Earth Science Final Review Quiz

The letter "b" represents the Atlantic Ocean.

The weight of an object depends on the gravitational force exerted on it, which is directly proportional to the mass of the planet. Therefore, each planet having a different mass means that the gravitational force experienced on each planet will be different, resulting in a change in weight. The other options mentioned, such as average temperature, length of time to orbit the sun, and amount of solar radiation, do not directly affect weight.

Friction refers to the resistance that occurs when two surfaces come into contact with each other. In the context of the question, water can reduce friction, which in turn can trigger mass wasting events. When water infiltrates soil or rock layers, it can act as a lubricant, reducing the friction between particles and causing them to become unstable. This can lead to landslides, mudslides, or other mass wasting events where the weakened material moves downhill. Therefore, friction plays a crucial role in stabilizing slopes, and its reduction by water can contribute to the occurrence of such events.

For an igneous rock to change into a metamorphic rock, it needs to be subjected to heat and pressure. These two factors cause the minerals within the rock to recrystallize, forming new minerals and changing the overall texture and composition of the rock. This process, known as metamorphism, occurs deep within the Earth's crust where temperature and pressure are high. Lava, weathering, and lithification are not involved in the transformation of igneous rocks into metamorphic rocks.

All of the options listed are necessary for a geyser to erupt. A geyser is formed when there is a constriction in fractures, which creates pressure on the underground water. This underground water is heated by an underground heat source, such as magma or hot rocks, causing it to expand. The presence of a cavern allows the groundwater to collect and build up pressure. Finally, fractures act as conduits for the water to move underground, leading to an eruption when the pressure becomes too high. Therefore, all of these factors are needed for a geyser to erupt.

The nucleus is the correct answer because it is the part of an atom that contains the most mass. It is located at the center of the atom and consists of protons and neutrons. Electrons, on the other hand, have negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons. Isotopes refer to atoms of the same element that have a different number of neutrons. The options "alien probe" and "machines" are not relevant to the question.

Luster is the property of a mineral that describes the way light reflects off its surface. Different minerals have different types of luster, such as metallic, vitreous, pearly, or dull. By observing the way light reflects off a mineral's surface, we can determine its luster and use it as a characteristic to identify the mineral.

Mechanical (physical) weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces without any change in their chemical composition. Frost wedging occurs when water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands, causing the rock to break apart. Plant roots can grow into cracks in rocks, exerting pressure and causing them to break. Unloading happens when overlying pressure on rocks is reduced, causing them to expand and crack. Oxidation, on the other hand, is a chemical weathering process that involves the reaction of rock minerals with oxygen. Therefore, all of the given options (frost wedging, plant roots, unloading) result in mechanical weathering, except for oxidation which is a chemical process.

P-waves, also known as primary waves, are seismic body waves that can travel through both solids and fluids. They are the fastest seismic waves and have a push-pull motion, causing particles to move in the same direction as the wave. This ability to travel through fluids makes P-waves crucial in studying the Earth's interior, as they can provide valuable information about the composition and structure of the subsurface, including the presence of liquid layers such as water or magma.

Meteorites are fragments of asteroids or other celestial bodies that have fallen to Earth. They can contain a variety of materials, including iron, silicate material, amino acids, and nickel. Iron is commonly found in meteorites, often in the form of iron-nickel alloys. Silicate materials, such as minerals and rocks, are also present in meteorites. Additionally, organic compounds like amino acids have been detected in some meteorites, providing evidence for the existence of the building blocks of life in space. Therefore, all of the mentioned materials can be found in meteorites.

Groundwater contains the largest quantity of fresh water compared to other water reservoirs. Groundwater refers to the water that is stored beneath the Earth's surface in aquifers. It is replenished through rainfall and snowmelt, slowly percolating through the soil and rocks. Groundwater is an important source of water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes. It is estimated that about 30% of the world's freshwater is stored in groundwater reservoirs, making it the largest accessible source of fresh water on the planet.

