practice post test #3

Select all the correct answers. Which two layers of Earth are mainly composed of iron and nickel? inner core outer core lower mantle upper mantle crust

inner core outer core

After its formation, early Earth experienced several crucial events that were responsible for creating its spheres. Match each Precambrian event to the sphere it played the biggest role in creating. lithosphere atmosphere hydrosphere Frequent volcanic eruptions emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. Clouds form, followed by rains. Molten lava solidifies into a solid crust.

lithosphere: Molten lava solidifies into a solid crust. atmosphere: Frequent volcanic eruptions emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. hydrosphere: Clouds form, followed by rains.

Select the correct answer. Which of Earth's systems was most affected by fossilized dinosaurs? A. biosphere B. hydrosphere C. lithosphere D. atmosphere

C

know index fossil

C is index fossil

Type the correct answer in each box. Use numerals instead of words. Express your answer as a decimal number. The isotope samarium-151 decays into europium-151, with a half-life of around 96.6 years. A rock contains 5 grams of samarium-151 when it reaches its closure temperature, and it contains 0.625 grams when it is discovered. The time since the rock reached its closure temperature is _______ years. When the rock was discovered, it had ________ grams of europium-151.

289.8 years 4.375 grams

Select the correct answer. Along with Earth's crust, which portion of the upper mantle forms the lithosphere? A. cooler, more rigid outer portion B. hotter, liquid-like inner portion C. cooler, liquid-like inner portion D. hotter, more rigid outer portion

A

Drag each tile to the correct location. In each example, the hydrosphere is interacting with another subsystem of Earth. Identify the other subsystem. Atmosphere/Geosphere/Biosphere Carbon dioxide in the air dissolves in ocean water. Flowing water dissolves a variety of minerals. Transpiration isa process in which water evaporates from the leaves of plants. Lightning allows nitrogen atoms to dissolve in rain.

Atmosphere:Carbon dioxide in the air dissolves in ocean water AND Lightning allows nitrogen atoms to dissolve in rain. Geosphere: Flowing water dissolves a variety of minerals. Biosphere: Transpiration isa process in which water evaporates from the leaves of plants.

Select the correct answer. In the nitrogen cycle, different forms of nitrogen move through all of Earth's subsystems. Which step in the nitrogen cycle shows how nitrogen moves from the atmosphere to the geosphere? A. Decomposers in soil break down dead organisms and release atmospheric nitrogen. B. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen from the air to make nitrates. C. Plants obtain nitrates through their roots in a process called assimilation. D. Animals get the nitrogen needed to grow by eating nitrogen-containing plants.

B

Select the correct answer. The water cycle is a biogeochemical cycle that is a closed system. Which of these sentences describes a viable stage that occurs in the water cycle? A. Water enters and exits the system boundaries of the cycle. B. Water can change from solid to liquid at certain points in the cycle. C. Ice forms anew, adding matter to the cycle. D. Water vapor condenses, subtracting energy from the cycle.

B

Select the correct answer. Which statement best explains why the atmosphere is considered an open system? A. There is no definite boundary separating it from outer space. B. Energy and matter can enter and leave. C. Its molecules can move freely, without resistance. D. It can accept an unlimited amount of energy.

B

The Cretaceous-Paleogene was a mass extinction event in which nearly every single large, land-dwelling dinosaur went extinct. Which of the following did not result from this extinction event? A. Diverse species of animals began to evolve. B. Meteorites struck the region that Mexico now occupies. C. Clouds of dust and gas billowed into Earth's atmosphere. D. Ecological niches were left empty but with the potential to be filled.

B

Which compound was abundant in Precambrian Earth's oceans, before complex life evolved on Earth? A. dissolved oxygen B. dissolved carbon dioxide C. dissolved methane D. dissolved ammonia

B

How did cyanobacteria affect Earth's early atmosphere? A. They replaced oxygen with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. B. They eliminated the harmful ultraviolet rays of the Sun. C. They replaced carbon dioxide with oxygen in the atmosphere. D. They absorbed ozone molecules from the atmosphere.

C

Select the correct answer. Imagine that you are buying books one by one and then piling them up after reading them. Which geologic concept could you use to identify the topmost book as the newest? A. principle of inclusion B. principle of lateral continuity C. law of superposition D. principle of unconformities

C

Select the correct answer. The Sun is the primary source of energy that drives all the biogeochemical cycles on Earth. Which statement best describes how the Sun's energy powers the water cycle? A. Plants require energy from the Sun to perform photosynthesis. B. The Sun's heat reflects off ice sheets near the polar caps, reducing the overall temperature of Earth. C. Heat from the Sun drives evaporation, turning water on Earth's surface into water vapor. D. Energy from the Sun provides the warmth necessary for cold-blooded animals to survive.

