Question 1

The San Andreas fault in California is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  a transform fault boundary. 
B)  a divergent boundary. 
C)  a convergent boundary. 
D)  None of these answers is correct. 
A)  a transform fault boundary. 
B)  a divergent boundary. 
C)  a convergent boundary. 
D)  None of these answers is correct.

Question 2

Photosynthesis is a chemical process that takes place in green plants. What is its effect on Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  Photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide from its atmosphere but produces carbon dioxide at the end of the process and thus has little effect on its atmosphere. 
B)  Photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide from its atmosphere and produces oxygen. 
C)  Photosynthesis consumes oxygen from its atmosphere and produces carbon dioxide. 
D)  Photosynthesis consumes both water vapor and carbon dioxide from its atmosphere and produces nitrogen. 
A)  Photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide from its atmosphere but produces carbon dioxide at the end of the process and thus has little effect on its atmosphere. 
B)  Photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide from its atmosphere and produces oxygen. 
C)  Photosynthesis consumes oxygen from its atmosphere and produces carbon dioxide. 
D)  Photosynthesis consumes both water vapor and carbon dioxide from its atmosphere and produces nitrogen.

Question 3

In 2010 the lunar orbiter Chandrayaan-1 discovered hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen in

Accepted Answer

A)  the Moon's atmosphere. 
B)  the regolith. 
C)  the basalt of Mare Tranquillitatis. 
D)  the rilles on the Moon's far side. 
A)  the Moon's atmosphere. 
B)  the regolith. 
C)  the basalt of Mare Tranquillitatis. 
D)  the rilles on the Moon's far side.

Question 4

The chemical constituent that absorbs UV radiation in the stratosphere of Earth's atmosphere, thereby heating these layers to relatively high temperatures, is

Accepted Answer

A)  N2, nitrogen. 
B)  CO2, carbon dioxide. 
C)  H2O, water vapor. 
D)  O3, ozone. 
A)  N2, nitrogen. 
B)  CO2, carbon dioxide. 
C)  H2O, water vapor. 
D)  O3, ozone.

Question 5

Which of these is NOT evidence that the Moon's surface has changed in the relatively recent past?

Accepted Answer

A)  wrinkle ridges 
B)  graben 
C)  maria 
D)  lunar domes 
A)  wrinkle ridges 
B)  graben 
C)  maria 
D)  lunar domes

Question 6

The average speed of motion of the plates on Earth's surface is

Accepted Answer

A)  very small, less than a millimeter per century. 
B)  about 10 meters per year. 
C)  a few centimeters per year. 
D)  a few centimeters per century. 
A)  very small, less than a millimeter per century. 
B)  about 10 meters per year. 
C)  a few centimeters per year. 
D)  a few centimeters per century.

Question 7

What is a lunar rille?

Accepted Answer

A)  long, winding crack in the surface of a mare 
B)  long, curved mountain range 
C)  large crater with a central peak 
D)  deep trench between two tectonic plates 
A)  long, winding crack in the surface of a mare 
B)  long, curved mountain range 
C)  large crater with a central peak 
D)  deep trench between two tectonic plates

Question 8

Billions of years ago, Earth's atmosphere was composed primarily of carbon dioxide. What happened to much of this carbon dioxide?

Accepted Answer

A)  still in the atmosphere 
B)  dissolved into Earth's oceans 
C)  broken down into carbon and oxygen by solar ultraviolet light 
D)  lost to space 
A)  still in the atmosphere 
B)  dissolved into Earth's oceans 
C)  broken down into carbon and oxygen by solar ultraviolet light 
D)  lost to space

Question 9

The time between two consecutive high tides at most places on Earth

Accepted Answer

A)  is almost exactly 12 hours. 
B)  is almost exactly 24 hours. 
C)  is slightly less than 12 hours. 
D)  is slightly more than 12 hours. 
A)  is almost exactly 12 hours. 
B)  is almost exactly 24 hours. 
C)  is slightly less than 12 hours. 
D)  is slightly more than 12 hours.

Question 10

Earth's secondary atmosphere contained a great deal of carbon dioxide, but its present atmosphere contains comparatively little. Where did this carbon dioxide go? Which of these statements does NOT explain what happened to a substantial fraction of this carbon dioxide?

