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WorksheetsMust Know Facts to Rock the Earth Science Regents
Total questions: 216
Worksheet time: 2hrs 48mins
What characteristics of a surface will ABSORB light?
dark and rough
dark and smooth
light and rough
light and smooth
What characteristics of a surface will REFLECT light?
dark and rough
dark and smooth
light and rough
light and smooth
How old is the universe?
4.6 billion years old
8 billion years old
13.8 billion years old
250,000 years old
How old is Earth, the Sun, and our Solar System?
4.6 billion years old
8 billion years old
13.8 billion years old
250,000 years old
What is the name and the shape of the galaxy our Solar System is located in?
Sirius A, spiral
Andromeda; elliptical
Milky Way; round
Milky Way; spiral
How did our Solar System form?
precipitation over millions of years
the outgassing from volcanic eruptions
contraction of a giant cloud of gas and debris
compaction and cementation of materials
What do stars form from?
black holes
nebulas
nuclear fusion
supernovas
What is the shape of EARTH?
oval
triangle
oblate sphere
perfect circle
What is the shape of Earth's ORBIT?
perfect circle
slightly elliptical
oval-like
highly eccentric
Earth's rotation rate is...
1 degree per day
15 degrees per day
1 degree per hour
15 degrees per hour
Earth's rate of revolution is...
1 degree per day
15 degrees per day
1 degree per hour
15 degrees per hour
One piece of evidence that Earth ROTATES (spins on its axis) is...
different constellations seen at different times of the year
the cyclic rise and fall of tides
the Coriolis Effect
changing seasons
One piece of evidence that Earth ROTATES (spins on its axis) is...
different constellations seen at different times of the year
the cyclic rise and fall of tides
the apparent change in direction of swing of a Foucault Pendulum
changing seasons
The best evidence that Earth REVOLVES (circles the Sun in an orbit) is...
different constellations seen at different times of the year
the cyclic rise and fall of tides
Foucault Pendulum
Coriolis Effect
What is the degree of the tilt of Earth's axis?
15 degrees
360 degrees
23.5 degrees
41 degrees
What causes the seasons?
the changing distance of Earth from the Sun
the changing distance of the Moon from Earth
the tilt of Earth's axis as it revolves around the Sun
the changing intensity of the Sun as it revolves around Earth
What are the Terrestrial Planets?
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Earth
Jupiter, Venus, Earth, Saturn
What are the Jovian Planets?
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Earth
Jupiter, Venus, Earth, Saturn
What characteristic of the planets in our Solar System INCREASES as a planet's distance from the Sun increases?
period of rotation
period of revolution
eccentricity
mass
When a planet is "Perihelion" (CLOSEST to the star in its orbit), its velocity is
fastest
slowest
When a planet is "Perihelion" (CLOSEST to the star in its orbit), the gravitational pull of the star is
strongest
weakest
When a planet is "Aphelion" (FARTHEST from the star in its orbit), the velocity of the star is
fastest
slowest
When a planet is "Aphelion" (FARTHEST from the star in its orbit), the gravitational pull of the star is
strongest
weakest
Proof that our universe is EXPANDING is...
blue shift of light from distant galaxies
red shift of light from distant galaxies
cosmic background radiation
Foucault Pendulum
What model has the Sun at the center of the Solar System?
heliocentric
geocentric
What model has the Earth at the center of the Solar System?
heliocentric
geocentric
What model has the Earth at the center of the Solar System?
heliocentric
geocentric
ONE seismograph can determine
the exact location of an earthquake
the distance a location is from the epicenter
How many seismographs are required to determine the precise LOCATION of an earthquake?
one
two
three
four
Name the major "agents of erosion"
running water, gravity, wind, glaciers, and wave action
convection, conduction, and radiation
divergent, convergent, and transform
What is the primary force that drives agents of erosion is..
the Sun
gravity
weathering
streams
landslides, mudflows, and rockfalls are caused by
gravity
glaciers
running water
wind
barrier islands, beaches, and sandbars are depositional features of
wind
wave action
gravity
glaciers
drumlins, moraines, kettle lakes, striations, and U-shaped valleys are depositional features of
running water
gravity
glaciers
wind
floodplains, levees, deltas, meanders, and oxbow lakes are depositional features of
running water
gravity
glaciers
wind
What is the shape of a valley formed by a glacier?
