Geoscience Final
Scientists have used computer models to create a series of maps that show how susceptible coastal cities and island countries are to the sea rising at different levels. The maps show that a 1-meter rise would swamp cities all along the U.S. eastern seaboard. A 6-meter sea level rise would submerge a large part of Florida. Thermal expansion has already raised the oceans 10 to 20 centimeters.The MOST likely cause, directly and indirectly, for such a rise in sea level is *
global warming
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which of the following statements about fossil fuels is false?
fossil fuels are considered renewable resources
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which of the following statements about fossil fuels is false?
fossil fuels are found in igneous rocks
The human population reached 6 billion in 1999. In 2002, the rate of human population growth was 1.3 million people per year. Which of these conditions causes stress within the human population?
growth which is more rapid than can be handled by available resources
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which of these is NOT produced when fossil fuels are burned?
helium
There are many positive feedback loops that accelerate global warming and cause climate change. For example, as polar ice melts due to global warming, there will be __________ sunlight reflected away and consequently, _______________________.
less, surface temperatures will increase
There are several models of the carbon cycle. Which model shows the causes and amounts of carbon flux into and out of the cycle?
option 1 (two dark blue arrows down the middle)
The diagram below illustrates examples of how carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O) cycle throughout an ecosystem. Which of these does NOT return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
photosynthesis
Petroleum is a mixture of many chemical compounds, which are separated through a process called fractional distillation. Refer to the information above. Which petroleum product is used to create clothing, tents, and umbrellas? * 1/1
synthetic fabric
Large-scale measurements of sea-ice became possible with the development of satellite technology. Scientists have determined that the September Arctic Sea ice cover has decreased between 1973 and 2007 at a rate of about 10% per decade.All BUT ONE factor may be responsible for the gradual decline in sea ice. That is
rising sea level.
The oceans absorb carbon through three processes that draw atmospheric carbon dioxide into the oceans: the physical carbon pump, the biological carbon pump and the carbonate pump. Molecules of CO2 enter the ocean by diffusing into the sea surface waters and dissolving as part of the physical carbon pump. All BUT ONE variable influences how much CO2 will diffuse in any given location. That is
salinity
Carbon dioxide is returned to the atmosphere by all methods except
photosynthesis
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which of the following statements about fossil fuels is false?
wood is an example of fossil fuel
Petroleum is a mixture of many chemical compounds, which are separated through a process called fractional distillation. Refer to the information above. Which petroleum product is used to warm homes, schools, and workplaces?
heating oil
Earth's surface is constantly changed by forces of nature. Weathering of surface material can involve both chemical and physical change.Study the statement above. Water in the cracks of rocks freezes and expands when the temperature drops below freezing, and melts when the temperature rises above freezing. Over extended periods of time, this can cause rocks to change. Which of these best defines this type of change? *
physical
Sedimentary rock formation occurs when igneous, metamorphic, or other sedimentary rocks are exposed to the unyielding forces of nature found on the Earth's surface. The formation of sedimentary rock occurs by several processes over millions of years.Which term describes cycles of hot and cold temperatures which expand and contract rock in combination with constant wind and water which eventually leads to rocks cracking and breaking down to form sedimentary rock?
physical weathering
Petroleum is a mixture of many chemical compounds, which are separated through a process called fractional distillation. Refer to the information above. Which petroleum product is used as a lubricant in engines?
motor oil
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which statement is true? *
worldwide demand for fossil fuels is increasing
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are manmade chemicals found in some cleaning agents, aerosol cans, and foam packaging. These chemicals are known to destroy molecules of a gas which play an important role in the environment. This gas, found as a layer in the stratosphere, absorbs and filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation before it reaches Earth's surface. Which atmospheric gas is destroyed by CFCs?
ozone
Carbon dioxide is returned to the atmosphere primarily by the
respiration of consumers
Petroleum is a mixture of many chemical compounds, which are separated through a process called fractional distillation. Refer to the information above. Which petroleum product is used to create toys and kitchen utensils? *
plastic
The La Brea tar pits, located in California, contain a wealth of fossilized organisms that lived between 25,000 and 40,000 years ago. Columbian mammoths, sabertoothed cats, bison, wild horses, and land sloths are just some of the herbivores that have been trapped in the asphalt seeping from the interior of Earth. These herbivores were primarily grass eaters. Fossilized plant remains of live oaks, cedar trees, sagebrush, and grasses have also been discovered.Fossils found in the La Brea tar pits indicate a California climate that was
similar to today's climate
Petroleum is a mixture of many chemical compounds, which are separated through a process called fractional distillation.Refer to the information above. Which petroleum product is used to create clothing, tents, and umbrellas?
synthetic fabric
What percentage of energy used in the U.S. is supplied by renewable resources?
