Question 1

Which of the following is not a problem associated with computer simulations in geology?

Accepted Answer

A)  Assumptions and simplifications must be used. 
B)  Computers cannot calculate quickly enough to make up for the vast time span involved in geologic processes. 
C)  Computers may not have enough memory to account for all the necessary variables in the calculations. 
D)  Mathematical formulas are an uncertain way to measure the real-world phenomena. 
A)  Assumptions and simplifications must be used. 
B)  Computers cannot calculate quickly enough to make up for the vast time span involved in geologic processes. 
C)  Computers may not have enough memory to account for all the necessary variables in the calculations. 
D)  Mathematical formulas are an uncertain way to measure the real-world phenomena.

Question 2

Geologic topics impact virtually every aspect of our daily lives, including such diverse issues as the economy, environmental health, and climate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

About a half of the United states energy comes from coal. Why could that be a problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  Coal emits high CO2 concentrations. 
B)  Coal is very rare. 
C)  Coal is very expensive. 
D)  Coal is not found in the U.S., therefore we are dependent on foreign countries for our energy. 
A)  Coal emits high CO2 concentrations. 
B)  Coal is very rare. 
C)  Coal is very expensive. 
D)  Coal is not found in the U.S., therefore we are dependent on foreign countries for our energy.

Question 4

Library research is essential during the early stages of a scientific study.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

If metals are the heaviest solids, in which layer of the Earth would they mostly be located?

Accepted Answer

A)  oceanic crust 
B)  continental crust 
C)  mantle 
D)  core 
A)  oceanic crust 
B)  continental crust 
C)  mantle 
D)  core

Question 6

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  indisputable 
B)  testable 
C)  accounts for existing data 
D)  predicts future behavior or data 
A)  indisputable 
B)  testable 
C)  accounts for existing data 
D)  predicts future behavior or data

Question 7

Which is the correct order of the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

A)  experiment, hypothesis, conclusion, results 
B)  hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, results 
C)  hypothesis, experiment, results, conclusion 
D)  results, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion 
A)  experiment, hypothesis, conclusion, results 
B)  hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, results 
C)  hypothesis, experiment, results, conclusion 
D)  results, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion

Question 8

Why would a geologist study how water is stored underground and how it moves to the surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  to prevent contamination 
B)  to judge earthquake danger 
C)  to assess the functionality of a nearby hydroelectric power dam 
D)  to find diamonds associated with the water table 
A)  to prevent contamination 
B)  to judge earthquake danger 
C)  to assess the functionality of a nearby hydroelectric power dam 
D)  to find diamonds associated with the water table

Question 9

How does convection cause the motion of plates that drives plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

A)  Convection blows the plates around the earth. 
B)  Cold, dense lithosphere sinks, while hot, low-density mantle rises to the surface at hot spots 
C)  Radiation of heat causes the plates to move, which in turn causes convection 
D)  Refraction of heat from the sun heats the plates, causing convection and the motion of the plates. 
A)  Convection blows the plates around the earth. 
B)  Cold, dense lithosphere sinks, while hot, low-density mantle rises to the surface at hot spots 
C)  Radiation of heat causes the plates to move, which in turn causes convection 
D)  Refraction of heat from the sun heats the plates, causing convection and the motion of the plates.

Question 10

What happens at subduction zones?

Accepted Answer

A)  Where plates converge, one plunges into the deeper mantle while the overriding plate experiences volcanic activity and buckling that uplifts tall mountain ranges. 
B)  Plates slide past one another without creating or destroying lithosphere. 
C)  Plate edges move away from one another. 
D)  Huge earthquakes occur constantly. 
A)  Where plates converge, one plunges into the deeper mantle while the overriding plate experiences volcanic activity and buckling that uplifts tall mountain ranges. 
B)  Plates slide past one another without creating or destroying lithosphere. 
C)  Plate edges move away from one another. 
D)  Huge earthquakes occur constantly.

Question 11

Why is heat the most important form of energy transfer for geologic processes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Heat from the Sun fuels Earth-surface processes, such as wind, ocean waves, and the evaporation and precipitation of water. 
B)  Heat cancels out the cold, allowing geologic processes to occur. 
C)  Heat makes rock melt so the plates can move. 
D)  Heat from the earth warms human's houses during the winter. 
A)  Heat from the Sun fuels Earth-surface processes, such as wind, ocean waves, and the evaporation and precipitation of water. 
B)  Heat cancels out the cold, allowing geologic processes to occur. 
C)  Heat makes rock melt so the plates can move. 
D)  Heat from the earth warms human's houses during the winter.

