Released NC Earth Science Final Exam

Which statement describes the motion of Earth around the sun?

• The speed of Earth is constant regardless of its distance from the sun.
• The speed of Earth is constant because the distance remains the same between Earth and the sun.
• Speed Increases the farther Earth is from the sun and decreases the closer it is to the sun.
• Speed increases the closer Earth is to the sun and decreases the farther it is from the sun.

If it is summer in the northern hemisphere, which statement is true?

• Earth has changed the tilt of its axis by 20 degrees due to its revolution.
• It is winter in the southern hemisphere due to the tilt of Earth's axis.
• It is summer in the southern hemisphere due to the tilt of Earth's axis.
• Earth has reached its closest point to the sun due to its revolution.

How does a straight alignment between Earth, the sun, and moon impact the tides on Earth?

• It produces the greatest change in high and low tides.
• It produces the least change in high and low tides.
• It produces semidiurnal tides.
• It produces diurnal tides.

Which describes the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

• Nuclear fission is the process that produces the radiant energy of stars, and nuclear fusion splits a heavier nucleus into smaller nuclei.
• Nuclear fission splits a heavier nucleus into smaller nuclei, and nuclear fusion is the process that produces the radiant energy of stars.
• Nuclear fission produces the energy in the core of Earth, and nuclear fusion produces energy in nuclear power plants.
• Nuclear fission produces energy in nuclear power plants, and nuclear fusion produces the energy in the core of Earth.

How does heat from the sun get to Earth?

• by radiation, using electromagnetic waves to transfer heat
• by convection, using liquids and gases to transfer the heat
• by conduction, using solids to transfer the heat
• by absorption, using primary waves to transfer the heat

Why do green plants require solar energy?

• to produce their own food
• to absorb nitrogen into their roots
• to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
• to decompose the dead or decaying remains of animals

Which structure can form as a result of a divergent plate boundary?

• a continental volcanic arc, due to the collision of two plates
• a continental mountain, due to the collision of plates
• a mid-ocean ridge, due to the separation of two plates
• an ocean trench, due to the separation of two plates

Which would produce the most severe earthquake damage along the surface of Earth?

• an earthquake with a deep focus and a magnitude of 2.5
• an earthquake with a shallow focus and a magnitude of 2.5
• an earthquake with a deep focus and a magnitude of 4.5
• an earthquake with a shallow focus and a magnitude of 4.5

Scientists are studying a graph showing the time differences between the seismic P-waves and the seismic S-waves as they travel through Earth.  Which information can they learn from the graph?

• the magnitude of an earthquake
• the duration of an earthquake
• the epicenter of an earthquake
• the intensity of an earthquake

Which agent of erosion leads to the formation of sand dunes?

• ice
• wind
• water
• gravity