Accepted Answer

A)  The carbon dioxide escaped into space. 
B)  The carbon dioxide dissolved in the oceans. 
C)  The carbon dioxide became part of carbonate rocks. 
D)  The carbon dioxide was trapped underground 
A)  The carbon dioxide escaped into space. 
B)  The carbon dioxide dissolved in the oceans. 
C)  The carbon dioxide became part of carbonate rocks. 
D)  The carbon dioxide was trapped underground

Question 11

To what does planetary differentiation refer?

Accepted Answer

A)  large-scale convection of molten rock in the mantle of a planet, which on Earth causes continental drift 
B)  sinking of heavier elements toward the center of a planet and the floating of lighter elements toward the surface 
C)  circulation of iron in the core of a planet, resulting in the generation of a magnetic field 
D)  formation of rocky planets in the hotter, inner solar system and gas giants in the colder, outer regions 
A)  large-scale convection of molten rock in the mantle of a planet, which on Earth causes continental drift 
B)  sinking of heavier elements toward the center of a planet and the floating of lighter elements toward the surface 
C)  circulation of iron in the core of a planet, resulting in the generation of a magnetic field 
D)  formation of rocky planets in the hotter, inner solar system and gas giants in the colder, outer regions

Question 12

Which of these processes was NOT important in helping to remove carbon dioxide from Earth's early atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  biological activity 
B)  dissolving of carbon dioxide into the oceans 
C)  sedimentation of carbon compounds on the ocean floors 
D)  escape of carbon dioxide into space 
A)  biological activity 
B)  dissolving of carbon dioxide into the oceans 
C)  sedimentation of carbon compounds on the ocean floors 
D)  escape of carbon dioxide into space

Question 13

The temperature decreases as one moves upward in the troposphere. This is also true in

Accepted Answer

A)  no other atmospheric layer. 
B)  the stratosphere. 
C)  the mesosphere. 
D)  the ionosphere. 
A)  no other atmospheric layer. 
B)  the stratosphere. 
C)  the mesosphere. 
D)  the ionosphere.

Question 14

What are the major layers of Earth's atmosphere in the correct order from the surface upward?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

The molecular oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere was MOST likely produced

Accepted Answer

A)  at the formation of Earth and has always been present. 
B)  from volcanic eruptions as the primitive Earth cooled down. 
C)  from volcanoes, by outgassing. 
D)  by biological activity such as photosynthesis from green plants. 
A)  at the formation of Earth and has always been present. 
B)  from volcanic eruptions as the primitive Earth cooled down. 
C)  from volcanoes, by outgassing. 
D)  by biological activity such as photosynthesis from green plants.

Question 16

Geologists have found that the upper layers of the mantle are "plastic." Why is this important?

Accepted Answer

A)  Plastic is an important resource for the future. 
B)  These layers can easily crack to allow pent-up heat and energy to escape. 
C)  These layers can easily bend to accommodate oceans and mountains. 
D)  The continents are able to float and drift on these layers. 
A)  Plastic is an important resource for the future. 
B)  These layers can easily crack to allow pent-up heat and energy to escape. 
C)  These layers can easily bend to accommodate oceans and mountains. 
D)  The continents are able to float and drift on these layers.

Question 17

The process by which heavier materials sank into the centers of terrestrial planets while lighter material rose to the surfaces early in the history of these planets is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  hot-spot volcanism. 
B)  planetary differentiation. 
C)  seafloor spreading. 
D)  subduction. 
A)  hot-spot volcanism. 
B)  planetary differentiation. 
C)  seafloor spreading. 
D)  subduction.

Question 18

Which of these models of Earth's interior is now considered to be the MOST likely description of the actual Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  solid core, within a molten outer core, rotating more rapidly than the rest of Earth 
B)  solid core within a molten outer core, the whole system rotating at exactly the same rate as the outer mantle and crust 
C)  solid core, within a molten outer core, rotating more slowly than the rest of Earth 
D)  totally fluid interior rotating at the same rate as the outer mantle and crust 
A)  solid core, within a molten outer core, rotating more rapidly than the rest of Earth 
B)  solid core within a molten outer core, the whole system rotating at exactly the same rate as the outer mantle and crust 
C)  solid core, within a molten outer core, rotating more slowly than the rest of Earth 
D)  totally fluid interior rotating at the same rate as the outer mantle and crust

Question 19

A point on Earth is experiencing a high tide. Neglecting local influences of currents, bays, etc., about how long will it be until another high tide occurs at this location?

