Which of These Upcoming Observations Will Help Test the Idea

question 149

Multiple Choice

Which of these upcoming observations will help test the idea that Mars' atmosphere thinned due to interactions with the solar wind?

• A)Geologists will measure the carbon content of Martian rocks that were transported to Earth by asteroid impacts.
• B)The Curiosity rover will measure the carbon content of rocks on Mars' surface.
• C)The upcoming MAVEN orbiter will measure present- day gas loss from Mars' atmosphere.
• D)Astronomers will use spectrographs on the Keck telescope to measure the density of Mars' atmosphere.

---

Definitions:

Statistically Significant

A determination that the observed effects or differences in data are unlikely to have occurred by chance, according to a pre-determined threshold.

Null Hypothesis

A statement in statistical analysis that proposes there is no significant difference or relationship between specified populations, or no effect of a treatment.

Region of Rejection

The range of values in a statistical test that leads to the rejection of the null hypothesis, indicating a statistically significant result.

Statistic

A single measure, reported as a number, used to summarize a set of data.