Understanding Earth's Systems and Resources

A student is studying greenhouse gases. Which of the following best describes how greenhouse gases help regulate Earth's surface temperature?

• They reflect all sunlight back into space before it reaches Earth's surface.

• They absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere.

• They produce heat energy through chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

• They block ultraviolet radiation from reaching Earth's surface.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

Which of the following gases is considered a greenhouse gas that contributes to regulating Earth's average surface temperature?

• Nitrogen (N_2)

• Oxygen (O_2)

• Carbon Dioxide (CO_2)

• Hydrogen (H_2)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

A student collects weather data over several days and notices that when a cold air mass meets a warm air mass, precipitation often occurs. Which of the following best explains why this happens?

• Cold air masses always carry more moisture than warm air masses.

• The warm air rises over the cold air, cools, and water vapor condenses to form clouds and precipitation.

• Cold air masses push all moisture out of the atmosphere.

• Warm air sinks below cold air, causing the moisture to evaporate.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A meteorologist records temperature, humidity, and wind direction data over a week. Which of the following patterns in the data would most likely indicate that a cold front is approaching?

• Steadily rising temperatures and decreasing wind speeds

• Dropping temperatures, increasing wind speeds, and rising humidity

• Constant temperatures and no change in humidity

• Decreasing humidity and calm winds

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which of the following is an example of a non-renewable natural resource?

• Solar energy

• Wind energy

• Coal

• Timber from managed forests

A community uses a large amount of fossil fuels each year. Based on data showing that fossil fuel reserves are decreasing, which of the following best describes the sustainability of this practice?

• It is sustainable because fossil fuels can be recycled.

• It is not sustainable because fossil fuels take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced quickly.

• It is sustainable because new fossil fuels are created every year.

• It is not sustainable because fossil fuels produce oxygen when burned.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

Which of the following best describes how solar panels work as a renewable energy technology?

• They burn sunlight to produce steam that powers turbines.

• They convert sunlight directly into electrical energy using photovoltaic cells.

• They store heat from the sun and release it as chemical energy.

• They use mirrors to focus sunlight onto fossil fuels to ignite them.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-3

Which of the following is an example of a developing technology that uses a renewable energy resource?

• Coal-fired power plants

• Nuclear fission reactors

• Offshore wind turbines

• Natural gas pipelines

Which of the following human activities has the most direct negative impact on biodiversity in the biosphere?

• Building solar farms in deserts

• Deforestation to create agricultural land

• Using wind turbines to generate electricity

• Collecting rainwater for irrigation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

A student reads that a species of frog has become endangered due to habitat destruction. Which of the following best describes what "endangered" means?

• The species has completely disappeared from Earth.

• The species is at risk of becoming extinct if threats continue.

• The species has moved to a new habitat and is thriving.

• The species has adapted to survive in polluted environments.