Physical Science Exam 4
The Earth rotates about its axis once per 24 hours, while the Moon rotates about its axis once per A) 24 hours also. B) half month. C) month. D) year. E) none of these
C) month.
Almost all energy on Earth comes directly or indirectly from A) Earth's interior. B) radioactivity. C) the Sun. D) carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
C) the Sun.
The seasons are primarily due to A) the distance of Earth from the Sun. B) the wavelength of solar radiation. C) the tilt of Earth's axis. D) variations in greenhouse gas levels.
C) the tilt of Earth's axis.
Petroleum and oil reserves are often found in sedimentary rocks because A) these rocks are very porous and permeable. B) chemical changes occur to create these reserves. C) these rocks can contain fossilized organic matter. D) oil accumulates in the sediments.
C) these rocks can contain fossilized organic matter.
What is the cause of Jupiter's slight flattening, which results in an equatorial diameter 6% greater than its polar diameter? A) its rapid spin cycle B) its massive gravitational pull C) nuclear fission within its core D) its frequent reversal of its magnetic poles
A) its rapid spin cycle
Compared to the density of water, the density of Saturn is A) less. B) more. C) about the same.
A) less.
If one had the opportunity to walk on Triton, Neptune's largest moon, what would you observe the geysers to be spewing? A) liquid nitrogen B) liquid hydrogen C) liquid oxygen D) liquid water
A) liquid nitrogen
By definition, an ore is a mineral rich in valuable metals. To be considered as an ore means that the A) metals can be economically extracted to yield a profit. B) metals are extremely valuable. C) deposit is very rich and abundant in valuable metals. D) metallic minerals are very abundant.
A) metals can be economically extracted to yield a profit.
Color is not a reliable means for mineral identification because A) minerals come in a variety of colors, and chemical impurities in the mineral can affect color. B) minerals can weather and change color. C) a mineral's powdered color is different than its solid color. D) there are so many colored minerals.
A) minerals come in a variety of colors, and chemical impurities in the mineral can affect color.
The three kinds of plate convergence are A) oceanic—oceanic, continental—oceanic, and continental—continental. B) subduction, volcanic arc-building, and trench building. C) transform, divergent, and convergent. D) crashing, scraping, and splitting.
A) oceanic—oceanic, continental—oceanic, and continental—continental.
What constitutes over half of Jupiter's volume? A) oceans of liquid hydrogen B) oceans of liquid methane C) its rocky solid core D) the massive Mons Majora Range
A) oceans of liquid hydrogen
What is the primary component of Venus' atmosphere? A) CO2 B) O2 C) N2 D) argon
A) CO2
Some ________ rock is formed from minerals that were once dissolved in water. A) sedimentary B) igneous C) metamorphic D) igneous and metamorphic
A) sedimentary
The basic building block of all silicate minerals is the A) silicate tetrahedron. B) crystalline silicate sulfur. C) silicate triangular structure. D) silicate cleavage direction.
A) silicate tetrahedron.
What is the most abundant component (at 82%) of Jupiter's atmosphere? A) hydrogen B) helium C) methane D) ammonia
A) hydrogen
The parts of Saturn's rings with the greatest rotational speed are the A) inner parts. B) outer parts. C) Neither, for all parts of Saturn's rings rotate equally.
A) inner parts.
With each pass of a comet about the Sun, its mass A) is appreciably reduced. B) remains virtually unchanged. C) actually increases.
A) is appreciably reduced.
No greenhouse effect occurs on Mercury because of no A) daily spin. B) atmosphere. C) relatively cool regions. D) plant life. E) terrestrial radiation.
B) atmosphere.
The general direction of a comet's tail is A) toward the Sun. B) away from the Sun.
B) away from the Sun.
Coal is composed of A) petrified wood. B) buried plant material that has partially decayed. C) buried animal material that has partially decayed. D) a combination of oil-rich sediments and calcareous ooze.
B) buried plant material that has partially decayed.
The metamorphic equivalent of limestone is A) gneiss. B) marble. C) quartzite. D) schist.
B) marble.
