APES Unit 4 Review

Which biome would have the highest albedo?

• Desert

• Tundra

• Mountain Range

• Taiga

Answer explanation

Albedo is the measure of the reflectiveness of a surface; a higher albedo means that more light is reflected. (ex: the moon has a very high albedo). Light/ white surfaces reflect more light than dark surfaces, so the tundra will have the highest albedo.

On which side of a mountain would one expect rain?

• The leeward side

• The rainward side

• The windward side

• The waterward side

Answer explanation

The prevailing winds carry moisture from the ocean onto land, but when they reach a mountain range, they're unable to keep going. This keeps the moisture on the windward side, leading to heavy precipitation on the windward side and a dry environment on the leeward side.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

43% Sand, 21% Silt, and 36% Clay

• Sandy clay loam

• Clay loam

• Sandy Clay

• Clay

8% Sand, 77% Silt, and 15% Clay

• Silt

• Sandy loam

• Loam

• Silt loam

51% Sand, 44% Silt, and 5% Clay

• Loamy sand

• Loam

• Sandy loam

• Sand

Which boundary type is the most likely to cause earthquakes?

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Transform

Answer explanation

Transform boundaries involve two plates that slide past each other. Sometimes, these plates slip drastically or get snagged, which causes earthquakes.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Which statement correctly matches parts a type with its properties?

• Sand has the highest porosity

• Clay has the largest particles

• Silt has the smallest particles

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Soil porosity is the ability of a soil to allow water to filter through. Larger particles, like those in sand, have more space between particles, leaving a lot of room for water to slip through. Why the others are wrong: clay's particles are the smallest, and silt's particles are smaller than sand's, but larger than clay particles.

An oceanic and terrestrial plate collide. Which plate subducts beneath the other? Explain.

• The terrestrial plate subducts because it's under more pressure

• The oceanic plate subducts because the water forces it down

• The terrestrial plate subducts because organisms weigh it down

• The oceanic plate subducts because it's denser

Answer explanation

When an oceanic and terrestrial plate collide, the oceanic plate will go underneath the terrestrial plate. This is because oceanic plates are made of basalt, while terrestrial plates are made of granite. Basalt is the denser rock, so oceanic plates subduct under terrestrial plates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A student digs a soil pit and finds a layer with a lot of minerals and little life. Which soil horizon did they find?

• The B horizon

• The E horizon

• The O horizon

• The C horizon

Answer explanation

One would find a lot of minerals and very little life in the B horizon because it's closer to the parent material than the O and A horizons, which host most life.

Which option best explains why the Arctic Circle would have the lowest solar radiation in December?

• The days are very short in the Arctic during December

• The days are very long in the Arctic during December

• It's tilted away from the sun

• The trade winds cycle warmth away from it

Answer explanation

Due to the tilt of Earth's axis, the Arctic Circle remains in the dark for the majority of December, while the Antarctic remains in constant sunlight during that time. Why the others are wrong: length of day doesn't cause shifts in solar radiation; rather, length of day is a result of shifts in solar radiation due to Earth's tilt. The trade winds don't really have an impact here.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1