2024 Practice - Benchmark 1 Physics

Front

How do zircon crystals help scientists in understanding Earth's early history?

Back

By acting as time capsules from the past

Front

What does the study of ancient zircon crystals suggest about the early conditions on Earth's surface?

Back

Rapid cooling and solidification led to the formation of the first continents.

Front

What does the discovery of zircon crystals, indicating Earth's crust may have begun forming as early as 4.4 billion years ago, imply about the timing of the planet's initial formation?

Back

Earth's initial formation occurred shortly before 4.4 billion years ago.

Front

How does the discovery of magnetic striping on the ocean floor support the theory of plate tectonics?

Back

It implies the movement of tectonic plates

Front

What role do the ages and composition of rocks in South America and Africa play in understanding the movement of continental crusts?

Back

They indicate the former connection of the continents.

Front

How does plate tectonic theory provide a more comprehensive explanation for the movement of continents compared to the original theory of continental drift?

Back

Plate tectonics accounts for the symmetrical magnetic striping on the ocean floor, indicating seafloor spreading.

Front

Which model explains the formation of deep ocean trenches?

Back

A model depicting the subduction of an oceanic plate beneath a continental plate, creating a trench.

Front

How could a model best illustrate the formation of a volcanic island chain, such as the Hawaiian Islands?

Back

By depicting a tectonic plate moving over a stationary hotspot, with successive volcanic eruptions creating a chain of islands.

Front

Which model would best illustrate the formation and destruction of a coastal landscape over time?

Back

A model depicting a coastline being built up by volcanic activity, then gradually eroded by waves and wind.

Front

How did the researchers in the study gather data to study the convection currents in Earth's mantle?

Back

By collecting seismic data from various regions around the world