Question 1

Where did the majority of the large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the second major atmosphere to form on the early Earth end up?

Accepted Answer

A)  as nitrogen oxides and carbon, after chemical reactions with the majority component of the atmosphere, the nitrogen molecules 
B)  absorbed by plant life and transformed into solid carbon and gaseous oxygen 
C)  dissolved in the oceans and, via the shells of living creatures, in the limestone of many mountain ranges 
D)  still in the atmosphere, but the quantity of nitrogen and oxygen has since risen to make these constituents the most abundant and relegate carbon dioxide to a minor constituent 
A)  as nitrogen oxides and carbon, after chemical reactions with the majority component of the atmosphere, the nitrogen molecules 
B)  absorbed by plant life and transformed into solid carbon and gaseous oxygen 
C)  dissolved in the oceans and, via the shells of living creatures, in the limestone of many mountain ranges 
D)  still in the atmosphere, but the quantity of nitrogen and oxygen has since risen to make these constituents the most abundant and relegate carbon dioxide to a minor constituent

Question 2

What name is given to the layer of fine powder and rock fragments that covers the lunar surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  mantle 
B)  regolith 
C)  rille 
D)  mare 
A)  mantle 
B)  regolith 
C)  rille 
D)  mare

Question 3

The terrestrial planet whose atmosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen is

Accepted Answer

A)  Mars. 
B)  Venus. 
C)  Jupiter. 
D)  Earth. 
A)  Mars. 
B)  Venus. 
C)  Jupiter. 
D)  Earth.

Question 4

Which of these is the BEST explanation for the origin of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Moon was created in its orbit around Earth by the same process that produced Earth, namely the collision of planetesimals that had formed by condensation and accretion of gas and dust. 
B)  The Moon was created by the process described in (
A)  but at some other location in the solar system. 
C)  While Earth was semimolten early in its formation, a chunk of material was flung out of it. It went into orbit and evolved to become the Moon. 
D)  The Moon was created by the process described in (
C)  except that the ejection was caused by a large impact of some object or objects on Earth. 
A)  The Moon was created in its orbit around Earth by the same process that produced Earth, namely the collision of planetesimals that had formed by condensation and accretion of gas and dust. 
B)  The Moon was created by the process described in (
A)  but at some other location in the solar system. 
C)  While Earth was semimolten early in its formation, a chunk of material was flung out of it. It went into orbit and evolved to become the Moon. 
D)  The Moon was created by the process described in (
C)  except that the ejection was caused by a large impact of some object or objects on Earth.

Question 5

Which of these statements was NOT true just after Earth and the Moon were formed?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth was spinning much faster than it is now. 
B)  The Moon was much closer to Earth than it is now. 
C)  The tides were many times as severe as they are at present. 
D)  There were no seasons. 
A)  Earth was spinning much faster than it is now. 
B)  The Moon was much closer to Earth than it is now. 
C)  The tides were many times as severe as they are at present. 
D)  There were no seasons.

Question 6

If astronauts were to set up a permanent settlement on the near side of the Moon, how many times each year would Earth rise and set as seen by a resident of this base?

Accepted Answer

A)  12 times each year 
B)  13 times each year 
C)  never-Earth would remain essentially motionless in the sky 
D)  once each year 
A)  12 times each year 
B)  13 times each year 
C)  never-Earth would remain essentially motionless in the sky 
D)  once each year

Question 7

What is the basic structure of Earth's interior?

Accepted Answer

A)  solid iron inner core, molten iron outer core, rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
B)  molten iron inner core, molten rocky outer core, solid rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
C)  molten iron core, molten rocky mantle, solid rocky crust 
D)  molten iron inner core, solid iron outer core, rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
A)  solid iron inner core, molten iron outer core, rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
B)  molten iron inner core, molten rocky outer core, solid rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust 
C)  molten iron core, molten rocky mantle, solid rocky crust 
D)  molten iron inner core, solid iron outer core, rocky mantle, lighter rocky crust

Question 8

The heat energy that powers tectonic activity on the surface of Earth originates deep in Earth's core. How does the majority of this energy move from the core to the surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  conduction through the solid lower mantle and convection in the upper mantle (asthenosphere) 
B)  convection throughout the entire mantle 
C)  conduction throughout the entire mantle 
D)  steady flow of hot magna from Earth's core through cracks in the mantle to the lithosphere 
A)  conduction through the solid lower mantle and convection in the upper mantle (asthenosphere) 
B)  convection throughout the entire mantle 
C)  conduction throughout the entire mantle 
D)  steady flow of hot magna from Earth's core through cracks in the mantle to the lithosphere

