Download Earth Science Quiz-1

Earth Science Quiz-1
Please answer the following multiple choice questions using the 882-E scantron and complete one of three
essay questions. Quiz answers (scantron only) and essay response are due on Tuesday, June 19th.
1 What are the basic differences between the disciplines of physical and historical geology?
A) Physical geology is the study of fossils and sequences of rock strata; historical geology is the study
of how rocks and minerals were used in the past.
B) Historical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and geologic events, utilizing the geologic
time scale as a reference; physical geology includes the study of how rocks form and of how erosion
shapes the land surface.
C) Physical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and deposition in relation to plate
movements in the geologic past; historical geology charts how and where the plates were moving in the
past.
D) none of the above – physical geology and historical geology are essentially the same.
2. All of the following are possible steps of scientific investigation except for ________.
A) the collection of scientific facts through observation and measurement
B) assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation
C) the development of one or more working hypotheses or models to explain facts
D) development of observations and experiments to test the hypotheses
3. In correct order from the center outward, Earth includes which units?
A) core, inner mantle, outer mantle, crust
B) inner core, outer core, mantle, crust
C) inner core, crust, mantle, hydrosphere D) core, crust, mantle, hydrosphere
4. The composition of the Earth's inner core is thought to be ________.
A) basalt
B) granite
C) peridotite D) solid iron-nickel alloy
5. The ________ is the thinnest layer of the Earth.
A) crust
B) outer core
C) mantle
D) inner core
6. Which of the following energy sources is thought to drive the lateral motions of Earth's lithospheric
plates?
A) gravitational attractive forces of the Sun and Moon
B) electrical and magnetic fields localized in the inner core
C) export of heat from deep in the mantle to the top of the asthenosphere
D) swirling movements of the molten iron particles in the outer core
7. The most prominent feature on the ocean floor are the ________.
A) deep-ocean trenches
B) oceanic ridges
C) seamounts D) lava plateaus
8. A(n) ________ system is one in which energy moves freely in and out, but no matter enters or leaves
the system.
A) closed
B) open
C) feedback D) equilibrated
9. Mechanisms that enhance or drive change are known as ________.
A) negative feedback mechanisms B) positive feedback mechanisms
C) closed feedback mechanisms
D) open feedback mechanisms
10. What is the source of the energy that powers the Earth system?
A) the Sun
B) heat from Earth's interior C) both A and B
D) none of the above
11. Igneous rocks are formed from:
a. solidification of magma
b. weathering of pre-existing rock
c. pressure and temperatures
d. hydrothermal alteration
12. Sedimentary rocks are formed from:
a. weathering of pre-existing rock
c. hydrothermal alteration
b. pressure and temperatures
d. solidification of magma
13. Which of the following statements regarding the scientific method is false?
a. A tentative explanation of a body of data is called a hypothesis
b. A theory is less likely to be correct than hypotheses.
c. A hypothesis is strengthened if it successfully predicts the outcomes of new experiments.
d. If new evidence indicates that a theory is wrong, the theory may be modified discarded
14. Which of the following best defines a mineral and a rock?
A) A rock has an orderly, repetitive, geometrical, internal arrangement of minerals; a mineral is a
lithified or consolidated aggregate of rocks.
B) A mineral consists of its constituent atoms arranged in a geometrically repetitive structure; in a rock,
the atoms are randomly bonded without any geometric pattern.
C) In a mineral the constituent atoms are bonded in a regular, repetitive, internal structure; a rock is a
lithified or consolidated aggregate of different mineral grains.
D) A rock consists of atoms bonded in a regular, geometrically predictable arrangement; a mineral is a
consolidated aggregate of different rock particles.
15. Atoms of the same element, zinc for example, have the same number of ________.
A) electrons in the nucleus
B) protons in the nucleus
C) neutrons in the outer nuclear shell
D) electrons in the valence bond level
16. Atoms that have an electrical charge due to a gain or loss of electrons are called ________.
A) isotopes
B) ions
C) isochrones
D) periodic elements
17. Which mineral reacts readily with cool, dilute hydrochloric acid to produce visible bubbles of
carbon dioxide gas?