U
V
What is the shape of a valley formed by a glacier?
U
V
What is the shape of a valley formed by a riVer?
U
V
A stream's velocity (speed) depends on...
particle size and weather
gradient of slope and volume of water
time of day and angle of the sun
As stream velocity INCREASES, the size of the particles that can be transported
increases
decreases
stays the same
The particles that settle out (fall to the bottom of the river or ocean fastest) are
smaller, less dense, and flat
larger, more dense, and round
OUTSIDE of a meander bend
FASTER water velocity
EROSION occurring
DEEPER
SLOWER water velocity
DEPOSITION occurring
SHALLOW
INSIDE of a meander bend
FASTER water velocity
EROSION occurring
DEEPER
SLOWER water velocity
DEPOSITION occurring
SHALLOW
The area drained by a river and its tributaries is called a
delta
meander
levee
watershed
Sand dunes are a depositional feature of which erosional agent?
wave action
wind
glaciers
Deposits from a glacier are
sorted
unsorted
An outwash plain is created by ___________ and the sediments are __________.
rain, unsorted
glacial meltwater, sorted
flooding, sorted
tsunamis, unsorted
water and wind deposits are
sorted and layered
unsorted and not layers
What mineral reacts with acid?
galena
halite
calcite
talc
Which TWO rocks react with acid?
granite and scoria
limestone and marble
gneiss and sandstone
slate and quartzite
If the air pressure "code" on a station model is LESS than 500, add a ___before the number and a decimal before the last digit.
9
10
If the air pressure "code" on a station model is MORE than 500, add a ___before the number and a decimal before the last digit.
9
10
Sorted particles of different sizes that take up the same volume have EQUAL
permeability
capillarity
infiltration rates
porosity
As particle size INCREASES, ___________ also INCREASES
porosity
permeability
capillary action
As particle size INCREASES, ___________ DECREASES
porosity
permeability
capillary action
Capillarity is when...
water moves down into the soil
water moves up against the force of gravity
water evaporates
water runs off a surface
The process by which stars create energy in their cores is called
cosmic background radiation
redshift
blue shift
nuclear fusion
What is the formula for nuclear fusion?
H + H = He + ENERGY
He + He = H + ENERGY
C + Si = ENERGY
What is the most abundant gas in the universe?
Helium
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
The 3 main greenhouse gases are
water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane
oxygen, hydrogen, and helium
water vapor, hydrogen, and helium
oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane
Which statement is true?
short-wave (UV and visible light) radiation is absorbed by Earth; long wave (infrared) radiation is re-radiated back into space
long-wave (infrared) radiation is absorbed by Earth; short-wave (UV and visible light) radiation is re-radiated back into space
What Moon Phase occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun?
Full Moon
New Moon
First Quarter
Third Quarter
What Moon Phase occurs when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun?
Full Moon
New Moon
First Quarter
Third Quarter
What Moon Phase occurs directly AFTER the First Quarter moon phase?
Full Moon
New Moon
Waxing Gibbous
Waning Gibbous
What direction does the Moon move in its orbit?
clockwise
counter-clockwise
Which Moon Phase occurs right BEFORE the New Moon Phase?
Full Moon
Waning Crescent
Waxing Crescent
Third Quarter
How long does it take for the Moon to go through one complete cycle of phases as viewed from Earth?
60 days
1 year
2 weeks
29.5 days
What is the Moon's "period of revolution"?
27.3 days
1 year
2 weeks
29.5 days
Why do we always see the same side of the Moon?
The Moon's period of rotation and the Moon's period of revolution are the same.
The Earth's period of rotation and the Earth's period of revolution are the same.
