Question 1

Which of the following types of global change is reversible?
A)orogenic uplift
B)melting and crystallization of sedimentary rock to form igneous rock
C)evolution of life on Earth
D)flooding of the continents due to global warming

Accepted Answer

Flooding of the continents due to global warming is reversible if global temperatures are reduced and ice sheets are restored, unlike the other options which involve permanent geological or biological changes.

Question 2

The figure below shows a variety of processes that are part of the global carbon cycle.Which of the following three chemicals besides CO₂ are shown as part of the carbon cycle?

A)CO (carbon monoxide),C (graphite or diamond),and CO₃ (carbon trioxide)
B)CH₄ (methane),O₃ (ozone),and C (graphite or diamond)
C)CH₄ (methane),HCO₃- (bicarbonate),and CaCO₃ (calcite)
D)CO (carbon monoxide),CO₃ (carbon trioxide),and CaCO₃ (calcite)

Accepted Answer

Methane (CH₄) is shown as part of the carbon cycle, as well as bicarbonate (HCO₃-) and calcite (CaCO₃). CO (carbon monoxide) and CO₃ (carbon trioxide) are not typically considered part of the global carbon cycle, and C (graphite or diamond) is not shown in the figure as a molecule involved in any of the processes. O₃ (ozone) is not a carbon-containing molecule and therefore not relevant to the carbon cycle.

Question 3

Nearly all biological,physical,and chemical systems on Earth are disconnected and can be effectively studied in isolation from each other.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Many biological, physical, and chemical systems on Earth are interconnected and cannot be effectively studied in isolation from each other. For example, changes in the climate can have a significant impact on ecosystems and agriculture, and pollution from one area can affect water quality in another area. Understanding these complex relationships requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Question 4

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide related to one another?
A)carbon dioxide (CO₂)forms when bicarbonate minerals break down
B)carbon dioxide forms when bicarbonate migrates from a gaseous state in the atmosphere into soils
C)bicarbonate forms when CO₂ molecules enter into water
D)Bicarbonate and CO₂ are the same thing.

Accepted Answer

Bicarbonate forms when carbon dioxide (CO₂) molecules enter into water and react with it. This reaction produces bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) and positively charged hydrogen ions (H⁺). Therefore, bicarbonate and carbon dioxide are related because bicarbonate is a product of the reaction between carbon dioxide and water.

Question 5

Based on the last approximately 130 years of solar energy reaching the top of Earth's atmosphere in the figure below,do you think the solar energy reaching Earth's atmosphere should rise or fall in the next 10 years?

A)rise
B)fall

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on the last approximately 130 years...

Question 6

Which of the following processes removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
A)respiration (breathing)of animals
B)burning of coal and other fossil fuels
C)volcanism
D)photosynthesis

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis is the process used by plants and some microorganisms to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds, such as sugars, which they use as energy sources. During this process, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and oxygen is released.

Question 7

Cyclical global change includes the formation of core,mantle,and crust from a homogenous mixture,a state to which one day Earth will return.

Accepted Answer

Cyclical global change does involve recurring patterns of change on Earth, but the formation of core, mantle, and crust from a homogenous mixture is not a part of this cycle. This process occurred early in Earth's history and is not something that will happen again in the future.

Question 8

Change within the Earth system is unidirectional and cannot be reversed.

Accepted Answer

Change within the Earth system can occur in both directions and can be reversible to some extent. For example, natural processes such as erosion and weathering can reshape mountains and landforms over time, but these changes can also be reversed through geological events such as uplift and deposition of new sediment. However, some changes such as the extinction of species or the loss of significant amounts of biodiversity may be irreversible.