What makes Europa the most likely place life will be found in our solar system? A) It has an ocean of liquid water, which is warmed by tidal force interaction with Jupiter, and may house underwater volcanic thermal vents. B) It has an ocean of liquid water, and there is increasing evidence of phytoplankton activity, particularly as shown by ongoing spectral analysis. C) It has a hydrogen ocean and moderate levels of oxygen in its atmosphere, which is gradually producing water through frequent lighting strikes. D) Actually, Io is the most likely place to find life, due to its high level of volcanic activity.
A) It has an ocean of liquid water, which is warmed by tidal force interaction with Jupiter, and may house underwater volcanic thermal vents.
The asteroid belt is found between A) Mars and Jupiter. B) Earth and Mars. C) Earth and Venus. D) Jupiter and Neptune.
A) Mars and Jupiter.
Asteroids orbit the A) Sun. B) Earth. C) Moon. D) all of these E) none of these
A) Sun.
Comets orbit about the A) Sun. B) Moon. C) Earth. D) all of these E) none of these
A) Sun.
Which explanation best describes why Earth observers always see the same face of the moon? A) The Moon's rate of spin matches the rate at which the Moon revolves around Earth. B) The Moon does not rotate as it circles Earth. C) We tend only to observe the Moon at night, not during the day, when the opposite face is facing toward Earth. D) Earth and Moon are partially gravity locked.
A) The Moon's rate of spin matches the rate at which the Moon revolves around Earth.
What is the likely cause of the 98° tilt of Uranus's axis? A) a collision with a large body early in the solar system's evolution B) distorted magnetic poles due to its large molten iron core C) fluid wave dynamics due to its large molten core D) Neptune's effect on Uranus' gravitational field
A) a collision with a large body early in the solar system's evolution
What is the cause of Jupiter's extremely high-energy radiation belts? A) an enormous magnetic field that captures high energy particles B) the capture of a high number of metallic asteroids C) tidal forces due to the interaction between Jupiter and its moons D) the remnants of a massive collision between Jupiter and another large body
A) an enormous magnetic field that captures high energy particles
The upper mantle can be divided into two zones, the A) asthenosphere in the lower upper mantle and part of the lithosphere in the upper part of the upper mantle. B) asthenosphere in the upper, upper mantle and the lithosphere in the lower upper mantle. C) Moho and the lithosphere. D) continental mantle and the oceanic mantle.
A) asthenosphere in the lower upper mantle and part of the lithosphere in the upper part of the upper mantle.
The solar wind blows in a direction A) away from the Sun. B) toward the Sun.
A) away from the Sun.
Why should one not stare at the Sun during an eclipse? A) because whether there is an eclipse or not, the Sun's intense radiation can easily damage our eyes B) because the eclipse event itself creates a lensing effect, which greatly magnifies and intensifies the Sun's rays C) because Sunspots, which are excited by the eclipse event, can easily erupt during the eclipse D) because ultraviolet radiation is intensified during the event E) because coronas and corneas are always a bad mix
A) because whether there is an eclipse or not, the Sun's intense radiation can easily damage our eyes
What element do astrobiologists consider to be the most essential for the evolution of life? A) carbon B) silicon C) oxygen D) hydrogen
A) carbon
What are Saturn's rings composed of? A) chunks of ice and rock B) methane gas C) hydrogen D) old satellites and other space junk lost from Earth's orbit and other space missions
A) chunks of ice and rock
Metamorphism caused by the close proximity of a magma source is called A) contact metamorphism. B) dynamic metamorphism. C) regional metamorphism. D) none of the above
A) contact metamorphism.
Continental crust that makes up mountains extends farther down into the mantle than oceanic crust because A) continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust. B) oceanic crust is buoyant and rides atop the mantle. C) continental crust is heavier than oceanic crust. D) continental crust sinks into the mantle and asthenosphere.
A) continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust.
Igneous rock is formed from A) crystallization of magma. B) high temperatures and pressures acting on subsurface rock. C) lava that freezes on Earth's surface. D) all of the above
A) crystallization of magma.
Minerals are formed by the process of A) crystallization. B) magma differentiation. C) silica enrichment. D) partial melting.
A) crystallization.
The lithosphere rides on top of the asthenosphere. Lithospheric movement causes A) earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building activity. B) the subduction of continental crust under oceanic crust. C) hot-spot activity as found in Hawaii. D) widespread destruction.
A) earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building activity.