The Moon's period of rotation and the Earth's period of rotation are the same.
Which Moon Phase could result in a SOLAR eclipse?
Full Moon
New Moon
First Quarter
Third Quarter
Which Moon Phase could result in a LUNAR eclipse?
Full Moon
New Moon
First Quarter
Third Quarter
Why don't eclipses happen every month?
They do happen every month.
The Moon's period of rotation is equal to its period of revolution.
The Moon's orbital plane is tilted 5 degrees compared to Earth's--so all three objects (Sun/Moon/Earth) don't always align.
What causes tides to occur on Earth?
The pull of Earth's inner core.
The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.
Earth's changing orbital velocity.
The changing seasons.
Why does the Moon's gravitational pull have a much bigger impact on tides than the Sun?
The Moon is much closer to Earth.
The Moon is bigger than the Sun.
The other planets block the Sun's gravity.
Which TWO Moon Phases result in the HIGHEST range between high tides and low tides (Spring Tides)?
First Quarter and Third Quarter
(Moon is perpendicular to Earth)
New Moon and Full Moon
(Earth/Moon/Sun are aligned)
Which TWO Moon Phases result in the LOWEST range between high tides and low tides (Neap Tides)?
First Quarter and Third Quarter
(Moon is perpendicular to Earth)
New Moon and Full Moon
(Earth/Moon/Sun are aligned)
___________ are identified based on their well-defined physical and chemical properties.
Weather
Tectonic Plates
Minerals
Storm Surges
What percentage of the Moon is always receiving light from the Sun?
10%
25%
50%
100%
Which side of the Moon is illuminated (lit up) when the Moon is waxing (gaining light)?
right side
left side
Which side of the Moon is illuminated (lit up) when the Moon is waning (losing light)?
right side
left side
What are the most common elements in most minerals?
carbon and oxygen
oxygen and silicon
iron and hydrogen
silicon and nitrogen
The physical properties of minerals is determined by
its luster
its color
the internal arrangement of the atoms inside it
its hardness
Rocks are classified on the basis of
how old they are
how they were formed
how large they are
how colorful they are
Which type of rock is formed by melting, cooling and solidification of magma?
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Which type of rock is formed by heat and pressure
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Which type of rock is formed by the compaction and cementation of rock or shell fragments?
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
If an igneous rock has "coarse" (large) crystals and formed intrusively, the rock cooled..
fast
slowly
If an igneous rock has "fine" (small) or NO crystals and formed extrusively, the rock cooled..
fast
slowly
Which type of rock can have these textures: coarse interlocking crystals; fine interlocking crystals; glassy; vesicular?
Sedimentary
Igneous
Metamorphic
Which type of rock can have these textures: foliated; banding; mineral alignment; non-foliated?
Sedimentary
Igneous
Metamorphic
Which type of rock can have these textures: clastic, crystalline, bioclastic; fossils?
Sedimentary
Igneous
Metamorphic
Fossils are found mostly in which type of rock?
Sedimentary
Igneous
Metamorphic
When molten (melted) igneous rock INTRUDES into other rock layers it is called...
contact metamorphism
regional metamorphism
When large areas of rock undergo extreme heat and pressure, it is called...
contact metamorphism
regional metamorphism
How do we know about Earth's interior layers?
study of the behavior of seismic waves
drilling down to Earth's core
studying spectral light from stars in the galaxy
measuring the temperature of each layer
Which seismic wave always arrives first (fastest wave)?
