Question 1

Some researchers think that ________ are causing a sixth mass-extinction event.

Accepted Answer

A)  the cosmic rays 
B)  the tides 
C)  humans 
D)  asteroids 
A)  the cosmic rays 
B)  the tides 
C)  humans 
D)  asteroids

Question 2

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide (CO2)related to one another?

Accepted Answer

A)  plant tissues and cellulose (the "woody" parts of plants) 
B)  CO2 forms when bicarbonate migrates from the atmosphere into soils. 
C)  Bicarbonate forms when CO2 molecules dissolve in water. 
D)  Bicarbonate and CO2 are the same thing. 
A)  plant tissues and cellulose (the "woody" parts of plants) 
B)  CO2 forms when bicarbonate migrates from the atmosphere into soils. 
C)  Bicarbonate forms when CO2 molecules dissolve in water. 
D)  Bicarbonate and CO2 are the same thing.

Question 3

Which of these is the longest-lasting sink for carbon dioxide?

Accepted Answer

A)  plant tissues and cellulose (the "woody" parts of plants) 
B)  the atmosphere 
C)  air bubbles within glacial ice 
D)  limestones 
A)  plant tissues and cellulose (the "woody" parts of plants) 
B)  the atmosphere 
C)  air bubbles within glacial ice 
D)  limestones

Question 4

According to the figure below,approximately how much has the sea level risen since the last ice age ended,approximately 16,000 years ago?

Accepted Answer

A)  110 m 
B)  60 m 
C)  20 m 
D)  15 m 
A)  110 m 
B)  60 m 
C)  20 m 
D)  15 m

Question 5

The ratio of oxygen-16 and oxygen-18 isotopes in plankton fossils in deep-sea sediments can be used to determine ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  past carbon dioxide concentrations 
B)  past temperatures 
C)  the age of the fossils 
D)  water depth 
A)  past carbon dioxide concentrations 
B)  past temperatures 
C)  the age of the fossils 
D)  water depth

Question 6

The primary cause of recent global warming is believed to be ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  chemical reactions in the atmosphere that are driven by solar heat 
B)  increased burning of fossil fuels 
C)  increased levels of atmospheric pollution 
D)  depletion of the ozone layer 
A)  chemical reactions in the atmosphere that are driven by solar heat 
B)  increased burning of fossil fuels 
C)  increased levels of atmospheric pollution 
D)  depletion of the ozone layer

Question 7

Which greenhouse gases play the most significant role in influencing changes in global atmospheric temperature?

Accepted Answer

A)  carbon dioxide and ozone 
B)  nitrogen dioxide and ozone 
C)  nitrogen dioxide and methane 
D)  carbon dioxide and methane 
A)  carbon dioxide and ozone 
B)  nitrogen dioxide and ozone 
C)  nitrogen dioxide and methane 
D)  carbon dioxide and methane

Question 8

What role do greenhouse gases play in the Earth's climate? If there were no greenhouse gases on the Earth,what would the climate be like? Could humans survive?

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gases work to absorb heat rer

Question 9

Describe one way humans have impacted the Earth System.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary; however,students migh

Question 10

According to the figure below,how much has atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)increased in parts per million (ppm)in approximately the last 50 years?

Accepted Answer

A)  from about 310 to 320 ppm 
B)  from about 360 to 400 ppm 
C)  from about 320 to 400 ppm 
D)  from about 380 to 400 ppm 
A)  from about 310 to 320 ppm 
B)  from about 360 to 400 ppm 
C)  from about 320 to 400 ppm 
D)  from about 380 to 400 ppm

Question 11

Natural carbon sinks have generally matched the production of carbon dioxide until ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the end of the last ice age,approximately 16,000 years ago 
B)  the Little Ice Age,approximately 400 years ago 
C)  approximately 1900 
D)  the Eocene Epoch,approximately 50 million years ago 
A)  the end of the last ice age,approximately 16,000 years ago 
B)  the Little Ice Age,approximately 400 years ago 
C)  approximately 1900 
D)  the Eocene Epoch,approximately 50 million years ago

Question 12

During most of the Mesozoic Era,the Earth was ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  about as warm as present 
B)  cooler than present 
C)  warmer than present 
D)  experiencing wild temperature fluctuations 
A)  about as warm as present 
B)  cooler than present 
C)  warmer than present 
D)  experiencing wild temperature fluctuations

Question 13

Which greenhouse gas has the greatest total importance in retaining radiant energy from the Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  CO2 (carbon dioxide) 
B)  O3 (ozone) 
C)  NO2 (nitrous oxide) 
D)  H2O (water) 
A)  CO2 (carbon dioxide) 
B)  O3 (ozone) 
C)  NO2 (nitrous oxide) 
D)  H2O (water)

Question 14

The cycle of supercontinent formation and breakup is an example of _________ change.

