7th Grade Quarterly Exam Study Guide on Chapters 1, 15, 16 (Sections 1&2)
Chapter 1
1. Scientific inquiry often begins with posing questions.
2. A possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question is a
hypothesis.
3. Over time mountains and landmasses form on Earth’s surface because of constructive
forces.
4. The type of scientist who studies the universe beyond Earth is a(n) astronomer.
5. In an experiment, the variable that the scientist changes is called the manipulated
variable.
6. In science, a hypothesis must be testable.
7. A system is a group of parts that work together as a whole.
8. The lithosphere is the part of the Earth made up of Earth’s solid, rocky outer layer.
9. What is the role of the responding variable in a controlled experiment? The responding
variable is the variable that changes as a result of a scientist’s changes to the
manipulated variable.
10. Two sources of energy for processes on Earth- the Sun & the heat of Earth’s interior
11. Five things you should do at the end of a lab1)Clean up area 2) Turn off and unplug equipment 3) Dispose of waste properly 4)
Follow teacher’s instructions 5) Wash hands
12. Scientist for lithosphere- geologist
hydrosphere- oceanographer
atmosphere- meteorologist
13. What does an environmental scientist do?
They study Earth’s environment and resources.
14. If you explain or interpret something based on your experience you are making an
inference.
15. Essay. What are three technologies of the Information Age? How have they affected
society.
Three main technologies are computers, satellites, and cell phones. They have changed
society by letting people share information quickly.
16. Essay. How do scientific theories differ from scientific laws?
Unlike a scientific theory, a scientific law does not provide an explanation, but describes
an observed pattern in nature.
Chapter 15
17. Percentage of oxygen in atmosphere- 21 %
18. A gas in the atmosphere that varies in different places and from time to time is water
vapor.
19. What is photochemical smog caused by? The action of sunlight on pollutants
20. Pollutants-harmful substances in the air, water or soil.
21. Density- the amount of mass in a given volume of air
22. As the density of air decreases, its pressure decreases.
23. Air pressure is measured in millibars
24. Warmest layer of atmosphere- thermosphere
25. The layer of atmosphere that reflects radio waves- ionosphere
26. Stratosphere contains what that protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation – ozone
27. The most abundant gas in the atmosphere-nitrogen
28. Soot- Particles of carbon that enter the air when wood or coal are burned are called
29. One cause of acid rain is the burning of coal that contains a lot of sulfur.
30. Pressure- is the force per unit area.
31. Four main layers of the atmosphere are classified according to changes in temperature.
32. Weather- is the condition of the Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.
33. Fires need oxygen to burn.
34. Over the past 30 years, air quality in the U.S. has improved.
35. Air pressure scattering.decreases as altitude increases.
36. Auroras occur in the ionosphere.
37. Essay. Why must pilots wear oxygen masks when they fly at high altitudes?
The air is less dense at high altitudes so it is harder to breathe.
38. Essay. How are a mercury barometer and an aneroid barometer alike and how are they
different?
They both measure air pressure. A mercury barometer uses mercury and an aneroid
barometer has a metal chamber .
39. Essay. How can ozone be both good and bad for life on Earth?
It protects us from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is also a pollutant that can
harm our eyes and lungs.
Chapter 16
40. The sky looks blue because of scattering.
41. The direct transfer of electromagnetic waves is called radiation.
42. The freezing point of water in Fahrenheit is 32o .
43. Ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer.
44. Temperature- the average amount of energy of motion of each particle of a substance.
45. The part of the sunlight with the longest wavelength is infrared radiation.
46. Essay. Compare and contrast the three types of heat transfer.
All three types of heat transfer- radiation, conduction, and convection- help to warm the
troposphere. Radiation is the direct transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves.
Conduction is the direct transfer of heat from one substance to another substance that
it is touching. Convection is the transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid.