Astronomy quiz question: source of Neptune's atmospheric activity

Astronomy 210 Quiz 7, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The primary cause of Neptune's atmospheric activity is:
(A) liquid nitrogen and methane geysers.
(B) ammonia dissolved in the liquid mantle.
(C) a highly inclined magnetic field.
(D) its interior heat.

Correct answer: (D)

Atmospheric activity such as cyclones are caused by convection driven by the interior heat inside Jovian planets (i.e., The "Cream-in-Coffee Model").

Section 70160
(A) : 7 students
(B) : 7 students
(C) : 7 students
(D) : 20 students

Success level: 52% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.51