A
B
C
D
E
100
Which of the following is closest to Earth’s average temperature? a. 0°C b. 15°C c. 30°C d. 100°C
b. 15°C
100
The most important source of energy that heats the surface of Earth comes from: a. volcanic eruptions.
 b. geysers.
 c. the sun. d. the core.
c. the sun.
100
What is the main cause of seasons on Earth? a. the distance between Earth and the sun. b. the axial tilt of Earth. c. the orbit of Earth. d. the rotation of Earth.
b. the axial tilt of Earth.
100
If Earth rotated faster around its axis, the length of a day would be: a. shorter. b. the same length as a year. c. longer.
a. shorter.
100
Which of the following factors create weather patterns? a. Wind b. Water c. Temperature d. All of the above
d. All of the above
200
Which of the following causes wind to form? a. Mountains b. The heating and cooling of air c. A relative humidity of 100% d. Clouds
b. The heating and cooling of air
200
An air mass rises and cools, reaching 100% relative humidity at 20°C. When this happens: a. its relative humidity drops. b. it starts to form clouds and rain. c. its relative humidity rises. d. it starts to form sleet and snow.
b. it starts to form clouds and rain.
200
It takes 24 hours for Earth to complete one full ____________________ on its axis. a. gyre b. season c. rotation d. revolution
c. rotation
200
Seawater that moves in familiar pathways over long distances is known as: a. gyres. b. deep ocean currents. c. Surface ocean currents d. Under water rivers
c. Surface ocean currents
200
Warm air: a. rises b. is less dense than cold air c. holds more water vapor than cold air d. all of the above
d. all of the above
300
Cold air: a. is more dense than warm air b. holds more water than warm air c. sinks d. both a. and c
d. both a. and c
300
An air mass rises and cools, reaching 100% relative humidity at 0°C. When this happens: a. its relative humidity drops. b. it starts to form clouds and rain. c. its relative humidity rises. d. it starts to form sleet and snow.
d. it starts to form sleet and snow.
300
The average atmospheric pressure at sea level is about: a. 15 pounds per square inch b. 10 pounds per square inch c. 5 pounds per square inch d. 9 pounds per square inch
a. 15 pounds per square inch
300
Condensation occurs when a gas changes to a: a. liquid b. solid c. fluid d. polymer
a. liquid
400
How is climate different than weather?
The main difference between climate and weather is time. Climate describes the long-term record of temperature, precipitation, and wind for a region. Weather describes the daily events of temperature, precipitation, and wind for a region.
500
Explain in terms of heat and water why Earth’s temperature is especially good for living things.
Earth’s atmosphere keeps in and releases the right amount of heat to keep the temperature from getting too hot or too cold. Earth is the right temperature for water to be a liquid.
500
Explain what would happen to the daytime and nighttime temperature of Earth if the rotation was much slower.
Daytime temperatures would become much hotter because it would be facing the sun for a longer period of time. Nighttime temperatures would become much cooler because the opposite side of Earth would be facing away from the sun for a longer period of time.
500
Explain how and why the northern hemisphere has warmer temperatures in the summer than the winter.
The northern hemisphere has warmer temperatures in the summer because the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. The temperatures are warmer because the northern hemisphere receives more direct sunlight during this time.
500
Describe how winds are created and flow.
Winds flow because of unequal areas of air pressure in the atmosphere. Winds flow from areas of higher air pressure to areas of lower air pressure.
500
Explain how Earth’s atmosphere, rotation on its axis, distance from the sun, and revolution around the sun keep Earth “just right”.
Earth’s atmosphere allows enough energy from the Sun to reach the surface and also allows enough energy to escape to keep temperatures at a suitable level. Earth’s rotation on its axis is at a speed that prevents the temperatures from rising too high during the day and falling too low at night. Earth’s distance from the Sun is not too close to make temperatures too hot and not too far to make temperatures too cold. Earth’s axial tilt as it revolves around the Sun creates the seasons.
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