Question 9

Subduction on Earth is the process by which

Accepted Answer

A)  cool surface material on Earth sinks below other material at a tectonic plate boundary. 
B)  dense material sank while lighter material rose to the surface during the early geological history of Earth. 
C)  molten lava oozes out between two tectonic plates that are spreading apart. 
D)  volcanic material emerges from the deep interior at a volcanic island such as Hawaii. 
A)  cool surface material on Earth sinks below other material at a tectonic plate boundary. 
B)  dense material sank while lighter material rose to the surface during the early geological history of Earth. 
C)  molten lava oozes out between two tectonic plates that are spreading apart. 
D)  volcanic material emerges from the deep interior at a volcanic island such as Hawaii.

Question 10

Moonquakes occur MOST often when the Moon is near perigee (at its closest approach to Earth). The reason is

Accepted Answer

A)  increased tidal distortion of the Moon by Earth. 
B)  higher probability of impacts on the Moon of meteoroids that have been accelerated by Earth at these lunar phases. 
C)  increased speed of rotation of the Moon at these times and consequent reduction of the gravitational force on the surface. 
D)  increased sunlight on the Moon's surface at these times. 
A)  increased tidal distortion of the Moon by Earth. 
B)  higher probability of impacts on the Moon of meteoroids that have been accelerated by Earth at these lunar phases. 
C)  increased speed of rotation of the Moon at these times and consequent reduction of the gravitational force on the surface. 
D)  increased sunlight on the Moon's surface at these times.

Question 11

The appearance of the entire surface of the Moon could be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  uniform distribution of surface features, including maria and craters. 
B)  maria only on the near side, no major maria on the far side. 
C)  dry, waterless terrain on the near side, ice sheets on the dark side. 
D)  mostly craters on the near side, extensive maria and few craters on the far side. 
A)  uniform distribution of surface features, including maria and craters. 
B)  maria only on the near side, no major maria on the far side. 
C)  dry, waterless terrain on the near side, ice sheets on the dark side. 
D)  mostly craters on the near side, extensive maria and few craters on the far side.

Question 12

What is (or was) Pangaea?

Accepted Answer

A)  the original supercontinent that was formed when Earth's surface solidified 
B)  the most recent of a number of supercontinents that have formed since Earth's surface solidified 
C)  the name given to the future supercontinent that will form if the continental plates continue to follow their present paths 
D)  the site of the international conference at which Wegener presented his theory of continental drift 
A)  the original supercontinent that was formed when Earth's surface solidified 
B)  the most recent of a number of supercontinents that have formed since Earth's surface solidified 
C)  the name given to the future supercontinent that will form if the continental plates continue to follow their present paths 
D)  the site of the international conference at which Wegener presented his theory of continental drift

Question 13

How long is the time between sunrise and sunset on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  about 2 weeks 
B)  almost infinite because the Moon does not rotate about its axis with respect to the Sun 
C)  about 1 year 
D)  about one 24-hour day 
A)  about 2 weeks 
B)  almost infinite because the Moon does not rotate about its axis with respect to the Sun 
C)  about 1 year 
D)  about one 24-hour day

Question 14

Which of these phrases correctly describes the mantle of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  molten iron 
B)  solid rock that is hot enough to become semimolten and "plastic" 
C)  molten rock 
D)  solid, immovable rock upon which the crustal plates can slide 
A)  molten iron 
B)  solid rock that is hot enough to become semimolten and "plastic" 
C)  molten rock 
D)  solid, immovable rock upon which the crustal plates can slide

Question 15

Spring tides occur

Accepted Answer

A)  once a day. 
B)  once a month, at full Moon. 
C)  twice a month, at full Moon and new Moon. 
D)  once a year, in springtime. 
A)  once a day. 
B)  once a month, at full Moon. 
C)  twice a month, at full Moon and new Moon. 
D)  once a year, in springtime.

Question 16

Moonquakes

Accepted Answer

A)  never occur; the Moon is seismically quiet. 
B)  occur but are much weaker and much less frequent than earthquakes. 
C)  are much more violent and occur much more often than earthquakes. 
D)  occur but only from the impact of meteoroids from space. 
A)  never occur; the Moon is seismically quiet. 
B)  occur but are much weaker and much less frequent than earthquakes. 
C)  are much more violent and occur much more often than earthquakes. 
D)  occur but only from the impact of meteoroids from space.

