Ch 11 Concept Quiz

According to models of planetary interiors, the differences in mass among the four jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) are due primarily to differences __________.

• in composition

• in density

• in the amounts of material in the layers extending from the tops of their cores to their surfaces

• in their core masses

According to current models of solar system formation, why did Uranus and Neptune end up to be much less massive than Jupiter and Saturn?

• The size differences are thought to be a random coincidence.

• The solar nebula had different chemical composition at different distances from the Sun, leading to the differences in mass.

• Particles in the solar nebula were more spread out at greater distances, so that accretion took longer and there was less time to pull in gas before the solar wind cleared the nebula.

• Ices were able to condense at the distance of Jupiter and Saturn, but only rock and metal could condense at the distances of Uranus and Neptune.

Jupiter and the other jovian planets are sometimes called "gas giants." In what sense is this term misleading?

• The materials they are made of are not the kinds of thing we usually think of as gases.

• They are not in any sense "giants."

• They actually contain relatively little material in a gaseous state.

• Actually, it's a great description because these worlds are big and gaseous throughout.

What would happen to Jupiter if we could somehow double its mass?

• It would become a star, with nuclear fusion in its core.

• Its density would increase, but its diameter would barely change.

• Its density would stay about the same and its volume would double.

• Its density would decrease and its diameter would double.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Which of the following most likely explains why Jupiter's interior releases so much heat?

• heat from radioactive decay

• a slow rate of nuclear fusion in Jupiter's core

• Jupiter is gradually contracting in size

• tidal heating

Which planet may have helium rain in its interior, and what does this rain do?

• Uranus, where it makes the ground wet.

• Jupiter, where it may be an energy source for the Great Red Spot.

• Saturn, where it generates heat as it falls downward.

• Neptune, where it is restructuring the planet's interior.

Why does Jupiter have three distinct layers of clouds?

• Jupiter has three different types of wind, each of which makes a different type of cloud.

• The three layers reflect regions of Jupiter's atmosphere with different chemical compositions.

• Clouds form randomly, so on average there are always three layers.

• The three layers represent clouds made of gases that condense at different temperatures.

Which of the following best explains why we see horizontal "stripes" in images of Jupiter and Saturn?

• There are three different color stripes corresponding to the three different types of clouds found on these planets.

• The light stripes are regions of high clouds, and the dark stripes are regions where we can see down to deeper, darker clouds.

• Dark stripes are in places with strong winds and light stripes are in places with weak winds.

• The dark and light stripes correspond to alternating bands of different chemical composition.

Uranus and Neptune have methane clouds but Jupiter and Saturn do not. Which factor explains why?

• Jupiter and Saturn do not contain any methane gas.

• The stronger gravity on Jupiter and Saturn pulls methane downward so that it can't form clouds.

• Temperatures on Jupiter and Saturn are too high for methane to condense.

• The rapid rotation of Jupiter and Saturn prevents methane clouds from forming.

Which jovian planet has the most extreme seasonal changes, and why?

• Jupiter, because of its large mass

• Neptune, because of its varying distance from the Sun

• Saturn, because it has an axis tilt similar to Earth

• Uranus, because of its extreme axis tilt