SSA Earth Science

Which of these parts of the Earth system are interacting when Florida’s orange trees grow?

• biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
• geosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere
• biosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere
• cryosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere

The picture below shows a coastline. During the day, water from the ocean is transferred to the atmosphere. Which of these statements describes the energy change that takes place during the transfer?

• Energy is transported from the atmosphere to the ocean, which makes the ocean warmer
• Energy is transported from the atmosphere to the ocean, which makes the ocean cooler.
• Energy is transported from the ocean to the atmosphere, which makes the atmosphere warmer.
• Energy is transported from the ocean to the atmosphere, which makes the atmosphere cooler.

The Florida Current was first reported by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513 when he discovered Florida. As seen in the following map, the Florida Current flows around the southern tip of Florida and up the East Coast. How does the Florida Current most likely affect the climate of cities along the coast of southern Florida, such as Miami?

• It brings more wind, which makes the air less humid.
• It brings dry air, which contributes to hotter temperatures.
• It brings warm water, which makes the air temperature warmer.
• It brings cool water, which makes the air temperature cooler.

Evaporation of water into the air is part of the water cycle. Precipitation of water back to Earth is also part of the water cycle. Both of these parts of the water cycle are shown in the following illustration.  What role does the Floridian aquifer play in the water cycle?

• Water evaporates from the aquifer to enter the atmosphere.
• Water moves from the aquifer onto the surface in the form of precipitation.
• Water condenses so that water vapor changes into raindrops or snowflakes.
• Water seeps from the aquifer back into the Gulf of Mexico to help keep the cycle flowing

The area in which you live has a particular climate. It also has weather. What is the difference between climate and weather?

• Climate is determined by temperature and precipitation, whereas weather is determined only by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions.
• Weather is determined by temperature and precipitation, whereas climate is determined only by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions.
• Climate is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place, whereas weather is the characteristic climate in an area over a long period of time.
• Weather is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place, whereas climate is the characteristic weather in an area over a long period of time.

Ozone is a gas found mostly in the upper atmosphere. What is the main benefit of ozone?

• Ozone protects Earth from loose space debris.
• Ozone is responsible for rain, which provides water for Earth.
• Ozone traps gravity so that objects on Earth do not float away.
• Ozone filters out ultraviolet radiation from the sun and shields Earth from some of this harmful energy.

Earth scientists have identified four distinct layers of the atmosphere. What is the correct order of these layers from lowest to highest in the atmosphere?

• stratosphere, troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
• thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere
• troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, stratosphere
• troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere

The temperatures in Gainesville, Florida, vary more than the temperatures in Miami, Florida. The map shows the locations of both of these cities. How can the locations of the two cities explain the differences in their temperature ranges?

• Gainesville is farther north than Miami, so latitude will make its temperatures vary more widely.
• Miami is closer to the ocean, and winds from the ocean cause its temperatures to vary greatly.
• Miami is closer to the ocean, which affects its climate by keeping its temperatures more consistent.
• Gainesville is further inland, which affects its climate by keeping it warmer at night and colder during the day.

Wind, which affects precipitation and temperature and therefore climate, is driven by the sun’s energy. Which best explains how the sun’s energy affects winds?

• The sun causes consistent air pressure in the atmosphere, which leads to even heating, which causes winds.
• The sun causes differences in air pressure that lead to differential heating of the atmosphere, which causes winds.
• The sun causes differential heating of the atmosphere, which leads to differences in air pressure that cause winds.
• The sun causes even heating of the atmosphere, which leads to constant air pressure in the atmosphere, which causes winds.

The sun’s energy influences climate in different ways. For example, the latitudes at the equator receive more energy from the sun and therefore have warmer temperatures. How does the sun’s energy most directly influence precipitation in a climate?

• The sun’s energy drives the water cycle, which determines precipitation
• The sun’s energy creates wind patterns that bring precipitation to different areas.
• The sun’s energy controls the amount of condensation and therefore precipitation
• The sun’s energy starts the water cycle by causing percolation, which leads to precipitation.