Question 1

The inner rocky planets include all but which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Jupiter is not considered an inner rocky planet. It is a gas giant located beyond the asteroid belt. The inner rocky planets are those closest to the sun and include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

Question 2

The recognition of the Earth's great age was made by _________ upon observation of the features of the Scottish landscape.

Accepted Answer

James Hutton was the Scottish geologist who recognized the Earth's great age upon observing the features of the Scottish landscape, particularly the layers of rock and their composition. He published his ideas in the book "Theory of the Earth" in 1788.

Question 3

As radioactive atoms decay,energy is ___________.

Accepted Answer

As radioactive atoms decay, they release energy in the form of radiation. This energy can be in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, or other particles. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 4

The law of gravity states that two bodies attract each other with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the ___________ of the distance between them.

Accepted Answer

According to the law of gravity, the force of attraction between two bodies is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This means that as the distance between the two bodies increases, the force of attraction between them decreases by the square of that distance. Mathematically, the formula for the force of gravity is F = G(m1m2/r^2), where F is the force of attraction, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the two bodies, and r is the distance between them. The square of the distance (r^2) appears in the denominator, indicating that the force of gravity is inversely proportional to the square of that distance.

Question 5

Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear energy from the sun is from fusion, where hydrogen atoms are fused together to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. Energy from radioactive isotopes decaying within the earth is also from fusion, as certain elements break down into smaller elements, releasing energy in the process. This is different from fission, where a nucleus is split into smaller fragments, releasing energy.

Question 6

When describing the layers of the Earth based on differentiation due to density,the layer surrounding the core is the rocky _______ nearly 2,900 kilometres thick.

Accepted Answer

The mantle is the layer of the Earth that surrounds the core and is composed mostly of rocky material. It is nearly 2,900 km thick and is differentiated from the core by differences in density. The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth and is much thinner than the mantle, while chondrules are small, spherical particles found in some meteorites.

Question 7

The decay product of parent material such as Carbon-14,is:

Accepted Answer

The decay product of Carbon-14 is Nitrogen-14. During radioactive decay, a Carbon-14 atom emits a beta particle (an electron) and a neutrino, transforming into a Nitrogen-14 atom.

Question 8

The outward flow of Earth's internal energy over short time spans results in which of the following natural hazards?

Accepted Answer

Volcanic eruptions are a direct result of the outward flow of Earth's internal energy, as magma from beneath the Earth's crust is expelled to the surface.

Question 9

The main source of Earth's meteorites nowadays is/are:

Accepted Answer

The main source of Earth's meteorites is the Asteroid Belt, which lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Some meteorites also originate from Mars and the Moon, but these are less common. Meteorites from Venus and Jupiter's atmosphere have not been found on Earth.

Question 10

When describing the layers of the Earth based on differentiation due to strength,which best describes the sequence of layers from the centre to the surface?

Accepted Answer

The Earth's layers based on differentiation due to strength, from the center to the surface, are the core (innermost), mesosphere (stiff lower mantle), asthenosphere (soft, weak layer beneath the lithosphere), and lithosphere (rigid outer layer). This sequence is accurately described in option D.

Question 11

The outward flow of Earth's internal energy over geologic time has produced our _________________.

Accepted Answer

The outward flow of Earth's internal energy through processes such as plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and weathering has produced our continents, oceans, and atmosphere. Therefore, all of the given choices are correct.

Question 12

When describing the layers of the Earth based on differentiation due to density,the inner core is a 2,450-km diameter _________ mass with temperatures up to 4,300°C.

Accepted Answer

The inner core is a solid mass, not gaseous or liquid, with temperatures up to 4,300°C.

Question 13

The time needed for a typical atom in an oceanic plate to complete a plate-tectonic cycle is ______________.

Accepted Answer

The time needed for a typical atom in an oceanic plate to complete a plate-tectonic cycle is in excess of 250 million years. This cycle includes the process of subduction, melting, and eventual reformation at mid-ocean ridges, which is a very slow process.

Question 14

Which of the following is not a basic tenet of plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

The slab pulled into the asthenosphere does not move into the liquid core but begins the process of melting and moving back into the mantle. Therefore, option D is not a basic tenet of plate tectonics.

Question 15

Which of the following natural hazards is not the direct result of the process of plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

Flooding is not directly caused by the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates. It is typically the result of heavy rainfall, storm surge from hurricanes, or the overflow of rivers and lakes. The other options are all directly related to plate tectonics: earthquakes occur as a result of the movement of plates rubbing against each other; volcanic eruptions occur at plate boundaries where magma builds up; and mountain building occurs as plates collide and are pushed upwards.

Question 16

A Nebula is:

Accepted Answer

A nebula is a cloud of gas and dust in space. It is often the birthplace of stars and planets. Nebulae come in different shapes and sizes, but they are usually composed of a mix of heterogeneous materials, including gas (mostly hydrogen and helium) and solids (ice, dust, and other particles). They are not necessarily limited to rotating structures.

Question 17

The primary energy sources that make the Earth an active body include all but which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis is not a primary energy source that makes the Earth an active body, as it is a process that occurs within living organisms and does not directly contribute to the Earth's overall energy balance. The other choices - the Earth's internal heat, the Sun, gravity, and the impact of extraterrestrial bodies - all play important roles in driving geologic activity and other processes on Earth.

Question 18

When large glacial ice mass is added onto land,land ________ and rock at depth flows ______ in the asthenosphere.

Accepted Answer

When a large glacial ice mass is added onto land, the land sinks due to the weight, and rock at depth flows outward in the asthenosphere to accommodate the added mass.

Question 19

Many materials,like glacier ice and rocks,can ___________________.

Accepted Answer

Glacier ice and rocks can fracture, undergo ductile flow (changing their shape permanently), and also undergo small recoverable elastic deformation.

Question 20

What is the meaning of Will Durant's (1885-1981)expression: "Civilization exists by geologic consents,subject to change without notice."?

Accepted Answer

Will Durant's expression means that civilization, and its existence, is subject to geologic processes that can change quickly and unpredictably. This implies that we still don't completely understand these processes, and therefore cannot always predict or prepare for their results.

Quiz 2: Earths Internal Energy and Plate Tectonics