C

Select the correct answer. The isotope calcium-41 decays into potassium-41, with a half-life of 1.03 × 105 years. There is a sample of calcium-41 containing 5 × 109 atoms. How many atoms of calcium-41 and potassium-41 will there be after 4.12 × 105 years? A. 3.125 × 108 atoms of calcium-41 and 4.375 × 109 atoms of potassium-41 B. 6.25 × 108 atoms of calcium-41 and 4.6875 × 109 atoms of potassium-41 C. 6.25 × 108 atoms of calcium-41 and 4.375 × 109 atoms of potassium-41 D. 3.125 × 108 atoms of calcium-41 and 4.6875 × 109 atoms of potassium-41

D

Select the correct answer. The smallest species of chameleon is found only on an island in Madagascar. This island has unique geological and climatic conditions that are essential for the chameleon to survive. The chameleon was recently declared an endangered species. Years from now, why won't this chameleon's remains make for a good index fossil? A. Index fossils pertain only to prehistoric creatures that lived before modern times. B. Because it's the smallest of all chameleons, the fossils will be nearly impossible to see. C. The large number of fossils discovered will exceed the maximum number required for an index fossil. D. The fossil's location isn't widespread because it is found in only one isolated region of the world.

D

Select the correct answer. Which sentence describes an example of a positive feedback loop? A. Warm-blooded animals sweat when they get too hot. Sweating is a method by which the body cools itself. B. A thermostat regulates temperature by turning a furnace or air conditioner on and off. C. When blood flows from a mild cut, blood clots form to prevent excessive bleeding. D. As oceans get hotter, they release more CO2, which then increases atmospheric and ocean temperatures.

D

Select the correct answer. James wants to estimate the absolute age of an animal fossil. However, test results show that the fossil doesn't contain any atoms of carbon-14. What can James conclude about the lack of carbon-14? A. The animal, whether living or dead, never had carbon-14 in its system. B. The animal's carbon-14 decayed long before the animal died. C. Finding another fossil nearby without carbon-14 will guarantee that he has matching fossils. D. Without carbon-14, it will be an impossible task to estimate the age of the fossil. E. Without carbon-14, James can use relative dating to estimate the age of the fossil.

E

Select all the correct answers. Accretion was one of the processes responsible for heating up Earth's core in the early years of the solar system. Which two observations can be made about the process of accretion? Gravity increases as mass increases. There is little or no transfer of energy. Frequency of collisions increases as gravity increases. Intensity of impacts decreases as gravity increases. Heat energy decreases as gravity increases.

Gravity increases as mass increases. Frequency of collisions increases as gravity increases.

Select all the correct answers. Some scientists hypothesize that icy debris arrived on other terrestrial planets in a similar manner to how it arrived on Earth. On Earth, the ice eventually turned to water and water vapor, forming extensive oceans and a life-sustaining atmosphere. But the same is not exactly true for the other terrestrial planets. What are two reasons why? Temperatures on Earth are ideal for water to exist in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms. Magnetic forces generated in Earth's mantle are directly responsible for Earth's oceans. Earth's gravity holds the water vapor in Earth's atmosphere close to its surface. Earth's solid outer core is sufficiently rigid to keep water above its surface.

Temperatures on Earth are ideal for water to exist in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms. Earth's gravity holds the water vapor in Earth's atmosphere close to its surface.

Select all the correct answers. Sully works as a geologist in the southwestern United States. He plans to choose an unstable isotope to find the absolute age of a rock sample. Which two aspects must he consider before making his choice? There should be a sufficient amount of the selected isotope in the rock. The isotope should be one that decays at a very fast rate. The isotope must not be found in any neighboring rocks. The half-life of the isotope must be long enough to capture the age of the rock. There should be more than one unstable isotope in the rock.

There should be a sufficient amount of the selected isotope in the rock. The half-life of the isotope must be long enough to capture the age of the rock.

Know the carbon cycle

carbon cycle

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Complete the following sentences to correctly explain how life could have formed on Earth. According to one hypothesis, life on Earth emerged from [blue-green algae/amino acids/molten metals/crustal rocks] in the presence of large amounts of gases seeping from deep-ocean vents. Another hypothesis, called the primordial soup, suggests that the formation of life was due to the effects of [lightning/sunlight/gravity/meteorites] in Earth's atmosphere.

amino acids lightning

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Complete this passage about relative dating. Barry is applying the principles of relative dating to a building that has been constructed. Analyzing a section of the building, Barry says that the lowest part of the section must have been constructed [before/after/at the same time as] the parts above it were constructed. He bases this conclusion on the principle of [superposition/inclusions/cross-cutting relationships]. Also, looking at a crack forming in the building wall, he says that the crack must be [older than/younger than/the same age as] the wall. Barry used the principle of [superposition/inclusions/cross-cutting relationships] to arrive at this conclusion.

