Earth Science Finals

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 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.

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.

Earth has seasons because

• it rotates on its axis

• the distance between Earth and the sun changes

• its axis is tilted as it moves around the sun.

• the temperature of the sun changes.

Scientists think the moon was formed when

• object struck Earth; ejected material from collision

• gravitational forces attracted a moon from elsewhere

• meteoroids collected and solidified within Earth’s gravity.

• gases from Earth escaped to condense in space

All objects are attracted to each other by the force of

• weight.

• mass.

• inertia.

• gravity.

The lifetime of a star depends on its

• temperature.

• absolute brightness.

• mass.

• apparent brightness

The solar system formed from

• an expanding galaxy.

• a giant cloud of gas and dust.

• an enormous explosion.

• a black hole

In a heliocentric system, Earth revolves around

• Mars.

• the stars.

• the moon.

• the Sun.