Earth Science 2024 Review

How was the solar system primarily formed?

• By the collision of two galaxies.

• Through the condensation of a giant cloud of gas and dust called a solar nebula.

• By the gravitational collapse of a massive star.

• Through the explosion of a supernova.

Which of the following planets has an atmosphere of mostly hydrogen and helium?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Jupiter

• Mars

Figure 1 is a cartoon model depicting the solar nebular theory. According to the solar nebula theory, which sequence of events best describes the formation of the solar system?

• The collapse of a massive star followed by the condensation of gas and dust into planets.

• The collision of two galaxies resulting in the formation of a central star orbited by planets.

• The gravitational collapse of a rotating cloud of gas and dust, forming a flattened disk from which planets accrete.

• The explosion of a supernova leading to the dispersal of gas and dust, followed by the formation of planets.

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Based on historical data, which region is most likely to experience frequent earthquakes?

• Regions located along convergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates collide, are most likely to experience frequent earthquakes.

• Earthquake frequency is higher in regions near transform plate boundaries, where tectonic plates slide past each other.

• Areas on divergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates move away from each other, have a higher likelihood of experiencing frequent earthquakes.

• The frequency of earthquakes is random and unrelated to tectonic activity.

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How does the rotation and revolution of the Earth contribute to the occurrence of day and night?

• Rotation causes the Earth to orbit the Sun, creating daylight when the Sun is overhead and darkness when it is on the opposite side of the Earth.

• Revolution causes the Earth to spin on its axis, resulting in the Sun appearing to rise in the east and set in the west, causing alternating periods of daylight and darkness.

• Rotation causes the Earth to face towards the Sun, resulting in daylight, while revolution around the Sun causes nighttime when the Earth faces away from the Sun.

• Revolution causes the Earth to tilt on its axis, causing different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight, resulting in the alternation of day and night.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Earthquakes are represented by the gray dots. According to the map, which location would be the most likely place for the fault line to exist in North Carolina?

• East of Raleigh

• South of Raleigh

• North of Charlotte

• West of Charlotte

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A full moon occurs once every 29.5 days. If 15 days have passed since the last full moon, which of the following is most likely occurring?

• Neap tide because there is a quarter moon

• Neap tide because there is a new moon

• Spring tide because there is a new moon

• Spring tide because there is a full moon

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How do plate tectonics primarily influence topography?

• By regulating the Earth's magnetic field and atmospheric circulation patterns.

• By controlling the distribution of ocean currents.

• By controlling the distribution of climate zones.

• By determining the location of mountain ranges and the formation of landforms.

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Earth’s orbit has an eccentricity of 0.017 while Mercury has an eccentricity of 0.21. Which of the following most accurately describes the planets’ orbital paths?

• Earth’s orbit is more eccentric than Mercury’s orbit because Earth is farther from the Sun

• Earth’s orbit is closer to circular than Mercury’s orbit because Earth’s orbit has a lower eccentricity.

• Mercury’s orbit is closer to circular than Earth’s because Mercury’s orbit has lower eccentricity.

• Mercury’s orbit is elliptical while Earth’s orbit is circular.

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According to the model of nuclear fusion in the Sun, which process primarily produces energy within the Sun's core?

• Fission of heavy elements

• Fusion of hydrogen nuclei (protons) into helium nuclei

• Nuclear decay of radioactive isotopes

• Combustion of hydrogen gas

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