The correct answer is sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rocks are formed through the accumulation and lithification of sediment, which can include particles of rock, minerals, organic matter, and even fossils. They are typically found on the Earth's surface and can be composed of various materials, such as sandstone, limestone, or shale. Sedimentary rocks often contain layers or strata, which can provide valuable information about the Earth's history and past environments.

When two hydrogen atoms combine, they undergo a process called fusion, which results in the formation of a helium atom. Fusion occurs in the core of stars, where the immense pressure and temperature cause hydrogen atoms to collide and fuse together, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. This process is what powers the sun and other stars, as well as being a potential future energy source on Earth.

The most common gas found in the modern atmosphere is N2, or nitrogen. Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. It is an inert gas that is essential for life as it is a key component of proteins and nucleic acids. Nitrogen is also important for the nitrogen cycle, where it is converted into different forms by bacteria and other organisms, allowing it to be used by plants and animals.

The mass of a star mostly influences its final evolutionary stages. The mass determines the amount of fuel available for nuclear fusion, which powers the star. Higher mass stars burn through their fuel more quickly and go through more intense and shorter-lived stages, such as supernovae explosions, while lower mass stars have longer lifetimes and end their lives as white dwarfs or neutron stars. Therefore, the mass of a star plays a crucial role in determining its ultimate fate and evolutionary path.

The relative humidity is calculated by dividing the actual amount of water vapor present (5 grams) by the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at that temperature (20 grams) and multiplying by 100. In this case, (5/20) * 100 = 25%. Therefore, the relative humidity is 25%.

The reason for the moon having the greatest influence on Earth's tides is the distance of the moon. The gravitational force between the moon and Earth is strongest when they are closest to each other, causing a tidal bulge on the side of Earth facing the moon. As the Earth rotates, this bulge creates high tides. The farther the moon is from Earth, the weaker the gravitational force and the smaller the tidal effect. Therefore, the distance of the moon is the main factor determining the strength of its influence on Earth's tides.

Condensation occurs when water vapor in the air cools and changes into liquid form. The dew point is the temperature at which the air becomes saturated and condensation begins to form. When the dew point is reached, the air is at 100% relative humidity, meaning it cannot hold any more water vapor. Therefore, both option b (dew point is reached) and option c (100% relative humidity is achieved) apply when condensation occurs.

The correct answer is "All of the above except b." This means that all of the statements listed - the moon is composed of part of Earth, the moon is moving away from Earth, and the moon formed from a ring of debris - are true, except for the statement that the moon is older than Earth.

Cumulonimbus clouds are known for their vertical development and can reach great heights in the atmosphere. These clouds are associated with thunderstorms and can produce hail due to the strong updrafts within them. As the updrafts carry raindrops upward into extremely cold regions of the cloud, they freeze and form ice pellets. These ice pellets can then be carried back down by downdrafts within the cloud, creating hail. Therefore, cumulonimbus clouds are the cloud type that generates hail.

The temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere and mesosphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs, and as you go higher in this layer, the temperature decreases. The mesosphere is the layer above the stratosphere, and it is also characterized by a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude. Therefore, options a & c, which include the troposphere and mesosphere, are the correct layers where the temperature decreases with altitude.

During the Main Sequence Stage, a star is in a state of equilibrium where the inward force of gravity is balanced by the outward force of thermal expansion. Gravity pulls the star's matter inward, while thermal expansion causes the star to expand outward. These two forces are balanced, allowing the star to maintain a stable size and temperature.

Urbanization is the correct answer because it refers to the process of increasing the population and infrastructure in urban areas, which often leads to the replacement of natural land surfaces with impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt. These impervious surfaces prevent rainwater from infiltrating into the ground, resulting in increased surface runoff and reduced groundwater recharge. This can lead to higher volumes and faster flow of water during rainfall events, contributing to flooding in urban areas.

Hydrogen was one of the first atoms to have formed in the Universe. This is because hydrogen is the lightest and simplest element, consisting of only one proton and one electron. In the early stages of the Universe, after the Big Bang, hydrogen atoms were created through a process called nucleosynthesis. As the Universe expanded and cooled, hydrogen atoms began to come together to form stars and galaxies. The abundance of hydrogen in the Universe played a crucial role in the formation of other elements and the evolution of celestial bodies.

