Chapter Two - Earth as a System

The "middle" sphere, the strong, lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core is called the ____.

• biosphere.
• mesosphere.
• geosphere.
• atmosphere.

A system in which both energy and matter are exchanged with the surroundings is called a(n) _____.

• open system
• life system
• closed system
• free system

All of the following are processes through which Earth's energy and matter passes EXCEPT the ____.

• phosphorus cycle
• nitrogen cycle
• oxygen cycle
• carbon cycle

What are the Earth's pole-to-pole circumference and equatorial circumference measurements?

• 4,000 km,   40,700 km
• 7,000 km, 7,400 km
• 70,000 km, 40,700 km
• 40,007 km, 40,074 km

The force of attraction between any two objects depends on the masses of the objects and the distance between them, according to _____.

• the law of magnetism
• Newton's law of gravitation
• the law of the magnetosphere
• the law of plasticity

Earth's shape is a(n) _____.

• oblate sphereoid
• oval
• perfect circle
• circular spheroid

A community of organisms and their abiotic environment is called a(n) ___.

• ecological system
• life cycle
• biological system
• ecosystem

The possible source of Earth's magnetic core is ____.

• Earth's ionized atmosphere
• the movement of tides
• the liquid iron in its outer core
• friction caused by rotation

What can happen to energy as it passes through an ecosystem?

• It can be lost.
• It can be unchanged.
• It can increase.
• It can change form.

Which factors do NOT control the balance of an ecosystem?

• producers
• consumers
• decomposers
• creators