Physical Science Unit 4
Chemical weathering is caused by water entering cracks and expanding as the water freezes. True False
False
Which of the following lists represents the terrestrial planets? Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn Pluto, Venus, Mercury, Mars Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
Two main sequence stars, one red and one blue, are located the same distance from the Earth. If these stars are observed, what will you see? The red star moves closer while the blue star moves farther away. The blue star looks brighter than the red star. The blue star moves closer while the red star moves father away. The red star looks brighter than the blue star. The two stars are the same brightness and stay the same distance.
The blue star looks brighter than the red star.
Based on these photos of igneous rocks, which of them cooled quickly above Earth's surface?
The one with very visible air bubbles or pores
Which of the following best describes how the siltstone is cemented together? The siltstone clasts lock together in a manner similar to a jigsaw puzzle. The siltstone clasts are held together by mud. The siltstone clasts are held together by gravity. The siltstone clasts are held together by minerals precipitated by ground water. The siltstone clasts are held together by extreme temperature and pressure which partially melted the clasts causing them to stick together.
The siltstone clasts are held together by minerals precipitated by ground water.
In general, which of the following sources is the most important for fresh water for humans? oceans glaciers groundwater manufactured water strrueeams
groundwater
The ultimate source of light energy emitted by a protostar is the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium. the fission of helium into protons and neutrons. the conversion of gravitational potential energy to other forms of energy that indirectly give rise to light. the nuclear fusion of helium into carbon. the combination of hydrogen and oxygen to form water.
he conversion of gravitational potential energy to other forms of energy that indirectly give rise to light.
The asthenosphere consists mostly of partially molten peridotite completely molten peridotite completely solid peridotite
partially molten peridotite
The primary source of evidence that the Earth is a differentiated planet comes from the study of the rocks on the ocean floor. density measurements of Earth's interior. volcanic activity across the globe. seismic activity.
seismic activity.
If the half-life of Potassium-40 is 1.6 billion years, how much of the original amount of Potassium-40 in the sample would remain after 3.2 billion years? 100% 75% 50% 25% none
25%
A divergent plate margin runs through the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. What happens to the Atlantic as a result of the presence of this diverging plate boundary? Volcanic island arcs will emerge in the middle of the Atlantic. Atlantic will grow wider. The Atlantic will shrink. Folded mountains will soon begin to emerge as islands in the middle of the Atlantic. The Atlantic will grow shorter as a result of shear transform faulting.
Atlantic will grow wider.
Which of the following is the best model for the formation of the universe? Steady State model Nebular hypothesis Cosmological red shift model Big Bang model
Big Bang model
What would be the best method to determine the distance to Mars? Examine its spectrum to see how much it has been shifted toward the red. Bounce a radio wave off of it and time how long it takes to make the round trip. Take pictures of Mars six months apart and measure how far it has traveled though the sky in that time. Measure its color and brightness, and then look on an H-R diagram to determine its absolute brightness. All of these would work equally well.
Bounce a radio wave off of it and time how long it takes to make the round trip.
If a rock has high porosity, the same rock will have high permeability. True False
False
Pangaea was the first and only time all of the continents have been together. True False
False
Pluto is classified as a planet. True False
False
Sea level is the lowest elevation to which all streams cut. True False
False
The appearance of the moon is uniform across the entire surface of the moon. True False
False
The regions around the poles of the Earth receive the most direct light from the Sun. true False
False
Uniformitarism says that the same geologic processes occurring today in a particular location on Earth occurred in the same places in the past. True False
False
Global temperatures have increased over the last 100 years. What evidence is there that human activities are at least partially responsible for this increase? Unusually large amounts of volcanic activity have occurred in the last few years. Highly populated areas like the Gulf Coast are predicted to be most heavily impacted by coastal flooding from rising ocean levels. More strong hurricanes, like Katrina, are impacting populated areas. Ice cores show a correlation between global temperature and CO2, and humans have released a lot of CO2 in the last 100 years. Glaciers are retreating around the globe, but there are fewer glaciers in populated regions like the Alps than there are in lightly populated areas like Greenland.
Ice cores show a correlation between global temperature and CO2, and humans have released a lot of CO2 in the last 100 years.
