Earth Science Flashcards
(67 cards)
Which theory suggests that the Earth
formed from a nebula, a cloud of gas and
dust in space?
A. Big Bang Theory
B. Nebular Hypothesis
C. Steady State Theory
D. Plate Tectonics Theory
B. Nebular Hypothesis
Approximately how old is the earth?
A. 4.5 billion years
B. 2024 years
C. 13.7 billion years
D. 100 years
A. 4.5 billion years
What is the name of the supercontinent
proposed by Alfred Wegener in his theory
of continental drift?
A. Pangaea
B. Gondwana
C. Laurasia
D. Guo Hua Ping
A. Pangaea
What geological phenomenon is primarily
responsible for the movement of the
earth’s lithospheric plates?
A. Earthquake
B. Volcanic eruptions
C. Plate tectonics
D. Meteorite impacts
C. Plate tectonics
What is the primary driving force behind
the movement of tectonic plates?
A) Wind currents
B) Solar radiation
C) Mantle convection
D) Ocean tides
C) Mantle convection
Scientists once thought that the continents had formed
in their current locations. Alfred Wegener first published this theory of continental drift in 1915. Which of the
following provides evidence for continental drift?
A. Africa and South America fit together like puzzle pieces.
B. Africa and South America have the same type of climate.
C. Plants and animals found in Africa differ from those found
in Australia
D. Movement of the Australian continent was observed.
A. Africa and South America fit together like puzzle pieces.
Which type of boundary occurs where two
tectonic plates are moving away from
each other?
A) Convergent boundary
B) Divergent boundary
C) Transform boundary
D) Subduction zone
B) Divergent boundary
What term describes the process by
which oceanic crust is forced beneath
continental crust at a convergent plate
boundary?
A. Seafloor spreading
B. Rifting
C. Subduction
D. Transform faulting
C. Subduction
Which era is characterized by the recent
evolution of humans and the dominance of
mammals on Earth?
A) Paleozoic
B) Mesozoic
C) Cenozoic
D) Precambrian
C) Cenozoic
Which mass extinction event is known for
causing the demise of the dinosaurs?
A) Permian-Triassic extinction
B) Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction
C) Triassic-Jurassic extinction
D) Ordovician-Silurian extinction
B) Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction
Which of the following is considered the largest
mass extinction event in Earth’s history, wiping
out approximately 90-96% of marine species?
A) Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction
B) Permian-Triassic extinction
C) Triassic-Jurassic extinction
D) Devonian extinction
B) Permian-Triassic extinction
Which energy source relies on the heat
generated from within the Earth’s crust?
A) Geothermal
B) Wind
C) Biomass
D) Hydroelectric
A) Geothermal
A coastal city with consistent strong winds is
looking to expand its renewable energy portfolio.
Which energy source would be most suitable for
harnessing the city’s wind resources ?
A) Solar power
B) Geothermal power
C) Hydroelectric power
D) Wind power
D) Wind power
Which layer of the Earth is liquid and creates the Earth’s
magnetic field?
A) Crust
B) Mantle
C) Outer core
D) Inner core
C) Outer core
What is the boundary between the Earth’s crust and mantle
called?
A) Lithosphere
B) Asthenosphere
C) Moho (Mohorovičić discontinuity)
D) Core-mantle boundary
C) Moho (Mohorovičić discontinuity)
What is the Earth’s crust primarily composed of?
A) Iron and nickel
B) Silicon and aluminum
C) Magnesium and sulfur
D) Hydrogen and helium
B) Silicon and aluminum
Which layer of Earth has the GREATEST density
and is solid?
A. Outer core
B. Crust
C. Mantle
D. Inner core
D. Inner core
Different wavs pass through the earth’s inner layers.
Through this information, we can understand the
characteristics of each layer. Thus, we know that the inner
core is solid because_______
A. P- waves pass though it
B. S waves pass through it
C. P waves cannot pass through it
D. S waves cannot pass through it
D. S waves cannot pass through it
During which part of the water cycle does
water return to the atmosphere from plant
leaves through the tiny openings called stomata?
A. Evaporation
B. Transpiration
C. Condensation
D. Precipitation
B. Transpiration
What is the process called where water
vapor cools and changes back into liquid
droplets?
A) Evaporation
B) Condensation
C) Precipitation
D) Transpiration
B) Condensation
In the context of global climate change, how might
increased atmospheric temperatures impact the
hydrological cycle and lead to changes in weather
patterns?
A) Decrease the rate of evaporation–> more stable weather patterns.
B) Increase the rate of evaporation—> potentially intensifying the
water cycle and leading to more extreme weather events such as
storms and droughts.
C) No significant impact on the hydrological cycle
D) Reduce precipitation leading to uniform dryness
B) Increase the rate of evaporation—> potentially intensifying the
water cycle and leading to more extreme weather events such as
storms and droughts.
Which organism plays a crucial role in the
nitrogen cycle by converting nitrogen gas
into ammonia?
A) Bacteria
B) Plants
C) Fungi
D) Algae
A) Bacteria
Which process in the nitrogen cycle involves
the conversion of nitrogen gas (N2) from the
atmosphere into forms that plants can use?
A) Nitrification
B) Denitrification
C) Ammonification
D) Nitrogen fixation
D) Nitrogen fixation
Human activities, such as industrial processes and
agricultural practices, contribute significantly to
nitrogen pollution in ecosystems. How does excessive
nitrogen input affect aquatic environments?
A) It promotes oxygenation of water bodies, enhancing aquatic biodiversity.
B) It stimulates primary productivity, leading to increased fish populations.
C) It can cause eutrophication, leading to oxygen depletion and fish kills.
D) It accelerates denitrification, reducing nitrogen levels in water.
C) It can cause eutrophication, leading to oxygen depletion and fish kills.
