A Family of Planets

1. Chapter 21 A Family of Planets Preview CRCT Preparation

2. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 1. Which of the following geologic processes makes scientists think that liquid water may have once existed on Mars? Adeposition of sediment Bcratering Cmountain building Dvolcanism

3. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 1. Which of the following geologic processes makes scientists think that liquid water may have once existed on Mars? A deposition of sediment Bcratering Cmountain building Dvolcanism

4. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 2. Which of the following is a characteristic of comets? AComets are composed of rocky material, iron, and nickel. BComets follow a circular orbit around the sun. CComets give off gas and dust when heated by the sun. DComets are rich in iron.

5. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 2. Which of the following is a characteristic of comets? AComets are composed of rocky material, iron, and nickel. BComets follow a circular orbit around the sun. CComets give off gas and dust when heated by the sun. DComets are rich in iron.

6. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 3. Scientists observe a planet in a distant galaxy. This planet appears to have similar features to Earth. Which feature would the scientists be most interested in, if they were looking for life on this planet? Athick atmosphere Bliquid water Cactive volcanoes Dlong day length

7. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 3. Scientists observe a planet in a distant galaxy. This planet appears to have similar features to Earth. Which feature would the scientists be most interested in, if they were looking for life on this planet? Athick atmosphere B liquid water Cactive volcanoes Dlong day length

8. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 4. According the data in the table, which outer planet takes 30,660 Earth days to complete one orbit around the sun? AJupiter CUranus BSaturn DNeptune

9. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 4. According the data in the table, which outer planet takes 30,660 Earth days to complete one orbit around the sun? AJupiter C Uranus BSaturn DNeptune

10. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 5. Based on the table, which of the following is a valid conclusion? AIn general, each outer planet is about twice as far from the sun as the next closest planet. BEach period of revolution is unrelated to the average distance of each planet from the sun. CAmong the outer planets, planets with the largest volume are found farthest from the sun. DDay length for each planet increases with an increase in the planet’s diameter.

11. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 5. Based on the table, which of the following is a valid conclusion? AIn general, each outer planet is about twice as far from the sun as the next closest planet. BEach period of revolution is unrelated to the average distance of each planet from the sun. CAmong the outer planets, planets with the largest volume are found farthest from the sun. DDay length for each planet increases with an increase in the planet’s diameter.

12. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 6. Which one of the following objects in our solar system would travel the greatest distance during one revolution around the sun? Aa terrestrial planet Ban asteroid Ca gas giant Da comet

13. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 6. Which one of the following objects in our solar system would travel the greatest distance during one revolution around the sun? Aa terrestrial planet Ban asteroid Ca gas giant D a comet

14. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 7. The distance from Earth to the sun is 1 astronomical unit (AU), or 8.3 light-minutes. If Saturn is located about 9.4 AU away from the sun, how many light-hours from the sun is it? A0.3 light-hours B1.3 light-hours C17.7 light-hours D78.0 light-hours

15. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 7. The distance from Earth to the sun is 1 astronomical unit (AU), or 8.3 light-minutes. If Saturn is located about 9.4 AU away from the sun, how many light-hours from the sun is it? A0.3 light-hours B 1.3 light-hours C17.7 light-hours D78.0 light-hours

16. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 8. The diagram shows different positions of the moon relative to Earth and the sun. In which phase will an observer on Earth see a crescent moon? Aphase ACphase C Bphase B Dphase D

17. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 8. The diagram shows different positions of the moon relative to Earth and the sun. In which phase will an observer on Earth see a crescent moon? Aphase AC phase C Bphase B Dphase D

18. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 9. Which of the following is a wide region of small, rocky bodies that is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter? Athe Kuiper belt Bthe Oort cloud Cthe asteroid belt Dthe rings of Saturn

19. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 9. Which of the following is a wide region of small, rocky bodies that is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter? Athe Kuiper belt Bthe Oort cloud C the asteroid belt Dthe rings of Saturn

20. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 10. Which of the following motions of Earth and the moon occurs in the longest period of time? AEarth orbits the sun once. BThe moon orbits Earth twice. CEarth rotates on its axis five times. DTwelve full moons are seen from Earth.

21. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 10. Which of the following motions of Earth and the moon occurs in the longest period of time? A Earth orbits the sun once. BThe moon orbits Earth twice. CEarth rotates on its axis five times. DTwelve full moons are seen from Earth.

22. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 11. The full moon occurs on Wednesday, January 3rd. On what day could a lunar eclipse occur during January? AWednesday the 3rd BThursday the 11th CThursday the 18th DThursday the 25th

23. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 11. The full moon occurs on Wednesday, January 3rd. On what day could a lunar eclipse occur during January? A Wednesday the 3rd BThursday the 11th CThursday the 18th DThursday the 25th

24. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 12. In 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet. What are the characteristics of Pluto that make it similar to and different from the planets in our solar system?

25. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 12. Answer - Full-credit answers should include the following points: • Pluto is similar to the planets because: it orbits the sun and has a satellite; it is rocky, like the terrestrial planets, and it has a thin atmosphere; and it is round because of its own gravity. • Pluto is different because: it is much smaller than the planets; its satellite is more than half the size of Pluto, while satellites around planets in our solar system are much smaller than their planets; it is made of rock and ice, like a comet; and it has not cleared its orbit of debris.

26. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 13. Carrie explained to her little brother that a solar eclipse happens when the full moon blocks the sun. Was she correct? Explain your answer.

27. CRCT Preparation Chapter 21 13. Answer - Full-credit answers should include the following points: • Carrie was correct when she implied that a solar eclipse happens when the moon is directly between Earth and the sun. • However, because of its relative position in the sky when the moon is between Earth and the sun, the moon would look dark when seen from Earth. • Therefore, she was incorrect when she said a full moon blocks the sun. The moon is in the new moon phase during a solar eclipse.