Earth in Space Quiz
Which of the 4 planets listed has the shortest year?
a. Neptune b. Pluto c. Mars d. Jupiter The correct answer is: Mars
Which of the following formed from previously existing rocks?
a. sedimentary rocks b. igneous rocks c. metamorphic rocks d. All of the above are correct D. Correct
South of the Antarctic Circle, the sun appears
above the horizon all day at least once during December
The significance of the Arctic circle (66.5°N latitude) is that the Sun appears
above the horizon all day at least one day during the summer.
The idea of a spreading sea floor along the Mid-Atlantic ridge is supported by
all of these support the sea-floor spreading hypothesis
The rock granite is ________ type rock and is found primarily in the _________ .
an igneous .... continental crust
Asteroids
are relatively small rocky bodies b. are usually found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter c. can be as large as an entire city d. All of the above Correct D.
Rocks making up the ocean basins and much of the earth's interior have the same chemical composition as
basalt
The earth's mantle has a chemical composition that agrees closely with the composition of
basalt
The atmosphere of Venus is predominantly
carbon dioxide
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the processes of compaction and
cementation.
The idea of seafloor spreading along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge was supported by evidence from
changes in magnetic patterns and ages of rocks moving away from the ridge.
An intrusive igneous rock will have which type of texture?
coarse-grained
The oldest rocks are found in (the)
continental crust
In which part of a newborn star does the nuclear fusion take place?
core
The most useful clue to the identity of a mineral is its
crystal structure
The significance of the tropic of Cancer (23.5°N latitude) is that the Sun appears
directly overhead south of this latitude some time during a year.
According to the plate tectonics theory, sea-floor spreading occurs at a
divergent boundary
The mid-ocean spreading ridges are recognized as
divergent plate boundaries
From the figure determine what letter corresponds to the coordinates of 40 degrees north latitude and 60 degrees east longitude
e
A latitude of 0 degrees is called what?
equator
A fine-crystalline igneous rock is probably
extrusive.
A rock might be a metamorphic rock if it has
foliation.
The earth rotates
from west to east
A lunar eclipse can occur only during the moon phase of
full moon
Approximately how many galaxies are in our universe?
hundreds of billions
Approximately how many stars are in a galaxy?
hundreds of billions
The most common rock in the earth's crust is
igneous
What type of rock is Gabbro (shown below), when molten material containing a lot of feldspar is allowed to cool slowly?
igneous
What type of rock is Scoria (shown below), often formed when a frothy crust on the top of a lava flow solidifies?
igneous
Which type of rock probably existed first, starting the rock cycle?
igneous
If the density of the universe is less than a critical value, then
it will go on expanding forever
From the figure determine what letter corresponds to the coordinates of 10 degrees south latitude and 40 degrees west longitude
j.
From seismological data, the earth's S-wave shadow zone indicates that part of the earth's interior must be
liquid
What is the name of the outermost solid layer of Earth?
lithosphere
Which of these is most abundant on or in the Earth?
mantle material
What type of rock is Amphibolite (shown below) that forms through recrystallization under conditions of directed pressure?
metamorphic
What type of rock is Hornfel (shown below) that forms when previous rocks are heated while near a heat source such as an underground magma chamber?
metamorphic
What type of rock is Quartzite (shown below) that forms when sandstone is deformed by heat and pressure?
metamorphic
A small body from space that falls on the surface of Earth is a
meteorite
Remnants of asteroids or comets that survive the trip through the earth's atmosphere to strike the surface are called
meteorites
In what galaxy do we belong?
milky way
The youngest seafloor rocks are found:
near the rift valleys of the mid-ocean ridges
North of the Tropic of Cancer, the sun appears directly overhead at noon
never
A total solar eclipse can occur only during the moon phase of
new moon
What has happened to the surface of the Moon during the last 3 billion years?
not much
The presence of an oceanic trench, a chain of volcanic mountains along the continental edge, and deep-seated earthquakes is characteristic of a (an)
ocean-continent plate convergence
Conglomerate, sandstone, and claystone are identified by
particle size
The slow wobble of the earth's axis is called
precession
A longitude of 0 degrees is called what?
