Question 1

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere does weather occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  stratosphere 
B)  mesosphere 
C)  thermosphere 
D)  troposphere 
A)  stratosphere 
B)  mesosphere 
C)  thermosphere 
D)  troposphere

Question 2

The lowest temperature in Earth's atmosphere occurs at an altitude of about

Accepted Answer

A)  80 km. 
B)  50 km. 
C)  10 km. 
D)  0 km (the surface of Earth). 
A)  80 km. 
B)  50 km. 
C)  10 km. 
D)  0 km (the surface of Earth).

Question 3

The lowest temperature in Earth's atmosphere is about

Accepted Answer

A)  3 K. 
B)  20 K. 
C)  200 K. 
D)  273 K. 
A)  3 K. 
B)  20 K. 
C)  200 K. 
D)  273 K.

Question 4

Air pressure falls by roughly a fraction of one-half its pressure for every 5.5-km increase in altitude. What, then, is the air pressure at the top of the troposphere, 11 km above Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  33% of that at Earth's surface 
B)  zero 
C)  50% of that at Earth's surface 
D)  25% of that at Earth's surface 
A)  33% of that at Earth's surface 
B)  zero 
C)  50% of that at Earth's surface 
D)  25% of that at Earth's surface

Question 5

The age of Moon rocks has been determined primarily by what method?

Accepted Answer

A)  measurements of radioactive elements in the rocks 
B)  careful measurement of magnetic fields "frozen into" the lunar rocks 
C)  counting of the numbers of micrometeoroid craters on the rock surface 
D)  careful chemical analysis of the constituents 
A)  measurements of radioactive elements in the rocks 
B)  careful measurement of magnetic fields "frozen into" the lunar rocks 
C)  counting of the numbers of micrometeoroid craters on the rock surface 
D)  careful chemical analysis of the constituents

Question 6

To observers on Earth, the Moon shows

Accepted Answer

A)  only the sunlit side at all times. 
B)  the same side at all times. 
C)  its whole surface once per year as Earth moves around the Sun. 
D)  its whole surface once per month as it rotates once per orbit around Earth. 
A)  only the sunlit side at all times. 
B)  the same side at all times. 
C)  its whole surface once per year as Earth moves around the Sun. 
D)  its whole surface once per month as it rotates once per orbit around Earth.

Question 7

Which is the MOST abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  oxygen 
B)  nitrogen 
C)  hydrogen 
D)  carbon dioxide 
A)  oxygen 
B)  nitrogen 
C)  hydrogen 
D)  carbon dioxide

Question 8

The reason for the alignment of the Moon with one face always toward Earth is that

Accepted Answer

A)  sporadic (random) impact of meteoroids on the Moon has gradually slowed its rotation. 
B)  the Moon started spinning in this way as it was forming and has maintained this rotation. 
C)  tides due to gravitational forces from the Sun, while the Moon was molten, slowed the Moon's rotation. 
D)  tides due to gravitational forces from Earth, while the Moon was molten, slowed the Moon's rotation. 
A)  sporadic (random) impact of meteoroids on the Moon has gradually slowed its rotation. 
B)  the Moon started spinning in this way as it was forming and has maintained this rotation. 
C)  tides due to gravitational forces from the Sun, while the Moon was molten, slowed the Moon's rotation. 
D)  tides due to gravitational forces from Earth, while the Moon was molten, slowed the Moon's rotation.

Question 9

One of the major differences between Earth and its neighboring planets Venus and Mars is the lack of large quantities of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere near the surface of the planet. If all these planets were originally formed with significant quantities of this gas in their atmospheres, where is this carbon dioxide on Earth at the present time?

Accepted Answer

A)  concentrated high in the atmosphere, where it contributes to the greenhouse effect 
B)  dissociated by solar UV light into carbon and oxygen, which now exist in abundance as separate chemicals 
C)  locked up in rocks such as limestone, formed by life-forms in the sea and on Earth's surface 
D)  dissolved in seawater, a situation that cannot arise on Venus or Mars 
A)  concentrated high in the atmosphere, where it contributes to the greenhouse effect 
B)  dissociated by solar UV light into carbon and oxygen, which now exist in abundance as separate chemicals 
C)  locked up in rocks such as limestone, formed by life-forms in the sea and on Earth's surface 
D)  dissolved in seawater, a situation that cannot arise on Venus or Mars

Question 10

The large amount of free oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere is primarily a result of

Accepted Answer

A)  outgassing by volcanoes and other geological processes. 
B)  biological processes such as photosynthesis. 
C)  splitting of carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen by solar ultraviolet light. 
D)  carbon dioxide becoming dissolved in the oceans, releasing oxygen. 
A)  outgassing by volcanoes and other geological processes. 
B)  biological processes such as photosynthesis. 
C)  splitting of carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen by solar ultraviolet light. 
D)  carbon dioxide becoming dissolved in the oceans, releasing oxygen.

