Astronomy Practice Exam

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Study for the Astronomy Exam with multiple choice questions, complete with explanations and insights for each question. Prepare effectively and enhance your understanding of celestial phenomena.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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Which of the following planets is not considered an inner or terrestrial planet?

Mercury
Venus
Jupiter
Mars

The correct answer is: Jupiter

Jupiter is classified as a gas giant, which distinguishes it from the inner or terrestrial planets. The inner planets, including Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are primarily composed of rock and metal, and they have solid surfaces. In contrast, Jupiter is much larger and is composed predominantly of hydrogen and helium, with no well-defined solid surface. This difference in composition and structure is a key factor in classifying planets in our solar system. The terrestrial planets are characterized by their rocky surfaces, higher densities, and smaller sizes relative to the gas giants. Jupiter, being the largest planet in the solar system, has a significant atmospheric presence and lacks the characteristics typical of terrestrial planets, thereby solidifying its classification as a gas giant.