Question 9

Which of the following is an important long-term (acting over spans of tens of millions of years)factor in global climate change?
A)decrease in albedo due to soot from volcanic eruptions
B)variation in Milankovitch orbital parameters
C)variation in the abundance of sunspots
D)atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide

Accepted Answer

The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is a key factor in global climate change over spans of tens of millions of years. Increases in atmospheric CO2 trap more heat and lead to a warming effect on the planet. This is evidenced by the correlation between increased levels of CO2 and periods of warming in Earth's history, such as during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Alternatively, decreases in atmospheric CO2 can lead to a cooling effect, as seen during the ice ages.

Question 10

A runaway greenhouse effect is an example of what kind of feedback mechanism?
A)positive
B)negative

Accepted Answer

A runaway greenhouse effect is when an increase in temperature leads to the release of gases (such as carbon dioxide) that further trap heat, leading to even higher temperatures. This is an example of a positive feedback mechanism, as it amplifies the initial change.

Question 11

In this chapter,"sedimentary sequences" refers to variations ____________ within stratigraphic sequences.
A)in fossil content
B)in the coarseness of clastic sediments/sedimentary rocks (e.g. ,proportion of sands/sandstones vs.muds/mudstones [such as shales])
C)due to or related to changes in sea level

Accepted Answer

Variations in the coarseness of clastic sediments/sedimentary rocks (e.g., proportion of sands/sandstones vs. muds/mudstones [such as shales]) are referred to as sedimentary sequences within stratigraphic sequences.

Question 12

The figure below shows the transmission,absorption,and reflection of radiation from various sources.In which layer (of the three layers labeled A,B,and C on the figure)do greenhouse gasses accumulate?

A)layer A
B)layer B
C)layer C

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gases accumulate in layer B, which is the troposphere where most weather occurs and where the majority of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities take place. Layer A is the stratosphere, which contains the ozone layer, and layer C is the mesosphere and thermosphere, which have very low density and are not significant for greenhouse gas accumulation.

Question 13

Which of these is the longest-lasting sink for CO₂?
A)plant tissues and cellulose (the "woody" parts of plants)
B)the atmosphere
C)air bubbles within glacial ice
D)limestones

Accepted Answer

Limestones are the longest-lasting sink for CO₂ as they can hold on to it for hundreds of millions of years, slowly releasing it through geological processes like weathering. Plant tissues and cellulose eventually decompose, the atmosphere exchanges gases with other sources, and air bubbles within glacial ice gradually dissolve.

Question 14

How much CO₂ is pulled out of the atmosphere each year by various life forms?
A)about 63 million cubic yards,measured at STP (standard temperature and pressure)
B)about 63 billion molecules
C)about 63 thousand tons,when measured at STP (standard temperature and pressure)
D)about 63 billion tons

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide uptake by plants through photosynthesis is usually measured in terms of weight or mass, such as kilograms, tons or metric tons. A study by the US Geological Survey estimated that vegetation absorbs around 115 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. This translates to about 63 thousand tons when measured at STP. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Options A and D are too small and too large, respectively, compared to the estimated uptake. Option B refers to the number of molecules, which is not a suitable unit of measurement for this question.

Question 15

Pollen species CANNOT be used to interpret ancient environments because most species inhabit all environments.

Accepted Answer

While some pollen species do occur in all environments, many others are specific to certain types of plants and environments. Therefore, by studying the pollen species present in ancient sediments, researchers can infer the types of plants that were present in the surrounding environment and make inferences about past climates and ecosystems.

Question 16

The presence of liquid water on Earth's surface is ____________.
A)not surprising because many other bodies in the Solar System have liquid water
B)unique in the Solar System,but is an inherent feature of Earth that would be found regardless of the Earth-Sun distance
C)unique in the Solar System;liquid water would not have developed had Earth been much closer to or much farther from the Sun

Accepted Answer

The presence of liquid water on Earth's surface is unique in the Solar System and is a result of the Earth's distance from the Sun. If the Earth was much closer or farther from the Sun, the temperatures would not support liquid water.

Question 17

Which of the following processes releases CO₂ to the atmosphere?
A)photosynthesis
B)weathering of silicate rocks
C)volcanism
D)burial of organic matter

Accepted Answer

Volcanism releases CO₂ to the atmosphere when magma reaches the earth's surface and gases are released into the air.