Question 17

The great mountain ranges of Earth have been produced by

Accepted Answer

A)  collisions between tectonic plates. 
B)  volcanic eruptions. 
C)  asteroid impacts because they are just worn-down crater walls. 
D)  wrinkling of the crust as the interior cools and contracts. 
A)  collisions between tectonic plates. 
B)  volcanic eruptions. 
C)  asteroid impacts because they are just worn-down crater walls. 
D)  wrinkling of the crust as the interior cools and contracts.

Question 18

All the boundaries of the major interacting tectonic plates on Earth's surface are coincident with

Accepted Answer

A)  regions of great biological activity and growth. 
B)  regions where ocean depths are greatest. 
C)  the edges of the continental shelves around the major continents. 
D)  the positions of maximum earthquake occurrence. 
A)  regions of great biological activity and growth. 
B)  regions where ocean depths are greatest. 
C)  the edges of the continental shelves around the major continents. 
D)  the positions of maximum earthquake occurrence.

Question 19

Sometimes high tides are lower than at other times. What name is given to the lowest high tides?

Accepted Answer

A)  rip tides 
B)  pep tides 
C)  spring tides 
D)  neap tides 
A)  rip tides 
B)  pep tides 
C)  spring tides 
D)  neap tides

Question 20

What is the lunar regolith?

Accepted Answer

A)  part of the lunar surface that is not covered with lava flows 
B)  lunar crust and mantle together 
C)  deeper part of the lunar crust that has not been extensively cracked by impacts 
D)  layer of fine powder covering the lunar surface 
A)  part of the lunar surface that is not covered with lava flows 
B)  lunar crust and mantle together 
C)  deeper part of the lunar crust that has not been extensively cracked by impacts 
D)  layer of fine powder covering the lunar surface

Where did the majority of the large amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the second major atmosphere to form on the early Earth end up?

What name is given to the layer of fine powder and rock fragments that covers the lunar surface?

The terrestrial planet whose atmosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen is

Which of these is the BEST explanation for the origin of the Moon?

Which of these statements was NOT true just after Earth and the Moon were formed?

If astronauts were to set up a permanent settlement on the near side of the Moon, how many times each year would Earth rise and set as seen by a resident of this base?

What is the basic structure of Earth's interior?

The heat energy that powers tectonic activity on the surface of Earth originates deep in Earth's core. How does the majority of this energy move from the core to the surface?

Subduction on Earth is the process by which

Moonquakes occur MOST often when the Moon is near perigee (at its closest approach to Earth). The reason is

The appearance of the entire surface of the Moon could be described as

What is (or was) Pangaea?

How long is the time between sunrise and sunset on the Moon?

Which of these phrases correctly describes the mantle of Earth?

Spring tides occur

Moonquakes

The great mountain ranges of Earth have been produced by

All the boundaries of the major interacting tectonic plates on Earth's surface are coincident with

Sometimes high tides are lower than at other times. What name is given to the lowest high tides?

What is the lunar regolith?

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

Where did the majority of the large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the second major atmosphere to form on the early Earth end up?

What name is given to the layer of fine powder and rock fragments that covers the lunar surface?

The terrestrial planet whose atmosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen is

Which of these is the BEST explanation for the origin of the Moon?

Which of these statements was NOT true just after Earth and the Moon were formed?

If astronauts were to set up a permanent settlement on the near side of the Moon, how many times each year would Earth rise and set as seen by a resident of this base?

What is the basic structure of Earth's interior?

The heat energy that powers tectonic activity on the surface of Earth originates deep in Earth's core. How does the majority of this energy move from the core to the surface?

Subduction on Earth is the process by which

Moonquakes occur MOST often when the Moon is near perigee (at its closest approach to Earth). The reason is

The appearance of the entire surface of the Moon could be described as

What is (or was) Pangaea?

How long is the time between sunrise and sunset on the Moon?

Which of these phrases correctly describes the mantle of Earth?

Spring tides occur

Moonquakes

The great mountain ranges of Earth have been produced by

All the boundaries of the major interacting tectonic plates on Earth's surface are coincident with

Sometimes high tides are lower than at other times. What name is given to the lowest high tides?

What is the lunar regolith?

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

Where did the majority of the large amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the second major atmosphere to form on the early Earth end up?