Chapter 8 review

5. [2pt]Which internal heat source still generates heat within the terrestrial worlds today? A) Heat from radioactive decay. B) Heat from fusion. C) Heat of accretion. D) Heat from differentiation. E) Heat from convection.

A) Heat from radioactive decay.

21. [1pt]On a cloudless day, what happens to most of the visible light headed toward Earth? A) It reaches Earth's surface, where some is reflected and some is absorbed. B) It is completely reflected by Earth's surface. C) It is photosynthesized. D) It is absorbed and reemitted by gases in Earth's atmosphere. E) It is reflected by Earth's atmosphere.

A) It reaches Earth's surface, where some is reflected and some is absorbed.

1. [2pt]From center to surface, which of the following correctly lists the interior layers of a typical rocky planet? A) core, mantle, crust B) mantle, crust, core C) mantle, core, crust D) core,crust,lithosphere E) core, lithosphere, crust

A) core, mantle, crust

32. [2pt]Which characteristic of Earth explains why we have an ultraviolet-absorbing stratosphere? A) the existence of plate tectonics B) the moderate surface temperature C) the existence of clouds D) the existence of photosynthetic life E) the existence of oceans

D) the existence of photosynthetic life

9. [3pt]You discover an impact crater that is 10 kilometers across. Which of the following can you conclude? A) It was created by the impact of an object about 1 kilometer across. B) It was created by the impact of an object about 10 kilometers across. C) It was created within the past 10 million years. D) It was created within the past 1 billion years. E) It was created by a comet, not an asteroid.

A) It was created by the impact of an object about 1 kilometer across.

8. [2pt]Recent evidence suggests that Mars once had a global magnetic field. Assuming this is true, which of the following could explain why Mars today lacks a global magnetic field like that of Earth? A) Mars's interior has cooled so much that its molten core layer no longer undergoes convection. B) Mars is too far from the Sun to have a global magnetic field. C) Mars rotates much slower than the Earth. D) The Martian core is made of rock, while Earth's core is made of metal. E) Mars' lost of its water, which is essential to generate a magnetic field.

A) Mars's interior has cooled so much that its molten core layer no longer undergoes convection.

10. [2pt]Most of the Moon's surface is densely covered with craters, but we find relatively few craters within the lunar maria. What can we conclude?A) The maria formed after the heavy bombardment ended. B) The regions of the maria were hit by fewer impacts than the densely cratered regions. C) The maria formed within the past 1 billion years. D) Erosion affects the maria more than it affects other regions of the Moon. E) Sustained hurricane level winds blow on that part of the Moon.

A) The maria formed after the heavy bombardment ended.

29. [2pt]Which of the following general statements about Earth's atmosphere is not true? A) The sea level temperature depends primarily on the total amount of gas in our atmosphere. B) Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude. C) Even in low-Earth orbit, where some man-made satellites are, some atmospheric gas is still present. D) Earth's atmosphere blocks most UV light from reaching the surface. E) Atmospheric scattering of light explains why our daytime sky is bright and blue.

A) The sea level temperature depends primarily on the total amount of gas in our atmosphere.

28. [2pt]Which of the following is the most basic definition of a greenhouse gas? A) a gas that absorbs infrared light B) a gas that reflects a lot of sunlight C) a gas that keeps warms air from rising, and therefore warms the surface D) a gas that makes a planet much hotter than it would be otherwise, even in small amounts E) a gas that has a strong smell

A) a gas that absorbs infrared light

6. [2pt]The reason that small planets tend to lose interior heat faster than larger planets is essentially the same as the reason that _______. A) a large baked potato takes longer to cool than a small baked potato B) gas bubbles form and rise upward in boiling water C) it is hotter in the summer and cooler in the winter D) thunderstorms tend to form on hot summer days E) Earth contains more metal than the Moon

A) a large baked potato takes longer to cool than a small baked potato

35. [2pt]What is a magnetosphere? A) a region of space around a planet in which the planet's magnetic field can trap charged particles B) the region in a planet's atmosphere in which auroras occur C) A region in the human brain operated by magnetic fields D) the layer of a planet in which its magnetic field is generated E) the uppermost layer of any planetary atmosphere

A) a region of space around a planet in which the planet's magnetic field can trap charged particles

23. [2pt]The greenhouse effect raises Earth's surface temperature (from what it would be otherwise) because the infrared light radiated by Earth's surface _______. A) is temporarily absorbed by greenhouse gases and then reemitted in random directions B) becomes permanently trapped by greenhouse gases C) is making radiators more efficient D) is transformed by photosynthesis E) travels directly out to space

A) is temporarily absorbed by greenhouse gases and then reemitted in random directions

18. [2pt]What are the basic requirements for a terrestrial world to have a global magnetic field? A) A metal core and rapid rotation. B) A core that has a molten layer and a mantle that has convection. C) A metal core, a rocky mantle, and sufficiently rapid rotation. D) A core layer of molten, convecting material and sufficiently rapid rotation. E) Well aligned ferromagnetic material in the core

B) A core that has a molten layer and a mantle that has convection.