A) calcite
B) quartz
C) gypsum
D) plagioclase
18. Which common mineral is composed entirely of silicon and oxygen?
A) calcite
B) diamond C) olivine
D) quartz
19. Which one of the following mineral groups exhibits a sheet-like silicate structure?
A) carbonates
B) pyroxenes
C) micas
D) feldspars
20. The ion at the center of a silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is surrounded by ________.
A) four oxygen ions B) six oxygen ions
C) four sodium ions D) six sodium ions
21. What element is the most abundant in the Earth's crust by weight?
A) carbon
B) chlorine
C) oxygen
D) sodium
22. An atom's mass number is 13 and its atomic number is 6. How many neutrons are in its nucleus?
A) 19
B) 7
C) 13
D) 6
23. Which of the following is NOT one of the eight most common elements in the Earth's crust?
A) carbon
B) potassium
C) aluminum
D) calcium
24. Which of the following describes the light reflecting and transmission characteristics of a mineral?
A) luster
B) color streak
C) virtual absorption D) fluorescence
25. The most unreliable (variable) diagnostic property of minerals such as quartz is ________.
A) hardness B) habit
C) specific gravity
D) color
26. Which is NOT part of the definition of a mineral
a. amorphous substance
b. inorganic
c. naturally occurring
d. homogenous solid
27. What does the mineral graphite and diamond have in common?
a. they are both covalently bonded
b. they are both composed of carbon
c. they are both considered a rare mineral
d. they both contain the same type of internal structure
28. Chemical differentiation describes
a. the layering of the earth, where lighter material sinks and heavier material rises
b. the layering of the earth where heavier material sinks towards the core
c. the alteration of minerals forming new types of sedimentary rocks
d. different types of ionic bonds producing weak minerals
29. All chemical reactions that bond elements to form minerals take place
a. within the inner atomic shell next to the protons
b. along the electron boarders
c. along the orbital shell next to the proton nucleus (valance shell)
d. on the outer most electron valance shell
30. The silicate tetrahedron
a. Combines 4 oxygen atoms with one silicon atom
c. is covalently bonded
b. builds all silicate minerals
d. a,b and c
31. The formation of silicate minerals (olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, ect..) are dependant on
a. Pressures within the magma chamber
b. lowering temperatures of magma
c. cleavage and fracture surfaces
d. the silicate framework
32. The following elements are common in non-ferromagnesian silicates
a. Fe, Mg and Al
b. Al, K, and Si
c. Fe, Mg
d. Fe, K, and O
33. A mineral breaks along planes of atomic weakness and repeats its smooth surfaces. This
physical property is know as:
a. angle of crystal faces
b. hardness c. cleavage d. fracture surfaces
34. Which of the following is not one of the four inner planets?
a. Mars
b. Earth
c. Mercury
d. Neptune
35. What is the Earth’s abundant element by weight?
a. silicon
b. oxygen
c. gold
d. iron
36. The name of the layer that separates the curst from the core is called the
a. mama
b. lithosphere
c. mantle
d. continent
37. Which of the following statements about the lithosphere is false?
a. The lithosphere is cool and relatively brittle.
b. The lithosphere includes the crust and uppermost mantle.
c. The lithosphere rides on the weak asthenosphere.
d. The lithosphere is easily deformed, like a tube of toothpaste.
38. As the rate of cooling increases, the size of the crystals that form ________.
A) increases B) decreases C) is not affected
D) none of these
39. Which one of the following is an igneous rock?
A) limestone B) rhyolite
C) slate
D) shale
40. Intrusive rocks ________.
A) are generally fine-grained B) form at Earth's surface
C) are quite often vesicular D) none of the above
41. Granite and gabbro ________.
A) have a similar mineral composition
C) both A and B
B) have a similar texture
D) are in no way similar
42. Rocks that contain crystals that are roughly equal in size and can be identified with the unaided eye
are said to exhibit a ________ texture.
A) fine-grained
B) glassy
C) coarse-grained
D) porphyritic
43. Rhyolite is the fine-grained equivalent of this igneous rock.
A) basalt
B) andesite C) granite
D) diorite
44. Select the coarse-grained rock which is composed mainly of quartz and potassium feldspar from
the list below.
