Chapter 9 - Cycling of Matter and Energy BSCS

Thermal energy is transferred throughout Earth by which of the following processes?

• Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

• Photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation

• Radiation, convection, and conduction

• Weathering, erosion, and deposition

Which of the following is most responsible for the uneven distribution of solar energy on Earth and therefore the cause of the different seasons?

• Earth's distribution of land and water

• Earth's revolution

• Earth's rotation

• Earth's tilt

A student is making a bowl of soup on the stove. How does the soup heat?

• The energy circulates in convection cells, warming the soup.

• The heat from the surrounding air warms the soup.

• The energy is released during a phase change, warming the soup.

• The energy radiates from the cook-top, warming the soup.

An ecologist notes an increase in algae growth in a river adjacent to a farm that uses fertilizers. What can she infer from this information?

• The water contains too much phosphorus.

• The water contains too much nitrogen.

• The water contains too little phosphorus.

• The water could contain too much nitrogen or phosphorus, but there is not enough information to tell which.

A scientist studying a swamp notes that it contains a high concentration of organic carbon. This region would be classified as what?

• carbon source

• carbon sink

• carbon cell

• carbon cycle

Which of the following natural processes adds greenhouses gases to the atmosphere?

• animal respiration

• burning of fossil fuels

• volcanic eruptions

• all of the above

Which of the following processes removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere?

• animal respiration

• burning of fossil fuels

• decomposition

• photosynthesis

Water in which state of matter has the greatest thermal energy?

• ice

• liquid

• gas

Which of the following are examples of convection? Select the 2 correct answers.

• warm air rising

• getting burned from touching a hot spoon

• water boiling on a stove

• heat from the sun travelling through the atmosphere

Global ocean currents play a dominant part in determining what factor in many regions?

• natural resources

• climate

• wildlife

• salinity