26. [2pt]Which of the following best describes how the greenhouse effect works? A) Greenhouse gases absorb X-rays and ultraviolet light from the Sun, and this absorbed radiation then heats the atmosphere and the surface B) A planet's surface absorbs visible sunlight and returns this absorbed energy to space as infrared light. Greenhouse gases slow the escape of this infrared radiation, which thereby heats the lower atmosphere. C) Greenhouse gases absorb infrared light coming from the Sun, and this absorbed sunlight heats the lower atmosphere and the surface. D) The greenhouse effect is caused primarily by ozone, which absorbs ultraviolet light and thereby makes the atmosphere much hotter than it would be otherwise. E) The absence or low density of plants at the surface makes the atmosphere hotter and hotter.

B) A planet's surface absorbs visible sunlight and returns this absorbed energy to space as infrared light. Greenhouse gases slow the escape of this infrared radiation, which thereby heats the lower atmosphere.

31. [2pt]Why does Earth have so little carbon dioxide in its atmosphere compared to Venus? A) Earth once had a lot of carbon dioxide, but it was lost to space during the heavy bombardment early in our solar system's history. B) Earth has just as much carbon dioxide as Venus, but most of it is locked up in carbonate rocks rather than being free in the atmosphere. C) Chemical reactions turned Earth's carbon dioxide into nitrogen. D) Plants, though photosynthesis transformed most of the carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen. E) Earth's volcanoes outgassed far less carbon dioxide than those on Venus.

B) Earth has just as much carbon dioxide as Venus, but most of it is locked up in carbonate rocks rather than being free in the atmosphere.

30. [2pt]Which of the following statements about Earth's troposphere is NOT generally true? A) It is the layer we live in. B) It is the layer of the atmosphere in which ozone absorbs dangerous ultraviolet light from the Sun. C) It is a layer of the atmosphere in which temperature declines with increasing altitude. D) It is the layer of the atmosphere in which convection plays the most important role. E) It is the lowest layer of the atmosphere.

B) It is the layer of the atmosphere in which ozone absorbs dangerous ultraviolet light from the Sun.

15. [2pt]What is the significance of the white lines on this map of Earth? A) They represent borders between continents. B) They represent boundaries between the plates that make up Earth's lithosphere. C) The white lines represent the locations of deep trenches. D) They lined everywhere by chains of volcanoes. E) They follow marine currents.

B) They represent boundaries between the plates that make

17. [2pt]Which of the following is an example of convection? A) Rocks sinking in water. B) Warm air expanding and rising while cooler air contracts and fall. C) The rising and setting of the Sun. D) Gas bubbling upward through a liquid. E) Different kinds of material separating by density, like oil and water.

B) Warm air expanding and rising while cooler air contracts and fall.

19. [2pt]On average, how fast do the plates move on the Earth? A) a few kilometers per year B) a few centimeters per year C) a few millimeters per century D) about 1 mile per hour

B) a few centimeters per year

14. [2pt]The geological feature in this photo taken from a plane is _______. A) the unusual cloud formation in the background B) an impact crater C) a volcano D) a dried up lake basin E) This cannot be on Earth

B) an impact crater

4. [2pt]The cores of the terrestrial worlds are made mostly of metal because _______. A) because planets started to form from planetesimals that were much richer in metals B) metals sunk to the centers a long time ago when the interiors were molten throughout C) the core contained lots of radioactive elements that decayed into metals D) the terrestrial worlds as a whole are made mostly of metal E) over billions of years, convection gradually brought dense metals downward to the core

B) metals sunk to the centers a long time ago when the interiors were molten throughout

3. [2pt]Which of the following is NOT an example of tectonics? A) the stretching of the crust by underlying mantle convection B) the gradual disappearance of a crater rim as a result of wind and rain C) the slow movement of Earth's lithospheric plates D) the formation of a cliff when the lithosphere shrinks

B) the gradual disappearance of a crater rim as a result of wind and rain

33. [2pt]This photograph shows the Space Shuttle orbiting at about 300km above Earth' surface. What is the significance of the greenish glow next to the Shuttle's wing? A) It shows that the Shuttle was interacting with some upper layer atmosphere particles. B) It shows that the Shuttle lights work in space as well as they work on the ground. C) It shows that Earth's atmosphere still exists, though thinly, at this altitude. D) It shows that strong thunderstorms can happen at very high altitude. E) It shows that the Space Shuttle can cause auroras along its orbit.

C) It shows that Earth's atmosphere still exists, though thinly, at this altitude.

12. [2pt]Why are there fewer large impact craters on the Earth's seafloor than on the continents? A) Erosion erases impact craters must faster on the ocean bottom than on land. B) Marine life creates natural debris that covers up the craters. C) Seafloor crust is younger than continental crust, so it has had less time in which to suffer impacts. D) The oceans slow large impactors and prevent them from making craters. E) Most impacts occur on the land.