Most galaxies show a red shift in their spectrum. This is due to the Doppler effect, which causes the wavelength of light emitted by an object moving away from us to appear longer (shifted towards the red end of the spectrum). This phenomenon is used to determine the motion and velocity of galaxies, as the amount of red shift can indicate how fast a galaxy is moving away from us.

The correct answer is nebula-> protosun-> ring of planetesmals-> protoplanet. This sequence is based on the widely accepted theory of solar system formation known as the nebular hypothesis. According to this theory, a nebula, which is a large cloud of gas and dust, begins to collapse under its own gravity. As the collapse continues, a protosun forms at the center, surrounded by a rotating disk of gas and dust called a protoplanetary disk. Within this disk, small clumps of material called planetesimals start to form and collide, eventually growing into protoplanets.

Mesosaurus is a fossil example that was used to explain the presence of Pangaea. Mesosaurus was a small aquatic reptile that lived during the early Permian period. Fossils of Mesosaurus have been found in both South America and Africa, which are currently separated by the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of the same species in these two distant locations suggests that there was once a land connection between South America and Africa, supporting the theory of Pangaea, a supercontinent that existed millions of years ago.

An aquitard is a layer of rock or sediment that restricts the flow of groundwater. It acts as a barrier, isolating a confined aquifer from the surrounding layers. This prevents the movement of water between the confined aquifer and other aquifers or surface water sources. Therefore, an aquitard is the correct answer as it describes the layer that isolates a confined aquifer.

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A star with a temperature around 35,000 K would be blue. The color of a star is directly related to its temperature. Stars with higher temperatures emit more blue and ultraviolet light, while stars with lower temperatures emit more red and infrared light. Therefore, a star with a temperature of 35,000 K would emit a significant amount of blue light, making it appear blue in color.

When a volcano goes extinct, the conduits, which are the channels through which magma flows, will cool and solidify over time. This process causes the conduits to crystallize into an igneous rock. A sill is a horizontal sheet-like intrusion of igneous rock that forms between layers of preexisting rock. A dike, on the other hand, is a vertical or near-vertical sheet-like intrusion of igneous rock that cuts across preexisting rock layers. Therefore, both options a (sill) and c (dike) are correct answers as they describe the formation of igneous rock when a volcano goes extinct.

Ions are not utilized by organisms in the ocean. Organisms in the ocean have limited ability to use or remove ions from the water. As a result, ions tend to accumulate in the ocean over time, leading to high concentrations of ions such as Na+ and Cl-.

The extraction of groundwater and oil from the San Joaquin Valley has resulted in subsidence. Subsidence refers to the sinking or settling of the land surface due to the removal of these underground resources. As the groundwater and oil are pumped out, the empty spaces left underground cause the overlying land to sink. This can lead to various issues such as the sinking of buildings, infrastructure damage, and changes in the landscape. Therefore, subsidence is the most logical and plausible outcome of the extraction activities in the San Joaquin Valley.

The correct answer suggests that if you are stranded in the ocean and can only depict a volcanic island arc, you would describe your surrounding destination to possible rescuers by mentioning that lava and pyroclastic flow are visible. This implies that there is volcanic activity happening on the island, which could be a significant landmark for rescuers to locate and potentially rescue you from.

A supernova is responsible for the production of heavy atoms such as iron in the sun's solar system. During a supernova explosion, the intense energy and pressure cause the fusion of lighter elements into heavier elements, including iron. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy and scatters these heavy atoms into space. Over time, these heavy atoms can become part of new star systems, such as our own solar system, and contribute to the formation of planets and other celestial bodies.

The shape of the structural building block for rock forming minerals is a pyramid. This is because rock forming minerals typically have a crystal structure that is composed of repeating units called unit cells. The unit cell of many rock forming minerals is in the shape of a pyramid, with triangular faces and a pointed top. This pyramid shape allows for the orderly arrangement of atoms or ions within the crystal structure of the mineral.

