Earth Science Regents Jan 2010

In which sequence are the items listed from least total mass to greatest total mass?

• (1) solar system, Milky Way, universe

• (2) Milky Way, solar system, universe

• (3) universe, Milky Way, solar system

• (4) Milky Way, universe, solar system

The red shift of visible light waves that is observed by astronomers on Earth is used to determine the

• (1) sizes of nearby galaxies

• (2) relative motions of distant galaxies

• (3) densities of the planets

• (4) rotation periods of the planets

The Foucault pendulum provides evidence of Earth’s

• (1) revolution around the Sun in a geocentric solar system

• (2) revolution around the Sun in a heliocentric solar system

• (3) rotation on its axis in a geocentric solar system

• (4) rotation on its axis in a heliocentric solar system

If the average distance between Earth and the Sun were doubled, what changes would occur in the Sun’s gravitational pull on Earth and Earth’s period of revolution?

• Gravitational pull would decrease and period of revolution would increase

• Gravitational pull would decrease and period of revolution would decrease

• Gravitational pull would increase and period of revolution would increase.

• Gravitational pull would increase and period of revolution would decrease.

How many days are required for the Moon to go from one full-Moon phase to the next full-Moon phase when viewed from Earth?

• 24

• 27.3

• 29.5

• 365

An air mass classified as cT usually forms over which type of Earth surface?

• cool water

• warm water

• cool land

• warm land

The division of Earth’s geologic history into units of time called eons, eras, periods, and epochs is based on

• fossil evidence

• absolute dating techniques

• seismic data

• climatic changes

U-shaped valleys and parallel grooves in bedrock are characteristics of erosion by

• glacial ice

• wave action

• running water

• mass movement

Which process in the water cycle is directly responsible for cloud formation?

• condensation

• precipitation

• infiltration

• evaporation

What is the latitude and longitude of point X?

• 40° S 45° E

• 60° S 30° W

• 50° N 45° W

• 75° N 30° E