Question 1

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is being produced by

Accepted Answer

A)  the weight of the Atlantic Ocean on the thin seabed. 
B)  tidal flows of ocean water meeting in the mid-Atlantic. 
C)  two tectonic plates pushing together, producing upthrust. 
D)  two tectonic plates moving apart because of volcanic upflow. 
A)  the weight of the Atlantic Ocean on the thin seabed. 
B)  tidal flows of ocean water meeting in the mid-Atlantic. 
C)  two tectonic plates pushing together, producing upthrust. 
D)  two tectonic plates moving apart because of volcanic upflow.

Question 2

The Himalayan Mountains in Asia were formed by

Accepted Answer

A)  an ancient, mid-oceanic volcanic ridge now uplifted to become dry land. 
B)  folding of Earth's crust where two crustal plates collided along a subduction zone. 
C)  asteroid impacts during the first billion years of Earth's history. 
D)  shrinking and folding of Earth's crust as Earth cooled and contracted. 
A)  an ancient, mid-oceanic volcanic ridge now uplifted to become dry land. 
B)  folding of Earth's crust where two crustal plates collided along a subduction zone. 
C)  asteroid impacts during the first billion years of Earth's history. 
D)  shrinking and folding of Earth's crust as Earth cooled and contracted.

Question 3

High tide at any location on Earth occurs when the Moon is

Accepted Answer

A)  high in the sky. 
B)  just rising. 
C)  just setting. 
D)  not visible. 
A)  high in the sky. 
B)  just rising. 
C)  just setting. 
D)  not visible.

Question 4

An "ozone hole" is

Accepted Answer

A)  a region centered on the equator where ozone levels are always very low because of destruction by direct sunlight. 
B)  a region of the stratosphere, often above the South Pole, where ozone levels occasionally drop to very low levels. 
C)  the name given to small pits or holes on the aluminum surface of an aircraft, etched by the corrosive ozone encountered in the stratosphere and requiring regular maintenance. 
D)  a permanent region of very low ozone content in the stratosphere centered over the South Pole that has been there for thousands of years; the resulting transparency to UV radiation accounts for the lack of life-forms there. 
A)  a region centered on the equator where ozone levels are always very low because of destruction by direct sunlight. 
B)  a region of the stratosphere, often above the South Pole, where ozone levels occasionally drop to very low levels. 
C)  the name given to small pits or holes on the aluminum surface of an aircraft, etched by the corrosive ozone encountered in the stratosphere and requiring regular maintenance. 
D)  a permanent region of very low ozone content in the stratosphere centered over the South Pole that has been there for thousands of years; the resulting transparency to UV radiation accounts for the lack of life-forms there.

Question 5

How was the Mid-Atlantic Ridge formed?

Accepted Answer

A)  Two crustal plates slid past each other in a transverse fault. 
B)  The weight of sediments caused the ocean floor to sink, and the ridge resulted from slumping toward the center of this basin. 
C)  Molten rock pushed up from Earth's interior and forced two crustal plates apart. 
D)  Two crustal plates collided, causing one plate to buckle, forming the ridge, while the other plate was thrust down beneath it. 
A)  Two crustal plates slid past each other in a transverse fault. 
B)  The weight of sediments caused the ocean floor to sink, and the ridge resulted from slumping toward the center of this basin. 
C)  Molten rock pushed up from Earth's interior and forced two crustal plates apart. 
D)  Two crustal plates collided, causing one plate to buckle, forming the ridge, while the other plate was thrust down beneath it.

Question 6

How does Earth's albedo compare with those of Mars and Venus?

Accepted Answer

A)  All terrestrial planets have about the same albedo. 
B)  Earth has the highest albedo of the three. 
C)  Earth has the lowest albedo of the three. 
D)  Earth's albedo is less than that of Venus but greater than that of Mars. 
A)  All terrestrial planets have about the same albedo. 
B)  Earth has the highest albedo of the three. 
C)  Earth has the lowest albedo of the three. 
D)  Earth's albedo is less than that of Venus but greater than that of Mars.

Question 7

Which was the first spacecraft to land human beings on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  Apollo 13 
B)  Apollo 10 
C)  Soyuz 5 
D)  Apollo 11 
A)  Apollo 13 
B)  Apollo 10 
C)  Soyuz 5 
D)  Apollo 11

Question 8

Against which tectonic plate is the Australia-India tectonic plate pushing to form the Himalayan mountains? See Figure 7-8 in the text.

