Quarterly Science Assessment

Which force is most accountable for the formation of a star?

• Interstellar

• Gravity

• Magnetic

• Nuclear

The seasons of the Earth result from __________.

• The changing speed of the Earth in its orbit

• The tilt of the Earth's rotation axis

• The distance of the Earth from the Sun in winter due to its elliptical orbit

• The rotation of the Earth

What characteristic makes Earth unique among the planets in the solar system?

• It is generally covered in water.

• It supports life.

• The atmosphere holds gases.

• All of the above contribute to Earth’s uniqueness.

Which of the following is a factual report?

• Four of the planets have rings.

• Mercury has an inferior average density than Uranus.

• The majority of the solar system’s mass is contained in the Sun.

• Saturn is the most massive planet in the solar system.

The continental drift hypothesis was not acknowledged by the scientific community for the reason that:

• There was not adequate geologic evidence found across continents

• Alfred Wegener could not make available a credible mechanism enlightening how continents drifted

• Fossil records aided to disprove the hypothesis

• Glacial evidence was found along hot equatorial regions

Which layer is responsible for the Earth’s magnetic field?

• Inner Core

• Outer Core

• Crust

• Mantle

What are the main compositional layers of the Earth?

• Core, mantle, and crust

• Crust, mantle, and core

• Inner core and outer core

• Lithosphere, crust, and mantle

How does the inner core differ from the outer core?

• The inner core is solid while the outer core is liquid.

• The inner core is liquid while the outer core is solid.

• The inner core is liquid while the outer core is gas.

• The inner core is gas while the outer core is liquid.

A scientist is investigating a mineral that reacts with hydrochloric acid and produces carbon dioxide gas bubbles. Which mineral is described above?

• Calcite

• Mica

• Quartz

• Diamond

Weathering plays an important role in the formation of rocks. It transforms rocks into sediments, soils, or dissolved minerals playing a crucial part in the rock cycle. Which of the following best describe the physical and chemical weathering of rocks?

• Physical Weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces; chemical weathering changes their molecular structure.

• Physical Weathering causes rocks to crumble; chemical weathering changes their molecular structure.

• Both have the same process.

• All of the above