Chapter 7, Problem 3VSC

Use the following questions to check your understanding of some of the many types of visual information used in astronomy. For additional practice, try the Chapter 7 Visual Quiz at Mastering Astronomy.

The plots above show the masses of the eight major planets on the vertical axis and their radial on the horizontal axis. The plot on the left shows the information on a linear scale, meaning that each tick mark indicates an increase by the same amount. The plot on the right shows the same information plotted on an exponential scale, meaning that each tick mark represents another actor-of-ten increase. Before proceeding, convince yourself that the points on each plot are the same.

3. Which statements most accurately describes the relationship between the largest and smallest planets?

a. The largest planet is 6000 times as wide (in diameter) and 30 times as massive as the smallest.

b. The largest planet is 6000 times as wide (in diameter) and 6000 times as massive as the smallest.

c. The largest planet is 30 times as wide (in diameter) and 30 times as massive as the smallest.

d. The largest planet is 30 times as wide (in diameter) and 6000 times as massive as the smallest.