Astronomy quiz question: meeting the first IAU classification qualification

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, spring semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Listed below are the minimal qualifications established by the International Astronomical Union for a planet:

I. Orbits the sun.
II. Shape "rounded-out" by gravity.
III. Cleared/dominates orbit around sun.

Qualification I is met by:
(A) planets.
(B) dwarf planets.
(C) moons.
(D) asteroids.
(E) (More than one of the above choices.)
(F) (None of the above choices.)

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (E)

Qualification I would be met by planets, dwarf planets, and asteroids, as they all directly orbit the sun. Moons would be the only item in this selection that do not directly orbit the sun (as they would orbit their planets or some other central body instead).

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz04n6rD
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 16 students
(F) : 0 students
(No responses : 1 student)

Success level: 64% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.36

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz04snr7
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 32 students
(F) : 0 students

Success level: 83% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.45