Astronomy
Which theory explains how our solar system formed from a rotating cloud of gas and dust?
A. Big Bang Theory
B. Nebular Theory
C. Plate Tectonic Theory
D. Theory of Evolution
B. Nebular Theory
Which layer of Earth is made of solid rock and includes the crust and uppermost mantle?
A. Outer core
B. Lithosphere
C. Inner core
D. Asthenosphere
B. Lithosphere
What is the main source of energy that drives the water cycle?
A. Earth's core
B. The Sun
C. Ocean tides
D. Earthquakes
B. The Sun
Which of the following is a nonrenewable fossil fuel?
A. Solar energy
B. Wind energy
C. Coal
D. Hydropower
C. Coal
Which energy resource uses sunlight to produce electricity?
A. Geothermal
B. Coal
C. Solar
D. Natural gas
C. Solar
What causes Earth to experience different seasons?
A. Earth's distance from the Sun
B. Changes in the Moon's position
C. Earth's tilted axis and revolution around the Sun
D. Changes in Earth's rotation speed
C. Earth's tilted axis and revolution around the Sun
Which type of plate boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move apart?
A. Convergent
B. Transform
C. Divergent
D. Subduction
C. Divergent
What is a watershed?
A. An underground layer of magma
B. An area of land where water drains to a common body of water
C. A place where saltwater becomes freshwater
D. A layer of the atmosphere
B. An area of land where water drains to a common body of water
What is the main purpose of a generator in a power plant?
A. Store coal
B. Convert mechanical energy into electrical energy
C. Create energy from nothing
D. Remove all pollution
B. Convert mechanical energy into electrical energy
Which renewable resource uses moving air to turn turbines?
A. Wind
B. Biomass
C. Geothermal
D. Hydropower
A. Wind
Which statement best describes Kepler's First Law?
A. Planets move in perfect circles
B. Planets orbit the Sun in ellipses
C. The Sun orbits Earth
D. All planets travel at the same speed
B. Planets orbit the Sun in ellipses
Which type of rock forms when existing rock is changed by heat and pressure?
A. Igneous
B. Sedimentary
C. Metamorphic
D. Volcanic
C. Metamorphic
Which process allows water to enter the soil and potentially recharge groundwater?
A. Evaporation
B. Condensation
C. Infiltration
D. Transpiration
C. Infiltration
Which fossil fuel is primarily composed of methane?
A. Coal
B. Petroleum
C. Natural gas
D. Uranium
C. Natural gas
Which energy resource uses heat from inside Earth?
A. Solar
B. Geothermal
C. Wind
D. Hydropower
B. Geothermal
Why do spring tides occur?
A. The Sun and Moon pull at right angles
B. Earth is closest to the Sun
C. The Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned
D. The Moon is farthest from Earth
C. The Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned
Why do earthquakes frequently occur at transform boundaries?
A. Plates slide past each other and release built-up stress
B. Magma always reaches the surface
C. Two plates move away from each other
D. Ocean water enters the mantle
A. Plates slide past each other and release built-up stress
How does an increase in paved surfaces affect a watershed?
A. Increases groundwater recharge
B. Reduces runoff
C. Increases surface runoff and flood risk
D. Eliminates water pollution
C. Increases surface runoff and flood risk
What is a major environmental disadvantage of burning fossil fuels?
A. They produce no usable electricity
B. They release carbon dioxide and air pollutants
C. They require sunlight
D. They cannot power generators
B. They release carbon dioxide and air pollutants
What is one disadvantage of solar and wind energy?
A. They always release large amounts of carbon dioxide during operation
B. They can only be used underground
C. Their electricity output depends on weather and environmental conditions
D. They are fossil fuels
C. Their electricity output depends on weather and environmental conditions
A planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun and slower when farther away. Which law explains this?
A. Newton's Third Law
B. Kepler's Second Law
C. Kepler's Third Law
D. Law of Conservation of Energy
B. Kepler's Second Law
An oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. What is most likely to happen?
A. Both plates stop moving
B. The continental plate sinks beneath the oceanic plate
C. The denser oceanic plate subducts, forming a trench and potentially volcanoes
D. A mid-ocean ridge forms
C. The denser oceanic plate subducts, forming a trench and potentially volcanoes
What is most likely to happen when groundwater is pumped from an aquifer faster than it is replenished?
A. The water table rises
B. The water table falls and wells may dry up
C. The aquifer immediately refills
D. The groundwater becomes ocean water
B. The water table falls and wells may dry up
A coal-fired power plant burns fuel to heat water into steam, which spins a turbine connected to a generator. What is the correct energy transformation?
A. Electrical → chemical → thermal
B. Chemical → thermal → mechanical → electrical
C. Nuclear → solar → electrical
D. Mechanical → chemical → light
B. Chemical → thermal → mechanical → electrical
A community wants electricity with low direct greenhouse gas emissions but also wants to avoid blocking rivers. Which option best meets these goals in a consistently windy location?
A. Coal power plant
B. Diesel generator
C. Wind turbines
D. Large hydroelectric dam
C. Wind turbines