Where did Saturn's rings likely come from? A) either a moon that never formed, or a moon destroyed by tidal forces B) the decay of radioactive particles in the outer fringes of Saturn's upper atmosphere C) volcanic activity on its surface ejecting matter into space D) the gravitational capture of old satellites and other space junk lost from Earth's orbit and other space missions
A) either a moon that never formed, or a moon destroyed by tidal forces
Rocks are grouped into three classes depending on how the rock was A) formed. B) located. C) discovered. D) shaped.
A) formed.
A foliated metamorphic rock derived from granite is A) gneiss. B) quartzite. C) slate. D) marble.
A) gneiss.
The rock that has undergone the greatest extent of metamorphic change is A) gneiss. B) slate. C) shale. D) schist.
A) gneiss.
Most meteors seen as shooting stars are about the size of A) grains of sand. B) baseballs. C) small buildings. D) very large buildings. E) small continents.
A) grains of sand.
The first minerals to crystallize are those with the A) higher melting point. B) lower melting point.
A) higher melting point.
When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, Earth is tilted A) so that the North Pole tilts toward the Sun. B) so that the North Pole tilts away from the Sun. C) so that the South Pole tilts toward the Sun. D) so that the North Pole and South Pole are equidistant from the Sun.
A) so that the North Pole tilts toward the Sun.
A cloud of interstellar gas is held together by A) the gravitational force. B) infrared radiation. C) electromagnetism. D) All of the above.
A) the gravitational force.
According to the theory of seafloor spreading, large quantities of molten rock rises up along A) the midocean ridges. B) trenches that border continental margins. C) atolls surrounding the Pacific volcanic rim. D) subsiding divergent margins.
A) the midocean ridges.
Nebular theory pertains to the formation of A) the solar system. B) a galaxy. C) the asteroid belt. D) the Earth.
A) the solar system.
When the Moon assumes its characteristic thin crescent shape, the position of the Sun is A) almost directly behind the Earth, so Earth is between the Sun and the Moon. B) almost directly in back of the Moon. C) at right angles to the line between the Moon and Earth.
B) almost directly in back of the Moon.
Compared to your weight on Earth, your weight on Jupiter would be about A) 2 times. B) 3 times. C) 100 times. D) 300 times. E) 3000 times.
B) 3 times.
Temperature differences between nighttime and daytime on Earth are relatively small due to A) polar regions absorbing most solar energy. B) Earth being 70% water. C) Earth's relatively high daily spin rate and shortness of nighttime. D) seasonal fluctuations and Earth's magnetic field.
B) Earth being 70% water. AND C) Earth's relatively high daily spin rate and shortness of nighttime.
The reason that the Moon takes on a crescent shape each month has to do with the A) Earth's shadow. B) Sun's position. C) both of these D) neither of these
B) Sun's position.
Venus and Earth started out with roughly the same amount of water. While Earth still has water in abundance, all of Venus' was lost. Where did it go? A) It chemically combined with CO2 to form CO4H. B) Ultraviolet rays split the hydrogen from the oxygen components, and the hydrogen escaped into space. C) It all evaporated into space due to the intense daytime heat of 470°C. D) Scientists are still trying to determine this.
B) Ultraviolet rays split the hydrogen from the oxygen components, and the hydrogen escaped into space.
The planet with a mass most like Earth's is A) Mercury. B) Venus. C) Mars. D) Saturn. E) Neptune.
B) Venus.
With daytime temperatures that can reach 430°C, why is nighttime on Mercury so cold? A) Because the year is so short, there isn't enough time for the heat to build up in the equatorial regions. B) With very little atmosphere, heat is quickly lost back into space. C) The weak gravitational field doesn't retain the daytime's heat. D) The solar winds quickly dissipate all heat on the planet's dark side.
B) With very little atmosphere, heat is quickly lost back into space.
Contact metamorphic rocks are typically not foliated because A) the parent rock does not contain the correct type of minerals to produce foliation. B) contact metamorphism occurs from heat and not from deformation due to stress. C) contact metamorphism does not produce minerals, such as the micas, which are needed for foliation to occur.
B) contact metamorphism occurs from heat and not from deformation due to stress.
Daylight and nighttime hours are equal A) during the summer and winter solstices. B) during the equinoxes. C) in mid-January and mid-June. D) They are never equal.
B) during the equinoxes.
A spinning cloud of interstellar gas tends to A) disperse. B) flatten. C) turn into a sphere. D) condense.