15%
There have been many different periods of glaciation, the process of covering the Earth with glaciers or masses of ice, throughout the history of the Earth. The most recent of these events is known as the last glacial period. How many years ago is it approximated the last glacial period reached it maximum ice coverage?
18,000 years ago
How does the use of fossil fuel energy compare to the other energy sources used in the U.S.?
85% of U.S. energy needs are met by fossil fuels, compared to 15% from other sources.
How does the use of fossil fuel energy compare to the other energy sources used in the U.S.? *
85% of U.S. energy needs are met by fossil fuels, compared to 15% from other sources.
The model represents the oxygen cycle on Earth. If widespread habitat destruction and urbanization continues, how might we expect this model to change, as represented by flux?
Both the biosphere and atmosphere levels of oxygen would decrease.
The diagram shows the relationship between climate and weathering. Based on the information found in the diagram, which statement is true?
Cold and dry increases the rate of physical weathering.
The diagram below illustrates examples of how carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O) cycle throughout an ecosystem. How does decomposition affect the oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle?
Decomposition causes an increase in the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The circle graph below shows the percentages of water which are used for various activities in the United States. Which statement about the use of water in the United States is false?
Industrial use of water is greater than the amount used to cool power plants.
The diagram below illustrates examples of how carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O) cycle throughout an ecosystem. How does increased fossil fuel burning affect carbon dioxide levels?
It causes an increase in the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which of the following statements about fossil fuels is false?
Most of the energy used in the U.S. comes from sources other than fossil fuels.
As shown on the map, Norway and Southern Greenland on the same latitude (60° N). Why is Norway warmer than Southern Greenland in winter?
Ocean currents carry heat toward Norway, but not toward Greenland
Which statement about the sources of energy used in the U.S. is true?
Petroleum, coal, and natural gas supply 85% of U.S. energy needs.
The diagram below illustrates examples of how carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O) cycle throughout an ecosystem. How does photosynthesis affect the oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle?
Photosynthesis adds oxygen to the atmosphere while removing carbon dioxide.
How does respiration affect the oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle?
Respiration adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere while removing oxygen.
A balance between incoming and outgoing radiation produces a stable climate. Lack of a balance between incoming and outgoing radiation results in a net loss or gain of radiant energy to the system. This energy imbalance is expressed as climate change. What are the basic steps in this system of energy input and output?
Solar radiation reaching the Earth system and being absorbed, thermal radiation emitted by the Earth system.
According to the theory of global warming, which statement is the MOST LIKELY reason for the current climate change?
The atmosphere is reradiating more heat to Earth.
Moving water, like that of a river, carries sediment as it moves along its bed. The faster the water flows, the more sediment that is carried and the larger the sediment particles. As the river slows down, the heavier particles of the load will settle out. How can you explain the particle movement based on Newton's laws of motion?
The greater the force of the water, the faster the particle accelerates.
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which of the following statements about fossil fuels is false?
Wood is an example of a fossil fuel.
Which of these statements cannot be proven by the data shown here?
World population will continue to increase through 2010.
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which statement is true?
Worldwide demand for fossil fuels is increasing.