prime meridian
The smallest range between high and low tides occurs during
quarter moon phases
What type of rock is Hematite (shown below) which forms when iron and oxygen combine in solution?
sedimentary
What type of rock is Limestone (shown below) which forms from the accumulation of shell, coral, algal and fecal debris?
sedimentary
What type of rock is Shale (shown below) which is composed of clay-sized weathered debris?
sedimentary
What type of rock is formed from particles or dissolved minerals from previously existing rocks?
sedimentary
Based on its abundance in the earth's crust, most rocks will contain a mineral composed of oxygen and the element
silicon
The north end of a compass needle actually points toward a
south magnetic pole.
If the Southern Cross is high in the sky, where are you located?
south of the Antarctic Circle
The Milky Way galaxy is
spiral
What type of tide is being shown below?
spring
All of the elements that are more massive than the element iron were formed in a
supernova
A lunar eclipse does not occur every month because
the Moon, Earth and Sun don't always line up.
Whether the universe will continue to expand or will collapse back into another big bang seems to depend on what property of the universe?
the density of matter in the universe
Which of the following stars would have the longer life spans?
the less massive
Evidence that the earth is rotating is provided by
the motion of a pendulum.
Most of the mass of the solar system is found in
the sun
In the Northern Hemisphere, city A is located a number of miles north of city B. At 12:00 noon in city B, the Sun appears directly overhead. At this very same time, the Sun over city A will appear
to the south of overhead.
The ongoing occurrence of earthquakes without seafloor spreading, oceanic trenches, or volcanoes is most characteristic of a
transform boundary between plates.
How frequently does the sun appear directly overhead in Mexico City (20° N latitude)?
twice a year
On June 21st, how many hours of daylight are there at the South Pole?
0
How many high tides in a 24 hour period are seen with a diurnal tide?
1
Our Sun's total lifetime is approximately?
10 billion years
Match the planets to their position in the Solar System
1st planet - Mercury, 2nd planet - Venus, 3rd planet - Earth, 4th planet - Mars, 5th planet - Jupiter, 6th planet - Saturn, 7th planet - Uranus, 8th planet - Neptune
If the North Star is 30 degrees above the horizon, at what latitude am I?
30 degrees North Latitude
A star halfway between directly over your head and the horizon is how many degrees of arc above the horizon?
45°
Travelling at the speed of light, how many years would it take me to go 5 light years?
5
Match the following letter to the Earth's feature
: A- Inner core, B- Outer core, C- Mantle, D- Crust
If two oceanic plates collide at a relatively fast speed, and one is much older and cooler (therefore denser) than the other, what will probably happen?
A trench will form. Large earthquakes will occur. a and c.
Which of the following components are part of the lithosphere? (Mark ALL that apply)
A. Crust, B. Uppermost Mantle
Which scientist originally came up with the idea of 'continental drift?'
Alfred Wegener
Earth's oldest rocks are found:
At the cores of the continents.
Compared to other stars, the mass of our Sun is?
Average
Comprises the actual seafloor (beneath the sediments).
Basaltic rock
Why is the inner core a solid?
Because it is under tremendous pressure.
Why is the inside of Earth still hot?
Because the decay of large radioactive elements is creating heat in Earth's inner layers.
Which of the following phases of the Moon would you expect the largest tides?
Both (a) and (b)
A "mystery" in our understanding of plate tectonics has been, until recently, the nature of the power source capable of moving the plates and the continents embedded within them. Recent evidence indicates the power source to be:
Convection currents within the Earth's mantle is moving the plates
This earthquake occurred on 10/10/07 with a magnitude of 4.2 at latitude 37.45, longitude 71.64. What type of plate boundary is it? (Note: Figure in your book may be needed)
Convergent
This earthquake occurred on 10/9/07 with a magnitude of 5.1 at latitude -13.61, longitude -76.30. What type of plate boundary is it? (Note: Figure in your book may be needed)
Convergent
What is "light year" a measure of?