A) basalt
B) andesite C) granite
D) diorite
45. Sedimentary rocks ________.
A) may contain fossils
C) may be economically important
B) hold important clues to Earth's history
D) all of the above
46. Metamorphism may result from ________.
A) heat
B) pressure C) chemical action
D) all of these
47. Which of the following changes may occur during metamorphism?
A) Certain minerals may recrystallize.
B) The rock becomes more compact.
C) Crystals may grow larger.
D) all of the above
48. Each element has a unique number of _________
a. protons
b. electrons
c. neutrons
d. all of these
49. Large well-formed crystal faces tend to form when
a. magmas cool quickly
b. rocks undergo melting than recrystallize into new minerals
c. solutions have enough space (such as an open cavity) to precipitate a well developed mineral
face
d. volcanoes erupt violently leaving large cavities to grow minerals
50. Most minerals are classified on the basis of
a. the arrangement of silica tetrahedra
c. their color
b. their anions
d. their density
51. Which of the following igneous rocks have the same composition as basalt?
a. Gabbro
b. rhyolite
c. diorite
d. andesite
52. Metamorphism is where preexisting rocks
a. undergo weathering and chemical alteration
b. change with various pressure/temperature relationships through a solid-state transformation
c. change under pressure and differential type stresses
d. change under temperature and high heat environments
53. The earth may be considered a (an) ________ system because ______________
a. closed system / only matter is exchanged between the sun and earth
b. open system / matter and energy are exchanged through sub-systems
c. isolated / energy is transferred from the sun to the atmosphere
d. closed system / there is an exchange of energy and not matter
54. Which of the following open systems is NOT related to the exchange of matter and energy?
a. The rock cycle
b. formation of clouds
c. evaporation of oceans
c. none of the above
55. A positive feedback mechanism is a
a. response from earth processes to change the ongoing process
b. response from earth processes to not allow change in the ongoing process
c. response to resist change in an ongoing earth process
d. response for the earth to fix a bad process and make it a good process
56. Scientists believe the layering of the earth is due to ______ materials moving to the center of the
earth and _______material moves to the surface. This is known as ______.
a. heavier / lighter / chemical differentiation
b. lighter / heavier / magmatic differentiation
c. felsic / ferromagnisan / magmatic differentiation
d. K, Al, Si / Fe, Mg / chemical differentiation
57. A scientist categorizes various elements by their similar properties. This is known as the _____
part of the scientific method.
a. Hypothesis
b. observation
c. theory
d. experimentation
58. A scientist suggests that light bends under the influence of gravitational attraction. The next
logical scientific step to prove this theory would be to
a. Hypothesize b. observe
c. begin experimenting
d. accept it
59. A mineral’s internal geometric structure is primarily due to
a. Covalent and ionic bonding
b. the alignment of bonding atoms
c. enough space, solution and time
d. the atomic number of elements
60. Which of the following minerals is the hardest?
a. quartz
b. muscovite
c. calcite
d. feldspar
61. The periodic table primarily organizes the elements based on
a. The number of protons in each element
b. the atomic mass number
c. types of metals and non-metals
d. groups and periods
62. Well formed and defined crystal faces seen with an un-aided eye is dependent on
a. Covalent bonds
b. bonding atoms
c. size and shape of atoms
c. enough time, space and solution to form the mineral face
63. An element’s physical properties can be defined by the
a. the atomic mass
b. atomic number
c. different compounds
d. symbol
64. The formation of silicate minerals (olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, etc..) is dependant on
a. pressures within the magma chamber
b. lowering temperatures of magma
c. cleavage and fracture surfaces
d. the silicate framework
65. All chemical reactions that bond elements to form minerals take place
a. within the inner atomic shell next to the protons
b. along the orbital shell next to the proton nucleus (valance shell)
c. on the outer most electron valance shell
d. along the electron boarders
66. The ionically bonded mineral allows
a. electrons to be shared forming very strong bonds
b. electrons to be shared to form forming very weak bonds
c. electrons to be transferred forming compounds that are very strong
d. electrons to be electrically transferred forming weak bonds
67. Earth’s crust is mostly composed of a small number of rock forming minerals because ______
a. polymorphs are common
b. of the overwhelming abundance of oxygen and silicon
c. of a lack of carbon in igneous rocks
d. All of the above statements are true.