A large, scratched boulder is found in a mixture of unsorted, smaller sediments forming a hill in centralNew Jersey. Which agent of erosion most likely transported and then deposited this boulder?
a glacier
Chemical weathering is most effective in what type of climate?
a warm, moist climate
Destructive waves erode the coastline in a number of ways. Identify the term that describes when acids contained in sea water dissolves some types of rock such as chalk or limestone.
abrasion
Limestone caves are most likely formed by
acidic ground water
A period of prolonged continental glaciation often indicates which phenomenon?
an ice age
Pourous rocks in reservoirs are called
aquifers
Petroleum is a mixture of many chemical compounds, which are separated through a process called fractional distillation.Refer to the information above. Which petroleum product is used as a road surfacing material?
asphalt
A coastal community investigates the possibility of building a seawall to stop the erosion of its beaches. It plans to build the seawall inland of the shoreline. Which is the GREATEST disadvantage of building a seawall?
b or c
If Earth's atmosphere did NOT contain any water vapor, the temperature of the earth's surface would *
be significantly lower
If the trend shown by the data continues, predict levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide by 2005.
between 370 and 380 parts per million
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which of these is NOT a fossil fuel?
biomass
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago.Refer to the information above. Which of these is NOT a fossil fuel?
biomass
The diagram below illustrates a natural Earth process through which the atmosphere traps heat. Many scientists hypothesize that human activities are accelerating this process, resulting in a global warming trend. What human activity is believed to have an adverse effect on the natural process pictured here?
burning of fossil fuels
The rain forests of the world trap a large amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Every year, however, more rain forest is cut down and burned, releasing huge amounts of carbon dioxide. Which graph BEST shows the likely effect on climate?
c
Earth's temperature has increased slightly in the last 100 years. Many scientists believe that the increase is related to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. What gas produced in this process has been most closely linked to rising atmospheric temperatures?
carbon dioxide
Reducing the emissions of which gas will lead to reducing the greenhouse effect?
carbon dioxide
What two energy sources combined provide a greater percentage of energy than petroleum alone?
coal and natural gas
Some properties, like boiling point elevation and freezing point depression, change in solutions due to the presence and number of of solute particles dissolved in the solvent. These properties are called ___________ properties.
colligative
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which statement about fossil fuels is true?
fossil fuels are a nonrenewable resource
Which of these events has led to the largest changes in worldwide sea levels?
glaciation
It is projected that an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere will MOST LIKELY lead to
higher-than-average sea levels.
The causes of climate change can be divided into two categories: natural and human causes. The natural variation of the climate has always been part of Earth's history. It is now a great concern that the climatic changes occurring today may be the direct result of man's activities.All BUT ONE is a natural cause of climate change.
increased greenhouse gases
Burning of fossil fuels has changed the atmosphere by
increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide.
A big rock is weathered over many years by a river, until only small pebbles remain. The mass of all the pebbles is less than the mass of the rock. What PROBABLY happens to the rest of the rock?
it dissolves in water
A study published in Science notes that water flowing from the Atlantic Ocean into the Arctic is warmer than it's been in 2,000 years. Scientists believe that this increased heat input has far-reaching consequences to life on Earth.U.S. and European scientists studied the Fram Strait branch of the North Atlantic Current, the ocean current that carries heat north from the tropics. By studying tiny-shelled organisms called foraminifera, found deep in the ocean floor, they could chart temperatures going back 2,000 years. From their findings, scientists reported that the water has warmed about 2° C since the late 1800s.The medieval ice age, or Little Ice Age (LIA) is defined by NASA as a cold period between 1550 AD and 1850. During this time cooling in the northern hemisphere by as much as 1° C has been postulated.How does the LIA research impact the study published in Science?
it gives context for some of the data
How did the world population change between 1995 and 2000? *
it increased by almost 400 million
Climate change is a significant, long-lasting distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. Which does not contribute to climate change?
ozone hole
Which of these provides the largest percentage of energy used in the United States?
petroleum
Studies indicate that global warming has caused a shift in the migratory patterns of some bird species. Such changes in migration patterns may have adverse effects on some bird populations because *
the birds may arrive too early or too late to take advantage of the peak numbers of their insect preys.
The ocean's biological carbon pump is driven by organisms that live in there. Just like the terrestrial carbon cycle, the oceanic biological carbon pump is all about photosynthesizing, respiring, eating, producing waste products, dying and decomposing. The biological pump plays a major role in all BUT ONE of the processes involved in oceanic carbon cycling.
upwelling currents bringing deep, cold ocean water to the surface to warm and release carbon back to the atmosphere.
