Question 1

Steps I and VII come together to complete the carbon-silicate cycle. However, two consecutive steps of this cycle are OUT OF ORDER - which two?
I. In weathering, atmospheric CO2 dissolves in rainwater to form carbonic acid
(H2C03)
II. Carbonic acid dissociates to form hydrogen ions (H+) as rainwater moves through soil
III. Hydrogen ions enter silicate-rich minerals such as feldspar, releasing calcium ions (Ca2+)
IV. Microscopic marine organisms incorporate (Ca2+) and HC03-) into their shells
V. Calcium and bicarbonate ions wash into surface waters and eventually reach the ocean
VI. Shells are incorporated into sedimentary rock
VII. Geological uplift exposes limestone, which is eroded by weathering returning C02 to the atmosphere and water.

Accepted Answer

Steps IV and V are out of order. Calcium and bicarbonate ions wash into surface waters and eventually reach the ocean (V) before microscopic marine organisms incorporate them into their shells (IV).

Question 2

Rain shadow describes the

Accepted Answer

Rain shadow is the dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range that is protected from prevailing winds. As moist air rises over the windward side of the mountain, it cools and condenses into clouds, then precipitation, leaving dry air to continue over the other side.

Question 3

Weather incorporates all of the following atmospheric conditions except:

Accepted Answer

Latitude is a geographical variable and not an atmospheric condition. The other options, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, humidity, and wind, all refer to measurable atmospheric conditions.

Question 4

Many plants have evolved mutualistic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria because:

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen is essential for plant growth but they cannot utilize atmospheric nitrogen directly. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria form nodules on the roots of certain plants and transform atmospheric nitrogen into useful forms for the plants such as ammonium and nitrate ions. In return, the plants provide carbohydrates and other necessary nutrients for the bacteria. This is a mutualistic relationship as both the plant and bacteria benefit from each other.

Question 5

Which of the following accurately represents a sequential portion of the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

This represents the sequential portion of the nitrogen cycle where dead organic material is broken down by decomposers through ammonification, followed by nitrification where the ammonium is converted into nitrites and then nitrates by various bacteria. Finally, plants take up the nitrates and use them for growth.

Question 6

Lava IS TO volcano AS tsunami IS TO

Accepted Answer

Lava is a type of molten rock that erupts from a volcano, similarly, a tsunami is a large ocean wave that is caused by an underwater earthquake, which is a type of seismic activity known as an earthquake.

Question 7

Volcanoes are commonly found:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Volcanoes are commonly found:
...

Question 8

A Tropical Cyclone forms as:

Accepted Answer

A tropical cyclone forms when strong winds pick up moisture over warm waters. The warm water provides the energy for the storm, and as the moist air rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds and precipitation. The other options do not accurately describe the formation of a tropical cyclone.

Question 9

The atmosphere consists of five concentric layers. What is the order of these layers starting at the Earth's surface?
I. troposphere
II. thermosphere
III. mesosphere
IV. stratosphere
V. exosphere

Accepted Answer

The correct order from the Earth's surface upwards is: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

Question 10

Which of the following does not affect ocean currents?

Accepted Answer

Marine organisms may affect local ecosystems, but they do not have a significant impact on the overall movement of ocean currents. The other options all play a role in shaping and influencing ocean currents.

Question 11

The scale typically used by most seismologists to measure the magnitude of an earthquake is the:

Accepted Answer

The moment magnitude scale, also known as the Richter magnitude scale, is the most commonly used scale by seismologists to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. The scale measures the amount of energy released by an earthquake and is based on the logarithm of the maximum amplitude of ground motion recorded on a seismogram.

Question 12

Put the following surfaces in descending order from those surfaces that reflect the greatest % of sunlight hitting their surfaces to those surfaces that have the lowest albedo.
I. clouds
II. ice sheets
III. forest
IV. asphalt pavement

Accepted Answer

Ice sheets have the highest albedo, meaning they reflect the greatest percentage of sunlight hitting their surface. Clouds also have a high albedo. Forests have a moderate albedo, and asphalt pavement has the lowest albedo, meaning it absorbs the most sunlight. The order from highest to lowest albedo is II-I-III-IV, so the best choice is B: II-I-IV-III.

Question 13

If the temperature of the troposphere decreases with increasing altitude by about 6°C for every kilometer, then the temperature at the outermost edge of this layer is approximately __________ lower than at the Earth's surface.

Accepted Answer

The troposphere extends from the Earth's surface up to about 10 kilometers. Given the temperature decreases by about 6°C for every kilometer, the temperature at the outermost edge would be approximately 60°C lower than at the Earth's surface (10 km * 6°C/km = 60°C).

Question 14

Which of the following processes is not involved in the hydrologic cycle?

Accepted Answer

Fixation is not involved in the hydrologic cycle. The hydrologic cycle involves the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, the earth's surface, and groundwater. Transpiration, precipitation, evaporation, and condensation are all processes that are involved in the hydrologic cycle. Fixation refers to the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by plants and is not directly involved in the hydrologic cycle.

Question 15

El Niño and La Niña are similar in that both events

Accepted Answer

El Niño and La Niña both affect weather patterns, causing changes in temperature and precipitation across large regions of the world.

Question 16

The phosphorus cycle differs from the carbon cycle in that:

Accepted Answer

The phosphorus cycle is unique compared to the carbon cycle because it does not involve the atmosphere as a significant component. Phosphorus moves through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, but unlike carbon, it does not have a gaseous phase under normal conditions on Earth, making atmospheric contributions negligible.

Question 17

During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and certain bacteria remove CO2 from the air and fix it into chemical compounds such as __________ .

Accepted Answer

During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and certain bacteria fix CO2 into chemical compounds such as sugars.

Question 18

Which of the following accurately represents a carbon source and the process that releases carbon from that source?

Accepted Answer

Plants release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the process of cellular respiration.

Question 19

After the 2004 tsunami, the death tolls in 2 coastal Sri Lankan cities were examined. The village with intact mangrove vegetation recorded _________ deaths, whereas the other settlement had almost ________ deaths.

Accepted Answer

The village with intact mangrove vegetation recorded 2 deaths, whereas the other settlement had almost 6000 deaths, highlighting the protective role of mangroves against tsunamis.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about the sulfur cycle is true?

Accepted Answer

Sea spray, forest fires, and dust storms release sulfates (SO42-) into the air. This is one of the ways in which sulfur enters the atmosphere and becomes available for other parts of the sulfur cycle. Bacteria play a major role in the sulfur cycle, breaking down organic matter and releasing sulfur into the environment in various forms. Sulfur is also found in rocks, soil, and water bodies, and can be transformed through processes like weathering and erosion to enter the cycle. Plants do assimilate sulfate (SO42-) as a source of sulfur for essential biological processes.

Quiz 4: Ecosystems and the Physical Environment