P-wave
S-wave
The Earth formed into layers because...
it is close to the Sun
Earth has water
gravity pulled more dense layers to the core and less dense layers rose to the top
The closer and larger two objects are, the __________ the force of gravity
greater
less
Plate tectonics (the movement of pieces of Earth's crust) is caused by...
volcanic eruptions
convention currents in the asthenosphere
heat from the inner core
earthquake activity
The convection currents that cause Earth's tectonic plates to move are located in which layer of Earth?
crust
inner core
asthenosphere
stiffer mantle
Divergent plate boundaries move _______ and form ____________.
apart, rifts or ridges
together, trenches and volcanic mountain ranges
in opposite directions, causing earthquakes
Convergent plate boundaries move _______ and form ____________.
apart, rifts or ridges
together, trenches and volcanic mountain ranges
in opposite directions, causing earthquakes
Transform plate boundaries move _______ and form ____________.
apart, rifts or ridges
together, trenches and volcanic mountain ranges
in opposite directions, causing earthquakes
Continental crust is ______ and ____ dense than oceanic crust.
thinner and more
thicker and less
Oceanic crust is ______ and ____ dense than continental crust.
thinner and more
thicker and less
Oceanic crust is made of _________ and is ___________.
basalt, mafic
granite, felsic
basalt, felsic
granite, mafic
Continental crust is made of _________ and is ___________.
basalt, mafic
granite, felsic
basalt, felsic
granite, mafic
When one tectonic plate sinks under another, forming a trench, it is called...
radiation
evaporation
infiltration
subduction
When rocks are broken down from exposure to the hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere, it is called...
weathering
erosion
deposition
When sediments are moved or transported, the process is called...
weathering
erosion
deposition
When sediments are dropped, forming landscape features, the process is called...
weathering
erosion
deposition
Moist, warm climates cause...
physical weathering
chemical weathering
Moist, cold climates cause...
physical weathering
chemical weathering
Soil forms as a result of...
weathering and biologic activity
infiltration and runoff
precipitation and germination
conduction and convection
As particle size decreases, weathering rate increases---WHY?
surface area increases
surface area decreases
Closer isolines mean that the gradient is...
steeper
more gentle
"Resistant" rock layers...
erode easily
stick out because they fight off erosion
In undisturbed rock layers, the bottom layer is the...
oldest
youngest
Faults, folds, and intrusions are ___________ than the rock layer they are found in (on top of).
younger
older
What makes a good index fossil for dating rocks?
short-lived and found over a wide area
long-lived and found over a wide area
short-lived and found only in a small area
long-lived and found only in a small area.
Unconformities represent...
a gap in the rock record that was wiped away by erosion
layers of undisturbed rock
tilted, folded, and faulted rock layers
intrusions
What is an unconformity?
a rock made from contact metamorphism
a buried erosional surface
a depositional feature of glaciers
Why are radiactive isotopes so useful in dating rocks and fossils?
their decay rate remains the same
their decay rate changes
What is the half-life of Carbon-14?
5,700 years
4.6 billion years
1.3 billion years
49 billion years
What radioactive isotope is used to date "recent" organic remains (younger than 70,000 years)?
Rubidium-87
Uranium-238
Carbon-14
Potassium-40
Most life forms of the geologic past have become...
smarter
more adaptable
extinct
Which can hold more water vapor--warm air or cool air?
warm
cool
As altitude increases in the Troposphere, air pressure...
increases
decreases
Wind is named for...
the direction is comes from
the direction it is moving toward
Wind is caused by...
differences in temperature
differences in relative humidity
differences in air pressure
differences in dewpoint
Wind speed is greatest on a weather map when isobars are...
far apart
close together
The CLOSER air temperature is to dewpoint, the chance of precipitation
increases
decreases
Clouds form when...
cool, dry air sinks and contracts
warm, moist air rises, expands, cools and condenses
Air in a "low pressure" system is...
warm and dry
warm and moist
cool and dry
cool and moist
Air in a "high pressure" system is...
warm and dry
warm and moist
cool and dry
cool and moist
The weather in a "low pressure" system is...
cloudy, precipitation, stormy, warmer temperatures
clear skies, cool, dry air, sunny
The weather in a "high pressure" system is...
cloudy, precipitation, stormy, warmer temperatures
clear skies, cool, dry air, sunny
Most low pressure systems in the United States move toward the...
southwest
northeast
Which diagram shows a "cold front" (cold air advancing on warm air)?
