PHS 111
Test 2 Review
Chapters 23-25
In a thick bed of sedimentary rocks we find an igneous dike. The order of formation is together. igneous before sedimentary. sedimentary before
igneous. unknown.
The principle of superposition states that the top layer of rock is: igneous.; the youngest.; sedimentary.; the oldest.
A surface of erosion between rocks that represents a gap in Earth history is: called a dike.; an unconformity.; a faunal conformity.; none of the
above
An unconformity can be interpreted as: an occurrence of radioactive decay.; repeated intrusions of igneous rock.; a buried surface of erosion.;
the result of repeated volcanic action.
Fossils can be used to determine the relative age of rock layers because they are: found in a definite order.; deposited horizontally, one fossil at
time.; radioactive.; found in sedimentary rocks.
Relative dating tells us the: time gaps that occur during deposition.; age of rock layers.; sequence of rock layers–which formed first, second,
and last.; actual date of formation for a rock layer.
To help determine the age of rock layers over a large area we can use the principle of: original horizontality.; lateral continuity.; superposition.;
fossil assemblage.
According to most estimates, Earth is approximately: 4.5 thousand years old.; 4.5 million years old.; 4.5 billion years old.; 45 billion years old.
The five principles used to determine the relative ages of rock include original: horizontality, superposition, cross cutting, inclusion, and faunal
succession.; horizontality, nonconformity, cross cutting, inclusion, and faunal succession.; inclusion, superposition, uniformitarianism,
horizontality, and fossil succession.; horizontality, uniformitarianism, cross cutting, stromatolite, and faunal succession.
The time required for one-half of a radioactive material to decay is called the: absolute age.; half-life.; date age.; true-life.
The oldest rocks that have been dated by radioactivity are approximately: 2 million years old.; 200 million years old.; 4 billion years old.; 10
billion years old.
The geologic time scale is broken up into time units of different sizes based on: eons, eras, periods, and epochs.; changes in fossilization.; visible
and nonvisible life forms.; major changes in life forms.
The Precambrian witnessed the development of: the first atmosphere.; the ozone layer.; photosynthesis.; photosynthesis, an oxygenated
atmosphere, and the ozone layer.
Which of the following is NOT true of the fossil record?: The fossil record spans 3 billion years of Earth's 4.6 billion year age.; The most common
fossils are from organisms that had hard parts like shells and bones.; Similar to present day stromatolites, the first fossils were simple,
anaerobic algal plants.; The Paleozoic era is credited with the emergence of life.
The banded iron formations began to form when: carbon dioxide dissolved in seawater.; varying oxygen levels allowed the precipitation of
alternating layers of iron oxide.; oxide minerals were deposited on the ocean bottom.; iron from lava flows settled into layered formations.
During the Precambrian, the development of the ozone layer helped: primitive organisms on Earth's surface to nucleate.; shield Earth's surface
from harmful ultraviolet radiation.; promote the emergence of stromatolites.; promote the development of anaerobic organisms.
The formation of the supercontinent of Pangaea: resulted from the collision of all major land masses.; produced widespread mountain building
in the Himalayas.; resulted in extensive volcanic activity and flood basalts.; all of these
The beginning of the Paleozoic is marked by the emergence of: organisms with hard parts.; fish and fungi.; extensive glaciated deposits.; none
of these
Organisms with the ability to be easily preserved as fossils began to flourish about: 4.6 billion years ago.; 3.8 billion years ago.; 543 million
years ago.; 65 million years ago.
The "Cambrian explosion" refers to the: great many meteorite bombardments that occurred during that time.; great diversity of life that
blossomed during that time.; evolution and great diversity of blastoids during that time period.; numerous volcanic eruptions that took place
during that time.
Earth's early life forms were marine organisms. True
All continental landmasses joined together as Pangaea resulted in: a reduction in shallow marine habitats.; a long duration of high sea level.; an
increase of seafloor spreading.; increased species diversification.
The Mesozoic era is known as the age of the: dinosaur.; reptile.; fishes.; synapsids.
Iridium is an element that is relatively: abundant on Earth, but very rare in meteorites.; rare on Earth, but very common in meteorites.;
abundant on both the Earth and the Moon.; rare on both Earth and in meteorites.
The breakup of Pangaea resulted in the separation of: habitats.; landmasses.; plant and animal life.; landmasses, and plants and animals and
their habitats.
The Cenozoic Era is known as the: age of the mammals.; age of man.; age of the reptile.; ice age.
Uplift of the Rocky Mountains was a result of: compressional forces.; tensional forces.; crustal extension.; none of these
The great height of the Himalayas is due to: continental-continental convergence where neither plate undergoes subduction.; the continuing
after affect of the collision between the Alps and the Urals.; convergence of the Farallon Plate with India.; the subduction of India beneath
Asia.
You would expect to find the least number of fossils in rocks from the: Cenozoic era.; Mesozoic era.; Paleozoic era.; Precambrian era.
