ES-II

Scientists analyze data and the results from a global climate model. The scientists hope to know more about the current rate of global climate change and potential impacts to Earth’s systems. The data are shown in the graphs. Which statement is the most consistent with the data in the graphs?

• An increase in solar radiation and surface temperature could contribute to a decrease in sea levels.

• A decrease in volcanic emissions could contribute to a decrease in greenhouse gases and sea levels.

• A decrease in sulfate emissions could contribute to an increase in the ozone levels and sea levels.

• An increase in surface temperature and greenhouse gases could contribute to an increase in sea levels.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Based on the information, a student claimed that life on land only evolved under certain conditions. Select terms from the menus that complete the sentences about what evidence the student would need to support his statement. Data about the timing of the increase in atmospheric oxygen would provide evidence that terrestrial aerobic organisms could not perform on land before 600 million years ago. Data about the timing of changes in the amount of would provide evidence that organisms could not survive on land until they had protection from UV radiation.

(a)  

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

Johannes Kepler determined that there was a simple relationship between the period of a planet’s orbit (T) in our solar system and its average distance (R) from the Sun. A teacher asks students to use this result to compare the periods of two planets at different distances from the Sun. Which student statement is correct?

• The periods of the two planets will be the same because T and R are proportional to each other.

• The period of the planet farther away from the Sun will be greater because T increases as R increases.

• The relative period of the planet closer to the Sun will be greater because the exponent is smaller than the exponent on the distance.

• The relative periods cannot be determined without knowing the masses of the planets because more massive planets orbit more slowly.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Based on this information, predict the most likely effect of the current increase in greenhouse gases on Earth’s temperature and North Pole sea ice over the next 20 years.

• The sea ice is reflecting solar radiation, so Earth’s temperature will decrease, which will cause more sea ice to form and reflect even more solar radiation, starting a cooling trend.

• The ground and oceans are absorbing solar radiation, so Earth’s temperature will increase, which will cause sea ice to melt and increase the amount of radiation-absorbing water on Earth.

• The ground and oceans are absorbing solar radiation, so Earth’s temperature will initially increase, which will cause sea ice to melt, which will in turn decrease the temperature of the oceans and Earth.

• The sea ice is reflecting solar radiation, so Earth’s temperature will decrease, which will cause the amount of sea ice to remain approximately constant, which will in turn stabilize the temperature of the oceans and Earth.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

In 1929, Edwin Hubble discovered that galaxies that are farther away from Earth tend to be moving away from Earth with higher speeds. This was an important piece of evidence that the universe is [dropdown options: expanding; shrinking; unchanging]. This discovery also provides some evidence for the Big Bang theory, because it suggests that early in the history of the universe, galaxies were much [dropdown options: larger; closer together; farther apart] than they are now.

(a)  

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

According to the figure, higher temperature and pressure results in the formation of the lighter or heavier elements in the star.

(a)  

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

If a star was one-third the size of the reddish-orange supergiant shown in the model, the formation of silicon probably would or would not occur.

(a)  

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Based on the data, select terms from the lists to complete the sentences. The country with the highest CO₂ emissions per person is.

• Canada

• China

• Luxembourg

• the United States

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

Which change to the landfill design will most likely increase the amount of landfill gas produced?

• adding more organic waste to the landfill

• planting more vegetation near the landfill

• increasing the size of the gas collection wells

• removing the plastic liner from around the landfill

Tags

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

Which two strategies will decrease the amount of methane collected from landfills?

• limiting soil erosion along roads

• recycling paper products from offices

• using rainwater for irrigation in parks

• repurposing metal products from old factories

• using organic waste as a fertilizer for community gardens

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7