What would be the best method to determine the distance to a distant star about 100,000 light years away in our own galaxy? Examine its spectrum to see how much it has been shifted. Bounce a sound wave off of it and time how long it takes to make the round trip. Take pictures of the star 6 months apart and calculate its velocity. The speed can then be used to determine distance. Measure its color and apparent brightness, then look on a H-R diagram to determine its absolute brightness. Then compare absolute and apparent brightness. All of these work equally well for distant stars.
Measure its color and apparent brightness, then look on a H-R diagram to determine its absolute brightness. Then compare absolute and apparent brightness.
Of the following, which are compression waves? (Select all that apply.) S waves P waves surface waves
P waves
Which of the following are true of the Jovian planets? The Jovian planets are denser than the terrestrial planets. The Jovian planets are larger than the terrestrial planets. The Jovian planets are rocky in composition. The Jovian planets are closer to the sun than the terrestrial planets.
The Jovian planets are larger than the terrestrial planets.
Which of the following correctly describes how energy from the sun drives the hydrologic cycle on Earth? The energy from the sun is transferred uniformly to the Earth's atmosphere by convection. As the air heats up, it evaporates the water in the oceans. The energy from the sun is transferred by radiation through the atmosphere to the oceans. This radiation is strongest near the equator, and most evaporation occurs there. The energy from the sun is absorbed primarily by the land. Convection caused by the absorbed heat evaporates water near the coast. Energy from the sun is absorbed by glaciers, melting them. This heat is transferred into kinetic energy which in turn evaporates the water from the lakes and streams. Energy from the sun is reflected off of the poles causing convection cells. The winds associated with this convection bring water from the poles towards the equator where temperatures are warmer.
The energy from the sun is transferred by radiation through the atmosphere to the oceans. This radiation is strongest near the equator, and most evaporation occurs there.
To be useful as a geologic clock, which of the following conditions must be true for a radioactive isotope? The isotope must be extremely rare and have a short half-life. The isotope must be extremely rare and have a long half-life. The isotope must be fairly common and have a long half-life. The isotope must be fairly common and have a short half-life.
The isotope must be fairly common and have a long half-life.
This diagram illustrates the magnetic field of the basalt on either side of a mid-ocean ridge. The light areas have magnetic fields that point north, and the dark areas have magnetic fields that point south. These patterns were important in evidence that helped develop the plate tectonic model. Why? The bands occur symmetrically to each side of the ridge where new ocean crust is slowly being made. The Earth's magnetic field flips, and the field in the basalt points the same direction as the Earth's field when the rock formed. The reverse polarity (grey) bands are all older than the normal polarity (white) bands, giving alternating stripes of young and old rock. The bands only occur in regions where the ocean crust is coming together to form a ridge, and temperatures and pressures are high enough to force the magnetic field in the rocks to change direction. The magnetic field indicates the direction that the plate was moving. Alternating bands prove that the ocean alternately spreads and closes. As rocks age, their magnetic fields change directions, so measuring the strength and direction of the magnetic field in the basalt allows us to accurately date the age of the rock.
The reverse polarity (grey) bands are all older than the normal polarity (white) bands, giving alternating stripes of young and old rock.
Climate change is caused mainly by changes in the balance between the amount of solar radiation received by Earth and the amount of heat radiated back into space by the Earth. True False
True
In general, groundwater moves very slowly. True False
True
It appears that the expansion rate of the universe is increasing with time. True False
True
Rocks with high permeability allow water to flow easily through them. True False
True
Spiral galaxies are the most common type of galaxy. True False
True
The addition of water can change the melting temperature of rock. True False
True
In this picture, A is a rock radiometrically dated at 37 million years, and B is also a rock. (Note: The age of 37 million years has been used for purposes of this question only. The actual age of "A" is not really 37 million years.) Using superposition, we know that B is older than 37 million years. Using inclusions, we know that B is younger than 37 million years. Using cross-cutting relationships, we know that B is younger than 37 million years. Using superposition, we know that B is 37 million years old. Using faunal succession, we know that B is older than 37 million years.
Using cross-cutting relationships, we know that B is younger than 37 million years.
