New York State Earth Science Regents Review Questions

The deflection of Earth’s planetary winds is an example of

• the Coriolis effect

• the Doppler effect

• convection

• gravitational pull

The universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old. Compared to the age of the solar system, the age of the universe is approximately

• the same age as our solar system

• two times older than our solar system

• three times older than our solar system

• four times older than our solar system

Planets that are closest to the Sun are identified as

• low-density Jovian

• low-density terrestrial

• high-density Jovian

• high-density terrestrial

Which process of the water cycle occurs when water absorbs 2260 Joules of heat energy per gram?

• melting of ice

• condensation of water vapor

• evaporation of water

• freezing of water

In which temperature zone of Earth’s atmosphere is the polar jet stream located?

• lower thermosphere

• lower mesosphere

• upper stratosphere

• upper troposphere

Arrows in the diagram above show three methods of energy transfer labeled A, B, and C. Which list correctly identifies the energy transfer processes A, B, and C?

• A - conduction

  B- convection

  C - radiation

• A - convection

  B - conduction

  C - radiation

• A - convection

  B - radiation

  C - conduction

• A - conduction

  B - radiation

  C - convection

What is the relative humidity of the air when the dry-bulb temperature is 4°C and the dewpoint is 4°C?

• 42%

• 46%

• 51%

• 56%

The diagram below represents the light spectra given off by the same element as observed under two different conditions. Spectrum A was observed when that element was heated in a laboratory. Spectrum B shows the same element as seen in the light from a distant star. The light spectrum observed from this distant star shows a

• red shift, which indicates that the star is moving away from Earth

• red shift, which indicates that the star is moving toward Earth

• blue shift, which indicates that the star is moving away from Earth

• blue shift, which indicates that the star is moving toward Earth

The diagrams shonw represent the constellations seen by an observer in New York State while looking toward the southern horizon at midnight on July 9 and January 8. Which motion is mainly responsible for the difference in the constellations visible at midnight on these two dates?

• The Sun orbits Earth

• Earth orbits the Sun

• The stars in the constellations orbit Earth

• Earth orbits the stars in the constellations

Most clouds form in the atmosphere when moist air

• rises, expands, and cools to the dewpoint

• rises, expands, and warms to the dewpoint

• sinks, compresses, and cools to the dewpoint

• sinks, compresses, and warms to the dewpoint