Accepted Answer

A)  Eurasian Plate 
B)  North American Plate 
C)  African Plate 
D)  Antarctic Plate 
A)  Eurasian Plate 
B)  North American Plate 
C)  African Plate 
D)  Antarctic Plate

Question 9

The idea of continental drift, as proposed by Wegener around 1915, had one major flaw, which was

Accepted Answer

A)  the absence of a source for the forces and energy required to move the continents. 
B)  the lack of any evidence that Africa and the Americas had ever been joined. 
C)  the recent discovery of seafloor spreading, which contradicted the theory. 
D)  the measured rate of continental motions, which were far greater than predicted. 
A)  the absence of a source for the forces and energy required to move the continents. 
B)  the lack of any evidence that Africa and the Americas had ever been joined. 
C)  the recent discovery of seafloor spreading, which contradicted the theory. 
D)  the measured rate of continental motions, which were far greater than predicted.

Question 10

The process of seafloor spreading and plate tectonic movement on Earth's surface takes place at a speed of

Accepted Answer

A)  a few meters per year. 
B)  a few centimeters per year. 
C)  a few centimeters per century. 
D)  less than a millimeter per year. 
A)  a few meters per year. 
B)  a few centimeters per year. 
C)  a few centimeters per century. 
D)  less than a millimeter per year.

Question 11

Approximately how many major tectonic plates make up Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  about a dozen 
B)  two 
C)  seven 
D)  hundreds 
A)  about a dozen 
B)  two 
C)  seven 
D)  hundreds

Question 12

The core (inner and outer) of Earth extends over what fraction of its radius?

Accepted Answer

A)  almost 80% 
B)  roughly $1 / 2$ 
C)  less than 10% 
D)  about $1 / 4$ 
A)  almost 80% 
B)  roughly $1 / 2$ 
C)  less than 10% 
D)  about $1 / 4$

Question 13

Why do the larger craters on the Moon have central peaks?

Accepted Answer

A)  The impact cracked the crust, and lava flowed into the center of the crater, forming a small volcanic peak. 
B)  The incoming projectile was large enough that it was not destroyed and remained to form the central peak. 
C)  Debris from the crater walls has rolled into the crater and has collected at its center. 
D)  The crater floor rebounded upward after the initial compression from the impact of an interplanetary rock. 
A)  The impact cracked the crust, and lava flowed into the center of the crater, forming a small volcanic peak. 
B)  The incoming projectile was large enough that it was not destroyed and remained to form the central peak. 
C)  Debris from the crater walls has rolled into the crater and has collected at its center. 
D)  The crater floor rebounded upward after the initial compression from the impact of an interplanetary rock.

Question 14

How old are the lunar highlands?

Accepted Answer

A)  4.0 to 4.3 billion years old 
B)  3.1 to 3.8 billion years old 
C)  less than 1 billion years old 
D)  1.8 to 2.6 billion years old 
A)  4.0 to 4.3 billion years old 
B)  3.1 to 3.8 billion years old 
C)  less than 1 billion years old 
D)  1.8 to 2.6 billion years old

Question 15

What happened to Earth's first atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  It remains part of its present atmosphere, although it has been mixed with nitrogen and oxygen. 
B)  It was blown away by an early flare-up of the evolving Sun. 
C)  Its molecules were moving too rapidly to be held by Earth's gravitational pull. 
D)  It dissolved in the oceans as soon as these were formed. 
A)  It remains part of its present atmosphere, although it has been mixed with nitrogen and oxygen. 
B)  It was blown away by an early flare-up of the evolving Sun. 
C)  Its molecules were moving too rapidly to be held by Earth's gravitational pull. 
D)  It dissolved in the oceans as soon as these were formed.

Question 16

How does the temperature of Earth's atmosphere vary with height over the range 0-80 km?

Accepted Answer

A)  The temperature decreases, then increases, then decreases again. 
B)  The temperature rises steadily until it reaches a high and constant value above 80 km. 
C)  The temperature increases, then decreases, then increases again. 
D)  The temperature decreases steadily until it reaches a minimum at 80 km. 
A)  The temperature decreases, then increases, then decreases again. 
B)  The temperature rises steadily until it reaches a high and constant value above 80 km. 
C)  The temperature increases, then decreases, then increases again. 
D)  The temperature decreases steadily until it reaches a minimum at 80 km.

Question 17

Rilles on the Moon appear to be collapsed tunnels. Planetary scientists believe these tunnels were originally filled with

Accepted Answer

A)  liquid water. 
B)  molten rock. 
C)  steam. 
D)  carbon dioxide. 
A)  liquid water. 
B)  molten rock. 
C)  steam. 
D)  carbon dioxide.

