Earth Science Finals Study Guide

How does the latitude of a region affect its climate?

• by increasing the length of days throughout the year

• by increasing the amount of energy the land can absorb

• by determining the angle of sunlight throughout the year

• by determining the rate that tectonic plates can move

The oceans cover more of Earth’s surface than land does, and that partially explains why Earth’s surface is not uniformly heated by the Sun. Which statement accurately explains how oceans and land absorb and retain the Sun’s energy?

• More energy is absorbed and stored by oceans than by land.

• More energy is absorbed and stored by land than by oceans.

• Although oceans absorb more energy than land, land stores more energy than oceans.

• Although land absorbs more energy than oceans, oceans store more energy than land.

Which statement BEST describes how photosynthesis affects Earth’s energy budget?

• Photosynthesis destroys a significant amount of incoming solar radiation.

• Photosynthesis transforms a small amount of solar radiation into chemical energy.

• Photosynthesis increases the amount of solar energy that is reflected back into space.

• Photosynthesis prevents most of the incoming solar energy from heating Earth’s atmosphere.

Which of the following would MOST likely slow Earth’s tectonic activity?

• Earth’s crust becomes cooler.

• Earth’s mantle becomes warmer.

• Earth’s mantle becomes cooler.

• Earth’s outer core becomes warmer.

Which of the following BEST describes the impact that the formation of a reef usually has on an island beach?

• The reef increases erosion by trapping water close to the beach.

• The reef increases erosion by supporting organism growth near the beach.

• The reef decreases erosion by lowering the frequency of tides at the beach.

• The reef decreases erosion by lessening the force of waves on the beach.

In many parts of the world, land that is too dry for farming is used for grazing livestock. Overgrazing of these lands destroys the native plants and breaks down the natural soil covering. How does overgrazing result in desertification?

• by increasing the rate at which topsoil is eroded

• by allowing nonnative species to colonize the land

• by reducing the food available to livestock

• by causing the land to absorb rainfall more quickly

Which property of water vapor allows it to function as a greenhouse gas?

• Water vapor expands when exposed to sunlight.

• Water vapor absorbs and reemits heat radiated from Earth.

• Water vapor changes ultraviolet radiation into carbon dioxide.

• Water vapor transmits heat as solar radiation.

The climate of an area would be expected to have the LEAST fluctuations in temperatures where the

• atmospheric nitrogen is low.

• vegetation is sparse.

• days are longest.

• humidity is high.

What causes the differences in the air masses that permit hurricanes to form over oceans?

• Ocean water is cool and cools the air above it.

• Ocean water is warm and heats the air above it.

• Ocean water contains salt that reacts with air, changing the air pressure.

• Ocean water contains algae that make oxygen, changing the air’s composition.

Over a 30-year period residents of an area have noticed that spring-like conditions have been starting earlier each year. This general observation is MOST likely based on

• a series of climate observations indicating a possible change in weather.

• a series of weather observations indicating a possible change in climate.

• using weather instead of climate to describe conditions in a small area.

• using climate instead of weather to describe conditions in a small area.