Earth Science: Unit 4

In a hypothetical galaxy that follows a planetary system, planet A is 20 million kilometers from the star and planet B is 60 million kilometers from the star. Which statement is true concerning the orbit of these planets? A. Planet A moves faster than planet B because it is closer to the star B. Planet B moves faster than planet A because it is farther from the star C. Planet A has an orbit more elliptical than planet B's orbit because it is closer to the star. D. Planet B has an orbit more elliptical than planet A's orbit because it is farther from the star

A.

The modern model of the solar system has been developed using observations from the naked eye, telescopes, space probes and lander's, and theoretical calculations. Which object is currently in the model based only on theoretical calculations? A. Oort Cloud B. Kuiper Belt C. Asteroid Belt D. Dwarf Planet Pluto

A. Oort Cloud

Scientists have defined a number of pieces of evidence found in our own planets that help explain how the solar system formed. Which statements from the list are part of this evidence? A. All terrestrial planets are rocky B. Most of the planets are made of ice C. The planets rotate in different directions D. The planets all orbit within a few degrees of a common plane E. Radiometric dating shows that Earth is much younger than Mars

A. and D.`

Describe a way that the budding and blooming are evidence that the warming of Earth's surface in the spring results in other feedback effects.

As the ground becomes warmer in spring, it begins to warm the air above. This warm air can melt snow, providing water and warmth that can stimulate the growth of flowers in the spring. The budding and blooming are evidence that these processes are occurring.

Elise wrote the following list of information about the early history of the solar system and Earth that can be obtained from a study of lunar rocks. 1. estimated age of Earth 2. bulk composition of Earth 3. bulk composition of the solar system 4. formation of planets through accretion of smaller objects Which of these should be removed from her list? A. only item 1 B. only item 4 C. only items 1 and 2 D. only items 3 and 4

B.

A. early geocentric model B. early heliocentric model C. later geocentric model D. later heliocentric model The sun is stationary with circular orbits around it. _____ Earth is stationary with circular orbits including epicycles.______ The sun is stationary with slightly elliptical orbits around it._____ Earth is stationary with circular orbits around it._____

B. C. D. A.

Scientists who wish to study the formation of the solar system rely on ancient rock materials. Write one letter in each blank to correctly complete the sentences about this process. Rocks from ______ provide a less reliable measure of the age of the solar system because ________ due to _________, so the ages of its rock are generally _______. Blank 1 Options- A.) Earth B.) the moon Blank 2 Options- C.)it formed much later D.) its surface changes more E.) the rocks are not radioactive Blank 3 Options- F.) its orbit around a planet G.) the extreme ages of the rocks H.) tectonic activity and other factors Blank 4 Options- I.) less than the age of moon rocks J.) less than the age of Earth rocks K.) greater than the age of moon rocks L.) greater than the age of Earth rocks

Blank 1- A Blank 2- D Blank 3- H Blank 4- I

The nebular theory describes how scientists think the solar system began. Write one letter in each blank to correctly complete the description of the nebular theory. A. Cloud B. Helium C. Disk D. Star The solar system began as a nebula, which is a rotating _______ of dust, ice, and gas. The primary components of the gas were hydrogen and _______. Scientists think the composition of the nebula was about the same as the composition of a _____. Due to its extreme gravity it formed into a swirling _____ that became smaller and eventually formed a ______.

Blank 1-A Blank 2-B Blank 3-D Blank 4-C Blank 5-D

What evidence demonstrates the interaction between Earth's magnetic field and solar wind? A. spring tides B. solar eclipses C. the aurora borealis D. the greenhouse effect

C.

Which discovery did scientists make that supports the modern model of the solar system? A. Calculations using observed data showed that the inner planets contain the majority of the planetary mass. B. Orbital observations suggested that the planets move in well-defined, circular orbits at constant speeds around the sun. C. Satellite images helped reveal a pattern of planetary composition in which those closer to the sun are denser than those farther from the sun. D. Space probes provided data about the mass of the sun and surrounding planets, showing how evenly distributed the mass of the solar system is.

C.

Which statement describes an observation scientists have made of extra solar systems that also provides strong support for the nebular theory of solar system? A. Extra solar planets have only been observed around young stars B. Jupiter-sized planets with very low density orbit very close to stars C. Very young stars are surrounded by disks that compromise gas and dust D. Solar system development in all observed areas of the universe is rare

C.

Use Newton's law of gravitation to explain how gravitational force changes as the radius between two objects increases.

Gravitational force gets weaker as distance increases.

Occurs during periods of high solar irradiance: _____,_____,_____,_____ Occurs during periods of low solar irradiance: _____,_____,_____,_____ A. Heating of land and oceans increases B. Heating of land and oceans decreases C. Energy is carried by oceans and wind to other areas D. Amount of water vapor held in the atmosphere increases E. Amount of water vapor held in the atmosphere decreases F. Factors other than irradiance may change precipitation and surface temperatures

High Irradiance: A, C, D, F Low Irradiance: B, C, E, F

In the northern United States, plants begin to bud and bloom each spring. Describe how a change in Earth's tilt can cause feedback effects that result in the warming of Earth's surface in the spring.

In the spring, the northern part of Earth begins to tilt more toward the sun, resulting in more daylight hours and allowing more direct sunlight to reach the ground. With more direct sunlight the ground absorbs more energy and becomes warmer.

Explain how the age of the rock can help determine whether the rock is from Earth or from an outside source such as the moon or an asteroid.

Older rocks are most likely from other sources in the solar system that are not as strongly affected by surface changes and can give more reliable age estimates.

A scientist determines the age of a rock sample based on the radioactive decay of an isotope that has a half-life of 1.25 billion years. Explain what radioactive decay and half-life are and why radiometric dating is useful for determining the age of a rock sample.

Radioactive decay is the spontaneous breakdown of an unstable atomic nucleus, often transforming into the nucleus of a different element. Half-life is the amount of time required for half of the original amount of the radioactive isotope to decay. Radiometric dating is useful because it uses radioactive elements that have very long half-lives and decay in a predictable way

The scientist finds that 1/8 of the original amount of the radioactive isotope is still in the rock sample and concludes that the age of the sample is 4.5 billion years old. Determine whether the claim is true or false.

The claim is false.