Earth Science - Data Day

The asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter contains tens of thousands of bodies. Which of these probably does NOT describe an asteroid?

• orbits the Sun
• too small to be a planet
• has an atmosphere like Earth's
• is a chunk of rock that can be small or large

Malik observes that the stars seem to move across the night sky from east to west each night. Which of the following describes why this happens?

• Earth's tilt on its axis
• Earth's orbit around the Sun
• Earth's rotation on its axis
• Earth's distance from the Sun

For a science fair, Philippe drew this diagram of the Moon, Earth, and the Sun. Which of the following statements can be made about Philippe's diagram?

• The rotation of the Moon causes day and night.
• Earth's rotation causes the Sun to appear to move across the sky.
• The Moon's rotation causes it to appear to move across the sky.
• Earth's orbit causes the Sun to appear to move across the sky each night

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Mrs. Masong's students are observing mineral samples on a nature hike. They record notes about the mineral samples by observing or touching each mineral. Which property of the minerals will the students NOT be able to observe and record?

• color
• hardness
• luster
• texture

Chico is examining two igneous rocks. He observes that one rock is light-colored and one is dark-colored. Both rocks have very large crystals and are very coarse. How can two rocks made by the same process be so different in color?

• They cooled at different rates.
• They contain different minerals.
• They were made at different times.
• They were worn down at different rates.

Dante learns in science class that plants can be the cause of weathering in rock. Which of the following statements best describes how this might happen?

• They can move rocks from one place to another location.
• They can make rocks change composition over a long period of time.
• They can move large rocks below Earth's surface with their roots.
• They can grow through cracks in rocks causing them to break apart.

Aram made this model of the water cycle. What is the purpose of the bowl of ice cubes?

• The ice cubes hold the lid down so it does not rise during evaporation.
• The ice cubes melt as they are heated by the lamp to model runoff.
• The ice cubes keep the lamp from overheating the plastic lid.
• The ice cubes cool the lid so condensation and precipitation occur.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

On a hot summer day at the beach, Beth reached into her cooler for a cold drink. She wiped the can dry with her towel only to see a few seconds later that it was wet again. Which statement best describes what Beth observed?

• The can has skin-like pores that let some water out.
• Heat causes water vapor to precipitate onto the surface of the can.
• Water vapor in the air condenses onto the surface of the can.
• The high air temperature at the beach is partially melting the can.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Many rainforests are found in the tropics, but only a few are found in cooler temperate zones. What makes a forest a rainforest?

• They always contain very large rivers or lakes.
• They produce more oxygen than normal forests.
• They have a canopy of trees and a great deal of precipitation.
• They have a large variety of animals that are not found elsewhere

Which answer choice lists the weather conditions that would most likely result in snow? A. warm temperature, light winds, low humidity B. low humidity, freezing temperature, light clouds C. freezing temperature, light clouds, heavy winds D. freezing temperature, heavy clouds, high humidity QuestionCorrect AnswerStandards1CSC.5.E.5.3 - Distinguishing between inner and outer planets; Distinguishing between the Sun and planets 2CSC.4.E.5.4 - Earth's rotation; Moon's revolution3BSC.4.E.5.4 - Earth's rotation; Moon's revolution4DSC.4.E.6.2 - Properties of minerals; Sedimentary rock5BSC.4.E.6.2 - Properties of minerals; Sedimentary rock

• warm temperature, light winds, low humidity
• warm temperature, light winds, low humidity
• freezing temperature, light clouds, heavy winds
• freezing temperature, heavy clouds, high humidity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5