Question 1

The circulation in Earth's atmosphere is dominated by:

Accepted Answer

A) a random distribution of transient storms and high-pressure areas, with no permanent overall pattern. 
B) one large convection cell in each hemisphere, with air rising at the equator due to solar heating, moving toward the poles at high altitude and returning along the surface. 
C) three large convection cells in each hemisphere, with surface winds toward the equator in the tropics and away from the equator at temperate latitudes. 
D) bands of winds blowing parallel to the equator, from the east in the tropics and from the west at temperate latitudes. 
A) a random distribution of transient storms and high-pressure areas, with no permanent overall pattern. 
B) one large convection cell in each hemisphere, with air rising at the equator due to solar heating, moving toward the poles at high altitude and returning along the surface. 
C) three large convection cells in each hemisphere, with surface winds toward the equator in the tropics and away from the equator at temperate latitudes. 
D) bands of winds blowing parallel to the equator, from the east in the tropics and from the west at temperate latitudes. C

Question 2

What is the direct source of the energy that warms the lowest layers of our atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A) visible radiation from the Sun 
B) infrared radiation from the ground 
C) ultraviolet radiation from the atmosphere 
D) heat still emerging from Earth as it continues to cool from its initially molten state 
A) visible radiation from the Sun 
B) infrared radiation from the ground 
C) ultraviolet radiation from the atmosphere 
D) heat still emerging from Earth as it continues to cool from its initially molten state B

Question 3

The gases trapped in Earth's interior at its formation probably had the same abundances as the solar nebula. What happened to the light elements hydrogen and helium?

Accepted Answer

A) They are still present in our atmosphere in approximately solar abundances. 
B) They dissolved in the oceans. 
C) They escaped into space. 
D) They formed chemical compounds with minerals in rocks on the surface. 
A) They are still present in our atmosphere in approximately solar abundances. 
B) They dissolved in the oceans. 
C) They escaped into space. 
D) They formed chemical compounds with minerals in rocks on the surface. C

Question 4

At the altitude of the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere in Earth's atmosphere, the temperature is approximately (See Figure 9-25 of Universe, 11th ed.):
​
  ​

Accepted Answer

A) +20°C. 
B) -58°C. 
C) -80°C. 
D) +10°C. 
A) +20°C. 
B) -58°C. 
C) -80°C. 
D) +10°C.

Question 5

Suppose it is proposed that some of Earth's crust might be leftover solid material from the planetesimals that collided to form the planet. What do you think of this idea? Three of the following are reasonable responses to this idea. Which one is not?

Accepted Answer

A) This is quite possible, because the age of the planetesimals is about 4.5 billion years-the same as the age of Earth. 
B) This is not possible, because radioactive decay, among other sources, melted Earth soon after its formation, and the resulting chemical differentiation would have destroyed any original solid crust. 
C) This is not possible, because the original impact energy of the planetesimals plus the energy of subsequent impacts, among other sources, melted Earth soon after its formation, and the resulting chemical differentiation would have destroyed any original solid crust. 
D) This is not possible, because geologic activity has resurfaced Earth since its formation, leaving no trace of the original solid crust. 
A) This is quite possible, because the age of the planetesimals is about 4.5 billion years-the same as the age of Earth. 
B) This is not possible, because radioactive decay, among other sources, melted Earth soon after its formation, and the resulting chemical differentiation would have destroyed any original solid crust. 
C) This is not possible, because the original impact energy of the planetesimals plus the energy of subsequent impacts, among other sources, melted Earth soon after its formation, and the resulting chemical differentiation would have destroyed any original solid crust. 
D) This is not possible, because geologic activity has resurfaced Earth since its formation, leaving no trace of the original solid crust.

Question 6

Which of the following places on Earth experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity because of its location? (See Figure 9-15, Universe, 11th ed.)
​
  ​

Accepted Answer

A) Central Canada 
B) Iceland 
C) Australia 
D) Brazil 
A) Central Canada 
B) Iceland 
C) Australia 
D) Brazil

Question 7

If the CO2 content of our atmosphere was 280 ppm in 1850, how has this value changed in the century and a half through 2000?

Accepted Answer

A) It has decreased to about 50% of its 1850 value. 
B) It has remained roughly constant. 
C) It has increased by about one-third of its 1850 value. 
D) It has doubled. 
A) It has decreased to about 50% of its 1850 value. 
B) It has remained roughly constant. 
C) It has increased by about one-third of its 1850 value. 
D) It has doubled.

Question 8

The major constituents of the atmosphere are:

Accepted Answer

A) methane, ammonia, water vapor, and carbon dioxide in about equal amounts. 
B) 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen. 
C) 78% oxygen, 21% nitrogen. 
D) 95% carbon dioxide and some water vapor. 
A) methane, ammonia, water vapor, and carbon dioxide in about equal amounts. 
B) 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen. 
C) 78% oxygen, 21% nitrogen. 
D) 95% carbon dioxide and some water vapor.

