Question 1

Which of the following images shows the formation of the moon?

Accepted Answer

A) A 
B) B 
C) C 
D) D 
A) A 
B) B 
C) C 
D) D

Question 2

The study of the overall structure, formation, and evolution of the universe and all objects within it is known as

Accepted Answer

A) geology. 
B) geophysics. 
C) physics. 
D) cosmology 
A) geology. 
B) geophysics. 
C) physics. 
D) cosmology

Question 3

A substance is NOT required to __________ to be considered a mineral.

Accepted Answer

A) be solid 
B) be naturally occurring 
C) contain carbon. 
D) have atoms arranged in an orderly pattern 
A) be solid 
B) be naturally occurring 
C) contain carbon. 
D) have atoms arranged in an orderly pattern

Question 4

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 5

If two atoms of deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen) are bound together at the atomic level (nuclear fusion), what element is formed?

Accepted Answer

A) carbon 
B) helium 
C) beryllium 
D) lithium 
A) carbon 
B) helium 
C) beryllium 
D) lithium

Question 6

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 7

How is soil different from sediment?

Accepted Answer

Sediment is an accumulation of

Question 8

Contrast oceanic crust and continental crust based on their composition and thickness.

Accepted Answer

Continental crust is relativel

Question 9

Differentiation of the core from the mantle early in Earth's history was possible because the planet was __________ at the time.

Accepted Answer

A) very cold 
B) very hot 
C) very small 
D) the only planet in the solar system 
A) very cold 
B) very hot 
C) very small 
D) the only planet in the solar system

Question 10

Atoms that are heavier than iron are generally produced by

Accepted Answer

A) fission reactions within stars. 
B) fusion reactions within stars. 
C) explosions of supernovas. 
D) the Big Bang. 
A) fission reactions within stars. 
B) fusion reactions within stars. 
C) explosions of supernovas. 
D) the Big Bang.

Question 11

The atmosphere is densest closest to the surface of Earth because

Accepted Answer

A) the types of gases are different compared to higher up in the atmosphere. 
B) the force of gravity decreases closer to Earth's surface. 
C) solar wind strips the atmosphere of oxygen molecules close to Earth's surface. 
D) the weight of the gas higher in the atmosphere pushes down on the gas below. 
A) the types of gases are different compared to higher up in the atmosphere. 
B) the force of gravity decreases closer to Earth's surface. 
C) solar wind strips the atmosphere of oxygen molecules close to Earth's surface. 
D) the weight of the gas higher in the atmosphere pushes down on the gas below.

Question 12

Big Bang nucleosynthesis yielded primarily

Accepted Answer

A) light elements of atomic numbers less than 15. 
B) heavy elements with atomic numbers greater than 25. 
C) light elements with atomic numbers less than 5. 
D) all 92 naturally occurring elements on the periodic table. 
A) light elements of atomic numbers less than 15. 
B) heavy elements with atomic numbers greater than 25. 
C) light elements with atomic numbers less than 5. 
D) all 92 naturally occurring elements on the periodic table.

Question 13

The portion of Earth that contains ice is called the

Accepted Answer

A) geosphere. 
B) cryosphere. 
C) hydrosphere. 
D) biosphere. 
A) geosphere. 
B) cryosphere. 
C) hydrosphere. 
D) biosphere.

Question 14

In the whole Earth, the four most common elements (by mass) are oxygen, silicon, magnesium, and

Accepted Answer

A) copper. 
B) lead. 
C) iron. 
D) zinc. 
A) copper. 
B) lead. 
C) iron. 
D) zinc.

Question 15

The image below shows Earth's magnetic field. Earth's magnetic field lines are distorted (i.e., not symmetrical) because

Accepted Answer

A) Earth is rapidly rotating around the sun. 
B) Earth is rotating on an internal axis. 
C) convection is occurring in the outer core. 
D) solar wind warps Earth's magnetic field lines. 
A) Earth is rapidly rotating around the sun. 
B) Earth is rotating on an internal axis. 
C) convection is occurring in the outer core. 
D) solar wind warps Earth's magnetic field lines.

