Energy and Matter in Earth Science - #1: 24-25

Which of the following is a renewable source of energy?

• Coal

• Solar

• Petroleum

• Natural Gas

Answer explanation

Solar energy is renewable as it comes from the sun, which is inexhaustible. In contrast, coal, petroleum, and natural gas are fossil fuels that deplete over time.

What is the smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element?

• Atom

• Molecule

• Compound

• Mixture

Answer explanation

The smallest unit of an element that retains its properties is an atom. Atoms combine to form molecules, but only atoms represent the fundamental building blocks of elements.

Which of the following is evidence for the theory of evolution?

• Fossil records

• Weather patterns

• Ocean currents

• Rock erosion

Answer explanation

Fossil records provide crucial evidence for the theory of evolution by showing how species have changed over time and how they relate to one another, supporting the idea of common ancestry.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater?

• About 3%

• About 10%

• About 25%

• About 50%

Answer explanation

About 3% of Earth's water is freshwater, with the majority being saltwater in oceans. This small percentage is crucial for drinking, agriculture, and ecosystems.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which type of rock is most likely to contain fossils?

• Igneous

• Sedimentary

• Metamorphic

• Basalt

Answer explanation

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation of sediments, which can include organic materials. This environment is conducive to fossil formation, making sedimentary rocks the most likely type to contain fossils.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which of the following best describes a compound?

• A substance made of only one kind of atom

• A mixture of different substances

• A substance made of two or more elements chemically combined

• A physical blend of elements

Answer explanation

A compound is defined as a substance made of two or more elements that are chemically combined. This distinguishes it from mixtures and single-element substances, making the correct choice the one that specifies chemical combination.

Classify the following as a physical or chemical change: Ice melting into water.

• Physical change

• Chemical change

• Both

• Neither

Answer explanation

Ice melting into water is a physical change because it involves a change in state from solid to liquid without altering the chemical composition of the substance.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Given the following energy sources: Wind, Coal, Biomass, and Nuclear, which are renewable?

• Wind and Biomass

• Coal and Nuclear

• Coal and Biomass

• Nuclear and Wind

Answer explanation

Wind is renewable as it harnesses natural wind currents, while Biomass is renewable because it uses organic materials that can be replenished. Coal and Nuclear are not renewable sources.

Which of the following best explains why ocean currents are important to Earth's climate?

• They distribute heat around the planet

• They create new landforms

• They cause earthquakes

• They increase the salinity of rivers

Answer explanation

Ocean currents are crucial for regulating Earth's climate as they distribute heat from the equator to the poles, influencing weather patterns and temperatures globally. This makes the first choice the best explanation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A scientist finds a fossil in a rock layer below another layer containing a different fossil. What can the scientist infer?

• The lower fossil is older

• The upper fossil is older

• Both fossils are the same age

• The fossils are unrelated

Answer explanation

According to the law of superposition, in undisturbed rock layers, the lower layers are older than the upper layers. Therefore, the scientist can infer that the lower fossil is older than the fossil found in the layer above.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4