Distance
On the Vernal Equinox, where would you have to be to have the Sun directly overhead?
Equator
On what part of the Earth would you have the greatest rotational velocity?
Equator
This earthquake occurred on 10/9/07 with a magnitude of 5.0 at latitude 38.44, longitude -30.27. List all the plates that were involved (there might only be one)!
Eurasian, North American
What planet or moon in our Solar System currently contains an ocean?
Europa
What is the energy source for all stars?
Fusion
From the figure determine what letter corresponds to the coordinates of 40 degrees north latitude and 100 degrees west longitude
G
Comprises the bulk of the continents.
Granitic rock
If a high tide is being experience on one side of our planet, what type of tide is 'typically' experienced on the other side?
High tide
At 5 million light-years away, in what direction would you find galaxies moving away from us?
In all directions
New crust is being generated
In the rift valleys of the mid-ocean ridges
Which of the following moons is a Galilean moon?
Io
What element makes up most of the Earth's core?
Iron
What does the Coriolis Effect prove about the Earth?
It spins
What month are we closest to the Sun?
January
The largest planet is
Jupiter
What planet has the shortest day?
Jupiter
Which of the following planets probably still has its original atmosphere?
Jupiter
Select each of the planets below that is considered a "Giant gas planet"
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Magma above the surface is called?
Lava
What planet or moon in our Solar System likely had an ocean covering a large portion of its surface?
Mars
The smallest planet in the solar system is
Mercury
Which of the following planets/moons does NOT have an atmosphere?
Mercury
Select each of the planets below that is considered a "terrestrial planet"
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
What type of rock is Marble (shown below) that forms when limestone is deformed by extreme heat and pressure?
Metamorphic
What type of rock is Slate (shown below) that forms when shale is subjected to heat and pressure?
Metamorphic
What type of rock was formed from previously existing rocks that are subjected to high temperatures and pressures?
Metamorphic
If it is Tuesday when you cross the international date line while traveling eastward, what day is it now?
Monday
This earthquake occurred on 10/8/07 with a magnitude of 5.1 at latitude -26.70, longitude -107.20. List all the plates that were involved (there might only be one)!
Nazca
A diffuse mass of interstellar clouds of hydrogen gas that can eventually become a star is called what?
Nebulae
Which of the following planets listed below has the longest year?
Neptune
This earthquake occurred on 10/8/07 with a magnitude of 5.1 at latitude -26.70, longitude -107.20. What type of plate boundary is it? (Note: Figure in your book may be needed)
No plate boundary - hot spot
Our Sun is different than all other stars due to?
Our Sun is not unique at all
After a nebulae of hydrogen gas has coalesced, what is the next stage in star formation?
Protostar
Which part of a star is directly above the core?
Radiation zone
The evidence that the earth's core is part liquid or acts like a liquid comes from (the)
S-wave shadow zone.
What type of rock is Coal (shown below) which is composed of ancient plant debris?
Sedimentary
All elements in the universe lighter than iron were created where?
Stars
The lithosphere on the left is going beneath the lithosphere on the right. What is the term for this?
Subduction
A large earthquake occurs in the deep ocean. At a receiving station around the world, the station picks up P waves but no S waves. What has happened?
The S-wave must have gone through a liquid at some point on its journey.
The further a galaxy is from ours
The faster it is moving away from us
Where do comets come from?
They are remnants of the early solar system
Which of the following statements does not correctly describe subduction zones?
They are sites where crustal plates are diverging or pulling apart
On June 21st, where would you have to be to see the Sun directly overhead?
Tropic of Cancer
On December 22nd, where you have to be to see the Sun directly overhead?
Tropic of Capricorn
Which of the following planets would be mostly composed of hydrogen, helium, and methane and have a density of less than 2 g/cm3?
Uranus
What part of the year are we closest to the Sun?
Winter Solstice
The angle that you see Polaris, the North Star, above the horizon is about the same as your approximate location on
a northern latitude