Question 11

What is the MOST likely cause of the smooth and relatively crater-free surfaces of lunar maria?

Accepted Answer

A)  Volcanic ash rained on the surfaces of the basins in recent geological times, covering previous craters. 
B)  The lava in these basins flowed in the relatively late geological history of the Moon, after the period of major bombardment. 
C)  Dust storms had eroded and smoothed the surface earlier in the Moon's history. 
D)  Smoother sediments were left behind after water had flowed into the basins and evaporated away. 
A)  Volcanic ash rained on the surfaces of the basins in recent geological times, covering previous craters. 
B)  The lava in these basins flowed in the relatively late geological history of the Moon, after the period of major bombardment. 
C)  Dust storms had eroded and smoothed the surface earlier in the Moon's history. 
D)  Smoother sediments were left behind after water had flowed into the basins and evaporated away.

Question 12

Why is the core of Earth made up predominantly of the heavy element iron?

Accepted Answer

A)  Chemical processes refined iron from iron oxides and other compounds in primordial rocks at the high temperatures of Earth's core, similar to present-day iron ore processing. 
B)  Nuclear reactions in the very hot early core of Earth produced iron from lighter elements by nuclear fusion. 
C)  The heavy elements sank slowly to the center during early molten phases in Earth's geological history. 
D)  The heavy elements came together first out of the primordial dust and gas to form the initial Earth because of their greater density and gravitational attraction, and this core then attracted lighter rocks to its surface. 
A)  Chemical processes refined iron from iron oxides and other compounds in primordial rocks at the high temperatures of Earth's core, similar to present-day iron ore processing. 
B)  Nuclear reactions in the very hot early core of Earth produced iron from lighter elements by nuclear fusion. 
C)  The heavy elements sank slowly to the center during early molten phases in Earth's geological history. 
D)  The heavy elements came together first out of the primordial dust and gas to form the initial Earth because of their greater density and gravitational attraction, and this core then attracted lighter rocks to its surface.

Question 13

Which of these techniques is NOT used to establish the age of the Moon's surface features?

Accepted Answer

A)  radioactive dating of rocks 
B)  observation of the degree of darkening of ejecta blanket material by solar wind particle impacts 
C)  observation of the amount of natural erosion in the lunar mountains 
D)  counting the density of crater impacts on the surface 
A)  radioactive dating of rocks 
B)  observation of the degree of darkening of ejecta blanket material by solar wind particle impacts 
C)  observation of the amount of natural erosion in the lunar mountains 
D)  counting the density of crater impacts on the surface

Question 14

The San Andreas fault in California is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  two tectonic plates pushing directly against one another. 
B)  an upthrust due to a hot spot in Earth's mantle. 
C)  a spreading center, where two tectonic plates are being pushed away from each other. 
D)  two tectonic plates sliding past each other. 
A)  two tectonic plates pushing directly against one another. 
B)  an upthrust due to a hot spot in Earth's mantle. 
C)  a spreading center, where two tectonic plates are being pushed away from each other. 
D)  two tectonic plates sliding past each other.

Question 15

Why does the temperature in the stratosphere increase with increasing altitude?

Accepted Answer

A)  The stratosphere is heated by solar ultraviolet radiation absorbed by the ozone layer. 
B)  Charged particles from the magnetosphere collide with atoms in the stratosphere, depositing energy. 
C)  Higher altitudes are closer to the Sun and are therefore heated more by it. 
D)  The stratosphere is heated by solar infrared radiation absorbed by carbon dioxide and water vapor. 
A)  The stratosphere is heated by solar ultraviolet radiation absorbed by the ozone layer. 
B)  Charged particles from the magnetosphere collide with atoms in the stratosphere, depositing energy. 
C)  Higher altitudes are closer to the Sun and are therefore heated more by it. 
D)  The stratosphere is heated by solar infrared radiation absorbed by carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Question 16

What kinds of large-scale changes have occurred on the Moon in the last billion years?