Accepted Answer

A)  catastrophic,unidirectional 
B)  gradual,unidirectional 
C)  catastrophic,cyclic 
D)  gradual,cyclic 
A)  catastrophic,unidirectional 
B)  gradual,unidirectional 
C)  catastrophic,cyclic 
D)  gradual,cyclic

Question 15

How does the formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones affect the carbon dioxide (CO2)concentration in the Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  All three increase the total CO2 in the atmosphere. 
B)  All three decrease the total CO2 in the atmosphere. 
C)  The formation of limestones decreases total CO2,while the formation of oil shale and coal increases total CO2. 
D)  The formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones has very little effect. 
A)  All three increase the total CO2 in the atmosphere. 
B)  All three decrease the total CO2 in the atmosphere. 
C)  The formation of limestones decreases total CO2,while the formation of oil shale and coal increases total CO2. 
D)  The formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones has very little effect.

Question 16

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Weather is a long-term cycle,whereas climate is a transient condition. 
B)  Weather is a transient condition,whereas climate is a long-term cycle. 
C)  Weather relates to precipitation,whereas climate relates to temperature. 
D)  The two terms are essentially interchangeable. 
A)  Weather is a long-term cycle,whereas climate is a transient condition. 
B)  Weather is a transient condition,whereas climate is a long-term cycle. 
C)  Weather relates to precipitation,whereas climate relates to temperature. 
D)  The two terms are essentially interchangeable.

Question 17

Provide an example of a positive feedback process as it relates to global climate change.

Accepted Answer

Student answers will vary but may be sim

Question 18

A biogeochemical cycle refers to the ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  long-term movement of biogeochemical minerals through the rock cycle 
B)  exchange of chemicals among magmatic and solid-phase systems 
C)  transitioning and the residence of specific chemicals among living and nonliving systems 
D)  exchange of chemicals between landmasses and the oceans 
A)  long-term movement of biogeochemical minerals through the rock cycle 
B)  exchange of chemicals among magmatic and solid-phase systems 
C)  transitioning and the residence of specific chemicals among living and nonliving systems 
D)  exchange of chemicals between landmasses and the oceans

Question 19

Toxic chemicals dumped into a river are an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  greenhouse gases 
B)  smog 
C)  ozone 
D)  pollution 
A)  greenhouse gases 
B)  smog 
C)  ozone 
D)  pollution

Exam 23: Global Change in the Earth System

Some researchers think that ________ are causing a sixth mass-extinction event.

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide (CO2)related to one another?

Which of these is the longest-lasting sink for carbon dioxide?

According to the figure below,approximately how much has the sea level risen since the last ice age ended,approximately 16,000 years ago?

The ratio of oxygen-16 and oxygen-18 isotopes in plankton fossils in deep-sea sediments can be used to determine ________.

The primary cause of recent global warming is believed to be ________.

Which greenhouse gases play the most significant role in influencing changes in global atmospheric temperature?

What role do greenhouse gases play in the Earth's climate? If there were no greenhouse gases on the Earth,what would the climate be like? Could humans survive?

Describe one way humans have impacted the Earth System.

According to the figure below,how much has atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)increased in parts per million (ppm)in approximately the last 50 years?

Natural carbon sinks have generally matched the production of carbon dioxide until ________.

During most of the Mesozoic Era,the Earth was ________.

Which greenhouse gas has the greatest total importance in retaining radiant energy from the Earth?

The cycle of supercontinent formation and breakup is an example of _________ change.

How does the formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones affect the carbon dioxide (CO2)concentration in the Earth's atmosphere?

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Provide an example of a positive feedback process as it relates to global climate change.

A biogeochemical cycle refers to the ________.

Toxic chemicals dumped into a river are an example of ________.

Cosmology and the Birth of the Earth

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 the 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: the Earths Atmosphere and Climate

Dry Regions: the Geology of Deserts

Amazing Ice: Glaciers and Ice Ages

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

Prelude: and Just What Is Geology

Filters

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide (CO₂)related to one another?

According to the figure below,how much has atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂)increased in parts per million (ppm)in approximately the last 50 years?

How does the formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones affect the carbon dioxide (CO₂)concentration in the Earth's atmosphere?