Earth's Processes and Resources

Helene has gathered and identified several samples of rocks for her rock collection. Which is an example of a metamorphic rock?

• limestone, which forms from minerals that are deposited from seawater?

• marble, which forms when high heat and pressure are applied to limestone

• basalt, which forms from magma that cools and hardens

• sandstone, which forms from sand grains that have been cemented together

Valerie wants to model the formation of a sedimentary rock. What is a typical first step in the process of sediment formation?

• Heat from Earth's interior melts rocks.

• Heat and pressure from Earth's interior transform rocks.

• Rushing water carries rocks to new places.

• Rushing water weathers rocks into tiny pieces.

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Kyra has a sample of an unknown mineral. She wants to measure its hardness. Which steps should she perform?

• Strike the sample with a hammer until it breaks or fractures.

• Try to scratch the sample with minerals of known hardness.

• Measure the length, width, and height of the sample.

• Drop the sample from various heights onto a hard surface.

For a research report, Chad learns that coal, oil, and natural gas are nonrenewable resources used as fuels. He also learns that the global supply of these resources continues to decrease year after year. Which statement explains this observation about the three resources?

• Fuels are burned to release energy.

• The fuels can be replaced quickly after they are used.

• The fuels took millions of years to form and cannot be replaced quickly.

• The fuels are scarce resources that are costly to produce.

Fossil fuels are often burned to make electricity. Which is an advantage of making electricity using solar energy or wind energy, instead of fossil fuels?

• Solar and wind energy are renewable energy sources that will always be available.

• Solar and wind energy produce a more powerful type of electricity.

• Solar and wind energy are equally useful energy sources in all environments.

• Solar and wind energy produce electricity that is easy to store.

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Which sentence describes the role of weathering in the production or movement of beach sand?

• Weathering brings river sediment to the beach.

• Weathering piles beach sand into dunes.

• Weathering breaks apart rocks and shells into sand.

• Weathering breaks apart sand into its component elements, including silicon.

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Dams on a river block the flow of river sediment. How could a dam affect an ocean beach?

• The dam would reduce the deposition of new sand, allowing ocean waves to erode the beach.

• The dam would cause beach erosion by making ocean waves more powerful.

• The dam would increase the size and number of sand dunes on the beach.

• The dam would enlarge a beach by adding more sediment to the ocean water.

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Why is silicon considered to be an important natural resource in Florida?

• Silicon is a chemical element that can combine with other elements.

• Silicon cannot be mined, although beach sand could supply it in the future.

• Silicon makes Florida a popular destination for visitors.

• Silicon is abundant in Florida, and it has many uses.

Scientists group rocks into three different groups. Which answer below correctly names these three groups?

• shells, coral, and limestone

• minerals, crystal, and magma

• basalt, granite, and limestone

• igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic

Which of the following describes a type of rock formed by the cooling of magma?

• Igneous

• Metamorphic

• Sedimentary

• Tectonic