Midterm Review Questions v2

Why are P-waves received, but S-waves are not received by seismic stations located on the opposite side of Earth from an earthquake epicenter ?

• S-waves are absorbed by the liquid outer core, while P-waves can travel through it.
• The earthquake epicenter is shielded by a magnetic field preventing S-waves from reaching the opposite side
• Seismic stations on the opposite side are not equipped to detect S-waves
• S-waves are faster than P-waves and reach the opposite side first

Answer explanation

S-waves only travel through the solid matter within the layers of Earth interior while P-waves can travel through all matter of Earth interior (solid and liquid)

The magnitude of an earthquake is a number that represents the

• Number of aftershocks following the earthquake
• Depth of the earthquake's epicenter
• Energy released at the source of the earthquake
• Time duration of the earthquake

Answer explanation

What is magnitude? That number is called the magnitude of the earthquake, and it represents the amount of energy that is released when an earthquake occurs.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

As the distance from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge increases, the age of the ocean floor surface bedrock

• remains constant
• doubles
• decreases
• increases

Answer explanation

As the plates move further apart new ocean lithosphere is formed at the ridge and the ocean basin gets wider. This process is known as “sea floor spreading” and results in a consistent alignment of the rocks of the ocean floor which get older with distance from the ridge crest.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What are two major factors that control the development of soil in a given location ?

• Vegetation and topography
• Climate and bedrock composition

• Time and pressure
• Human activity and wildlife

Answer explanation

The major factors that control the development of soil in a given location are bedrock composition and climate.

Which particles most likely will deposited first as the velocity of a stream carrying a mixture of particles decreases ?

• Particles with lower mass or density
• Particles with higher velocity
• Particles flat in size

• Particles with higher mass or density

Answer explanation

Sediment in rivers gets deposited as the river slows down. Larger, heavier particles like pebbles and sand are deposited first, whilst the lighter silt and clay only settle if the water is almost still.

Since Earth has an elliptical orbit, the

• Changes in Earth's rotation speed
• Variations in Earth's distance from the Sun
• Variations in Earth's tilt
• Shifts in Earth's magnetic field

Answer explanation

The Earth has an elliptical orbit around our Sun. This being said, the Earth is at its closest point distance wise to the Sun in January (called the Perihelion) and the furthest in July (the Aphelion).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Two pieces of evidence that support the theory that the universe is expanding are the

• Expansion of the solar system and Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
• Blue shift of galaxies and Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
• Redshift of stars and Ultraviolet Background Radiation
• Redshift of galaxies and Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

Answer explanation

There are several main pieces of evidence that support the Big Bang theory. One is the fact that the universe is expanding, proven with something called red-shift. The second is something called cosmic microwave background radiation.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

Background radiation detected in space is believed to be evidence that

• Big Bang theory
• String theory
• Quantum mechanics
• General relativity

Answer explanation

Scientists considered their discovery as solid evidence for the 'Big Bang' theory. This theory predicted that the 'shockwave' of that original explosion would be still detectable as a subtle background energy coming from everywhere behind all galaxies, celestial objects and galaxy clusters.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

From your location, what is the best definition of a celestial object ?

• Any natural object outside of Earth's atmosphere
• A fictional character in a book
• A type of weather phenomenon
• Any man-made object in space

Answer explanation

A celestial body is any object that astronomers observe in outer space. They are also sometimes referred to as "celestial objects", "astronomical objects", or "heavenly bodies." This can include planets, stars, moons, asteroids, comets, or even nebulae and galaxies.

Deltas form where

• where deserts meet a body of water
• where forests meet a body of water
• where rivers meet a larger body of water

• where mountains meet a body of water

Answer explanation

Deltas are wetlands that form as rivers empty their water and sediment into another body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another river