Earth Science SOL 2007 Released Items

Why does a comet’s tail point away from the Sun?

• The solar wind blows the tail away from the Sun.

• It is being pulled by a nearby black hole.

• The Moon’s light only shines on part of the comet.

• The comet’s tail is following the path of Jupiter.

Answer explanation

A comet's tail points away from the Sun because the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun, pushes the tail in that direction, regardless of the comet's trajectory.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Cloudy nights can be warmer than clear nights because clouds trap heat __.

• generated from tropical winds

• produced by the friction of air particles

• released from Earth’s interior

• absorbed by Earth during daylight hours

Answer explanation

Cloudy nights are warmer because clouds trap heat that is absorbed by Earth during the day. This heat is released at night, preventing temperatures from dropping as much as they would on clear nights.

In the gold rush of 1849, prospectors found a yellow mineral that appeared to be gold, but was harder and more brittle than gold. What is this mineral that came to be called “fool’s gold”?

• Calcite

• Copper

• Sulfur

• Pyrite

Answer explanation

The mineral found during the 1849 gold rush that resembled gold but was harder and more brittle is pyrite, commonly known as "fool's gold" due to its deceptive appearance.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Which provides the best evidence for the theory that faults and volcanoes are results of tectonic plate interactions?

• Faults on tectonic plates are in constant motion, but volcanoes may not erupt for many years.

• Faults and volcanoes existed long before there were tectonic plates.

• Tectonic plates that have many faults do not usually have volcanoes.

• Faults and volcanoes are often found at tectonic plate boundaries.

Answer explanation

The best evidence for the theory that faults and volcanoes result from tectonic plate interactions is that faults and volcanoes are often found at tectonic plate boundaries, indicating a direct relationship between them.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Which of these is likely to occur after moist air is cooled below its dew point?

• Water condenses.

• Evaporation increases.

• Ice crystals melt.

• Winds are generated.

Answer explanation

When moist air is cooled below its dew point, it can no longer hold all the moisture, leading to water condensing into liquid droplets. This is why 'Water condenses.' is the correct answer.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

The breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller particles without a change in composition is called __.

• igneous intrusion

• chemical precipitation

• mechanical weathering

• metamorphic foliation

Answer explanation

The breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller particles without changing their composition is known as mechanical weathering. This process involves physical forces, unlike chemical weathering, which alters the material's composition.

Metamorphic rocks with a layered or banded look are called __.

• foliated

• unfoliated

• striated

• evaporated

Answer explanation

Metamorphic rocks that exhibit a layered or banded appearance are classified as foliated. This texture results from the alignment of mineral grains under pressure, distinguishing them from unfoliated rocks, which lack this feature.

In the jar shown, a sample of soil was mixed with water and then allowed to settle for 24 hours. The jar serves as a model for what process?

• Evaporation of water from a muddy pond

• Formation of soil from parent material

• Deposition of sediment in a lake bed

• Erosion of rock particles by water

Answer explanation

The jar model demonstrates how particles settle out of suspension in water, similar to how sediment accumulates in a lake bed over time, making 'Deposition of sediment in a lake bed' the correct choice.

Which recent geologic processes commonly occur in the Coastal Plain region of Virginia?

• Crustal Uplift and Rock Deformation

• Rifting and Intrusion

• Erosion and Deposition

• Subduction and Metamorphism

Answer explanation

Erosion and deposition are common processes in the Coastal Plain region of Virginia, where sediment is worn away and transported, leading to the formation of new landforms and landscapes.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Dramatic variations in the polar ice caps most likely suggest changes in __.

• the Moon’s orbit

• Earth’s climate

• ebb and flow of tides

• global water consumption

Answer explanation

Dramatic variations in the polar ice caps indicate significant changes in Earth’s climate, as these changes directly affect ice melt and formation. The other options do not correlate as closely with polar ice variations.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5