Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, Spring Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Why does Neptune have more atmospheric circulation than Uranus?
(A) Neptune is closer to the sun.
(B) Neptune has more moons to exert tidal heating.
(C) Neptune is hotter.
(D) Neptune rotates faster.
Section 30674
(A) : 9 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 10 students
(D) : 8 students
Correct answer: (C)
The atmospheric circulation on a jovian planet is primarily driven by convection caused by internal heat; since Neptune has more prominent cyclones and banded belt-zones, Neptune's core must be hotter than Uranus'.
"Difficulty level": 35% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.39
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