B) flatten.
Earth's magnetic field is attributed to the A) flow of molten liquid in Earth's inner core. B) flow of molten fluid in Earth's outer core. C) movement of lithospheric plates in the outer mantle. D) movement of lithospheric plates at Earth's surface.
B) flow of molten fluid in Earth's outer core.
Earth's magnetic field A) never appreciably changes. B) has reversed itself many times. C) is centered at Earth's core. D) both B and C
B) has reversed itself many times.
The mantle is composed of A) iron and nickel. B) iron-rich silicate rocks. C) half liquid and half rocky material. D) solid rock.
B) iron-rich silicate rocks.
If the rock particles in a sedimentary rock are relatively small and if the grains are well sorted and well rounded, we can infer that the sediment grains traveled a A) short distance. B) long distance for a long time. C) short distance for a long time.
B) long distance for a long time.
The last minerals to crystallize are those with the A) higher melting point. B) lower melting point.
B) lower melting point.
A small rock in interplanetary space is called a A) meteor. B) meteoroid. C) meteorite.
B) meteoroid.
The predominant gas in the atmosphere of Earth is A) oxygen. B) nitrogen. C) water vapor. D) carbon dioxide. E) methane.
B) nitrogen.
The two most common igneous rocks are basalt and granite. Basalt is commonly found ________ and granite is found ________. A) on the ocean floor; on the continents B) on both the ocean floor and continental land; only on the continents C) on the continents; on the ocean floor D) on the ocean floor; on both the ocean floor and on continental land
B) on both the ocean floor and continental land; only on the continents
The layered appearance of foliated metamorphic rocks is due to the A) laying down of minerals, layer upon layer. B) realignment of minerals so that they are perpendicular to compressive forces. C) recrystallization of minerals. D) mechanics of weathering minerals.
B) realignment of minerals so that they are perpendicular to compressive forces.
The fact that one side of the Moon always faces Earth is evidence that while revolving about the Earth, it A) does not rotate about its axis. B) rotates about its axis.
B) rotates about its axis.
Consider a huge rotating cloud of particles in space that gravitate together to form an increasingly dense ball. As the cloud shrinks in size, it A) rotates slower. B) rotates faster. C) rotates at the same rate.
B) rotates faster.
The majority of surface rocks are A) extrusive. B) sedimentary. C) intrusive. D) metamorphic.
B) sedimentary.
The two most abundant elements in Earth's crust are A) silicates and carbonates. B) silicon and oxygen. C) oxygen and aluminum. D) quartz and feldspar.
B) silicon and oxygen.
Based on its abundance in Earth's crust, most rocks contain a mineral composed of the elements oxygen and A) carbon. B) silicon. C) iron. D) sulfur.
B) silicon.
A mineral deposit can be classified as an ore deposit when A) valuable metals are present in the deposit. B) valuable metals in the deposit can be mined at a profit. C) it contains valuable fossil fuels. D) it contains valuable gemstone quality minerals.
B) valuable metals in the deposit can be mined at a profit.
The balance of gravitational and buoyant forces acting on the crust determines its A) weight. B) vertical position. C) mass. D) plasticity.
B) vertical position.
What compound do astrobiologists consider to be the most essential for the evolution of life? A) methane, CH4 B) water, H2O C) carbon dioxide, CO2 D) oxygen, O2
B) water, H2O
The percentage of the Earth's surface covered by ocean is about A) 50%. B) 60%. C) 70%. D) 80%. E) 85%.
C) 70%.
Why is Mars' greenhouse effect negligible compared to that of Earth? A) Its mass is only one-ninth of Earth's. B) Greenhouse gas emissions were greatly curtailed according to the International Mars Greenhouse Gas Reduction Treaty of 2003. C) The Martian atmosphere is much thinner and retains little heat. D) Martian carbon dioxide contains a rare isotope with little ability to trap heat.
C) The Martian atmosphere is much thinner and retains little heat.
Which plate subducts when oceanic and continental plates meet and why? A) The continental plate subducts beneath the oceanic plate because the oceanic plate is most dense. B) The continental plate subducts beneath the oceanic plate because the continental plate is most dense. C) The oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate because the oceanic plate is most dense. D) The oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate because the continental plate is most dense.
C) The oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate because the oceanic plate is most dense.
