Question 1

What appears to be the relationship between the surface of Europa and its interior?

Accepted Answer

Europa's surface is primarily composed of a solid ice layer, beneath which there is believed to be a subsurface ocean of liquid water or slush, due to the heat generated by tidal flexing.

Question 2

What property is shared by Earth and Europa, one of Jupiter's large moons?

Accepted Answer

Earth and Europa both have significant bodies of liquid water. Earth's oceans cover most of its surface, and Europa is believed to have a subsurface ocean beneath its icy crust.

Question 3

On which other world in the solar system does one find evidence of ice floes (now apparently frozen) similar in many respects to ice floes in Earth's Arctic Ocean?

Accepted Answer

Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has a surface covered with ice, and there is evidence of ice floes and a subsurface ocean, making it similar to Earth's Arctic Ocean.

Question 4

What is the internal structure of Io?

Accepted Answer

Io, one of Jupiter's moons, has an internal structure consisting of an iron or iron sulfide core, surrounded by a molten mantle made of silicate rock, and a solid surface crust of sulfur and silicate rock. This structure supports intense volcanic activity observed on its surface.

Question 5

Based on its average density of 2970 kg/m³ compared with that of water at 1000 kg/m³, what is the internal structure of Jupiter's moon Europa thought to be?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on its average density of 2970...

Question 6

Jupiter's satellite Europa is believed to be made up of

Accepted Answer

Europa is believed to have a metallic core and a rocky mantle, with a liquid water ocean beneath a surface of ice, making it a prime candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Question 7

Much of the surface of Europa resembles

Accepted Answer

Europa's surface is characterized by a smooth, bright appearance with a pattern of cracks and streaks, somewhat resembling Earth's polar regions, especially due to the presence of ice. Unlike the maria of the Moon or the lunar highlands, which are rocky and cratered, or the liquid oceans of Earth, Europa's surface is primarily composed of water ice, making it more similar to the icy landscapes found in Earth's polar areas.

Question 8

What is the heat source that causes the extensive volcanic activity observed on Jupiter's satellite Io?

Accepted Answer

The extensive volcanic activity on Io is primarily caused by tidal stresses from Jupiter and Io's companion moons. These tidal forces create frictional heating within Io, leading to its volcanic activity.

Question 9

Which of these is NOT a reason that planetary scientists suspect that liquid water exists under the surface of Europa?

Accepted Answer

The lack of a magnetic field around Europa is not a direct reason scientists suspect liquid water exists beneath its surface. The other options (A, B, D) are observations that suggest the presence of a subsurface ocean because they indicate movement and reshaping of the surface by liquid from below.

Question 10

When Io passes between Jupiter and Europa, both moons experience gravitational stress. On Europa this is responsible for three of the features listed below. Which feature does NOT occur as a result of the gravitational flexing of Europa?

Accepted Answer

Lava/sulfur volcanoes are not a feature caused by the gravitational flexing of Europa. This phenomenon is more closely associated with Io, which is the most volcanically active body in the Solar System due to its intense gravitational interaction with Jupiter. Europa's surface features such as cracks, subsurface liquid water, and possible water geysers are influenced by tidal heating from gravitational interactions, but not volcanic activity similar to Io's.

Question 11

The very thin but measurable atmosphere of molecular oxygen around Jupiter's moon Europa probably originates from

Accepted Answer

The thin atmosphere of molecular oxygen around Europa is thought to originate from the dissociation of water vapor by solar ultraviolet radiation. This process involves the breaking apart of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, with the lighter hydrogen escaping into space more easily than oxygen, leaving behind a tenuous atmosphere of molecular oxygen.

Question 12

Io would probably be less active geologically if

Accepted Answer

Io's geological activity is largely driven by tidal heating, which is a result of its elliptical orbit causing varying gravitational forces from Jupiter. A perfectly circular orbit would reduce these tidal forces, thus decreasing geological activity.

Question 13

What appears to have caused the extensive cracking and streaking of the surface of Europa?

Accepted Answer

The extensive cracking and streaking of the surface of Europa is primarily caused by tidal flexing due to the gravitational pull of Jupiter and its other moons. This process generates heat, which can melt subsurface ice, leading to the breaking of the surface and the release of water that immediately freezes, forming the observed patterns.

Question 14

Which of these phrases describes the surface of Europa, one of the giant moons of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

Europa's surface is characterized by a layer of ice, with a complex network of fractures and ridges crisscrossing in various directions, indicating a dynamic and active surface.

Question 15

Which of the moons of Jupiter is characterized by an exceptionally smooth, icy surface, few craters, and many streaks and cracks?

Accepted Answer

Europa is known for its smooth, icy surface which is marked by few craters but many streaks and cracks. This appearance suggests a relatively young and active surface, possibly with a subsurface ocean beneath the ice.

Question 16

Which of Jupiter's Galilean moons appears to have current tectonic activity?

Accepted Answer

Europa is believed to have current tectonic activity due to its subsurface ocean and the movement of its icy crust.

Question 17

The ocean water that is believed to occur below the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa is kept unfrozen by heat from

Accepted Answer

The heat keeping Europa's subsurface ocean from freezing is primarily generated by tidal heating. This occurs due to the gravitational pull from Jupiter and its other moons, causing Europa to flex and generate internal heat.

Question 18

What is the MOST probable physical mechanism to have caused the very long cracks and streaks that crisscross the surface of Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

Tidal flexing by Jupiter's strong gravitational pull causes Europa's icy surface to crack and move, allowing subsurface water or other fluids to escape and freeze, forming the observed patterns. This process is supported by observations and models of Europa's interaction with Jupiter and its other moons.

Question 19

Europa, one of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter, has a surface consisting of

Accepted Answer

Europa's surface is relatively young and characterized by a smooth, icy crust with a network of streaks and cracks, indicating recent geological activity. It has fewer impact craters compared to other celestial bodies, suggesting that its surface is being renewed.

Question 20

The surface of Europa, one of the Galilean moons of Jupiter, appears to be covered with

Accepted Answer

Europa's surface is characterized by a smooth layer of ice that is crisscrossed by a complex pattern of cracks and ridges, making it one of the smoothest objects in the Solar System. This appearance suggests a relatively young and active surface, shaped by tectonic processes and possibly a subsurface ocean.

Quiz 9: The Outer Planets