ES Review '25

Grace and Elijah are curious about what happens when less solar radiation reaches Earth. Which of the following is most likely to occur?

• Increased incidences of skin cancer

• Decreased rates of photosynthesis

• Increased phytoplankton activity

• Decreased carbon dioxide levels

Answer explanation

Decreased solar radiation reduces light availability for photosynthesis, leading to lower rates of this process in plants and phytoplankton, which rely on sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into energy.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-LS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

Arjun, Henry, and Abigail are curious about how Earth's magnetic field and the ozone layer work together to protect our planet. Which of the following best describes their interaction?

• Earth's magnetic field is generated by the ozone layer's absorption of ultraviolet radiation.

• The ozone layer is responsible for deflecting charged particles from the Sun, while Earth's magnetic field absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation

• Earth's magnetic field shields the ozone layer from cosmic rays, allowing it to regenerate ozone molecules.

• The ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation, while Earth's magnetic field deflects charged particles from the Sun.

Answer explanation

The correct choice explains that the ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation, protecting life on Earth, while Earth's magnetic field deflects charged particles from the Sun, preventing them from damaging the atmosphere.

Scarlett and Aiden are having a friendly debate in science class! Scarlett says that as the wavelength of light increases, its energy changes. Aiden isn’t so sure. Can you help them settle the score? Which of the following statements correctly describes the relationship between the wavelength of light and its energy on the electromagnetic spectrum?

• As the wavelength of light increases, its energy decreases.

• As the wavelength of light increases, its energy increases.

• The wavelength of light has no effect on its energy.

• As the wavelength of light decreases, its energy remains constant.

Answer explanation

As the wavelength of light increases, its energy decreases. This is because energy is inversely proportional to wavelength; longer wavelengths correspond to lower energy photons.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Daniel, Oliver, and Olivia are curious scientists testing whether land or water heats up faster under the Sun! After checking out their experiment and the data, which conclusion is BEST supported by what they discovered?

• Temperatures of land are more likely to fluctuate because sand has a lower heat capacity.

• Temperatures of land are more likely to fluctuate because sand has a higher heat capacity.

• Temperatures of water are more likely to fluctuate because water has a lower heat capacity.

• Temperatures of water are more likely to fluctuate because water has a higher heat capacity.

Answer explanation

The correct conclusion is that temperatures of land fluctuate more because sand has a lower heat capacity, allowing it to heat up and cool down faster than water, which has a higher heat capacity and retains heat longer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Charlotte, Michael, and Rohan are debating about the early days of our solar system. They wonder: Based on the nebular theory, which statement about planetary impact craters during the solar system’s formation is BEST supported?

• A. All planets likely experienced few collisions that resulted in impact craters.

• B. All planets likely experienced many collisions that resulted in impact craters.

• C. The Jovian planets formed before others, which led to more collisions and impact craters.

• D. The terrestrial planets formed before others, which led to fewer collisions and impact craters.

Answer explanation

According to the nebular theory, the early solar system was chaotic, leading to numerous collisions. Thus, all planets likely experienced many collisions that resulted in impact craters, supporting choice B.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Aria, Aiden, and Nora are curious about why the Sun feels hotter in some places than others! Which factor primarily determines the amount of direct sunlight (angle of light) received at different latitudes on Earth?

• Earth's revolution around the Sun

• Earth's tilt on its axis

• Earth's rotation on its axis

• Earth's distance from the Sun

Answer explanation

The amount of direct sunlight received at different latitudes is primarily determined by Earth's tilt on its axis. This tilt affects the angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth, leading to variations in temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Michael and Sophia are on a space adventure! They want to know: which of the following characteristics makes jovian planets (gas giants) different from terrestrial planets?

• They have solid surfaces

• They have thicker atmospheres composed primarily of hydrogen and helium

• They are located closer to the Sun

• They are smaller in size

Answer explanation

Jovian planets differ from terrestrial planets primarily because they have thicker atmospheres composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, unlike terrestrial planets which have solid surfaces and are smaller.

Michael, Nora, and Henry are on a science adventure! They want to see which type of water—fresh water or salt water—can pile up higher on a penny before it spills over. Each of them takes turns adding drops of water onto a penny and counting how many drops it takes before the water spills off. They do five trials with room-temperature fresh water and five trials with room-temperature salt water, recording their results in the table below.

Which statement BEST supports the data from the table?

• The bonds between water molecules are weaker in fresh water than in salt water.

• The bonds between water molecules are stronger in fresh water than in salt water.

• The water molecules in fresh water are larger than the water molecules in salt water.

• The water molecules in fresh water are smaller than the water molecules in salt water.

Answer explanation

The correct choice states that the bonds between water molecules are stronger in fresh water than in salt water. This explains why fresh water can pile higher on a penny, as stronger bonds allow for greater surface tension.

Michael, Aria, and Avery are planning a beach day and wonder why the ocean stays cool even after hours of sunshine. Oceans and other large bodies of water act as a reservoir of heat energy on Earth. Which BEST explains water's ability to serve as a reservoir for heat energy?

• Water has a low specific heat capacity, allowing it to absorb a lot of heat energy.

• Water has a high specific heat capacity, allowing it to absorb a lot of heat energy.

• Water has a low specific heat capacity, preventing it from absorbing a lot of heat energy

• Water has a high specific heat capacity, preventing it from absorbing a lot of heat energy.

Answer explanation

Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb and store a large amount of heat energy without a significant increase in temperature. This property helps keep the ocean cool even after prolonged sunlight.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Rohan and Ava are watching clouds move across the sky. Rohan wonders why winds seem to curve as they travel around the Earth. What causes this effect, known as the Coriolis Force?

• Earth's core

• Earth's gravity

• Earth's rotation

• Earth's revolution

Answer explanation

The Coriolis Force is caused by Earth's rotation. As the Earth spins, moving air and water are deflected, causing winds to curve rather than travel in a straight line. This effect is crucial in understanding weather patterns.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6