Earth/Environmental Science - Released Form
Which best describes the relationship between carrying capacity and Earth's resources
A population that is above the carrying capacity will have a decrease in a natural resources
Which can lead to the depletion of the ozone layer of Earth?
Aerosols
Which example describes an abiotic factor that could impact the diversity of an ecosystem?
An increase in the amount of acid rain can change the pH of the soil in an ecosystem
How can water be an agent for physical weathering
By seeping into the cracks of rocks and freezing
How is climate different from weather?
Climate is based on observations made for a region over several years, where as weather is based on day-to-day observations made for a region
A local government is considering whether to build a dam. Which is an advantagae of building this structure?
It can create a storage place for water
Some factories can increase the amount of thermal pollution by dumping heated water into lakes and rivers. How can this type of pollution affect aquatic environments
It can reduce the number of aquatic species in teh environment
Which most likely occurs when a fast-moving cold air mass moves into a region of warmer, moist air?
It causes heavy precipitation for a short period of time
Which consequence could an exponentially growing human population have on drinkable water?
It could cause an increase in cases of waterborne diseases
How could a long-term decrease in precipitation impact an area
It could decrease the amount of possible infiltration in the area
A company has several factories around the world and has decided to transition from burning fossil fuel to using alternative energy resources. How could a decrease in burning fossil fuels impact the atmosphere
It could decrease the carbon dioxide levels of the atmosphere
How could the exponential growth of the human population impact regions throughout the world?
It could lead to an increase in the demand for food in the regions
A local government voted against the large-scale development of buildings and roads in the area. What could have been the motive behind their decision?
It could lead to the formation of heat islands, which may impact the microclimate in the area
Large quantities of sand can be added to the beach to stabilize the shoreline. Which describes a disadvantage of this process
It is a short-term solution
If it is summer in the northern hemisphere, which statement is true?
It is winter in the southern hemisphere due to the tilt of Earth's axis.
How does a straight alignment between Earth, the sun, and the moon impact the tides on Earth
It produces the greatest change in high and low tides.
Which gas makes up the largest component of the Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen (N2)
Which describes the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Nuclear fission splits a heavier nucleus into smaller nuclei, and nuclear fusion is the process that produces the radiant energy of stars
Which statement describes the motion of Earth around the sun?
Speed increases the closer Earth is to the sun and decreases the farther it is from the sun.
Which contributes to the formation of hurricanes during the late summer?
The interaction between ocean water temperatures and warm air masses
Why are ocean currents important to coastal regions
They can warm or cool the air temperatures along the coastal regions
Which statement describes the general movement of air masses?
They move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
Which using an advantage of safely using uranium as an energy source rather than using coal
Uranium produces energy without polluting the atmosphere, while burning coal can increase the CO2 in the atmosphere
Which structure can form as a result of a divergent plate boundary
a mid-ocean ridge, due to the separation of two plates
Which is formed when a section of impermeable rock forces groundwater to move laterally and emerge onto the surface of Earth
a spring
Which would produce the most severe earthquake damage along the surface of Earth?
an earthquake with a shallow focus and magnitude of 4.5
The drilling for freshwater increases along a coastal area. What is a likely consequence of this action?
an intrusion of salt water into aquifers
Kudzu, a vine covering many acres of North Carolina, was introduced to the United States in 1876 to control erosion. Over the years, scientists found that kudzu creates problems by growing rapidly and preventing other plants from getting sunlight. Which best descibes kudzu?
an invasive, nonnative species
Which is most likely a prevention strategy for flooding?
building artificial levees
How could the removal of trees and other vegetation impact an environment?
by increasing erosion
Since 1901, global surface temperatures have risen at an average rate of 0.13F every ten years. In which way could the average increase in global tempoeratures influence Earth?
by increasing the amount of flooding because of rising sea levels
How does heat from the sun get to Earth
by radiation, using electromagnetic waves to transfer the heat
Which results from the unequal heating of the ocean water of Earth?
changes in ocean current patterns
Which could most likely have a lasting negative impact on the biodiversity of an area
clear-cutting
Which is a major source of air pollution created by humans?
industrial factories
Scientists are studying a graph showing the time differences between the seismic P-waves and the seismic S-waves as they travel through Earth. Which information can they learn from the graph?
the epicenter of an earthquake
Why do green plants require solar energy
to produce their own food
In which atmospheric layer of Earth do thunderstorms occur?
troposphere
Which agent of erosin leads to the formatin of sand duns
wind