C) Seafloor crust is younger than continental crust, so it has had less time in which to suffer impacts.

38. [2pt]Which of the following is NOT an expected consequence of global warming? A) An increase in the severity of winter blizzards. B) Sea level rising. C) The entire Earth will warm up by the same amount .D) Melting of polar ice and glaciers. E) An increase in the number and intensity of hurricanes.

C) The entire Earth will warm up by the same amount

13. [2pt]Based on all we know about the terrestrial worlds, what single factor appears to play the most important role in a terrestrial planet's geological destiny? A) its distance from the Sun B) its initial surface temperature C) its size D) its composition E) whether or not it has liquid water

C) its size

22. [2pt]What happens to the energy that the ground absorbs in the form of visible sunlight?A) It makes the ground continually get hotter and hotter. B) It is reflected upward in the form of visible light. C) It is returned upward in the form of UV light. D) It is returned upward in the form of infrared light. E) It heats up the Earth's interior.

D) It is returned upward in the form of infrared light.

2. [2pt]What do we conclude if a planet has few impact craters of any size? A) Its atmosphere stopped impactors of all sizes. B) The planet was never bombarded by asteroids or comets. C) It's probably been smoothed by an ancient civilization. D) Some geological processes have wiped out craters.

D) Some geological processes have wiped out craters.

16. [2pt]What do we mean when we say that the terrestrial worlds underwent differentiation? A) Their surfaces show a variety of different geological features resulting from different geological processes. B) This is the process that allowed the planets to move onto their current orbits around the Sun. C) The five terrestrial worlds all started similarly but ended up looking quite different. D) When their interiors were molten, denser materials sank toward their centers and lighter materials rose toward their surfaces E) They lost interior heat to outer space.

D) When their interiors were molten, denser materials sank toward their centers and lighter materials rose toward their surfaces

36. [2pt]What important change in the Sun over the past four billion years is thought to be very important to understanding the climates of Venus, Earth, and Mars? A) a gradual reduction in the amount of ultraviolet and X-ray radiation coming from the Sun B) a gradual dimming with time C) a gradual increase of solar flares D) a gradual brightening with time E) a gradual weakening of the solar wind with time

D) a gradual brightening with time

11. [2pt]What are the two geological features that appear to set Earth apart from all the other terrestrial worlds? A) craters and volcanism B) significant volcanism and tectonics C) mantle convection and a thick atmosphere D) plate tectonics and widespread erosion E) shield volcanoes and plate tectonics

D) plate tectonics and widespread erosion

37. [2pt]Which of the following statements about ozone (in Earth's stratosphere) is NOT true? A) The concentration of ozone is depleted by the man-made emission of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) B) Without this ozone, Earth would not have a stratosphere. C) Ozone absorbs harmful ultraviolet light from the Sun. D) Ozone is a form of oxygen. E) The presence of ozone was crucial to the origin of life some 4 billion years ago.

E) The presence of ozone was crucial to the origin of life some 4 billion years ago.

27. [2pt]Earth has been gradually warming over the past few decades. Based on a great deal of evidence, scientists believe that this warming is caused by _______. A) the increase in forest fires during recent years B) the fact that our politicians spout a lot of hot air C) the increase in the Sun's luminosity D) the human release of chemicals called CFCs into the stratosphere E) human activities that are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere

E) human activities that are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere

7. [2pt]Suppose we had a device that allowed us to see Earth's interior. If we looked at a typical region of the mantle, what would we see happening?A) dense metals falling downward while low-density rock rises upward B) hot molten rock rising upward throughout the mantle and cool, solid rock falling downward C) a rapid, up and down churning of the material in the mantle D) very, very bright, almost blinding liquid substance E) not much - on human time scales, the mantle looks like solid rock

E) not much - on human time scales, the mantle looks like solid rock

The greenhouse effect occurs in the _______. A) exosphere B) lithosphere C) stratosphere D) all atmospheric layers E) troposphere

E) troposphere

24. [2pt]Suppose that Earth's atmosphere had no greenhouse gases. Then Earth's average surface temperature would be _______. A) slightly cooler, but still above freezing B) well above boiling point of water C) slightly warmer, but still well below the boiling point of water D) about the same as it is now E) well below the freezing point of water

E) well below the freezing point of water

20. [3pt]You have 3 tries for this question. Match the missing [blank] words to the correct sentence. (If the first corresponds to B, and the next 4 to C, enter BCCCC) . 1) The earthquakes that occur in Southern California generally occur above a [blank]. A. subduction 2) Layered [blank] rock exposed by erosion can be seen when looking at the Grand Canyon in the United States. B. sedimentary rock 3) Australia is composed of relatively old and thick [blank]. C. continental crust 4) The slowly increasing distance between South America and Africa is due to [blank]. D. seafloor spreading 5) Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone National Park in the United States acquires its energy from a [blank]. E. fault 6) The extremely deep ocean Marianas Trench is a result of [blank]. F. hot spot

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