Chapter 1 - Summary Quiz

1. At least initially there will be no practical purpose for going to Mars.  When we go, it will be mainly to satisfy our curiosity about what is there.  Therefore, the reason for going to Mars should be considered primarily:
a) Invention     b) Technology     c) Science     d) Theoretical

2. In the following list, checkmark everything that should best be considered science (as opposed to technology)
a) measuring the temperature of the triple point of carbon dioxide
b) designing a compression system to allow supercritical carbon dioxide to be used to extract caffeine from coffee
c) calculating the required velocity in order to inject a communications satellite into geosynchronous orbit
d) experimentally determining the heat of combustion of various hydrocarbons

3. Explain the differences in the way Amundsen and Scott explored the South Pole.   What parallels can you see that will apply as we go beyond Earth to explore the planets?

4. Describe some of the ways in which aboriginal people's technology contributed to the exploration of North America.

5. What is the shape of an orbit?
a) Hyperbola     b) Circle     c) Rhombus     d) Ellipse 

6. Which of Newton's laws of motion describes the way in which a rocket moves opposite to the direction its engine thrusts out matter?
a) First Law     b) Second Law     c) Third Law     d) Law of Universal Gravitation 

7. Describe the link between long term weightlessness, exercise, and osteoporosis.

8. What are the coefficients required to balance the combustion reaction of methylhydrazine in dinitrogen tetroxide?
CH₆N₂ (l) + N₂O₄ (l)
                    CO₂ (g) + H₂O (g) + N₂ (g)

9. Using a table of the standard heats of formation, calculate the enthalpy change (H) for the Sabatier reaction:
CO₂ (g) + H₂ (g) CH₄ (g) + H₂O (g)
Hint: balance the equation first!  H = kJ/mol

10. The balanced equation for the combustion of liquid ethanol is:
CH₃CH₂OH (l) + 7/2O₂ (g) 2CO₂ (g)  + 3H₂O (g)
Find the enthalpy change (H) for the combustion of liquid ethanol, using a table of the standard heats of formation.     H = kJ/mol

11. Considering your answer to question 10, how much heat will be produced per gram of propellant (both ethanol and oxygen) that is burned.
a) 2.27 kJ   b) 7.82 kJ     c) 26.81 kJ     d) 38.38 kJ

12. When liquid hydrogen and oxygen are the fuel, burning one gram of propellant produces 13.4 kJ of energy.  On the basis of energy per unit of mass consumed, is liquid oxygen and hydrogen or ethanol and liquid oxygen a better rocket fuel.   Explain your answer.