Neptune was discovered by irregularities in A) Jupiter. B) Saturn. C) Uranus. D) Pluto. E) Earth.
C) Uranus.
The lithosphere floats atop the A) mantle. B) crust. C) asthenosphere. D) mohorovicic.
C) asthenosphere.
When we see a half-moon, the position of the Sun is A) almost directly behind the Moon. B) almost directly behind the Earth. C) at right angles to a line from Earth to the Moon. D) about 45° from a line from Earth to the Moon.
C) at right angles to a line from Earth to the Moon.
All minerals are A) organic. B) crystals. C) crystalline solids. D) synthetic.
C) crystalline solids.
Minerals are composed of A) silicon compounds. B) common types of rocks. C) elements joined as compounds. D) homogeneous solids.
C) elements joined as compounds.
The property many metamorphic rocks exhibit by flat or elongated mineral grains in parallel layers is called A) schist. B) cleavage. C) foliation. D) lithification.
C) foliation.
The core of Earth is probably composed of A) silicate minerals. B) aluminum oxides. C) iron and nickel. D) calcium magnesium sulfate.
C) iron and nickel.
A sedimentary rock can turn into an igneous rock by A) compaction and cementation. B) compaction. C) melting and cooling. D) weathering and lithification.
C) melting and cooling.
Rocks altered by heat and pressure beneath Earth's surface are A) intrusive igneous rocks. B) extrusive sedimentary rocks. C) metamorphic rocks. D) igneous rocks.
C) metamorphic rocks.
In a museum collection, you can likely see a A) meteoroid but not a meteorite. B) meteor but not a meteoroid. C) meteorite but not a meteoroid.
C) meteorite but not a meteoroid.
The planet that is most tipped to its orbital plane is A) Mars. B) Jupiter. C) Saturn. D) Uranus. E) Neptune.
D) Uranus.
Convergent boundaries are A) regions of great mountain building. B) areas of plate subduction. C) regions of plate collision. D) all of the above
D) all of the above
Rocks can begin to melt if A) a decrease in pressure results in a sufficient decrease in the rocks' melting point. B) the rocks' water content increases thereby decreasing the rocks' melting point. C) heated by rising magma from Earth's interior. D) all of the above E) none of the above
D) all of the above
The angle at which the Sun's rays strike the Earth has a great effect on A) Earth's seasons. B) the way climate varies with latitude. C) the intensity of solar energy received at Earth's surface. D) all of the above
D) all of the above
The lithosphere includes A) continental and oceanic crust. B) the crust and the upper part of the mantle. C) part of the mantle and the crust. D) all of the above
D) all of the above
What aspect of Titan may hold clues as to what Earth was like before life arose here? A) its intense volcanic activity B) its expansive liquid oceans C) the rate of radioactive decay of its inner core D) an intriguing soup of organic molecules
D) an intriguing soup of organic molecules
The predominant gas in the atmosphere of Mars is A) oxygen. B) nitrogen. C) water vapor. D) carbon dioxide. E) methane.
D) carbon dioxide.
The predominant gas in the atmosphere of Venus is A) oxygen. B) nitrogen. C) water vapor. D) carbon dioxide. E) methane.
D) carbon dioxide.
The reason we don't have eclipses monthly is because of the A) relatively close distance of the Moon and Earth. B) relatively long distance to the Sun. C) tapering of the Sun's rays. D) different orbital planes for Earth and the Moon E) 23° tilt of the Earth's axis.
D) different orbital planes for Earth and the Moon
The most common carbonate rock is A) dolomite. B) calcite. C) halite. D) limestone.
D) limestone.
How long does it take for Earth to revolve around the sun? A) one day B) one week C) one month D) one year
D) one year
Of the requirements needed for the evolution of life, the most rare is A) an abundant energy source. B) a long duration of time. C) having the right elements. D) the presence of water.
D) the presence of water.
On what day of the year does the North Pole tilt most directly toward the Sun? A) the spring equinox B) the fall equinox C) the winter solstice D) the summer solstice
D) the summer solstice
Pretend you are on a morning time mission on the surface of Venus. When looking out the spacepod window, you are likely to see A) the Sun rising in the West. B) the Sun rising in the East. C) fierce windstorms everywhere you look. D) thick, smog-like cloudcover.
D) thick, smog-like cloudcover.