Unit 3 Chpt 11 Jupiter

Compared with Earth’s orbit, the orbit of Jupiter is approximately

5 times larger

Compared with Earth’s density, the density of Jupiter is

much less

The main constituent of Jupiter’s atmosphere is

hydrogen

“Zonal Flows” shows that the most rapid westerly winds flow on Jupiter occur at

southern midlatitudes

According to “Jupiter’s Atmosphere,” if ammonia and ammonium hydrosulfide ice were transparent to visible light, Jupiter would appear

bluish

Jupiter’s rocky core is

larger than Earth

Jupiter’s magnetosphere extends far into space, stretching

5 AU

The moon of Jupiter most similar in size to Earth’s Moon is

Io

The Galilean moons of Jupiter are sometimes described as a miniature inner solar system because

the moons' densities decrease with increasing distance from Jupiter.

Io’s surface appears very smooth because it

is continually resurfaced by volcanic activity.

Jupiter is noticeably oblate (flattened) rather than spherical primarily because of which of the following physical effects?

rapid rotation

How does Jupiter exhibit differential rotation?

The equatorial zones rotate in less time than the higher latitudes.

How does the mass of Jupiter compare to the mass of all the other planets combined?

more than twice as much

What is a reasonable description of the Great Red Spot?

a very large hurricane

What is the primary component of the atmosphere of Jupiter?

hydrogen

What do the different colors in Jupiter's clouds indicate?

the depth at which the clouds reside within Jupiter's atmosphere

Which of the following statements about the inner core of Jupiter is true?

It is large compared to the size of Earth, and it is rocky.

What is the source of Jupiter's excess energy?

gravitational energy from its formation

Which region of Jupiter generates its magnetic field?

metallic hydrogen layer

What are some consequences of Jupiter’s enormous magnetic field?

1. Extremely strong radio emission

2. powerful versions of Earth’s van Allen Belts

3. large aurorae displays at the planet's poles

What is the source of Io's volcanic activity?

tidal heating

Why does Europa have so few impact craters?

Recent activity in its icy crust has erased most craters.

What is the Io plasma torus?

a doughnut-shaped region of energetic heavy ions that follows Io's orbital track

Jupiter's moon Europa might harbor life because it has which of the following conditions?

a liquid water subsurface layer

Which of the following best describes Jupiter's ring(s)?

a single dark, faint ring

How does the mass of Jupiter compare with that of the other planets?

It is twice as massive as all other planets combined

What evidence do we have that Jupiter must have a substantial solid core under the thick clouds?

Jupiter's disk is less oblate than it should be, if it were only hydrogen and helium.

Together, which two gases make up 99% of Jupiter's atmosphere?

Hydrogen and Helium

The impact of which comet helped establish the importance of impacts in our solar system?

Shoemaker-Levy 9

What is the source of Jupiter's excess energy?

the slow escape of gravitational energy released during the planet's formation

Gravitational contraction is responsible for which unusual characteristic of Jupiter?

the emission of more energy that it receives

What is thought to be the cause of Io's volcanoes?

tidal stresses from both Jupiter and Europa

The liquid layer in Europa is composed primarily of:

water, similar to Earth's oceans.

Of the Galilean satellites, which has the oldest, most heavily cratered surface?

Callisto

What is the major component of Io's volcanic flows?

sulfur and its compounds