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The University of Western Ontario
Planetary Science Program
PLANETARY SCIENCE 380b
Final Examination
Answer four out of these ten questions. Keep answers brief – about 2 pages per question,
as a guideline. Use tables, point form, or sketches if they help clarify the answer.
The terms ‘planet’, ‘planetary’ etc. should be interpreted to include satellites, comet
nuclei and asteroids, unless otherwise specified.
______________________________
Final Examination questions:
1. Very briefly summarize the process of solar system and planetary formation as
described in the textbook. This has implications for the appearance of planetary surfaces
and the rotation states of planets (in this case, the nine classical planets are intended!).
Explain this.
2. Describe the various groups of small bodies which are found across the solar system,
and how they relate to generally accepted ideas of solar system formation and evolution.
3. Impact craters are the dominant landforms on solid planetary surfaces throughout the
solar system. Describe the process of crater formation, and how it differs from smaller
craters to larger craters. Include a description of the deposits and other features formed at
a distance from the crater itself.
4. Explain the term ‘volcanism’ as it was used in this course. Very briefly describe its
manifestations across the entire range of bodies we examined.
5. Describe the rocky inner planets as a related group of objects, emphasizing common
aspects of their geology (processes and history) and significant differences between them.
6. Describe the large satellites of Jupiter as a related group of objects, emphasizing
common aspects of their geology (processes and history) and significant differences
between them.
7. Describe the satellites of Saturn as a related group of objects, emphasizing common
aspects of their geology (processes and history) and significant differences between them.
8. Based on the text and lectures, describe the surface processes acting on asteroids and
comet nuclei, explaining how they shape the surfaces of those bodies.
9. How do the surface environments of the Moon and Mars differ? What differences in
surface features as seen in images (orbital or surface) can be explained by these
environmental differences?
10. Describe the process of crater counting as used in our lab assignments. Explain the
problems we encountered in trying to make the process work. What changes would you
suggest to improve the process?