Chapter 16: Earth’s Spheres and Energy

Question 1

The ______ is the layer of gases surrounding Earth.

Answer 1

atmosphere

Question 2

The ______ includes all the solid parts of Earth.

Answer 2

geosphere

Question 3

The ______ includes all water on Earth in any form.

Answer 3

hydrosphere

Question 4

The ______ includes all living organisms.

Answer 4

biosphere

Question 5

The ______ includes frozen parts of the hydrosphere.

Answer 5

cryosphere

Question 6

The Sun transfers energy to Earth through a process called ______.

Answer 6

radiation

Question 7

Heat moving through direct contact is called ______.

Answer 7

conduction

Question 8

Heat transfer through fluids (liquids or gases) is known as ______.

Answer 8

convection

Question 9

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth is called the ______.

Answer 9

water cycle

Question 10

Air moves from areas of ______ pressure to ______ pressure.

Answer 10

high, low

Question 11

Warm air tends to ______, while cool air tends to ______.

Answer 11

rise, sink

Question 12

Oceans heat up and cool down more ______ than land.

Answer 12

slowly

Question 13

Global wind patterns are caused by uneven ______ from the Sun.

Answer 13

heating

Question 14

A volcano eruption can affect the atmosphere by releasing ______.

Answer 14

ash and gases

Question 15

Evaporation is powered by energy from the ______.

Answer 15

Sun

Question 16

The geosphere interacts with the biosphere when ______ grow in soil.

Answer 16

plants

Question 17

A hurricane is powered by ______ ocean water.

Answer 17

warm

Question 18

Clouds form when water vapor ______ in the atmosphere.

Answer 18

condenses

Question 19

The movement of energy from the equator to the poles is driven by ______ currents.

Answer 19

convection

Question 20

Glaciers melting due to rising temperatures is an example of sphere interaction involving the ______.

Answer 20

cryosphere

Question 21

Air that is heated by Earth’s surface becomes ______ and rises.

Answer 21

less dense

Question 22

Convection causes warm air to ______ and cool air to ______.

Answer 22

rise, sink

Question 23

Trade winds blow from ______ to ______ near the equator.

Answer 23

east, west

Question 24

The Sun’s energy reaching Earth is an example of ______ energy transfer.

Answer 24

radiation

Question 25

Humans are part of the ______, which interacts with all other spheres.

Answer 25

biosphere

Question 26

Which sphere includes rivers, lakes, and oceans? A. Atmosphere B. Geosphere C. Hydrosphere D. Biosphere

Answer 26

C. The hydrosphere includes all forms of water on Earth.

Question 27

What process moves heat through direct contact? A. Radiation B. Convection C. Conduction D. Circulation

Answer 27

C. Conduction is heat transfer through direct contact between substances.

Question 28

What is the primary source of energy for Earth's systems? A. Volcanoes B. The Sun C. Ocean currents D. The Moon

Answer 28

B. The Sun is the main source of heat and light for Earth.

Question 29

Which type of heat transfer causes warm air to rise? A. Conduction B. Radiation C. Convection D. Reflection

Answer 29

C. Convection involves warm air rising and cooler air sinking.

Question 30

Which layer of Earth contains all living things? A. Atmosphere B. Biosphere C. Geosphere D. Cryosphere

Answer 30

B. The biosphere includes all living organisms.

Question 31

Why does air pressure decrease with altitude? A. Gravity increases B. The air becomes thinner C. Temperature increases D. Wind speeds drop

Answer 31

B. As you go higher, air becomes less dense and thinner.

Question 32

Which example shows interaction between the geosphere and biosphere? A. Plants growing in soil B. Rain falling into oceans C. Clouds forming D. Earthquakes shaking buildings

Answer 32

A. Plants growing in soil show interaction between the biosphere and geosphere.

Question 33

What causes sea breezes during the day? A. Ocean is colder than land B. Ocean heats faster than land C. Air over land is cooler D. None of the above

Answer 33

A. During the day, land heats up faster, causing air to rise and draw in cooler ocean air.

Question 34

What is the main reason the equator is warmer than the poles? A. It is closer to the Sun B. It receives more direct sunlight C. It has more land D. It has less atmosphere

Answer 34

B. The equator receives more direct sunlight than the poles.

Question 35

Which of the following is part of the cryosphere? A. Groundwater B. Rainwater C. Glaciers D. Fog

Answer 35

C. Glaciers and ice sheets are frozen parts of the hydrosphere, called the cryosphere.

Question 36

Which type of energy transfer allows sunlight to reach Earth? A. Conduction B. Radiation C. Convection D. Evaporation

Answer 36

B. Radiation is how solar energy reaches Earth.

Question 37

What happens to warm air in the atmosphere? A. Sinks B. Stays the same C. Rises D. Disappears

Answer 37

C. Warm air becomes less dense and rises.

Question 38

Why does water heat more slowly than land? A. It reflects more sunlight B. It is denser C. It absorbs more sunlight D. It stores heat longer

Answer 38

D. Water has a higher heat capacity, so it changes temperature more slowly.

Question 39

How do ocean currents affect global climate? A. They block heat from reaching the poles B. They regulate the planet's heat C. They move icebergs D. They reduce rainfall

Answer 39

B. Ocean currents help move heat around Earth, affecting climate patterns.

Question 40

What process turns liquid water into vapor? A. Condensation B. Evaporation C. Precipitation D. Freezing

Answer 40

B. Evaporation is when liquid water turns to vapor due to heat.

Question 41

Which sphere contains the soil and rocks? A. Atmosphere B. Hydrosphere C. Geosphere D. Cryosphere

Answer 41

C. The geosphere contains rocks, soil, and Earth's interior.

Question 42

What forms when water vapor condenses in the atmosphere? A. Clouds B. Wind C. Snow D. Fog

Answer 42

A. Condensed water vapor forms clouds in the sky.

Question 43

What drives the movement of global winds? A. Moon’s gravity B. Earth’s rotation C. Uneven solar heating D. Ocean tides

Answer 43

C. Global winds are caused by unequal heating of the Earth's surface.

Question 44

Which of these best describes the water cycle? A. A seasonal event B. A closed loop of water moving through states C. A chemical change D. None of the above

Answer 44

B. The water cycle describes how water changes state and moves through Earth's systems.

Question 45

What causes differences in weather between coastal and inland areas? A. Mountains B. Elevation C. Ocean’s heat capacity D. Forest cover

Answer 45

C. Water moderates temperature, so coastal areas stay more stable.

Question 46

What happens when Earth's surface absorbs solar radiation? A. It is reflected into space B. It causes precipitation C. It warms the surface D. It creates earthquakes

Answer 46

C. Solar radiation heats Earth's surface, leading to warmth and energy flow.

Question 47

How do greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature? A. They trap heat B. They block sunlight C. They reflect sunlight D. They cool the air

Answer 47

A. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, raising Earth’s temperature.

Question 48

What is formed when rising warm air creates strong spinning winds? A. Earthquake B. Tornado C. Hurricane D. Tsunami

Answer 48

C. A hurricane forms over warm oceans and involves strong spinning winds.

Question 49

What happens in a positive feedback loop involving ice? A. Ice reflects more sunlight B. Ice absorbs more heat C. Less ice leads to more warming D. Ice traps cold air

Answer 49

C. Less ice leads to more heat absorption, which causes more melting—a positive feedback loop.

Question 50

Which heat transfer method drives ocean currents? A. Radiation B. Conduction C. Convection D. Insulation

Answer 50

C. Ocean currents are driven by convection caused by differences in temperature and salinity.