Accepted Answer

A)  11.5 hours 
B)  12.5 hours 
C)  23 hours 
D)  25 hours 
A)  11.5 hours 
B)  12.5 hours 
C)  23 hours 
D)  25 hours

Question 20

Many of the maria on the Moon appear to be

Accepted Answer

A)  former ocean basins from which the water has escaped. 
B)  lava flows around giant ancient volcanoes. 
C)  craters filled with basalt from within the Moon. 
D)  evenly distributed on the near side and the far side of the Moon. 
A)  former ocean basins from which the water has escaped. 
B)  lava flows around giant ancient volcanoes. 
C)  craters filled with basalt from within the Moon. 
D)  evenly distributed on the near side and the far side of the Moon.

The San Andreas fault in California is an example of

Photosynthesis is a chemical process that takes place in green plants. What is its effect on Earth's atmosphere?

In 2010 the lunar orbiter Chandrayaan-1 discovered hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen in

The chemical constituent that absorbs UV radiation in the stratosphere of Earth's atmosphere, thereby heating these layers to relatively high temperatures, is

Which of these is NOT evidence that the Moon's surface has changed in the relatively recent past?

The average speed of motion of the plates on Earth's surface is

What is a lunar rille?

Billions of years ago, Earth's atmosphere was composed primarily of carbon dioxide. What happened to much of this carbon dioxide?

The time between two consecutive high tides at most places on Earth

Earth's secondary atmosphere contained a great deal of carbon dioxide, but its present atmosphere contains comparatively little. Where did this carbon dioxide go? Which of these statements does NOT explain what happened to a substantial fraction of this carbon dioxide?

To what does planetary differentiation refer?

Which of these processes was NOT important in helping to remove carbon dioxide from Earth's early atmosphere?

The temperature decreases as one moves upward in the troposphere. This is also true in

What are the major layers of Earth's atmosphere in the correct order from the surface upward?

The molecular oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere was MOST likely produced

Geologists have found that the upper layers of the mantle are "plastic." Why is this important?

The process by which heavier materials sank into the centers of terrestrial planets while lighter material rose to the surfaces early in the history of these planets is known as

Which of these models of Earth's interior is now considered to be the MOST likely description of the actual Earth?

A point on Earth is experiencing a high tide. Neglecting local influences of currents, bays, etc., about how long will it be until another high tide occurs at this location?

Many of the maria on the Moon appear to be

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

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The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

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Exam 7: Earth and the Moon

The San Andreas fault in California is an example of

Photosynthesis is a chemical process that takes place in green plants. What is its effect on Earth's atmosphere?

In 2010 the lunar orbiter Chandrayaan-1 discovered hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen in

The chemical constituent that absorbs UV radiation in the stratosphere of Earth's atmosphere, thereby heating these layers to relatively high temperatures, is

Which of these is NOT evidence that the Moon's surface has changed in the relatively recent past?

The average speed of motion of the plates on Earth's surface is

What is a lunar rille?

Billions of years ago, Earth's atmosphere was composed primarily of carbon dioxide. What happened to much of this carbon dioxide?

The time between two consecutive high tides at most places on Earth

Earth's secondary atmosphere contained a great deal of carbon dioxide, but its present atmosphere contains comparatively little. Where did this carbon dioxide go? Which of these statements does NOT explain what happened to a substantial fraction of this carbon dioxide?

To what does planetary differentiation refer?

Which of these processes was NOT important in helping to remove carbon dioxide from Earth's early atmosphere?

The temperature decreases as one moves upward in the troposphere. This is also true in

What are the major layers of Earth's atmosphere in the correct order from the surface upward?

The molecular oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere was MOST likely produced

Geologists have found that the upper layers of the mantle are "plastic." Why is this important?

The process by which heavier materials sank into the centers of terrestrial planets while lighter material rose to the surfaces early in the history of these planets is known as

Which of these models of Earth's interior is now considered to be the MOST likely description of the actual Earth?

A point on Earth is experiencing a high tide. Neglecting local influences of currents, bays, etc., about how long will it be until another high tide occurs at this location?

Many of the maria on the Moon appear to be

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