earth space final

How have anthropogenic (human-caused) emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) most likely influenced average global temperature changes during the last 100 years?

Anthropogenic CO2 emissions have increased average global temperatures

Based solely on its location, which ocean likely contains the highest percentage of dissolved gases?

Arctic Ocean, because it is located mostly around the North Pole

Which of the following statements best distinguishes between the three types of asteroids in the solar system?

As a comet's orbit brings it closer to the sun it begins o heat up and solar wind carries dust and gas away from the comet forming a temporary tail.

Which of the following statements is true about electromagnetic radiation that appears as white light?

It is a blend of many different wavelengths of visible light, each of which corresponds to a different color

What is the primary cause of surface currents in the ocean?

winds

Approximately how many astronomical units are equivalent to one light-year?

63,000 AU

Which answer best explains how most scientists think that planets form?

A rotating cloud of space dust and gases begins to flatten and condense, forming a new star; the remaining matter forms an accretionary disc around the star, gradually coalescing to form planets

Which of the following best describes the difference between two different units of distance in space?

An AU is useful for measuring distances within the solar system; a light-year is useful for measuring distances beyond the solar system.

What causes hurricanes to rotate?

As air moves toward the low pressure at the storm's center, it is deflected into a circle by the Coriolis effect.

Which statement best explains how a major volcanic eruption can change climate?

Ash in the atmosphere can block sunlight, decreasing temperatures on Earth for several years.

Which of the following statements best distinguishes between the three types of asteroids in the solar system?

Asteroids of the most common type contain mostly carbon; the rarest asteroids contain a mix of iron and nickel; a third type of asteroids consists mosty of silica with a small amount of iron.

How does incoming solar radiation cause winds on Earth?

Different parts of Earth receive different amounts of solar energy. therefore, air tends to rise more in some places and to sink more in others. We experience this movement of air as wind.

A student states that the matter that makes up electromagnetic (EM) radiation travels in waves. Why is this statement incorrect?

Electromagnetic radiation consists of photons, which have no mass and therefore are no matter.

How do light-years help astronomers to determine the ages of distant objects in space?

Light in space travels approximately 9.5 trillion km per year. Therefore, the images that astronomers see of distant objects actually show what those objects looked like long ago.

Optical telescopes are sometimes launched into Earth's orbit to escape distortion from dust particles and light pollution. Why are some types of non-optical telescopes launched into space?

Many wavelengths of the EM spectrum cannot penetrate Earth's atmosphere

Does an unusually cold day in summer indicate that a region's climate has changed?

No; climat describes long-term average conditions.

How do solar nebulae and planetary nebulae differ?

Solar nebulae result from the explosions of massive stars, whereas planetary nebulae are ejected by smaller stars

Which of the following statements about solar radiation and the circulation of ocean currents is true? Which of the following statements about solar radiation and the circulation of ocean currents is true?

Solar radiation is the main cause of surface ad prevailing winds, which are the primary driver of deep currents.

How do the temperature variations found within cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) provide evidence for the big bang theory?

These temperature variations represent density differences, which represent areas with more or less matter in the early universe. Areas with more matter correspond to the same areas that consist of large clusters of galaxies today.

A land area that absorbs more solar radiation than the surrounding areas most likely results in ________.

a low-pressure system causing surface winds to blow inward from the surrounding areas

According to Kepler's first law of planetary motion, ________.

a planet's orbit is elliptical, with the sun at one focus of the ellipse.

Which answer best states the difference between a total lunar eclipse and a total solar eclipse?

a total solar eclipse occurs when Earth moves within the shadow cast directly behind he moon. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moo moves within the shadow cat directly behind Earth.

Global winds are mostly caused by ________, whereas local winds are influenced more by ________.

atmospheric convection cells; regional geography

Why might rising ocean temperatures lead to rising sea levels?

because the volume of water expands as temperatures rise

How does burning fossil fuels cause the warming of Earth's atmosphere?

by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

How is climate different from weather?

climate describes conditions over the long term.

Which of the following correctly organizes the electromagnetic spectrum?

decreasing: radio, micro, infrared, visible, UV, X rays , gamma rays

How does a continental rise form?

deposition of sediment from the continent

The uppermost layer of Earth's atmosphere is the ________.

exosphere

Which of the following would most likely cause water vapor in the atmosphere to condense?

expanding the air mass that contains the water vapor

Which of the following directly helps to hold heat energy in Earth's atmosphere?

greenhouse gases

In the stratosphere, temperature

increases steadily with increasing altitude

Which of the following is NOT a part of the electromagnetic spectrum?

magnetic fields

Optical telescopes are sometimes launched into Earth's orbit to escape distortion from dust particles and light pollution. Why are some types of non-optical telescopes launched into space?

many wavelengths of the EM spectrum cannot penetrate Earth's atmosphere.

Relative to other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, where does visible light fall in terms of energy?

medium energy

Given that microwaves have longer wavelengths than ultraviolet light rays have, what other relationship can you infer between microwaves and ultraviolet light rays?

microwaves have a lower frequency than UV light rays have.

Which ocean feature is formed by magma that rises from Earth's mantle?

mid-ocean ridge

Which organisms live in the neritic zone?

phytoplankton

What advantage does a reflecting telescope have over a refracting telescope?

reflecting telescopes can be made much larger

Which of the following does NOT affect the movement of ocean surface currents?

salinity differences in water

During which event is Earth's axis tilted either farthest away from or closest to the sun?

solstice

Which of the following most likely causes lightning to form in clouds?

static electricity generated by the friction of ice particles moving up and down in the cloud

Which statement explains why scientists would most likely search historical weather records when investigating the climate of a region?

to find data on the longterm average weather conditions

The solar system's habitable zone is the location where temperature ranges allow ________.

water to exist in liquid form

Which best describes the general relationship between the width of tree rings and the average weather conditions during the year the ring formed?

wider rings form in warmer, wetter years.