1815 is know as the Year Without a Summer. This catastrophic event is the largest of its kind in the last 10,000 years. It produced snowfalls throughout the summer months of June, July, and August in the New England states and Europe. Grain and corn crops failed; people starved. Alpine glaciers advanced far down mountain slopes; sea ice moved far from the polar regions and disrupted shipping.The events of 1815 were caused by
volcanic eruption
Prior to the Industrial Era, pre-1780, ____________ affected Earth's climate because they emitted both aerosols and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
volcanoes
Which of these is returned to the atmosphere when plants transpire?
water
The image is a model showing the processes of the water cycle. Water uptake to the atmosphere occurs through the processes of evaporation and transpiration from plants where it condenses to form clouds. Clouds release the water through precipitation. During an extreme rainy season, what can we expect to happen to the surface ground water stored in ponds and lakes?
water levels will increase because there is more precipitation
The Great Lakes ecosystem contains various types of habitats: forests, marshes, wetlands, and dune communities. These communities allow for more than 3,500 species of plants and animals to inhabit the basin. The many varieties of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish make the Great Lakes basin a unique and complicated ecosystem. The northern parts of the Great Lakes region are home to dense coniferous and northern hardwood forests, while largely grasslands and prairies cover the southern areas of the region. The marshes, wetlands, and dune communities are located near and along the many lake shores. Yet the Great Lakes ecosystem is in a state of change. Climatologists have determined that the climate of the Great Lakes basin will increase by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Warmer air temperatures affect lake levels by reducing runoff and increasing evaporation from the lake surface. Studies have shown that the predicted increase in air temperature will drop lake levels by half a meter to two metersConsider the predictions of climatologists. How will the model of the carbon cycle inputs and outputs change if they are correct?
Warmer temperatures may cause an initial increase in photosynthesis as well as cellular respiration until a point is reached where the temperatures are too hot. During this initial time, the arrows will remain reciprocal, but may enlarge.
Among all Michigan tree species, the jack pine is uniquely adapted to exist and reproduce on the hottest and driest sites in Michigan. It thrives on dune sand and on the sandy glacial plains. It is called a fire species because wildfires sweep through jack pine stands, killing the trees and preparing the ground for a new stand, as well as releasing seeds from its cones. Once in a while, lightning would start a fire that would be fanned into a raging fire leaving everything behind it blackened and burned. The destruction was only temporary. Soon the jack pine seeds would fall to the ground, and, in a few weeks, the area would be green with new growth. This process was repeated every 30 to 100 years, and the jack pine continued to dominate these fire prone areas.How did the periodic jack pine wild fires impact the inputs and outputs of the carbon cycle according to this model?
a or b
Oceans play an important role in determining climate change. Ocean circulation affects the climate through the atmospheric concentration and movement of _________ into or out of the atmosphere.
carbon dioxide
What two processes fuel the carbon cycle? *
cellular respiration and photosynthesis
A study published in Science notes that water flowing from the Atlantic Ocean into the Arctic is warmer than it's been in 2,000 years. Scientists believe that this increased heat input has far-reaching consequences to life on Earth. U.S. and European scientists studied the Fram Strait branch of the North Atlantic Current, the ocean current that carries heat north from the tropics. By studying tiny-shelled organisms called foraminifera found deep in the ocean floor, they could chart temperatures going back 2,000 years. From their findings, scientists reported that the water has warmed about 2o C since the late 1800's.We would expect warmer Northern Atlantic currents to have all BUT ONE of these consequences on Earth
decreased precipitation
Fossil fuels are formed from the buried remains of decayed plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Refer to the information above. Which statement about fossil fuels is false?
fossil fuels are not being produced on earth today
The Earth system is made up of many spheres. These spheres interact. Imagine humans, part of the biosphere, have built this dam. The water in the lake behind the dam seeps in the ground. Some of the water flows over the dam and is converted into energy. Some water evaporates into the air. What spheres does the water, or hydrosphere, interact with in this example?
geosphere and atmosphere
The chart shows Environmental Protection Agency data for forestry practices in Minnesota in the 1980's. Clearcutting timber involves leveling all the trees in a forest in strips and allowing the forest to re-grow completely. Selective cutting involves felling only larger timber trees and allowing smaller trees to remain until they are ready to be harvested. The EPA measured soil and water loss in these areas, and also tested uncut sections of forests (controls). The EPA measured water loss (water yield) and erosion (sediment loss).What conclusion can you draw from the data recorded?
