Earth Science Regents - Part A

A Foucault pendulum appears to change its directions of swing because Earth

• is tilted on its axis
• is spinning on its axis
• has a curved surface
• has a density of 5.5 g/cm3

The modern heliocentric model of planetary motion states that the planets travel around

• the Sun in slightly elliptical orbits
• the Sun in circular orbits
• Earth is slightly elliptical orbits
• Earth in circular orbits

To an observer on Earth, the Sun appears brighter than the star Rigel because the Sun is 

• hotter than Rigel
• more luminous than Rigel
• closer than Rigel
• larger than Rigel

El Cuy is a South American city located at 40 degrees south latitude. During which month would the coldest day most likely occur at this location?

• May
• November
• July
• January

Which soil characteristic allows greater amounts of water retention?

• large-size particles
• small-size particles
• high-density particles
• low-density particles

A paved blacktop parking lot was built on what was once a soil-covered field. The area will now experience increased runoff when rain occurs because the parking lot has

• less capillarity
• greater infiltration
• greater porosity
• less permeability

Which processes of the water cycle return watervapor directly to the atmosphere?

• evpaoration and transpiration
• infiltration and capillarity
• freezing and precipitation
• water retention and runoff

Evidence supports the idea that increases in carbon dioxide and methane in Earth’s atmosphere are major contributors to global warming. This is based primarily on the fact that carbon dioxide and methane are excellent absorbers of

• gamma rays
• visible light
• infrared radiation
• microwaves

The bedrock of the Adirondack Mountains was formed mainly by the

• cementation of clastic sediments and precipitates from seawater
• compaction and recrystallization of volcanic material
• regional metamorphism of sedimentary and igneous rocks
• contact metamorphism of unconsolidated gravels

Which element, found in both biotite mica and muscovite mica, makes up the greatest percent by volume of Earth’s crust?

• nitrogen
• oxygen
• potassium
• silicon