Accepted Answer

A)  none-the Moon is exactly as it was 1 billion years ago 
B)  tectonic activity 
C)  volcanic activity and large-scale lava flows 
D)  gentle sculpting of the landscape by constant meteoroid impact 
A)  none-the Moon is exactly as it was 1 billion years ago 
B)  tectonic activity 
C)  volcanic activity and large-scale lava flows 
D)  gentle sculpting of the landscape by constant meteoroid impact

Question 17

When do neap tides occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  only when the Moon and the Sun line up on the same side of Earth 
B)  whenever Earth, the Moon, and the Sun form a straight line, regardless of which side of Earth the Moon is on 
C)  only when the Moon, Earth, and the Sun form a straight line, with the Moon on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun 
D)  whenever the Earth-Moon line makes a 90° angle to the Earth-Sun line 
A)  only when the Moon and the Sun line up on the same side of Earth 
B)  whenever Earth, the Moon, and the Sun form a straight line, regardless of which side of Earth the Moon is on 
C)  only when the Moon, Earth, and the Sun form a straight line, with the Moon on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun 
D)  whenever the Earth-Moon line makes a 90° angle to the Earth-Sun line

Question 18

The magnetic field of Earth

Accepted Answer

A)  is related to its rotation around its axis. 
B)  has been almost constant throughout history. 
C)  is associated with magnetic poles that are at the same locations as the geographic poles. 
D)  is unique: It is the only planetwide magnetic field in the solar system. 
A)  is related to its rotation around its axis. 
B)  has been almost constant throughout history. 
C)  is associated with magnetic poles that are at the same locations as the geographic poles. 
D)  is unique: It is the only planetwide magnetic field in the solar system.

Question 19

In what way are the supercontinents Laurasia, Pangaea, and Gondwana related?

Accepted Answer

A)  An earlier, larger supercontinent split into Laurasia, Pangaea, and Gondwana. 
B)  Laurasia split into Gondwana and Pangaea. 
C)  Gondwana split into Pangaea and Laurasia. 
D)  Pangaea split into Gondwana and Laurasia. 
A)  An earlier, larger supercontinent split into Laurasia, Pangaea, and Gondwana. 
B)  Laurasia split into Gondwana and Pangaea. 
C)  Gondwana split into Pangaea and Laurasia. 
D)  Pangaea split into Gondwana and Laurasia.

Question 20

What fraction of the total mass of Earth's atmosphere is contained in the troposphere, the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  50% 
B)  25% 
C)  10% 
D)  75% 
A)  50% 
B)  25% 
C)  10% 
D)  75%

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere does weather occur?

The lowest temperature in Earth's atmosphere occurs at an altitude of about

The lowest temperature in Earth's atmosphere is about

Air pressure falls by roughly a fraction of one-half its pressure for every 5.5-km increase in altitude. What, then, is the air pressure at the top of the troposphere, 11 km above Earth's surface?

The age of Moon rocks has been determined primarily by what method?

To observers on Earth, the Moon shows

Which is the MOST abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere?

The reason for the alignment of the Moon with one face always toward Earth is that

The large amount of free oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere is primarily a result of

What is the MOST likely cause of the smooth and relatively crater-free surfaces of lunar maria?

Why is the core of Earth made up predominantly of the heavy element iron?

Which of these techniques is NOT used to establish the age of the Moon's surface features?

The San Andreas fault in California is an example of

Why does the temperature in the stratosphere increase with increasing altitude?

What kinds of large-scale changes have occurred on the Moon in the last billion years?

When do neap tides occur?

The magnetic field of Earth

In what way are the supercontinents Laurasia, Pangaea, and Gondwana related?

What fraction of the total mass of Earth's atmosphere is contained in the troposphere, the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere?

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

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Exam 7: Earth and the Moon

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere does weather occur?

The lowest temperature in Earth's atmosphere occurs at an altitude of about

The lowest temperature in Earth's atmosphere is about

Air pressure falls by roughly a fraction of one-half its pressure for every 5.5-km increase in altitude. What, then, is the air pressure at the top of the troposphere, 11 km above Earth's surface?

The age of Moon rocks has been determined primarily by what method?

To observers on Earth, the Moon shows

Which is the MOST abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere?

The reason for the alignment of the Moon with one face always toward Earth is that

The large amount of free oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere is primarily a result of

What is the MOST likely cause of the smooth and relatively crater-free surfaces of lunar maria?

Why is the core of Earth made up predominantly of the heavy element iron?

Which of these techniques is NOT used to establish the age of the Moon's surface features?

The San Andreas fault in California is an example of

Why does the temperature in the stratosphere increase with increasing altitude?

What kinds of large-scale changes have occurred on the Moon in the last billion years?

When do neap tides occur?

The magnetic field of Earth

In what way are the supercontinents Laurasia, Pangaea, and Gondwana related?

What fraction of the total mass of Earth's atmosphere is contained in the troposphere, the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere?

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