In this photograph, rocks A and B represent rocks of any kind. Which of the following statements is true? (Note that the rock hammer shown in the picture has been put there for scale. Also, the small "islands" of lighter material shown in Rock B are of Rock A.) We know that rock B is older by inclusions. We know rock A is older by superposition. We know rock B is older by cross-cutting relationships. We know that rock A is older by inclusions. We know rock B is older by superposition. Not enough of Rock A and B are shown to determine the age.
We know that rock A is older by inclusions.
The shadow zone for P waves provides evidence for smooth density changes in Earth's interior. the plastic nature of Earth's lithosphere. abrupt density changes at Earth's mantle-core boundary. a solid iron-nickel core at the center of the Earth.
abrupt density changes at Earth's mantle-core boundary.
Which of the following is the determination of ages in years? relative dating absolute dating timeline determination
absolute dating
This picture shows a valley in Oregon. Which of the following caused the features of this valley? wind streams alpine glaciers continental glaciers groundwater
alpine glaciers
Which of the following forces applies to the movement of a magma body? buoyant force strong force gravity and strong force electric force due to charged particles buoyant force and electric force due to charged particles gravity buoyant force and gravity all of these
buoyant force and gravity
A sinkhole, like this one, can form in limestone when water dissolves it. Which of the following best describes this type of weathering? collapsible weathering chemical weathering frost heaving acidic weathering physical weathering
chemical weathering
Divergent plate boundaries may occur in which of the following? (Select all that apply.) continental lithosphere oceanic lithosphere
continental lithosphere & oceanic lithosphere
The geometric fit of the continents is best seen by matching the continents' continental shelves. ages. shorelines.
continental shelves.
Which of the following best describes, from surface to center, the chemically distinct layers of the Earth? iron, granite, peridotite hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur top ground, middle earth, central point crust, mantle, core
crust, mantle, core
From the average density of Earth compared with the density of the crust, we know that density increases with depth in the Earth. density decreases with depth in the Earth. the Earth is a layered planet. the interior of the Earth is of uniform density.
density increases with depth in the Earth.
All types of plate boundaries are clearly indicated by the location of which of the following? coastlines mountain ranges earthquakes
earthquakes
This diagram shows the continental plates. The Andes mountain range is found on the west coast of South America. What direction is the Nazca plate moving assuming that the South American Plate is stationary? east north west south It is not moving.
east
Observations of galaxies outside own our local group of galaxies indicates that the universe is remaining the same in size. expanding. shrinking.
expanding.
A newly formed star is composed mostly of helium hydrogen muons dust
hydrogen
Most stars spend the greater part of their active life as a helium-fusing star. hydrogen/proton-fusing star. red giant. protostar. carbon-burning star.
hydrogen/proton-fusing star.
Upon which of the following does the amount of solar energy absorbed by Earth depend? (Select all that apply.) if the sunlight hits snow if the sunlight hits water if the sunlight hits dry land none of these
if the sunlight hits snow if the sunlight hits water if the sunlight hits dry land
Which of the following types of rock are created from volcanic eruptions or from crystallization of magma beneath Earth's surface? metamorphic sedimentary igneous
igneous
The core of the Earth is thought to consist mostly of which substance? magnesium iron granite peridotite
iron
Most rocks found at the surface of the Earth are ________ the entire planet. less dense than just as dense as more dense than
less dense than
Slate, marble, and gneiss are examples of which of the following types of rock? igneous metamorphic sedimentary
metamorphic
A red shift in the spectrum of a galaxy indicates that the galaxy is moving toward us. moving away from us.
moving away from us.
