

The lengths of the days are very similar...

Question 5

How is the Mars Rover mission different from Global Surveyor mapping mission?

Accepted Answer

The Mars Rover mission landed ...

Question 6

The largest shield volcano yet discovered is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Maxwell Mons on Venus.
B)  Kilimanjaro on Earth.
C)  Olympus Mons on Mars.
D)  Prometheus on Io.
E)  Caloris on Mercury.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 7

Venus and Mars probably evolved differently from Earth because:

Accepted Answer

A)  they are slightly bigger than Earth.
B)  they are more massive than Earth.
C)  they have thicker atmospheres than Earth.
D)  they formed sooner than Earth.
E)  they orbit at different distances from the Sun.F) A) and D)
G) None of the above

Question 8

The vast flood deposits support the hypothesis that Mars once had much running water.Assuming that Mars did have water once, what happened to it?

Accepted Answer

As Martian volcanism died down, the atmo...

Question 9

What causes the changing dark and light features visible on the Martian surface from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  seasonal growth of vegetation
B)  the flooding of the network of canals from seasonal polar ice melting
C)  lava fields, similar to those found on the Moon
D)  highly cratered and eroded areas that are frequently covered and uncovered by dust
E)  huge storms like those on Jupiter with winds that often reach speeds of hundreds of kilometersper hourF) B) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 10

Why do we know much more about the surface of Mars than that of Venus?

Accepted Answer

Venus has a thick cloud cover that preve...

Question 11

The outflow channels on Mars indicate a flood period in the history of Mars. During thistime, based on the width and depth of the remaining riverbed, it is thought that the flow rate musthave been:

Accepted Answer

A)  just a small trickle, barely more than a stream of water.
B)  moderate, about the flow rate of the Ohio River.
C)  fairly large, about the flow rate of the current Colorado River.
D)  significantly large, about the flow rate of the Amazon River.
E)  enormous, as much as 100 times the flow rate of the Amazon River.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 12

Which of these were observed from Earth, prior to spacecraft missions to Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  seasonal changes in the polar caps
B)  eruptions of Mount Olympus
C)  dust storms capable of covering the entire planet
D)  Both A and C are correct.
E)  All of the above are correct.F) C) and E)
G) D) and E)

Question 13

Why is the southern hemisphere of Mars believed to be older than the northern?

Accepted Answer

A)  The southern hemisphere is darker much like the lunar mare.
B)  The southern hemisphere is more heavily cratered.
C)  The northern hemisphere is higher, due to the Tharsis Bulge.
D)  The northern hemisphere leans more away from the Sun in winter.
E)  The south polar cap is much thicker than the north one.F) B) and E)
G) D) and E)

Question 14

Is there evidence of life on Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, at least at the time the Allen Hills Meteorite was formed, since it has fossils.
B)  Yes, but it is only in the form of microbes found by Viking landers.
C)  Yes, just found as fossils in the sedimentary rocks examined by Spirit.
D)  No, nothing suggesting life has ever been discovered.
E)  We have confusing and uncertain results to date.F) B) and C)
G) A) and E)

Question 15

Which of the following characterizes a shield volcano?

Accepted Answer

A)  It sits above a hot spot in the planet's mantle.
B)  It is formed by moving tectonic plates.
C)  It will be smaller than cinder cones like Maxwell Mons on Venus.
D)  It erupts only briefly before subsiding forever.
E)  It cannot grow very large, for the plates are constantly moving.F) A) and B)
G) None of the above

Question 16

What is thought to be the reason that there are no small impact craters on Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  Like Venus, Mars's atmosphere is too thick and these meteorites do not survive to makeimpacts on the surface.
B)  The surface of Mars is too young to have impact craters.
C)  Due to the gravitational pull of Mars's moons, most small meteoroids are deflected and nevermake it to the surface.
D)  The wind blows small dust particles, eroding the surface of Mars, erasing small impact cratersfaster than they can form.
E)  None of the above. Mars has lots of small impact craters.F) A) and B)
G) B) and E)

Question 17

While the red color of the Martian surface testifies to the presence of lots of iron, the weakmagnetic field suggests it may not have a molten core anymore.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Which is the correct size order, from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury, Venus, Mars
B)  the Moon, Earth, Mars
C)  Mercury, Mars, Venus
D)  Mercury, the Moon, Mars
E)  Venus, Mars, EarthF) A) and B)
G) C) and D)

Question 19

The Mars Rovers found undisputed microfossils, proving life once existed on Mars.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

What physical feature of Mars is atypical compared with the other terrestrial planets?

Accepted Answer

A)  its size
B)  its atmospheric content
C)  its surface composition
D)  its density
E)  its rotation rateF) D) and E)
G) A) and E)

Exam 10: Mars: a Near Miss for Life

Which of the following characterizes a shield volcano?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What physical feature of Mars is atypical compared with the other terrestrial planets?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

While the red color of the Martian surface testifies to the presence of lots of iron, the weakmagnetic field suggests it may not have a molten core anymore.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which is the correct size order, from smallest to largest?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Is there evidence of life on Mars?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of these were observed from Earth, prior to spacecraft missions to Mars?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why is the southern hemisphere of Mars believed to be older than the northern?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How is the Mars Rover mission different from Global Surveyor mapping mission?

Correct AnswerverifiedThe Mars Rover mission landed ...View AnswerShow Answer

The largest shield volcano yet discovered is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Mars Rovers found undisputed microfossils, proving life once existed on Mars.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is thought to be the reason that there are no small impact craters on Mars?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What causes the changing dark and light features visible on the Martian surface from Earth?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Mars's atmosphere is strongly affected by the solar wind.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

If Mars's atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide, why isn't it as hot as Venus?

Correct AnswerverifiedAlthough it has a carbon dioxi...View AnswerShow Answer

Why do we know much more about the surface of Mars than that of Venus?

Correct AnswerverifiedVenus has a thick cloud cover that preve...View AnswerShow Answer

The vast flood deposits support the hypothesis that Mars once had much running water.Assuming that Mars did have water once, what happened to it?

Correct AnswerverifiedAs Martian volcanism died down, the atmo...View AnswerShow Answer

The outflow channels on Mars indicate a flood period in the history of Mars. During thistime, based on the width and depth of the remaining riverbed, it is thought that the flow rate musthave been:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Venus and Mars probably evolved differently from Earth because:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The residual polar cap that does not vanish during the Martian summer is ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Compare the days, seasons, and years of Mars and Earth.

Correct AnswerverifiedThe lengths of the days are very similar...View AnswerShow Answer

Correct Answer
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The Mars Rover mission landed ...
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Although it has a carbon dioxi...
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Correct Answer
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Venus has a thick cloud cover that preve...
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Correct Answer
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As Martian volcanism died down, the atmo...
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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The lengths of the days are very similar...
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