Earth Science Quiz

What causes the movement of tectonic plates on Earth?

• Earth's rotation

• Flow in the lower mantle

• Gravitational pull from the Sun

• The Moon’s influence

Where do earthquakes most often occur?

• In the middle of continents

• Near the boundaries of tectonic plates

• At the poles

• In the ocean trenches

Earthquakes happen when stress builds up at plate boundaries, causing sudden ___ of the Earth's crust.

• movement

• relaxation

During a solar eclipse, what happens?

• The Earth blocks the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon.

• The Moon blocks the Sun’s light from reaching the Earth.

• The Moon moves into the Earth's shadow.

• The Sun moves between the Earth and the Moon.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the ___ blocks the Moon’s light.

• Earth

• Sun

What keeps Earth in orbit around the Sun?

• The Sun’s magnetic field

• Earth's speed in space

• Gravity

• Earth's rotation

Without gravity, the planets would fly off into space instead of staying in (a)   around the Sun.

What is the main force that pulls dust and gas together to form planets?

• Magnetism

• Electricity

• Gravity

• Wind

Planets form when gravity pulls together dust and gas from a ___ in space.

• cloud

• solar system

Which of the following is most responsible for the formation of planets?

• Light from the Sun

• Dust particles sticking together

• Gravitational pull of nearby stars

• The Earth's rotation