Regents Review

The universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old. Compared to the age of the solar system, the age of the universe is approximately

• the same age as the solar system

• 2x older than the solar system

• 3x older than our solar system

• 4x older than our solar system

Planets that are closest to the Sun are identified as

• low-density jovian planets

• low-density terrestrial planets

• high-density jovian planets

• high-density terrestrial planets

Which process of the water cycle occurs when water absorbs 2260 Joules of heat energy per gram?

• melting of ice

• condensation of water

• evaporating of water

• freezing of water

What is the relative humidity of the air when the air temperature is 4°C and the dew point is -􏰀4°C ?

• 42%

• 46%

• 51%

• 56%

The diagram below represents the light spectra given off by the same element as observed under two different conditions. Spectrum A was observed when that element was heated in a laboratory. Spectrum B shows the same element as seen in the light from a distant star.

The light spectrum observed from this distant star shows a

• red shift, which indicates that the star is moving away from Earth

• red shift, which indicates that the star is moving toward the Earth

• blue shift, which indicates that the star is moving away from Earth

• blue shift, which indicates that the star is moving toward Earth

The diagrams below represent the constellations seen by an observer in New York State while looking toward the southern horizon at midnight on July 9 and January 8.

Which motion is mainly responsible for the difference in the constellations visible at midnight on these two dates?

• The Sun orbits Earth

• Earth orbits the Sun

• The stars in the constellations orbit Earth

• Earth orbits the stars in the constellations

Which graph best shows the general relationship between air pressure and altitude?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Which natural event periodically weakens western surface ocean currents in the equatorial Pacific

Ocean, resulting in a change in air temperature

and precipitation patterns in the United States?

• El Nin ̃o

• transpiration

• ocean tides

• volcanic eruptions

Most of the oceanic oxygen that began to enter Earth’s atmosphere in the early Proterozoic Era was probably produced by

• formation of silicate rocks

• photosynthesis by cyanobacteria

• impact on Earth's surface

• outgassing volcanoes

During which geologic period did plants and animals first appear in land environments?

• cambrian

• ordovician

• silurian

• devonian