As the sun's fuel begins to deplete, it will enter the red giant stage of its evolution. During this stage, the sun will expand and become larger, causing it to consume its surrounding planets. Eventually, the outer layers of the sun will be shed, leaving behind a dense core known as a white dwarf. A supernova occurs when a massive star exhausts its fuel and collapses under its own gravity, which is not applicable to the sun. A protostar refers to a stage in the formation of a star, and a neutron star is formed from the remnants of a supernova.

The Labrador current is a cold water current. It flows southward along the eastern coast of Canada and carries cold Arctic water towards the equator. This current is responsible for the cool temperatures experienced along the northeastern coast of North America.

Wave refraction is the correct answer because it is the process by which waves change direction as they approach the shoreline. When waves approach the shoreline at an angle, the part of the wave that is closer to the shore slows down due to the shallower water, causing the wave to bend or refract. This refraction causes the wave crests to become parallel to the shoreline, regardless of the direction of the storm. This phenomenon is responsible for the consistent parallel alignment of wave crests as they strike the shoreline.

Deposition is the process in which a gas transforms directly into a solid without passing through the liquid phase. During deposition, the gas molecules lose energy and slow down significantly as they come together to form a solid. This process involves a greater decrease in molecular energy and movement compared to other pathways such as sublimation, evaporation, and condensation, making deposition the pathway that causes molecules to slow down the most.

The letter "c" represents a neap tide. Neap tides occur when the gravitational forces of the sun and moon are perpendicular to each other, causing the high tides to be lower and the low tides to be higher than usual. This results in a smaller difference between high and low tides.

The image depicts a scene with lush green trees, blue skies, and bright sunlight, indicating a warm and vibrant atmosphere. These characteristics are typically associated with the summer season in the northern hemisphere.

A tombolo is a geographical feature that occurs when a sandbar or spit connects an island to the mainland or to another island. It is formed by the deposition of sediment by waves and currents, which gradually builds up over time and creates a land bridge. This feature is often seen in coastal areas and can be formed by various processes such as longshore drift.

Copper is not amongst the 8 most abundant elements in Earth's crust. The 8 most abundant elements are oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Copper is less abundant compared to these elements in the Earth's crust.

The ultimate base level for a stream is the lowest point to which a stream can erode its channel. In this case, the Atlantic Ocean is the correct answer because it is the lowest point that a stream can flow into and erode its channel. Flood control dams, mountain lakes, and reservoir dams are not considered ultimate base levels for streams as they are man-made structures and can be altered or controlled.

A flood tide refers to the rising tide that occurs when water moves towards the shore. Among the given options, number 1 best represents a flood tide because it signifies the beginning or the initial stage of the rising tide. The other numbers do not indicate a specific direction or movement of the tide.

The primary reason for the difference in yearly temperature between Vancouver and Winnipeg is marine influence. Vancouver, being located on the west coast of Canada, experiences a milder climate due to the moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean. The ocean currents bring in warm air, resulting in mild winters and cooler summers. On the other hand, Winnipeg, located in the interior of Canada, does not have the same marine influence, leading to colder winters and hotter summers.

Mafic magma has the lowest silica content among the given options. Silica is a major component in magma and affects its viscosity. Mafic magma is rich in iron and magnesium, which gives it a low silica content. This type of magma has a low viscosity, allowing gases to escape more easily and resulting in less explosive volcanic eruptions. Mafic magma also tends to have higher temperatures and can form basaltic rocks when it solidifies.

A mass wasting event refers to the movement of rocks, soil, or other materials down a slope due to gravity. In this case, a rock fall is a clear example of a mass wasting event as it involves the sudden and rapid movement of rocks down a slope. Water flowing in a channel and storm surge are not considered mass wasting events as they involve the movement of water, not solid materials. Geothermal gradient refers to the change in temperature with depth in the Earth's crust and is unrelated to mass wasting events.

The correct answer is 0 because the ecliptic is the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun. Therefore, Earth's orbit is exactly on the ecliptic, making the angle between Earth's orbit and the ecliptic 0 degrees.