Question 9

In planetary geology, a mineral is defined as a particular:

Accepted Answer

A) chemical element or chemical combination of elements in a rock. 
B) type of rock, such as granite. 
C) rock having undergone a specific formation process, such as an igneous or metamorphic rock. 
D) chemical element in a rock. 
A) chemical element or chemical combination of elements in a rock. 
B) type of rock, such as granite. 
C) rock having undergone a specific formation process, such as an igneous or metamorphic rock. 
D) chemical element in a rock.

Question 10

The motions of large portions of Earth's surface, or "plates," are caused by:

Accepted Answer

A) tidal forces from the Moon and the Sun, acting on continental landmasses. 
B) the varying pressure of Earth's atmosphere, both daily and seasonally. 
C) flexing of the surface due to solar heating and nighttime cooling. 
D) convective flow of matter in Earth's interior. 
A) tidal forces from the Moon and the Sun, acting on continental landmasses. 
B) the varying pressure of Earth's atmosphere, both daily and seasonally. 
C) flexing of the surface due to solar heating and nighttime cooling. 
D) convective flow of matter in Earth's interior.

Question 11

The mean density of Earth in terms of that of water (1000 kg/m3 or 1 gm/cm3) is:

Accepted Answer

A) smaller. 
B) more than 10 times greater. 
C) a little larger. 
D) 5.5 times greater. 
A) smaller. 
B) more than 10 times greater. 
C) a little larger. 
D) 5.5 times greater.

Question 12

Suppose that an astronaut trained in geology lands on the surface of a distant planet and finds that most of the rock at the landing site is composed of limestone. The astronaut can immediately surmise that the location of the landing site:

Accepted Answer

A) was once subjected to enormous pressure and high temperature deep under the planet's surface, causing the original rock to change structure. 
B) solidified from molten rock close to the surface of the planet. 
C) solidified from molten rock deep beneath the surface of the planet. 
D) was once the bed of an ancient ocean. 
A) was once subjected to enormous pressure and high temperature deep under the planet's surface, causing the original rock to change structure. 
B) solidified from molten rock close to the surface of the planet. 
C) solidified from molten rock deep beneath the surface of the planet. 
D) was once the bed of an ancient ocean.

Question 13

On the big island of Hawaii, the most common rocks are:

Accepted Answer

A) sedimentary rocks. 
B) meteoritic rocks. 
C) igneous rocks. 
D) metamorphic rocks. 
A) sedimentary rocks. 
B) meteoritic rocks. 
C) igneous rocks. 
D) metamorphic rocks.

Question 14

The lowest temperature in Earth's atmosphere is about:

Accepted Answer

A) -58°C or 215 K. 
B) 0°C or 273 K. 
C) -80°C or 193 K. 
D) 1000°C or 1273 K. 
A) -58°C or 215 K. 
B) 0°C or 273 K. 
C) -80°C or 193 K. 
D) 1000°C or 1273 K.

Question 15

The Himalayas were formed by the subduction of the Indian plate and the uplifting of the southern edge of the Eurasian plate. The Indian plate is unusual in that it:

Accepted Answer

A) has moved northward rather than eastward. 
B) has subducted rather than sliding past the other plate. 
C) has, at times, moved with a speed about 10 times the average for plates. 
D) contains many volcanoes in the middle of the plate rather than at the edge. 
A) has moved northward rather than eastward. 
B) has subducted rather than sliding past the other plate. 
C) has, at times, moved with a speed about 10 times the average for plates. 
D) contains many volcanoes in the middle of the plate rather than at the edge.

Question 16

We have evidence that Earth's magnetic field has reversed its direction several times over geologic time scales. The average time between reversals is about:

Accepted Answer

A) 100 years. 
B) 30,000 years. 
C) 300,000 years. 
D) 3,000,000 years. 
A) 100 years. 
B) 30,000 years. 
C) 300,000 years. 
D) 3,000,000 years.

Question 17

S waves are more restricted in their possible paths through Earth compared to P waves. This is because S waves:

Accepted Answer

A) are attenuated (lose energy) rapidly as they travel through Earth. 
B) are transverse waves and cannot penetrate far into liquid matter. 
C) are longitudinal waves and thus cannot penetrate far into liquid matter. 
D) do not refract, unlike P waves. 
A) are attenuated (lose energy) rapidly as they travel through Earth. 
B) are transverse waves and cannot penetrate far into liquid matter. 
C) are longitudinal waves and thus cannot penetrate far into liquid matter. 
D) do not refract, unlike P waves.

