Geology
A major problem with depending on fossil fuels as primary energy sources is that they are:
a) overabundant
b) nonpolluting
c) nonrenewable
d) deep underground
c) nonrenewable
Which of the following puts the steps of a scientific experiment in the correct order? 1. propose an outcome 2. state the problem 3. make a conclusion 4. gather data
a) 2,1,3,4
b) 4,2,3,1
c) 2,1,4,3
d) 2,3,1,4
c) 2,1,4,3
What is the approximate percentage of the Earth that is illuminated by the sun at any given time?
a) 10%
b) 25%
c) 50%
d) 90%
c) 50%
A volcanic eruption can affect the atmosphere by:
a) reducing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere
b) adding large quantities of several gases, such as sulfur dioxide, to the atmosphere
c) clearing away nearby clouds, increasing the amount of sunshine
d) increasing the amount of oxygen due to escaping gases
b) adding large quantities of several gases, such as sulfur dioxide, to the atmosphoere
Which mineral is easily identified by smell?
a) galena
b) pyrite
c) quartz
d) sulfur
d) sulfur
A global catastrophe may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs and probably incorporated iridium. What was this catastrophe?
a) an asteroid impact with the Earth
b) melting of the polar ice caps
c) a shift in the tilt of the Earth
d) earthquakes and volcanoes
a) an asteroid impact with the Earth
Which provides the best evidence for the theory that faults and volcanoes are results of tectonic plate interactions?
a) faults on tectonic plates are in constant motion, but volcanoes may not erupt for many years
b) faults and volcanoes existed long before there were tectonic plates
c) tectonic plates that have many faults do not usually have volcanoes
d) faults and volcanoes are often found at tectonic plate boundaries
d) faults and volcanoes are often found at tectonic plate boundaries
Gas and dust in interstellar nebulae can form:
a) stars
b) comets
c) meteors
d) asteroids
a) stars
The Earth's mantle is made up of very hot material that rises to the mantle top, cools, then sinks, reheats, and rises again. This process, which repeats and the Earth's crust to move, is known as:
a) convection currents
b) magnetic fields
c) hot spots
d) advection forces
a) convection currents
All of the following supports the theory of continental drift except that -
a) the North Pole and Antarctica are covered with ice
b) mountain ranges in South America and Africa line up
c) there are similar fossils on different continents
d) the continents seem to fit together like pieces of a puzzle
a) the North Pole and Antarctica are covered with ice
Which of these is the best indication of the relative age of a rock layer?
a) the thickness of the layer
b) the chemical makeup of the layer
c) the position of the layer compared to other layers
d) the distance the layer extends over the Earth
c) the position of the layer compared to other layers
Identical rock types and fossils and very similar mountain ranges are found on different continents separated by an ocean. Which of these best explains these observations?
a) organisms traveled between these continents on land bridges
b) the same forces erode mountains in different locations
c) these continents were joined together at one time in the past
d) some rock types are very common and are found everywhere
c) these continents were joined together at one time in the past
What powers stars?
a) Radioactivity
b) Fission
c) Fusion
d) Combustion
c) Fusion
The Marianas Trench in the Pacific Ocean is 36,160 feet below sea level. This deep oceanic trench is caused by -
a) two tectonic plates colliding and one plunging below the other
b) swift ocean currents eroding away the ocean floor
c) excessive boat traffic disrupting the normal sedimentation process
d) the collapse of an empty magma chamber in a large volcano) two tectonic plates colliding and one plunging below the other
a) two tectonic plates colliding and one plunging below the other
Heat and pressure can transform igneous rock into metamorphic rock. What processes can transform igneous rock into sedimentary rock and then into an igneous rock?
a) Heat and pressure, then deposition
b) Erosion and sedimentation/compaction then melting and cooling/crystallizing
c) Rifting and subduction then heat and pressure
d) Evaporation and condensation then eruption
b) Erosion and sedimentation/compaction then melting and cooling/crystallizing
In which type of rock are fossils most likely to be found?
a) igneous intrusive
b) igneous extrusive
c) sedimentary
d) metamorphic
c) sedimentary
Which of these provides the best estimate of how long it took a thick layer of sedimentary rock to form?
a) using a microscope to closely examine the size of particles that make up the rock layer
b) making a model that creates a sedimentary rock layer at a constant rate
c) calculating the age of the top and bottom of the layer
d) measuring the rate at which similar layers of sediments collect
c) calculating the age of the top and bottom of the layer
Which of these are caused primarily by the gravitational force between Earth and the Moon?
a) tides
b) seasons
c) prevailing winds
d) magnetic poles
a) tides
Which of these is important in the formation of clouds?
a) The relative length of day and night
b) The Coriolis effect
c) The cooling of air as it rises
d) The melting of the polar ice caps
c) The cooling of air as it rises
Which of the following most likely results in the formation of a fossil?
a) a Mesozoic clam lies exposed on the surface of the sea floor
b) a Mesozoic lcam is washed up onton the beach
c) a Mesozoic clam is eaten by a large predatory fish
d) a Mesozoic clam is buried by a mudslide
d) a Mesozoic clam is buried by a mudslide
When the sea floor spreads apart, volcanoes and ridges are formed because -
a) underwater earthquakes lift the sea floor into long ridges
b) sediments are deposited where the floor spreads, building ridges
c) as the plates pull apart, magma moves to the surface, building ridges
d) ocean water pushes down on the surrounding sea floor, pushing up ridges
a) energy source is inconsistent
Which would be the best tools to measure the density of a small piece of silver ore?
a) a barometer and a balance
b) a density probe and a 500mL beaker
c) a metric ruler and a metal detector
d) a graduated cylinder and a balance
d) a graduated cylinder and a balance
Which of these causes days and nights?
a) The revolution of the moon around the Earth
b) The rotation of the Earth on its axis
c) The orbit of the Earth around the sun
d) The rotation of the moon on its axis
b) The rotation of the Earth on its axis
Ozone molecules protect Earth from the harmful effects of the sun by
a) insulating the temperature at the poles
b) condensing water particles in clouds
c) regulating the heat from the sun
d) absorbing ultraviolet radiation
d) absorbing ultraviolet radiation
Which of these mineral properties cannot be used to identify a mineral?
a) luster
b) hardness
c) mass
d) streak
c) mass