The most important highlight of Precambrian Time was the: explosion of life.; asteroid impact that resulted in the formation of our Moon.;
accumulation of free oxygen in the atmosphere.; emergence of reptiles.
Coastal lands bordering the oceans generally have: colder temperatures than lands away from the ocean.; more moderate temperature variations
than inland areas.; more scenery than land in the continental interior.; tropical temperatures due to the high heat capacity of water.
The Earth's oceans evolved: from condensation of water vapor in a hydrogen-oxygen rich atmosphere.; from condensation of water vapor from
volcanic eruptions.; as Earth warmed.
Plants evolved the ability of photosynthesis during the: Cambrian period.; Precambrian.; Paleozoic era.; Pleistocene.
Most of Earth's water is in the: oceans.; polar ice caps.; rivers, lakes, and stream.; ground.
Going from continental land toward the deep ocean basin, the continental margin consists of the: slope, the shelf, and the rise.; rise, the slope, and
the shelf.; shelf, the slope, and the rise.; shelf, abyssal plain, and the mid-ocean ridge.
Factors that increase ocean salinity are: runoff from streams and rivers.; formation of sea ice.; precipitation.; glacial melting.
The two most abundant elements that make up the salinity of seawater are: sodium and potassium.; chlorine and sulfur.; calcium and sulfur.;
chlorine and sodium.
When precipitation at the ocean surface exceeds evaporation, the salinity of seawater: increases.; decreases.; stays the same.
Ocean waves generally form as a result of: swells.; the rotation of the Earth.; differences in ocean density.; wind.
The movement of water in a wave travels: with the wave.; in a circular path at and just below the water surface.; in a circular path at a depth
of one-half the wavelength.; in both a longitudinal and circular path.
Which pulls on the oceans of Earth with the greater force?: The Moon.; The Sun.; The Sun and the Moon both pull the same.
Which is most responsible for the ocean tides?: The Moon.; The Sun.; Both contribute equally.
The atmosphere is divided into several layers. The troposphere is the: lowest and thickest layer, where Earth's weather occurs.; lowest and
thinnest layer, where Earth's weather occurs.; atmosphere's third and thickest layer.; lowest and least dense layer in the atmosphere, where
Earth's weather occurs.
Going from Earth's surface up toward space, the atmospheric layers are the troposphere,: stratosphere, ionosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and
exosphere.; stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.; stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere, exosphere, and
thermosphere.; thermosphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and exosphere.
The ozone layer is a region within the: troposphere.; stratosphere.; mesosphere.; ionosphere.
Your ears "pop" when you ascend to higher altitudes because: air pressure is greater at higher altitudes.; air temperature is lower at higher
altitudes.; air pressure is lower at higher altitudes.; air is dryer at higher altitudes.
The angle of the Sun's rays striking Earth's surface greatly affects the: Earth's seasons.; equatorial and polar regions.; intensity of solar energy
received at Earth's surface.; distribution of solar energy –from the poles to the equator, hours of daylight, and the seasons.
Earth's lower atmosphere is warm because of: incoming solar radiation.; terrestrial radiation.; cloud cover.; outgoing short-wave radiation.
Almost all of Earth's supply of energy comes from: the oceans.; Earth's interior.; the Sun.
If more terrestrial radiation were able to leave Earth's atmosphere than at present, we would experience: global cooling.; no change in
temperature.; global warming.; more severe weather.
If Earth is closest to the Sun in January, why is much of the Northern Hemisphere cold in January?: It is cold because it is winter.; The Southern
Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun in January.; Solar energy favors the equatorial regions.; The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away
from the Sun in January.
The Coriolis force greatly affects the path of air circulation, and is the result of: global winds.; Earth's rotation.; Earth's tilt.; all of these
The winds in a Northern Hemisphere cyclone spiral: clockwise toward its center.; counterclockwise towards its center.; clockwise away from
its center.; counterclockwise away from its center.
In general, warm days are associated with: high surface pressure.; low surface pressure.; summer storms.; negative change in pressure gradient.
At temperate latitudes, the prevailing westerlies drive surface ocean currents: eastward.; westward.; southward.; northward.
Water that is denser than surrounding water sinks. With respect to the densities of deeper water, how far does it sink?: Until it encounters water of
the same density.; Until it encounters water that is less dense.; Until it encounters water that is denser.; None of the above.
Most surface ocean currents are due to: melting polar glaciers.; river flow into the ocean.; winds.; density differences in the vertical profile of
the ocean.
The ocean can be divided into several vertical layers–the surface zone, a transition zone, and the deep zone. As one descends to lower depths, water
pressure and temperature .: increases; decreases; decreases; increases; increases; increases; decreases; decreases
Temperature in the air is increased by the process of: moisture condensation.; contact with cold surfaces.; moisture evaporation.
As rising air cools, its ability to hold water vapor decreases so the: relative humidity of the rising air decreases.; adiabatic rate stabilizes.; air
becomes more wet.; relative humidity of the rising air increases.
