9th Grade Solar System Test

Earth Systems                                            Standard 1 Objective 2

Multiple Choice

1.   How is the age of the solar system estimated by scientists?  By

1. sequencing rock layers
2. comparing fossil types
3. dating radioactive elements
4. measuring expansion of stars

2.   What happens when an atom undergoes radioactive decay?

1. The energy or matter in an atomic nucleus is reduced.
2. The atoms break away from the molecules they are part of.
3. Radioactive energy is added into an atomic nucleus.
4. Two atomic nuclei fuse to form a new atomic structure.

01a3.  Why are radioactive substances used by scientists to measure the age of Earth? 

1. They are only found in Earth’s oldest rocks.
2. They can be compared to other substances in the rock.
3. They are found in all solid substances on Earth.
4. They give off radiation at a predictable, steady rate.

Decay rate of Strontium 30

4.   A rock sample containing Strontium 30 is tested and 25% of the original Strontium remains.  How old is the rock?

1. 25 years
2. 50 years
3. 75 years
4. 100 years

a5. What are the most abundant atmospheric gases found on the outer planets?

1. hydrogen and helium
2. carbon dioxide and oxygen
3. nitrogen and methane
4. neon and argon

a6.  What effect did the solar wind and heat from the newly formed sun have on the composition of the inner planets of the solar system?

1. They lost much of the heavier elements.
2. They lost much of their lighter elements.
3. They gained most of their lighter elements.
4. They gained most of their heavier elements.

a7.  Why do scientists think the outer planets have cores made from rock and a great deal of ice? 

1. They formed too far from the sun to have liquid water.
2. Large chunks of ice were broken off of Earth and sent into space.
3. The heavier elements were vaporized as the planets formed.
4. Hydrogen and oxygen in water are the most abundant elements.

b8.  How does the size of the solar system compare to the Milky Way galaxy?

1. The solar system is larger
2. The solar system is the same size
3. The solar system is about one half the size
4. The solar system is much smaller

 Milky Way Galaxy

b9.   On the scale of this picture, how large would our solar system be?

1. a tiny dot
2. as big as a period in a sentence
3. the size of this “o”
4. The size of the light area in the center of the picture.

c10. Which solar system object is the largest?

1. Jupiter
2. Neptune
3. Sun
4. Earth

c11.  How large an area is needed to create a solar system model that includes a sun the size of the marble pictured?

1. a classroom
2. a playing field
3. a city
4. a state

c12.  How large is Earth in a solar system model where the sun is the size of the marble above?

1. barely visible
2. a grain of sand
3. a pencil eraser
4. a smaller marble

d13.  Which planet is most like Earth?

1. Mercury has the same rocky crustal material.
2. Venus is nearly the same size and atmospheric pressure.
3. Mars has an atmosphere and moderate temperatures.
4. Saturn has the same gases and amount of gravity.

d14.  Which conditions on Earth support the biosphere?

1. molten core, semi-solid mantle layer
2. liquid water, oxygen/carbon dioxide in atmosphere
3. 365 day year, 24 hour day
4. rotation at the equator, silica rich crust

d15.  What do Earth’s atmosphere and the distance Earth is from the sun combine to create?

1. moving continents
2. an oxygen rich atmosphere
3. magnetic north pole
4. moderate temperatures

6. Why is Mars the most likely destination for manned voyages and surface exploration?

A. Earth is closest to Mars

B. Mars has two moons to explore

C. Mars has some conditions similar to Earth

D. Mars has life making it a more interesting destination

Essay

1.  Describe three important conditions on Earth that support life.

2.  List the steps of formation of the solar system from the nebular cloud.  Describe how each step affected the composition (lighter and heavier elements) of the planets.

Answers: 

(01)1.  C

(01)2.  A

(01)3.  D

(01)4.  B

5.  A

6.  B

7.  A

8.  D

9.  A

10. C

11.  B

12.  A

13.  C

14.  B

15.  D

16.  C

Sample answers:

1. Presence of liquid water, moderate temperatures, oxygen rich atmosphere,
2. 1.  Gravitational collapse of the nebula

2. Spinning disc and collection of matter in planets, denser matter towards center
3. Ignition of the sun-blast of energy removes lighter elements from inner planets, melts heavier into rocky cores
4. Collection of debris and gasses by outer planets.