Earth Science Concepts and Applications

Which two factors caused Earth and the other planets to become layered during the formation of our solar system?

• gravity and densities of materials making up the planet

• gravity and percent of water in the planet’s composition

• distance from the Moon and densities of materials making up the planet

• distance from the Moon and percent of water in the planet’s composition

The photograph below shows an object, labeled A, that was observed in the night sky for several weeks. What is the celestial object labeled A?

• a meteor

• an asteroid

• a galaxy

• a comet

The latitudes of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn are determined by Earth’s

• rotation

• axial tilt

• surface ocean currents

• average surface air temperature

The Coriolis effect can best be used to explain the

• cyclic time pattern of ocean tides

• direction of convection currents in the asthenosphere

• deflection of winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere

• movement of air in a straight path from low pressure to high pressure

What is Earth’s approximate rate of revolution?

• 1°/hour

• 1°/day

• 15°/hour

• 15°/day

At a location in the Northern Hemisphere, a camera was placed outside at night with the lens pointing at a group of stars. The shutter was left open for a few hours, resulting in the image of star trails shown below. The star at the center of the image did not leave a trail because the star is

• too far away to observe its movement

• too massive to move in space

• not luminous enough to leave a trail

• centered over Earth’s axis

Which table best lists the differences between a terrestrial planet and a Jovian planet in our solar system?

• Terrestrial Planet: mainly rocky in composition, small in size Jovian Planet: mainly gaseous in composition, large in size

• Terrestrial Planet: mainly gaseous in composition, small in size Jovian Planet: mainly rocky in composition, large in size

• Terrestrial Planet: mainly rocky in composition, large in size Jovian Planet: mainly gaseous in composition, small in size

• Terrestrial Planet: mainly gaseous in composition, large in size Jovian Planet: mainly rocky in composition, small in size

The names and appearances of four Moon phases viewed by an observer in New York State in June are shown below. New Moon (June 1), First quarter (June 8), Full Moon (June 15), Last quarter (June 23). Which diagram best represents the Moon’s appearance on June 3?

• [diagram]

• [diagram]

• [diagram]

• [diagram]

Which graph most accurately represents the approximate percentage of Earth's surface covered by the hydrosphere?

• [Graph 1]

• [Graph 2]

• [Graph 3]

• [Graph 4]

Which diagram shows the correct position of Polaris in the night sky as seen by an observer at Watertown, NY?

• [Diagram 1]

• [Diagram 2]

• [Diagram 3]

• [Diagram 4]