Which diagram shows a "warm front" (warm air rising up and over cold air)?
Hurricanes lose strength as they...
move over land or cool water
move over warm waters
increase evaporation
reduce wind speed
Where do Atlantic Ocean hurricanes form?
over cool waters near Greenland
over warm waters near the west coast of Africa
on the west coast of the United States
in cool waters near Antarctica
The area where two air masses meet is called a...
trench
front
delta
moraine
air masses are classified by...
density and location
temperature and origin
temperature and moisture content
moisture content and size
An mT air mass is...
moist and warm
moist and cool
dry and warm
dry and cool
An cP air mass is...
moist and warm
moist and cool
dry and warm
dry and cool
What is the source region for an mT air mass?
central Canada
Pacific Ocean
Texas
Gulf of Mexico
What is the source region for an cP air mass?
central Canada
Pacific Ocean
Texas
Gulf of Mexico
Weather systems in the U.S. usually move ...
east to west
north to south
south to north
west to east
What instrument measures air pressure?
psychrometer
barometer
thermometer
anemometer
What instrument measures wind speed?
psychrometer
barometer
thermometer
anemometer
What instrument measures temperature?
psychrometer
barometer
thermometer
anemometer
What instrument is used to determine dewpoint & relative humidity?
psychrometer
barometer
thermometer
anemometer
What instrument measures wind direction?
psychrometer
wind vane
thermometer
anemometer
What instrument measures the amount of precipitation?
rain gauge
wind vane
thermometer
anemometer
The circulation of wind around a low-pressure system is...
clockwise and outward
clockwise and inward
counter-clockwise and outward
counter-clockwise and inward
The circulation of wind around a high-pressure system is...
clockwise and outward
clockwise and inward
counter-clockwise and outward
counter-clockwise and inward
A rising barometric pressure means that weather will...
improve
become worse
A falling barometric pressure means that weather will...
improve
become worse
The altitude of Polaris is equal to the observer's...
longitude
zenith
latitude
street address
Another name for Polaris is...
the North Star
the South Star
the East Star
the West Star
Polaris is located directly above the...
North Pole
South Pole
Equator
Antarctica
The latitude of Syracuse, New York is approximately 43˚N. What is the altitude that Polaris would be viewed in Syracuse?
41˚
43˚
90˚
0
Can Polaris be seen in the Southern Hemisphere?
YES
NO
What direction do we look to see solar noon in NY?
North
South
East
West
The intensity of sunlight varies with the _______ of the Sun.
direction
angle
distance
The Sun is most intense at an angle of ___ degrees.
0
45
50
90
Shadows get longer as the sun gets _______ in the sky.
higher
lower
What time of day does a person in NY see the longest shadow?
9am
solar noon
6am
2pm
What time of day does a person in NY see the shortest shadow?
9am
solar noon
6am
2pm
What is the date of the Summer Solstice?
March 21
September 23
June 21
December 21
What is the date of the Winter Solstice?
March 21
September 23
June 21
December 21
What are the dates of the Spring and Fall Equinoxes?
March 21
and
September 23
June 21
and
December 21
Where does the Sun rise and set on June 21st?
rises East and sets West
rises NE and sets NW
rises SE and sets SW
Where does the Sun rise and set on December 21st?
rises East and sets West
rises NE and sets NW
rises SE and sets SW
Where does the Sun rise and set on the Equinox dates (March 21 and September 23)?
rises East and sets West
rises NE and sets NW
rises SE and sets SW
What season is this in the Northern Hemisphere?
winter
spring
summer
What season is this in the Northern Hemisphere?
winter
spring
summer
Where do the Sun's vertical rays (90˚angle) hit on June 21st?
Tropic of Cancer (23.5˚N)
Tropic of Capricorn (23.5˚S)
Equator (0˚)
Where do the Sun's vertical rays (90˚angle) hit on December 21st?
Tropic of Cancer (23.5˚N)
Tropic of Capricorn (23.5˚S)
Equator (0˚)
Where do the Sun's vertical rays (90˚angle) hit on the Equinox dates (March21/September 23)?