Question 16

Metamorphic rock is formed

Accepted Answer

A) by the solidification of molten rock. 
B) when existing rocks undergo changes caused by increases in pressure, temperature, or both. 
C) by the cementing together of solid grains, or by the precipitation of minerals out of water solutions, at or near the Earth's surface. 
D) through weathering processes at or near Earth's surface. 
A) by the solidification of molten rock. 
B) when existing rocks undergo changes caused by increases in pressure, temperature, or both. 
C) by the cementing together of solid grains, or by the precipitation of minerals out of water solutions, at or near the Earth's surface. 
D) through weathering processes at or near Earth's surface.

Question 17

Geologists are able to study Earth's interior primarily using

Accepted Answer

A) chemical analyses of rocks. 
B) magnetic measurements. 
C) radar. 
D) seismic waves. 
A) chemical analyses of rocks. 
B) magnetic measurements. 
C) radar. 
D) seismic waves.

Question 18

Igneous rock is formed

Accepted Answer

A) by the solidification of molten rock. 
B) when existing rocks undergo changes caused by increases in pressure, temperature, or both. 
C) by the cementing together of solid grains, or by the precipitation of minerals out of water solutions, at or near the Earth's surface. 
D) through weathering processes at or near Earth's surface. 
A) by the solidification of molten rock. 
B) when existing rocks undergo changes caused by increases in pressure, temperature, or both. 
C) by the cementing together of solid grains, or by the precipitation of minerals out of water solutions, at or near the Earth's surface. 
D) through weathering processes at or near Earth's surface.

Question 19

What is the difference between a mineral and a glass?

Accepted Answer

A mineral contains atoms arran

Question 20

The sun was created at the center of the accretionary disk when the temperature became high enough for _________ to occur.

Accepted Answer

A) fusion 
B) fission 
C) combustion 
D) radiation 
A) fusion 
B) fission 
C) combustion 
D) radiation

Exam 1: The Earth in Context

Which of the following images shows the formation of the moon?

The study of the overall structure, formation, and evolution of the universe and all objects within it is known as

A substance is NOT required to __________ to be considered a mineral.

Our sun belongs to a galaxy known as

If two atoms of deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen) are bound together at the atomic level (nuclear fusion), what element is formed?

According to the Big Bang theory,

How is soil different from sediment?

Contrast oceanic crust and continental crust based on their composition and thickness.

Differentiation of the core from the mantle early in Earth's history was possible because the planet was __________ at the time.

Atoms that are heavier than iron are generally produced by

The atmosphere is densest closest to the surface of Earth because

Big Bang nucleosynthesis yielded primarily

The portion of Earth that contains ice is called the

In the whole Earth, the four most common elements (by mass) are oxygen, silicon, magnesium, and

The image below shows Earth's magnetic field. Earth's magnetic field lines are distorted (i.e., not symmetrical) because

Metamorphic rock is formed

Geologists are able to study Earth's interior primarily using

Igneous rock is formed

What is the difference between a mineral and a glass?

The sun was created at the center of the accretionary disk when the temperature became high enough for _________ to occur.

The Way the Earth Works: Plate Tectonics

Patterns in Nature: Minerals

Up From the Inferno: Magma and Igneous Rocks

A Surface Veneer: Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks

A Process of Change: Metamorphism and the Rock Cycle

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

A Violent Pulse: Earthquakes

Deep Time: How Old Is Old

A Biography of Earth

Riches in Rock: Energy and Mineral Resources

Shaping the Earths Surface: Landscapes, the Hydrologic Cycle, and Mass Wasting

Freshwater: Streams, Lakes, and Groundwater

Extreme Realms: Desert and Glacial Landscapes

Ocean Waters: the Blue of the Blue Marble

Marine Geology: the Study of Ocean Basins and Coasts

The Air We Breathe: Introducing Earths Atmosphere

Winds of the World: the Earths Major Weather Systems

Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Local Weather Systems

Climate and Climate Change

Our Solar System and Beyond

Our Neighborhood in Space

The Sun, Stars, and Deep Space

Prelude: Welcome to Earth Science

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