Question 18

The material of Earth's interior (See Figure 9-10 of Universe, 11th ed.) becomes molten at a certain depth below the surface. This depth is:
​
  ​

Accepted Answer

A) 5200 km. 
B) 300 km. 
C) This statement is erroneous, because nowhere is the interior molten. 
D) 2900 km. 
A) 5200 km. 
B) 300 km. 
C) This statement is erroneous, because nowhere is the interior molten. 
D) 2900 km.

Question 19

Which of the planets fits the following description: "cool, solid surface with an atmosphere of N2 and O2 and H2O clouds"?

Accepted Answer

A) Mercury 
B) Venus 
C) Earth 
D) Mars 
A) Mercury 
B) Venus 
C) Earth 
D) Mars

Question 20

Earth was formed about 4.6 billion years ago, but most of Earth's surface is:

Accepted Answer

A) much younger than this because of geologic activity. 
B) about a billion years younger than this because that is how long it took the surface to solidify. 
C) about half that age. 
D) even older because it contains sections that solidified on planetesimals before the planet formed. 
A) much younger than this because of geologic activity. 
B) about a billion years younger than this because that is how long it took the surface to solidify. 
C) about half that age. 
D) even older because it contains sections that solidified on planetesimals before the planet formed.

Exam 9: The Living Earth

The circulation in Earth's atmosphere is dominated by:

What is the direct source of the energy that warms the lowest layers of our atmosphere?

The gases trapped in Earth's interior at its formation probably had the same abundances as the solar nebula. What happened to the light elements hydrogen and helium?

At the altitude of the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere in Earth's atmosphere, the temperature is approximately (See Figure 9-25 of Universe, 11th ed.): ​ ​

Suppose it is proposed that some of Earth's crust might be leftover solid material from the planetesimals that collided to form the planet. What do you think of this idea? Three of the following are reasonable responses to this idea. Which one is not?

Which of the following places on Earth experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity because of its location? (See Figure 9-15, Universe, 11th ed.) ​ ​

If the CO2 content of our atmosphere was 280 ppm in 1850, how has this value changed in the century and a half through 2000?

The major constituents of the atmosphere are:

In planetary geology, a mineral is defined as a particular:

The motions of large portions of Earth's surface, or "plates," are caused by:

The mean density of Earth in terms of that of water (1000 kg/m3 or 1 gm/cm3) is:

Suppose that an astronaut trained in geology lands on the surface of a distant planet and finds that most of the rock at the landing site is composed of limestone. The astronaut can immediately surmise that the location of the landing site:

On the big island of Hawaii, the most common rocks are:

The lowest temperature in Earth's atmosphere is about:

The Himalayas were formed by the subduction of the Indian plate and the uplifting of the southern edge of the Eurasian plate. The Indian plate is unusual in that it:

We have evidence that Earth's magnetic field has reversed its direction several times over geologic time scales. The average time between reversals is about:

S waves are more restricted in their possible paths through Earth compared to P waves. This is because S waves:

The material of Earth's interior (See Figure 9-10 of Universe, 11th ed.) becomes molten at a certain depth below the surface. This depth is: ​ ​

Which of the planets fits the following description: "cool, solid surface with an atmosphere of N2 and O2 and H2O clouds"?

Earth was formed about 4.6 billion years ago, but most of Earth's surface is:

Astronomy and the Universe

Knowing the Heavens

Eclipses and the Motion of the Moon

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

The Nature of Light

Optics and Telescopes

Comparative Planetology I: Our Solar System

Comparative Planetology II: the Origin of Our Solar System

Our Barren Moon

Mercury, Venus, and Mars: Terrestrial, yet Unique

Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets

Jupiter and Saturns Satellites of Fire and Ice

Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and the Kuiper Belt: Remote Worlds

Asteroids, Comets, and Impacts

Our Star, the Sun

The Nature of the Stars

The Birth of Stars

Stellar Evolution: on and After the Main Sequence

Stellar Evolution: The Death of Stars

Stellar Remnants: Neutron Stars and Black Holes

Our Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Active Galaxies

Cosmology: The Origin and Evolution of the Universe

Exploring the Early Universe

The Search for Extraterrestrial Life

Filters

At the altitude of the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere in Earth's atmosphere, the temperature is approximately (See Figure 9-25 of Universe, 11th ed.):

Which of the following places on Earth experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity because of its location? (See Figure 9-15, Universe, 11th ed.)

If the CO₂ content of our atmosphere was 280 ppm in 1850, how has this value changed in the century and a half through 2000?

The mean density of Earth in terms of that of water (1000 kg/m³ or 1 gm/cm³) is:

The material of Earth's interior (See Figure 9-10 of Universe, 11th ed.) becomes molten at a certain depth below the surface. This depth is:

Which of the planets fits the following description: "cool, solid surface with an atmosphere of N₂ and O₂ and H₂O clouds"?