Tropic of Cancer (23.5˚N)
Tropic of Capricorn (23.5˚S)
Equator (0˚)
On which date is the Sun at its highest altitude of the year (most daylight hours)?
June 21
March 21/Sept 23
December 21
On which date is the Sun at its lowest altitude of the year (most nighttime hours)?
June 21
March 21/Sept 23
December 21
How many daylight hours is received North of the Arctic Circle on June 21st?
24
12
0
How many daylight hours is received at the Equator all year long?
24
12
0
How many daylight hours is received North of the Arctic Circle on December 21?
24
12
0
How many daylight hours does every location on Earth receive on the Equinox dates?
24
12
0
How many daylight hours does New York State receive on June 21?
24
12
15
How many daylight hours does New York State receive on December 21?
9
12
15
How many days of the year is the Sun at zenith in New York State?
365
24
10
0
The Earth absorbs mostly...
short-wave radiation (visible light and UV)
long-wave radiation
(infrared)
The Earth re-radiates mostly...
short-wave radiation (visible light and UV)
long-wave radiation
(infrared)
What prvents the escape of long-wave radiation, causing Earth's temperatures to rise?
deposition
Greenhouse gases
plate boundaries
red-shifting of light
What are the three main Greenhouse Gases?
oxygen, methane, water vapor
carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapor
carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen
"marine" climate (close to a large body of water) have...
cooler winters and warmer summers
cooler summers and warmer winters
cooler winters and cooler summers
warmer winters and warmer summesr
"continental" climate (inland locations) have...
cooler winters and warmer summers
cooler summers and warmer winters
cooler winters and cooler summers
warmer winters and warmer summesr
Which side of a mountain has a moist, cool climate?
windward
leeward
Which side of a mountain has an arid (dry), warm climate?
windward
leeward
Latitude lines....
measure locations North or South of the equator and are parallel
measure locations east or west of the Prime Meridian and connect at the Poles
Longitude lines....
measure locations North or South of the equator and are parallel
measure locations east or west of the Prime Meridian and connect at the Poles
What are time zones based on?
Earth's motion of revolution
Earth's motion of rotation
climate patterns
eclipses
What does "WEEL" stand for in relation to time zones?
West = Earlier;
East = Later
Water = Evaporation;
Equator = Latitude
Weathering, Erosion;
Equator; Latitude
What is location of the Equator?
90˚N
90˚S
0˚ latitude
0˚ longitude
What is location of the Prime Meridian?
90˚N
90˚S
0˚ latitude
0˚ longitude
For every 15˚ of longitude, there is a ___ hour time difference.
1
2
15
24
Why does land heat up faster than water on a hot summer day?
water has a lower specific heat
land has a lower specific heat
What do contour lines look like when they cross a stream?
they bend in a "v" shape downhill and flow the opposite direct
they bend in a "v" shape uphill and flow the opposite direction
they look the same
What is a "contour interval"?
the measure of how high a peak is
the difference in elevation between each contour line
the measure of the depth of a depression
the side view of a landscape feature
How can you tell if there is a depression (hole) on a contour map?
there will be concentric circles
there will be concentric circles with hachure marks
the contour lines will intersect
the contour lines will point upstream
What is a "topographic profile?"
a hole or depression
a mountain or hill
a side view of a landscape
a series of countour lines
The YOUNGEST bedrock is found...
far away from mid-ocean ridges
at the center of mid-ocean ridges
in oceanic trenches
at transform boundaries
The further you get from a mid-ocean ridge, the ________ the rock is.
older
younger
What sphere of Earth covers approximately 70% of Earth's surface?
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
What is the decay product of Carbon-14?
Argon 40
Pb 206
Rb-87
Nitrogen-14
After one half-life, how much of the radioactive (parent) isotope remains?
100%
75%
50%
25
After 2 half-lives, how much of the radioactive (parent) isotope remains?
100%
50%
25%
12.5%
