Earth Science Study Guide

Earth's seasons are influenced by the Earth's tilt on its axis as well as its _____________ around the Sun.

• barycenter

• precession

• revolution

• rotation

Planets in our solar system travel in their own orbital paths around the Sun. What causes the planets to continuously orbit the Sun instead of floating away into space?

• Not enough room is available in space for planets to float freely.

• The planets' magnetic poles prevent them from leaving their orbital paths.

• Gravitational pulls of planets' moons are too strong for planets to float away.

• The Sun's large mass causes it to have significant gravitational force, holding planets in their orbital paths.

What comes after precipitation during the water cycle?

• evaporation

• sublimation

• condensation

• infiltration

What would happen to the planets in the solar system if the Sun’s gravitational force were to suddenly disappear?

• They will stop spinning.

• They will fly away in straight lines.

• They will start moving toward the Sun.

• They will stop moving and become static

Groundwater moves from the ground through plants and then back into the atmosphere through the process of

• condensation

• precipitation

• runoff

• transpiration

Our Solar System is in the Milky Way galaxy. What shape is this galaxy?

• oval

• rectangular

• spiral

• triangular

As the Earth spins, __________ occurs when part of the Earth is facing away from the Sun.

• day

• night

• summer

• winter

The burning of fossil fuels contributes to

• global warming

• continental drift

• ice cap formation

• sea levels dropping

A storm that gets its energy from humid air at the ocean’s surface is called a

• tsunami

• hurricane

• thunderstorm

• tornado

Wind energy is currently being used in the production of electricity. One way is through the use of windmills. What is the main advantage of using windmills?

• They are quiet

• They are nonpolluting

• They can be used anywhere

• They are 90 percent efficient