before superposition younger than cross-cutting relationships

Drag each label to the correct location. Match each example with the system where it belongs. biosphere/geosphere/hydrosphere/atmosphere mountain range pond gaseous nitrogen lake coastal vegetation microorganism

biosphere:coastal vegetation and microorganism geosphere: mountain range hydrosphere: lake and pond atmosphere:gaseous nitrogen

Identify the arrows that show the movement of carbon from the biosphere to the atmosphere in the carbon cycle. https://us-static.z-dn.net/files/d68/23c6f072f37ff8d124452da365e482cb.png

both respirations (on top of the cow and top of tree)

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Complete the passage about cyanobacteria. About three billion years ago, single-celled organisms called cyanobacteria lived in Earth's oceans. They thrived on the ocean's abundance of [oxygen/carbon dioxide/nitrogen], which they used during the process of photosynthesis. Much later, this process allowed organisms, such as fish, to survive by extracting dissolved [oxygen/carbon dioxide/nitrogen] from ocean waters.

carbon dioxide oxygen

Identify each process as a carbon source or a carbon sink. photosynthesis combustion respiration fossilization ocean absorption

carbon source: photosynthesis, fossilization and ocean absorption carbon sink.:combustion and respiration

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Many scientists believe that the formation process of other terrestrial planets in our solar system was similar to the formation of Earth. Based on this belief, what can you say about the crust, mantle, and core of other terrestrial planets? For any terrestrial planet in the solar system, the [crust/mantle/core ]would be the densest layer, and the [crust/mantle/core] would be the least dense layer.

core crust

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Based on what you know about the relative temperatures of Earth's geological layers, what can be said about the crust, mantle, and core of other terrestrial planets? For any terrestrial planet, the [crust/mantle/core] would be the coolest layer, and the [crust/mantle/core] would be the hottest layer.

crust core

know earths cyrophere

cyrosphere

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Complete the passage about Earth's subsystems. Volcanic eruptions are events that take place inside Earth's biosphere/geosphere/hydrosphere/atmosphere]. When they occur on land, they spew tremendous amounts of gas, releasing matter into the [biosphere/geosphere/hydrosphere/atmosphere]. The hot, flowing lava also disrupts the [biosphere/geosphere/hydrosphere/atmosphere] by destroying any vegetation and animals in its path.

geosphere atmosphere biosphere

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Complete the sentences to explain how the oceans on Earth were formed. Water arrived on Earth in the form of [precipitation/vapor/icy debris] from comets and meteoroids. Earth's surface was [rigid/hot/cold] enough to turn it into [water vapor/ice/crustal rocks] that, once it cooled, brought rains to fill the oceans.

icy debris hot water vapor

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Complete the passage about feedback loops. In the biosphere, prey represent a food source for predators. An increase in the population of prey means more food for predators, which will [increase/decrease/stabilize] the predators' population. As a result, many more prey will be hunted, causing the prey population to [increase/decrease/stabilize]. In response, the predator population will [increase/decrease/stabilize], resulting in an increase in the prey population. This entire cycle is an example of a [positive/negative] feedback loop.

increase decrease decrease negative

Drag each tile to the correct location. Determine whether each statement describes relative age or absolute age. Sam bought a new car seven years ago today. Sarah's company was formed a few years after James's company. Luke's school was built in December, 100 years ago. Alice's school is older than Luke's school. Louisa owned a car long before Sam. James's company has been in existence since 1991.

relative age:Sarah's company was formed a few years after James's company. Alice's school is older than Luke's school. Louisa owned a car long before Sam. absolute age:James's company has been in existence since 1991. Luke's school was built in December, 100 years ago. Sam bought a new car seven years ago today.

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Plants add carbon to the atmosphere during [respiration/photosynthesis/transpiration] and remove carbon from atmosphere during [respiration/photosynthesis/transpiration]. These processes form the [nitrogen cycle/water cycle/carbon cycle].

respiration photosynthesis carbon cycle

Select the correct location on the image. The movement of which layer of Earth drives the motion of the plates on Earth's crust? (copy and paste the link to view the image) upper mantle lower mantle outer core inner core https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/xSRuauwxeuiG_epSov5ArOSXycEAkD4gMX6tLflC2HJPbbHwsnUJ6weeg2CWsqmBpiZ5a_tVgiCQ9hvCiYqDTyT-J1R0t7q_gmC4zAf5b3DdbHyGQXmK

upper mantle

Match each object or compound to how it came to be. icy debris nitrogen carbon dioxide volcanic outgassing comets and meteoroids major component of modern atmosphere

volcanic outgassing ---> carbon dioxide comets and meteoroids---> icy debris major component of modern atmosphere---> nitrogen