The gravitational force causes a protostar to collapse. Which of the following tends to offset and slow the collapse? The question refers to a time in the evolution of a protostar before it moves to the next stage and becomes a star. pressure from heat released by hydrogen fission pressure from the motion of hot hydrogen pressure from heat released by hydrogen fusion pressure from heat released by the weak force all of these
pressure from the motion of hot hydrogen
Which of the following methods is used to measure distances between objects in our own solar system? triangulation brightness-distance relationships radar ranging
radar ranging
Elements heavier than iron are created in which stage of a star's life? supernova a neutron star repeated cycles of expansion and contraction planetary nebula a black hole
supernova
Which of the following are examples of relative dating principles? uniformitarism superposition carbon dating brightness-distance relationships
superposition
Which of the following best describes something that varies directly with temperature, such as the thickness of tree growth rings and the ratio of oxygen isotopes, which can be used to estimate ancient temperatures? atmospheric thickness bands temperature proxies greenhouse gases Milankovitch cycles chill factors
temperature proxies
An example of a transform boundary is which of the following? the San Andreas fault the Mid-Atlantic ridge the Himalayas mountains
the San Andreas fault
Which of the following is a solely a natural factor that influences climate? (A natural factor is one that is not related to human activity.) the amount of methane in the atmosphere the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere soot collecting on snow and making it less reflective the amount of energy the sun puts out
the amount of energy the sun puts out
he sun is now in that state in which it spends most of its active life, a state which began about five billion years ago and is expected to last until about five billion years from now. According to present theory, which of the following is the energy source of the sun? the fusion of helium into carbon gravitational potential energy the fusion of hydrogen into helium the chemical burning of hydrogen to form water and other products
the fusion of hydrogen into helium
Which of the following is most likely to form a black hole? the least massive stars the most massive stars white dwarves stars with no mass
the most massive stars
Based upon what you know about foliation, which of the following arrows best describes the direction of the pressure on the conglomerate as it was experiencing metamorphism?
up and down arrows
The asthenosphere lies entirely within what portion of the mantle? middle lower upper The asthenosphere doesn't lie within the mantle.
upper
Which of the following best represents the end state of a star the size of our sun? black hole white dwarf neutron star brown dwarf
white dwarf
The sun will eventually become a black hole. white dwarf. cloud of hydrogen gas. protostar. neutron star.
white dwarf.
In your textbook, look at Chapter 31's Study Guide, Analysis Question 5. The graph shows ancient global temperature relative to current averages. There are several repeating patterns in the graph. One period of one of these cycles is highlighted. What is the most likely cause of the highlighted cycle? the sunspot cycle the precession cycle the change in the shape of the earth's orbit the change in the tilt of the earth's axis
the change in the shape of the earth's orbit
When measuring the positions of the lines in the absorption spectrum of stars in a certain galaxy, the lines are all shifted toward the blue end of the spectrum. This means the galaxy is getting farther away from the Earth. the galaxy is moving toward the Earth. the galaxy is in the process of exploding. the galaxy is close to the Earth. the galaxy is a red giant.
the galaxy is moving toward the Earth.
Which of the following is the current theory about how our solar system formed? the supernova theory the catastrophe hypothesis the nebula hypothesis
the nebula hypothesis
Which of the following data does not play a major role in the evidence for the plate tectonic theory? the percentage of the total continental area that is taken up by stable platform the age distribution of the rocks of the sea floor geologic "fit" of adjacent continents fossil record on adjacent continents orientation of paleomagnetic fields in ancient lava flows
the percentage of the total continental area that is taken up by stable platform
Which of the following is a main function of a transform boundary? to connect a divergent and convergent boundary to connect segments of a spreading center ridge to provide a means for subduction to occur to release pressure built up from mantle plume activity
to connect segments of a spreading center ridge
Which of the following is thought to be the best estimate of the age of Earth according to scientists? 4.6 billion years 3.7 million years 13 billion years 7000 years
4.6 billion years
Which of the following is one piece of the evidence for an iron-nickel core in the center of the Earth? Earth has a magnetic field. Volcanic activity has brought samples to the surface. Iron and nickel are found together in Earth's surface. Only iron and nickel can be liquid at high temperatures.
Earth has a magnetic field
Spiral galaxies typically contain large numbers of blue stars and bright nebulae, while elliptical galaxies typically contain mostly yellow and red stars. What can you conclude based on this information? Spiral galaxies are moving towards us, while elliptical galaxies are moving away. Spiral galaxies eventually will evolve into elliptical galaxies. The stars that make up elliptical galaxies are younger than those found in spiral galaxies. Spiral galaxies are actively forming new stars, while elliptical galaxies have little or no star formation going on. Spiral galaxies are more massive than elliptical galaxies.
Spiral galaxies are actively forming new stars, while elliptical galaxies have little or no star formation going on.
