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
100
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
100
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%
100
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 atmosphoere
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
100
Which mineral is easily identified by smell?
a) galena
b) pyrite
c) quartz
d) sulfur
d) sulfur
200
Most modern geologists have argued that a global catastrophe may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. According to these scientists, what was this catastrophe?
a) an asteriod 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
200
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
200
Gas and dust in interstellar nebulae can form
a) stars
b) comets
c) meteors
d) asteroids
a) stars
200
The Earth's mantle is made up of very hot material that rises to the top of the mantle, cools, the sinks, reheats, and rises again, constantly repeating the cycle. This action, which causes the Earth's crust to move, is known as
a) convection currents
b) magnetic fields
c) hot spots
d) advection forces
a) convection currents
200
Scientists use the rock cycle to describe the processes by which
a) all different types of fossils were transformed into rock
b) one type of rock can be changed into another type of
rock
c) tectonic plates shift around the earth's surface
d) mineral crystals and compositions are identified
b) one type of rock can be changed into another type of
rock
300
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
300
Identical rock types, identical fossils, and very similar mountain ranges are found on different continents that are separated by a wide 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
300
Which of the following best describes Earth's orbital position in our solar system?
a) outside of three smaller planets
b) outside of the gas giants
c) an outer planet
d) an inner planet
d) an inner planet
300
Barrier islands are low and narrow sandy islnads that form a rim offshore from a coastline. These islands protect inland shores from the surf, especially during storms. These islands are becoming increasingly developed because people want to live by the open ocean, yet the islands themselves are not permanent. Why aren't the islands permanent?
a) people develop the islands and remove sand during
housing construction
b) offshore earthquakes cause the islands to sink below
sea level
c) the wind and the waves are constantly redistributing
the sand
d) development companies mine the sand for use in
inland construction projects
c) the wind and the waves are constantly redistributing
the sand
300
Which of the following natural resources makes the largest contribution to Virginia's economy?
a) plutonium
b) aluminum
c) coal
d) feldspar
c) coal
400
In which type of rock are fossils most likely to be found?
a) igneous intrusive
b) igneous extrusive
c) sedimentary
d) metamorphic
c) sedimentary
400
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
400
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
400
People have tried many methods to artifically produce rain. One method, called cloud seeding, involves airplanes dropping particles of silver iodide onto clouds to help the clouds produce rain droplets. These silver iodide particles act as
a) hailstones
b) dew points
c) electrical charges
d) condensation nuclei
d) condensation nuclei
400
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
500
Wind power is not typically used to generate all of the electricity needed for large cities because the
a) energy source is inconsistent
b) waste products are unsafe
c) fuel expenses are too great
d) energy produced is not in a unsable form
a) energy source is inconsistent
500
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
500
Which of these best describes the composition of a nebula such as the Crab Nebula?
a) large asteroids
b) clouds of dust and gas
c) ice crystals
d) planets and moons
b) clouds of dust and gas
500
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
500
Which of these mineral properties cannot be used to identify a mineral?
a) luster
b) hardness
c) mass
d) streak