Question 12

There is a mountain at 10,000 feet and one next to it at 12,000 feet. Which has more potential energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  The mountain at 12,000 feet. 
B)  The mountain at 10,000 feet. 
C)  They have the same potential energy, because weight is more important than height. 
D)  You can't tell; the weight wasn't given. 
A)  The mountain at 12,000 feet. 
B)  The mountain at 10,000 feet. 
C)  They have the same potential energy, because weight is more important than height. 
D)  You can't tell; the weight wasn't given.

Question 13

What is the main function of controlled laboratory experiments in the study of geology?

Accepted Answer

A)  They help simulate unseen processes. 
B)  Rocks can be tested for stress, cleavage, and chemical reactions more realistically than in nature. 
C)  Many data points can be generated through laboratory trials to support theories. 
D)  Calculations can be made that are more reliable than the processes in nature. 
A)  They help simulate unseen processes. 
B)  Rocks can be tested for stress, cleavage, and chemical reactions more realistically than in nature. 
C)  Many data points can be generated through laboratory trials to support theories. 
D)  Calculations can be made that are more reliable than the processes in nature.

Question 14

Coal is one of the leading energy providers in the United States.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which is not a way that volcanoes can drastically change environments?

Accepted Answer

A)  Volcanoes emit poisonous gases, potentially killing organisms within the environment. 
B)  Volcanoes release heatwaves, making environments too hot for organisms to live. 
C)  Lava flows from volcanoes, burning organisms and creating new rock. 
D)  Volcanoes can trigger earthquakes , potentially causing ground breaks and altering the landscape. 
A)  Volcanoes emit poisonous gases, potentially killing organisms within the environment. 
B)  Volcanoes release heatwaves, making environments too hot for organisms to live. 
C)  Lava flows from volcanoes, burning organisms and creating new rock. 
D)  Volcanoes can trigger earthquakes , potentially causing ground breaks and altering the landscape.

Question 16

The lithospheric plates are rigid and strong, in contrast to the underlying weaker asthenosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Rocks high on mountain peaks have less potential energy than those on valley bottoms.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The painful burn you feel when touching something hot is an example of the

Accepted Answer

A)  radiation of heat. 
B)  conduction of heat. 
C)  refraction of heat. 
D)  convection of heat. 
A)  radiation of heat. 
B)  conduction of heat. 
C)  refraction of heat. 
D)  convection of heat.

Question 19

Why is physical geology important?

Accepted Answer

A)  It helps us to understand the physical and chemical interior workings of the planet. 
B)  It helps us to understand how the earth looks. 
C)  It helps us to better understand the physical surface for use in mapping. 
D)  It helps us to understand the Earth's interior crust. 
A)  It helps us to understand the physical and chemical interior workings of the planet. 
B)  It helps us to understand how the earth looks. 
C)  It helps us to better understand the physical surface for use in mapping. 
D)  It helps us to understand the Earth's interior crust.

Question 20

Principles, or laws, simply describe how humans observe nature to behave.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 1: Why Study Earth

Which of the following is not a problem associated with computer simulations in geology?

Geologic topics impact virtually every aspect of our daily lives, including such diverse issues as the economy, environmental health, and climate.

About a half of the United states energy comes from coal. Why could that be a problem?

Library research is essential during the early stages of a scientific study.

If metals are the heaviest solids, in which layer of the Earth would they mostly be located?

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a hypothesis?

Which is the correct order of the scientific method?

Why would a geologist study how water is stored underground and how it moves to the surface?

How does convection cause the motion of plates that drives plate tectonics?

What happens at subduction zones?

Why is heat the most important form of energy transfer for geologic processes?

There is a mountain at 10,000 feet and one next to it at 12,000 feet. Which has more potential energy?

What is the main function of controlled laboratory experiments in the study of geology?

Coal is one of the leading energy providers in the United States.

Which is not a way that volcanoes can drastically change environments?

The lithospheric plates are rigid and strong, in contrast to the underlying weaker asthenosphere.

Rocks high on mountain peaks have less potential energy than those on valley bottoms.

The painful burn you feel when touching something hot is an example of the

Why is physical geology important?

Principles, or laws, simply describe how humans observe nature to behave.

Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet

Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes

Formation of Magma and Igneous Rocks

Formation of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks

Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Making Earth

Motion Inside Earth

Deformation of Rocks

Global Tectonics: Plates and Plumes

Tectonics and Surface Relief

Soil Formation and Landscape Stability

Mass Movements: Landscapes in Motion

Streams: Flowing Water Shapes the Landscape

Water Flowing Underground

Glaciers: Cold-Climate Sculptors of Continents

Shorelines: Changing Landscapes Where Land Meets Sea

Wind: a Global Geologic Process

Global Warming: Real Time Change in the Earth System

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