Which of the following statements is true concerning streams? Streams carry less sediment when moving quickly since the stream has more kinetic energy so the stream has too much energy to carry as much sediment. Streams carry less sediment when moving quickly since the stream has less kinetic energy so the stream doesn't have enough energy to carry as much sediment. Streams carry more sediment when moving quickly since the stream has more kinetic energy which is used to carry more sediment. Streams carry more sediment when moving slowly since the stream has more kinetic energy which is used to carry more sediment. None of these statements are true.
Streams carry more sediment when moving quickly since the stream has more kinetic energy which is used to carry more sediment.
What would be the best method to determine the distance to Proxima Centauri, the star nearest to our sun, at a distance of 4.3 light years away? Measure its color and brightness, and then look on an H-R diagram to determine its absolute brightness. Bounce a radio wave off of it and time how long it takes to make the round trip. Examine its spectrum to see how much it has been shifted toward the red. Take pictures of Proxima Centauri 6 months apart and measure how far it has traveled though the sky in that time relative to the background stars. All of these would work equally well.
Take pictures of Proxima Centauri 6 months apart and measure how far it has traveled though the sky in that time relative to the background stars.
The outer planets are much more massive and much lower density than the inner planets. What conditions in the disk of gas and dust that surrounded the protostar that became the sun led to the difference between the Jovian and terrestrial planets? As the protostar formed in the middle of the disk, it pulled all of the hydrogen and helium out of the inner part of the solar system. The Jovian planets formed in the outer part of the disk where the hydrogen and helium were moving fast enough to escape the pull of the proto-sun. The Jovian planets formed in the colder outer regions of the disk where the temperatures were low enough for low density materials like water and methane to form solid ices. All of the planets formed in the inner regions of the disk, but the Jovian planets have more mass and so were pushed to the outer edges of the solar system by the centripetal force. The Jovian planets formed from the leftover material from the gas cloud that formed the sun, while the inner planets were interstellar wanderers that were captured as the sun orbits around the center of the Milky Way. The Jovian planets formed at the same time as the sun from the gas and dust in the nebula. The terrestrial planets formed later from heavier elements spit out of the sun as a result of fusion.
The Jovian planets formed in the colder outer regions of the disk where the temperatures were low enough for low density materials like water and methane to form solid ices.
Refer to this chart showing variations in temperature over the last four hundred thousand years. Based on the natural cycles found in the graph, what would you predict the climate will be like in fifty thousand years? The climate will be warmer than it is now. The climate will be about the same as it is now. The climate varies too much to draw any conclusions about temperatures that far in the future. The climate will be cooler than it is now.
The climate will be cooler than it is now.
How does the plate tectonic model account for the movement of continents? The continents have a layer of liquid rock underneath them that allows them to slide over the ocean crust. The continents rest on plates which move on top of a layer of mechanically weak (plastic) rock in the Earth. The continents float on the surface of the liquid core of the Earth. Plate tectonics is unable to explain continental drift. The continents move/cut through the rock of the lithosphere, albeit very slowly.
The continents rest on plates which move on top of a layer of mechanically weak (plastic) rock in the Earth.
When the absorption spectrum of light from distant galaxies is measured, what is found? The lines in the absorption spectrum are shifted towards the blue end of the spectrum, with light from the closest galaxies being shifted by the largest amount. The lines in the absorption spectrum are shifted towards the blue end of the spectrum, with light from the most distant galaxies being shifted by the largest amount. The lines in the absorption spectrum are shifted towards the red end of the spectrum, with light from the closest galaxies being shifted by the largest amount. The lines in the absorption spectrum are shifted towards the red end of the spectrum, with light from the most distant galaxies being shifted by the largest amount. The lines in the absorption spectrum are in exactly the same place with no shifting taking place.
The lines in the absorption spectrum are shifted towards the red end of the spectrum, with light from the most distant galaxies being shifted by the largest amount.
Which statement is true in the Big Bang model? The universe has always been pretty much as we see it today, and it always will be. The galaxies are, on the average, moving away from each other. The more distant the galaxies, the slower they are moving away from each other. The microwave background radiation that fills the universe is left over from the early stages of the expansion process. The heavy elements, like uranium, found on the Earth were created in the first few seconds of the Big Bang. A certain amount of new matter is continually being created in space.
The microwave background radiation that fills the universe is left over from the early stages of the expansion process.