Question 18

Which major constituent of the atmospheres of Venus and Mars is present in only very small amounts in Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  methane, CH4 
B)  carbon dioxide, CO2 
C)  nitrogen, N2 
D)  oxygen, O2 
A)  methane, CH4 
B)  carbon dioxide, CO2 
C)  nitrogen, N2 
D)  oxygen, O2

Question 19

One of the principal difficulties in establishing the theory of continental drift (the idea that tectonic plates drift around on Earth's surface) was identifying a source of energy capable of powering such movement. What is now believed to be the source of such energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  neutrinos interacting with Earth's interior 
B)  heat trapped by the greenhouse effect 
C)  hot material welling up from Earth's interior 
D)  the tidal pull of the Moon and the Sun 
A)  neutrinos interacting with Earth's interior 
B)  heat trapped by the greenhouse effect 
C)  hot material welling up from Earth's interior 
D)  the tidal pull of the Moon and the Sun

Question 20

For a period of 4000 years or so while Earth's magnetic field was reversing direction, the planet has little or no magnetic field. What is one consequence of this?

Accepted Answer

A)  more coronal mass ejections 
B)  brighter auroras 
C)  increased depletion of its atmosphere 
D)  a decreased rotation rate 
A)  more coronal mass ejections 
B)  brighter auroras 
C)  increased depletion of its atmosphere 
D)  a decreased rotation rate

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is being produced by

The Himalayan Mountains in Asia were formed by

High tide at any location on Earth occurs when the Moon is

An "ozone hole" is

How was the Mid-Atlantic Ridge formed?

How does Earth's albedo compare with those of Mars and Venus?

Which was the first spacecraft to land human beings on the Moon?

Against which tectonic plate is the Australia-India tectonic plate pushing to form the Himalayan mountains? See Figure 7-8 in the text.

The idea of continental drift, as proposed by Wegener around 1915, had one major flaw, which was

The process of seafloor spreading and plate tectonic movement on Earth's surface takes place at a speed of

Approximately how many major tectonic plates make up Earth's surface?

The core (inner and outer) of Earth extends over what fraction of its radius?

Why do the larger craters on the Moon have central peaks?

How old are the lunar highlands?

What happened to Earth's first atmosphere?

How does the temperature of Earth's atmosphere vary with height over the range 0-80 km?

Rilles on the Moon appear to be collapsed tunnels. Planetary scientists believe these tunnels were originally filled with

Which major constituent of the atmospheres of Venus and Mars is present in only very small amounts in Earth's atmosphere?

One of the principal difficulties in establishing the theory of continental drift (the idea that tectonic plates drift around on Earth's surface) was identifying a source of energy capable of powering such movement. What is now believed to be the source of such energy?

For a period of 4000 years or so while Earth's magnetic field was reversing direction, the planet has little or no magnetic field. What is one consequence of this?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 7: Earth and the Moon

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is being produced by

The Himalayan Mountains in Asia were formed by

High tide at any location on Earth occurs when the Moon is

An "ozone hole" is

How was the Mid-Atlantic Ridge formed?

How does Earth's albedo compare with those of Mars and Venus?

Which was the first spacecraft to land human beings on the Moon?

Against which tectonic plate is the Australia-India tectonic plate pushing to form the Himalayan mountains? See Figure 7-8 in the text.

The idea of continental drift, as proposed by Wegener around 1915, had one major flaw, which was

The process of seafloor spreading and plate tectonic movement on Earth's surface takes place at a speed of

Approximately how many major tectonic plates make up Earth's surface?

The core (inner and outer) of Earth extends over what fraction of its radius?

Why do the larger craters on the Moon have central peaks?

How old are the lunar highlands?

What happened to Earth's first atmosphere?

How does the temperature of Earth's atmosphere vary with height over the range 0-80 km?

Rilles on the Moon appear to be collapsed tunnels. Planetary scientists believe these tunnels were originally filled with

Which major constituent of the atmospheres of Venus and Mars is present in only very small amounts in Earth's atmosphere?

One of the principal difficulties in establishing the theory of continental drift (the idea that tectonic plates drift around on Earth's surface) was identifying a source of energy capable of powering such movement. What is now believed to be the source of such energy?

For a period of 4000 years or so while Earth's magnetic field was reversing direction, the planet has little or no magnetic field. What is one consequence of this?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters