Question 1

By far the most common elements in the Universe and in our Solar System are ________.

Accepted Answer

A) nitrogen and oxygen 
B) iron and manganese 
C) hydrogen and helium 
D) hydrogen and oxygen 
A) nitrogen and oxygen 
B) iron and manganese 
C) hydrogen and helium 
D) hydrogen and oxygen

Question 2

The figure below represents the final stage in Earth's formation,which is marked by all of the following EXCEPT ________.

Accepted Answer

A) atmosphere formation 
B) rains creating the oceans 
C) gases being added by passing comets 
D) differentiation of the core and mantle 
A) atmosphere formation 
B) rains creating the oceans 
C) gases being added by passing comets 
D) differentiation of the core and mantle

Question 3

Because of the Doppler effect,a light- or sound-emitting object moving toward you has a ________ compared to a stationary object.

Accepted Answer

A) higher amplitude 
B) lower frequency 
C) lower amplitude 
D) higher frequency 
A) higher amplitude 
B) lower frequency 
C) lower amplitude 
D) higher frequency

Question 4

According to the currently accepted scientific model,which of the following is NOT correct about the formation of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A) A large comet collided with the newborn Earth. 
B) A large part of the Earth's mantle disintegrated. 
C) The Earth developed a ring,like those found around Saturn and Jupiter. 
D) The colliding body disintegrated. 
A) A large comet collided with the newborn Earth. 
B) A large part of the Earth's mantle disintegrated. 
C) The Earth developed a ring,like those found around Saturn and Jupiter. 
D) The colliding body disintegrated.

Question 5

Look at the two conceptual examples of light waves shown below.These two waves ________.

Accepted Answer

A) have different wavelengths 
B) have different amplitudes 
C) represent the same hue (colors)of light 
D) travel at different velocities 
A) have different wavelengths 
B) have different amplitudes 
C) represent the same hue (colors)of light 
D) travel at different velocities

Question 6

Eratosthenes was the first person to accurately estimate the size of Earth.He accomplished this feat by ________.

Accepted Answer

A) sailing around the world and estimating his average rate of travel 
B) comparing the length of an Earth day with the distance between the Earth and the Sun 
C) measuring the severity of the greatest earthquakes 
D) observing shadows simultaneously cast at two different cities that were separated by a known distance 
A) sailing around the world and estimating his average rate of travel 
B) comparing the length of an Earth day with the distance between the Earth and the Sun 
C) measuring the severity of the greatest earthquakes 
D) observing shadows simultaneously cast at two different cities that were separated by a known distance

Question 7

Most asteroids inhabit the "asteroid belt" between the planets ________.

Accepted Answer

A) Earth and Mars 
B) Mars and Jupiter 
C) Jupiter and Saturn 
D) Neptune and Pluto 
A) Earth and Mars 
B) Mars and Jupiter 
C) Jupiter and Saturn 
D) Neptune and Pluto

Question 8

Over 2,000 years ago,an ancient Greek astronomer concluded (correctly)that the ________.

Accepted Answer

A) Earth is spherical 
B) Sun is the center of the whole Universe 
C) Earth orbits the Sun in a circular orbit 
D) Earth is the center of the Universe 
A) Earth is spherical 
B) Sun is the center of the whole Universe 
C) Earth orbits the Sun in a circular orbit 
D) Earth is the center of the Universe

Question 9

When we say that light from a distant stellar object is red-shifted,this means that the light we see ________.

Accepted Answer

A) is from an object moving toward us 
B) is red in color and must have come from a red giant star 
C) has a higher frequency than at the source 
D) has a longer wavelength than at the source 
A) is from an object moving toward us 
B) is red in color and must have come from a red giant star 
C) has a higher frequency than at the source 
D) has a longer wavelength than at the source

Question 10

Volatile materials can exist as a gas at Earth's surface.Which of the following is NOT a volatile material?

Accepted Answer

A) water 
B) silicon 
C) hydrogen 
D) carbon dioxide 
A) water 
B) silicon 
C) hydrogen 
D) carbon dioxide

Question 11

The primary evidence that our Sun is a third-,fourth-,or fifth-generation star comes from the fact that our ________.

Accepted Answer

A) Solar System contains too many heavy atoms to be first generation 
B) Solar System is too large to be first generation 
C) Sun is too hot to be a first-generation star 
D) Sun is too large to be a first-generation star 
A) Solar System contains too many heavy atoms to be first generation 
B) Solar System is too large to be first generation 
C) Sun is too hot to be a first-generation star 
D) Sun is too large to be a first-generation star

Question 12

Chemically,the Moon is quite similar to ________.

Accepted Answer

A) a typical comet 
B) Earth's crust 
C) Earth's mantle 
D) Earth's core 
A) a typical comet 
B) Earth's crust 
C) Earth's mantle 
D) Earth's core

Question 13

Terrestrial planets are mainly composed of ________ while Jovian planets are made dominantly of ________.

Accepted Answer

A) volatiles;rock and metals 
B) rock and metals;volatiles 
C) refractory materials;volatiles and metals 
D) volatiles and metals;refractory materials 
A) volatiles;rock and metals 
B) rock and metals;volatiles 
C) refractory materials;volatiles and metals 
D) volatiles and metals;refractory materials

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a possible stage in a star's life and collapse?

Accepted Answer

A) protostar 
B) supernova 
C) gas giant 
D) black hole 
A) protostar 
B) supernova 
C) gas giant 
D) black hole

Question 15

Which of the following is true about blue-shifted light that we detect from the cosmos?

Accepted Answer

A) It signifies a source that is moving toward us. 
B) It is common for galaxies to emit this type of light. 
C) The detected light has a longer wavelength than at the source. 
D) The detected light has a lower frequency than at the source. 
A) It signifies a source that is moving toward us. 
B) It is common for galaxies to emit this type of light. 
C) The detected light has a longer wavelength than at the source. 
D) The detected light has a lower frequency than at the source.

Question 16

Our Sun belongs to a galaxy known as ________.

Accepted Answer

A) Andromeda 
B) Cepheus 
C) the Milky Way 
D) the Stratosphere 
A) Andromeda 
B) Cepheus 
C) the Milky Way 
D) the Stratosphere

Question 17

The change in wavelength (and,therefore,frequency)of waves that happens if the source of the waves is moving is explained by the ________.

Accepted Answer

A) Big Bang theory 
B) nebular theory 
C) expanding Universe theory 
D) Doppler effect 
A) Big Bang theory 
B) nebular theory 
C) expanding Universe theory 
D) Doppler effect

Question 18

The current scientific explanation for the origin of planets,moons,asteroids,and comets is the ________.

Accepted Answer

A) expanding Universe theory 
B) nebular theory 
C) Big Bang theory 
D) theory of plate tectonics 
A) expanding Universe theory 
B) nebular theory 
C) Big Bang theory 
D) theory of plate tectonics

Question 19

According to the Big Bang theory,________.

Accepted Answer

A) Earth is much older than the rest of the Universe 
B) the Universe is much older than Earth 
C) Earth and the Universe formed at about the same time 
D) there is no way of knowing how old the Universe might be 
A) Earth is much older than the rest of the Universe 
B) the Universe is much older than Earth 
C) Earth and the Universe formed at about the same time 
D) there is no way of knowing how old the Universe might be

Question 20

The branch of science that studies the structure and history of the Universe is ________.

Accepted Answer

A) cosmetology 
B) scientology 
C) cosmology 
D) universalism 
A) cosmetology 
B) scientology 
C) cosmology 
D) universalism

Exam 1: Cosmology and the Birth of Earth

By far the most common elements in the Universe and in our Solar System are ________.

The figure below represents the final stage in Earth's formation,which is marked by all of the following EXCEPT ________.

Because of the Doppler effect,a light- or sound-emitting object moving toward you has a ________ compared to a stationary object.

According to the currently accepted scientific model,which of the following is NOT correct about the formation of the Moon?

Look at the two conceptual examples of light waves shown below.These two waves ________.

Eratosthenes was the first person to accurately estimate the size of Earth.He accomplished this feat by ________.

Most asteroids inhabit the "asteroid belt" between the planets ________.

Over 2,000 years ago,an ancient Greek astronomer concluded (correctly)that the ________.

When we say that light from a distant stellar object is red-shifted,this means that the light we see ________.

Volatile materials can exist as a gas at Earth's surface.Which of the following is NOT a volatile material?

The primary evidence that our Sun is a third-,fourth-,or fifth-generation star comes from the fact that our ________.

Chemically,the Moon is quite similar to ________.

Terrestrial planets are mainly composed of ________ while Jovian planets are made dominantly of ________.

Which of the following is NOT a possible stage in a star's life and collapse?

Which of the following is true about blue-shifted light that we detect from the cosmos?

Our Sun belongs to a galaxy known as ________.

The change in wavelength (and,therefore,frequency)of waves that happens if the source of the waves is moving is explained by the ________.

The current scientific explanation for the origin of planets,moons,asteroids,and comets is the ________.

According to the Big Bang theory,________.

The branch of science that studies the structure and history of the Universe is ________.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Drifting Continents and Spreading Seas

The Way the Earth Works: Plate Tectonics

Patterns in Nature: Minerals

Up From the Inferno: Magma and Igneous Rocks

Pages of Earths Past: Sedimentary Rocks

Metamorphism: a Process of Change

The Wrath of Vulcan: Volcanic Eruptions

A Violent Pulse: Earthquakes

Crags,cracks,and Crumples: Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building

Deep Time: How Old Is Old

A Biography of Earth

Squeezing Power From a Stone: Energy Resources

Riches in Rock: Mineral Resources

Unsafe Ground: Landslides and Other Mass Movements

Streams and Floods: the Geology of Running Water

Restless Realm: Oceans and Coasts

A Hidden Reserve: Groundwater

An Envelope of Gas: Earths Atmosphere and Climate

Dry Regions: the Geology of Deserts

Amazing Ice: Glaciers and Ice Ages

Global Change in the Earth System

Introducing Rocks

a Surface Veneer: Sediments and Soils

the Rock Cycle in the Earth System

the Earths Interior, revisited: Seismic Layering, gravity, and the Magnetic Field

Memories of Past Life: Fossils and Evolution

Ever-Changing Landscapes and the Hydrologic Cycle

Filters

Terrestrial planets are mainly composed of while Jovian planets are made dominantly of .