Streams cut deep valleys as they travel through mountains, but the same streams deposit large amounts of material to form deltas when they reach the ocean. Why? Ocean water already has the maximum amount of minerals dissolved in it. Any new material carried out to the ocean precipitates out as sand. Streams' role in the hydrologic cycle is to remove material, while oceans deposit material. The material that makes up mountains is softer and easier to erode than the material found near the beaches. Salt water is more dense than fresh water, so it is less able to support the weight of the silt and sand. So, as the stream mixes with ocean water, it drops the material it carried down from the mountains. When streams are traveling down steep slopes the water picks up material because it has more kinetic energy. When the water reaches the ocean, it slows down and drops that material.
When streams are traveling down steep slopes the water picks up material because it has more kinetic energy. When the water reaches the ocean, it slows down and drops that material.
Which of the following features are most commonly associated with converging plate boundaries between two continental plates? island arcs fold mountain belts hotspots oceanic ridges more than one of these features are associated with these boundaries
fold mountain belts
Moraines are associated with which of the following? ocean currents wind streams glaciers
glaciers
What best describes the chemical composition of Earth's crust/core? carbonates/copper oxides and hydrides/iron and nickel silicon/oxygen granite and basalt/iron and nickel granite and basalt/peridotite
granite and basalt/iron and nickel
What force causes the particles making up a protostar to collapse? strong force electromagnetic force buoyant force gravitational force weak force
gravitational force
Which of the following best describes a gas which transmits high energy photons but absorbs a large fraction of infrared photons? Benioff gas Milankovitch gas temperature proxy gas transmission gas greenhouse gas
greenhouse gas
Here is a photograph of a talus pile on the shore of Lake Mohonk. Which of the following best describes the weathering process which created this pile? acidic weathering physical weathering mountain goat weathering collapsible weathering chemical weathering
physical weathering
Identify each of the following as a positive or a negative feedback mechanism. As water temperatures increase, the solubility of gases in the water decreases, so the oceans release carbon dioxide. As surface temperatures increase, the rate of plant growth increases, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As surface temperatures increase, the amount of the surface covered with snow and ice decreases. As surface temperatures increase, decay rates for vegetation increases. Decaying plants produce methane.
positive, negative, positive, positive
Which of the following represents the proper sequence for the history of a massive star (a star which is not among the most massive stars but which has more mass than the mass of our sun)? protostar, main sequence, red giant, repeated cycles, supernova, neutron star protostar, main sequence, red giant, planetary nebula, white dwarf, black dwarf protostar, main sequence, red giant, white dwarf, repeated cycles, planetary nebula, neutron star protostar, main sequence, red giant, repeated cycles, supernova, black hole
protostar, main sequence, red giant, repeated cycles, supernova, neutron star
Which of these techniques do geologists use to estimate the age of rocks? radiometric dating supernova ages volcanic activity
radiometric dating
The magnetic "stripes" on the seafloor are explained by which of the following ideas? Glossopteris flora reversals of Earth's magnetic field compression folding and erosion of the ocean floor
reversals of Earth's magnetic field
If layers of rock A cut across layers of rock B, which of the rock layers is oldest? rock A rock B
rock B
The most important eroding agent of the hydrological system is which of the following? glaciers wind running water ground water oceans
running water
This picture is of the Lena River delta in Russia. Which of the following caused the features in the image? a glacier (ice) running water (a stream) wind an ocean ground water
running water (a stream)
This picture was taken near Mona, Utah Which of the following caused the features in the image? running water (a stream) wind a glacier (ice) an ocean ground water
running water (a stream)
Sandstone, limestone, and shale are examples of which of the following types of rock? igneous sedimentary metamorphic
sedimentary
Which of the following describes where most of our insight into the layered structure of the Earth comes? geological weathering fossil research seismic studies meteorite research
seismic studies
Which of the following provides direct evidence for a liquid core in the Earth? shadow zone for P waves volcanic eruptions shadow zone for S waves density measurements of the Earth
shadow zone for S waves
The distance to the nearest few thousand stars can be determined by which of the following methods? triangulation measuring the Doppler shift radar ranging
triangulation
The distances to the nearest 100,000 or so stars can be measured by which of the following techniques? radar ranging triangulation measuring tape
triangulation