Question 18

Stratigraphic studies have found evidence of numerous cycles of sea level rise and fall after the Precambrian.These cycles often have a sandstone at the base,grade up into coal,and are called ____________.
A)geotherms
B)sedithems
C)bathycycles
D)cyclothems

Accepted Answer

The question describes cycles of sea level rise and fall that are marked by sandstone at the base and grade up into coal. These types of cycles are known as cyclothems. Choices A, B, and C are not applicable to the description given.

Question 19

The hydrologic cycle includes which of these?
A)changes in the storage of H₂O within glaciers
B)increased fluxes of methane (CH₄)into the atmosphere
C)changes in the net storage of H₂O within the bodies and tissues of all living things
D)A and B are both correct.

Accepted Answer

The hydrologic cycle refers to the continuous movement of water between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere, and includes processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration. Changes in the storage of water within glaciers are an important component of the hydrologic cycle, as glacial meltwater contributes to river flow and to the replenishment of groundwater.

Answer: D 
 Increased fluxes of methane (CH₄) into the atmosphere are not directly related to the hydrologic cycle, but they can be indirectly linked to it through the role that certain wetland ecosystems play in methane production. Additionally, changes in the net storage of water within the bodies and tissues of all living things are not part of the traditional hydrologic cycle, as this refers specifically to the movement of water through the atmosphere and biosphere.

Question 20

A biogeochemical cycle means the ____________.
A)movement of biogeochem minerals over time through the rock cycle
B)exchange of chemicals among magmatic and solid-phase systems
C)transitioning and residence of specific chemicals among living and nonliving systems
D)A and B are both correct.

Accepted Answer

A biogeochemical cycle refers to the transitioning and residence of specific chemicals, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, among living and nonliving systems. This includes the processes of uptake by organisms, release by decomposition, and exchange with the atmosphere, water, and soil. The movement of biogeochemical minerals through the rock cycle (A) and exchange of chemicals among magmatic and solid-phase systems (B) are not part of the biogeochemical cycle, as they do not involve interactions with living organisms.

Quiz 23: Global Change in the Earth System

Which of the following types of global change is reversible?

The figure below shows a variety of processes that are part of the global carbon cycle.Which of the following three chemicals besides CO₂ are shown as part of the carbon cycle?

Nearly all biological,physical,and chemical systems on Earth are disconnected and can be effectively studied in isolation from each other.

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide related to one another?

Based on the last approximately 130 years of solar energy reaching the top of Earth's atmosphere in the figure below,do you think the solar energy reaching Earth's atmosphere should rise or fall in the next 10 years?

Which of the following processes removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

Cyclical global change includes the formation of core,mantle,and crust from a homogenous mixture,a state to which one day Earth will return.

Change within the Earth system is unidirectional and cannot be reversed.

Which of the following is an important long-term (acting over spans of tens of millions of years) factor in global climate change?

A runaway greenhouse effect is an example of what kind of feedback mechanism?

In this chapter,"sedimentary sequences" refers to variations ____________ within stratigraphic sequences.

The figure below shows the transmission,absorption,and reflection of radiation from various sources.In which layer (of the three layers labeled A,B,and C on the figure) do greenhouse gasses accumulate?

Which of these is the longest-lasting sink for CO₂?

How much CO₂ is pulled out of the atmosphere each year by various life forms?

Pollen species CANNOT be used to interpret ancient environments because most species inhabit all environments.

The presence of liquid water on Earth's surface is ____________.

Which of the following processes releases CO₂ to the atmosphere?

Stratigraphic studies have found evidence of numerous cycles of sea level rise and fall after the Precambrian.These cycles often have a sandstone at the base,grade up into coal,and are called ____________.

The hydrologic cycle includes which of these?

A biogeochemical cycle means the ____________.