The changing of a vapor into a liquid is called: condensation.; evaporation.; dew point.; saturation point.
The temperature to which air must be cooled for saturation to occur is called: relative humidity.; its dew point.; precipitation.; its condensation
point.
Evaporation of raindrops in the atmosphere: warms the air.; cools the air.; does not happen, raindrops always reach Earth's surface.
Precipitation is produced by: a rising air mass.; a descending air mass.; water vapor in the air that condenses to make clouds then falls as
liquid water or ice.; all of the above.
Water vapor in the air can condense when the air: cools above its dew point temperature.; temperature increases.; temperature drops below its
dew point temperature.; none of the above.
As air rises, it: compresses and warms.; compresses and cools.; expands and warms.; expands and cools.
An adiabatic process occurs when: no thermal energy enters or leaves the system.; thermal energy leaving a system is greater than thermal
energy entering a system.; thermal energy leaving a system is less than thermal energy entering a system.; none of these.
Warm air rises and cools as it expands. Warm air will continue to rise as long as it is: denser than the surrounding air.; warmer and less dense
than the surrounding air.; warmer and less dense than the air above.; snowing.
When a volume of air is compressed, its temperature: increases.; decreases.; neither increases nor decreases.
Clouds inhibit the outflow of terrestrial radiation. This acts to: insulate Earth's surface temperature.; warm Earth's surface temperature at night.;
cool Earth's surface temperature during the day.; insulate Earth's surface temperature, keeping it warmer at night and cooler in the day.
When warm air is above cooler air it is called: stable.; unstable.; a temperature inversion.; a Chinook.
Heat can be added to air by solar radiation, moisture: condensation, or contact with warm ground.; evaporation, or contact with warm ground.;
condensation, or contact with cool ground.; evaporation, or contact with warm ground.
Air moves from: a region of low pressure to a region of high pressure.; a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure.; a region of
stability to a region of instability.; a cold front to a warm front.
The highest clouds are generally: stratus and stratocumulus type clouds.; cumulus and stratus type clouds.; cirrus and cirrostratus type clouds.;
cumulonimbus and altocumulus type clouds.
In order to produce precipitation, an air mass must rise because rising air: allows water droplets more time in the cloud where they can grow in
size.; produces downdrafts which increases the evaporation of droplets from the cloud.; supports the downfall of raindrops.; all of the above.
What generally causes clouds to form?: Falling relative humidity.; Sinking of saturated air.; Lifting of air.; Addition of water vapor.
Why are smoke and dust important in rain formation? These particles of smoke or dust are where condensation occurs forming a water droplet.
Warm humid air is characteristic of a: maritime polar air mass.; continental polar air mass.; maritime tropical air mass.; continental tropical air
mass.
When an air mass is pushed upward over an obstacle, it undergoes: convectional lifting.; orographic lifting.; adiabatic lifting.; frontal lifting.
When a cold air mass moves into a region occupied by a warm air mass, the contact zone is called: a cold front.; a warm front.; a stationary
front.; an occluded front.
In orographic lifting, precipitation is associated with the: windward slope (This is the side that the wind approaches the mountain. The other 3
answers refer to the side the wind blows away from the mountain.).; the leeward slope.; rain shadow.; Chinook.
If a cool dry day was followed by a warm humid day, you might expect they resulted from the following consecutive air masses,: maritime tropical
(mT) followed by continental polar (cP).; maritime polar (mP) followed by maritime tropical (mT).; continental polar (cP) followed by
maritime tropical (mT).; continental tropical (cT) followed by continental polar (cP).
Rainfall associated with an advancing cold front is generally: drizzly.; heavy with gusty winds.; slow and steady.; light to moderate, with
steady mild winds.
In order for clouds to form, air must be lifted. The three principal lifting mechanisms are: orographic, condensational, and frontal lifting.;
orthographic, conversational, and frontal lobotomy.; convectional, orographic, and frontal lifting.; adiabatic, topographic, and inversional
lifting.
Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, they are very common: along the Gulf Coast.; in the northeastern part of the United States.;
in the Central Plains.; on the western slopes of the Rockies.
Tornadoes are rapidly rotating winds that blow counterclockwise around a small area of intense: high pressure.; low pressure.
Lightning occurs as water droplets in a cloud become electrically charged. Energy is positively charged: at the base of the cloud.; at the top of the
cloud.; throughout the cloud.; surrounding the cloud.
The energy released by a hurricane comes from: cold Atlantic waters.; spiraling winds.; warm, moist air above warm, tropical oceans.; the
Sun.
The atmospheric condition at a particular location at a particular moment in time is called: weather.; climate.; average temperature.; average
precipitation level.
A weather map has many symbols and lines. Isobars are lines that: depict wind speed and direction.; connect points of equal temperature.;
connect points of equal pressure.; none of the above.
On a weather map we see an H for Highs and an L for Lows. In a high pressure region we generally can find: stormy weather.; clear skies.; very
cold temperatures.; cloud cover.