In all five years of the study, the control resulted in the least soil erosion as well as substantially less water loss compared to the two treatment situations
Study the chemical reactions below. Plants produce more oxygen during photosynthesis than they use in cellular respiration. What happens to the excess oxygen produced during photosynthesis?
It is released into the air and is used by other organisms for respiration.
The Great Lakes ecosystem contains various types of habitats: forests, marshes, wetlands, and dune communities. These communities allow for more than 3,500 species of plants and animals to inhabit the basin. The many varieties of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish make the Great Lakes basin a unique and complicated ecosystem. The northern parts of the Great Lakes region are home to dense coniferous and northern hardwood forests, while largely grasslands and prairies cover the southern areas of the region. The marshes, wetlands, and dune communities are located near and along the many lake shores. Yet the Great Lakes ecosystem is in a state of flux. Humans are endangering the Great Lakes ecosystem. Urban sprawl continues to convert forests, agricultural land, and open space into residential and urban areas, depleting wildlife habitat. Wetlands, which are natural filters of groundwater and home to many different plants and animals, have been lost to agriculture, industrial, and residential uses also.How are human activities impacting this model of the carbon cycle as it applies to the Great Lakes ecosystem?
Overall, more carbon would reach the atmosphere as the anthropogenic outputs increase and there is a decrease in vegetation.
A student is constructing a stream table to investigate how erosion by a meandering stream is affected by the slope of the land. The student uses the equipment shown.What should the student vary for the different trials of the experiment?
The number of blocks stacked beneath the tray
Global warming is caused by an increase in the level of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere. How has this affected the world's oceans?
The oceans are absorbing the excess carbon, causing the oceans to become acidic.
An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing rock. Water-bearing rocks are permeable, meaning that they have openings that liquids and gases can pass through. Sedimentary rock such as sandstone, as well as sand and gravel, are examples of water-bearing rock. The top of the water level in an aquifer is called the water table. An aquifer fills with water from rain or melted snow that drains into the ground. In some areas, the water passes through the soil on top of the aquifer; in others, it enters through joints and cracks in rocks. The water moves downward until it meets less permeable rock. Aquifers act as reservoirs for groundwater. Water from aquifers sometimes flows out in springs. Wells drilled into aquifers provide water for drinking, agriculture, and industry.Students in Ms. Mieja's class constructed this model of an aquifer. They were curious about the effects of fertilizers and toxins on the quality of the ground water. They wanted to modify their model to show how fertilizers travelled in this system. What would their next step be in modifying their model?
The students added some brown dye to the water that they were pouring into the modeled aquifer. The dye represented the fertilizer that drains into the aquifer.
The climate of a place also depends upon the amount of water in the air. How do the rising temperatures around Earth affect the amount of water in the air?
There is more water in the air because the rate of evaporation increases.
In recent years the ice season in northern Canada has been about three weeks shorter than usual. Sea ice is the main habitat of polar bears living in northern Canada. Polar bears need sea ice to move around and prey on seals. With a shorter ice season, the time period in which polar bears can hunt for seals has become shorter. The change in the Canadian ice season occurred at the same time that carbon dioxide levels in the air have risen. Which statement best describes the possible link between carbon dioxide and Canada's shorter ice season?
Carbon dioxide traps heat from the sun, causing global temperatures to rise.
Volcanic eruptions, changes in Earth's orbit, meteorite impact, and even the combustion of fossil fuels ALL contribute directly or indirectly to climate change by
changing the amount of solar radiation that reaches Earth.
The surface temperature of the world's oceans varies mainly with latitude, with the warmest waters generally near the equator and the coldest waters in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. As the oceans absorb more heat, sea surface temperature increases and the ocean circulation patterns that transport warm and cold water around the globe change. Sea surface temperature increased during the 20th century and continues to rise. Because the oceans continuously interact with the atmosphere, sea surface temperature can also have huge effects on global climate. Increases in sea surface temperature have led to an increase in the amount of atmospheric water vapor over the oceans. Consider the map as well as the key for the map. As indicated, scientists believe most of the change in sea surface temperatures to be significant. What conclusions can you draw about climatic change throughout the world based on this data? All BUT ONE answer is appropriate.
Increased atmospheric water vapor feeds weather systems that produce precipitation, increasing the risk of heavy rain and snow.