68. The most common element found within the earth’s crust is
a. O
b. Si
c. Fe
d. Ca
69. Classification of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks is based on
a. Appearance of the rock and texture
b. composition and mineral make-up
c. mineral assemblages and composition
d. texture and rock chemistry
70. Mafic minerals are chiefly composed of
a. Fe and Al
b. Mg and Fe c. Si and K
d. Ca and Na
71. Which sedimentary rock process does NOT “fit” into the formation of a sedimentary rock?
a. transportation of sediment
b. lithification c. precipitation
d. erosion
72. Intrusive rocks are most likely formed:
a. above the earth’s surface
c. as lava fountains similar to the Hawaiian Islands
b. as volcanic lava flows
d. below the earth’s surface
73. Which of the following represents a locality of intrusive rocks?
a. Hawaiian Islands
b. Sierra Nevada Mountain Range
c. Iceland volcanic island
d. Volcanic Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest
74. The most common rock group found on earth are _______ rocks.
a. Sedimentary
b. metamorphic
c. igneous
d. Beatles
75. Which of the following sedimentary rock types would form within a lake type environment?
a. conglomerate
b. shale
c. coarse-grained sandstone
d. granite
76. Clastic type rocks are ________ rocks that are chiefly composed of __________.
a. metamorphic / minerals
b. igneous / quartz
c. sedimentary / fossils
d. sedimentary / inorganic particles
77. A sandstone is an example of a (an) ___________ rock.
a. igneous
b. mineralogic
c. sedimentary
d. metamorphic
78. Which of the following statements regarding igneous rocks is not true?
a. Extrusive rocks have larger crystals than intrusive rocks.
b. Extrusive rocks cool more rapidly than intrusive rocks.
c. Igneous rocks originate deep in the crust or upper mantle.
d. Igneous rocks from by crystallization of magma.
79. Which of the following minerals is not commonly found in igneous rocks?
a. quartz
b. feldspar
c. olivine
d. calcite
80. Clastic sediments form from _____________
a. raid cooling of molten sediments
b. physically deposited particles of sediment
c. precipitation of sediments from sea water
d. accumulation of calcium carbonate shells
81. A typical basalt consists of approximately 50% __________.
a. Al2O3
b. FeO
c. CaO
d. SiO2
82. Where does the rock cycle start?
a. crystallization of molten magma b. deposition of sediment
c. metamorphism
d. there is no “start” – all rocks form from preexisting rocks
83. Which of the following processes is not involved in lithification?
a. cementation
b. compaction c. metamorphism
d. a,b,c are all involved
84. Lithified pea-sized clastic grains (greater than 2mm) produce _____ type rocks
a. conglomerate
b. sandstone
c. coquina
d. limestone
85. Mineral grains in most rocks are several ______ in diameter.
a. millimeters
b. centimeters
c. meters
d. kilometers
86. Typical evaporite sedimentary rocks are the result of
a. chemically saturated water that has been evaporated
b. deposition
c. running water that has been evaporated
d. solid-state transformations
87. Precipitation of chemical rocks takes place in two ways
b. plants and animals alter the chemical balance of the water and/or chemical rocks are
evaporated in chemically saturated water
c. transportation of inorganic sediment and lithification processes
d. the accumulation of plant material and fossilizing animal parts
e. solidification of molten magma and deposition of chemically saturated material.
88. Which of the following statements regarding the scientific method is false?
a. a tentative explanation of a body of data is called a hypothesis
b. Theories are less likely to be correct than hypotheses
c. A hypothesis is strengthened if it successfully predicts the outcomes of new experiments
d. If new evidence indicates that a theory is wrong, the theory may be modified or discarded.
89. Which of the following statements about the lithosphere is false?
a. The lithosphere is cool and relatively brittle.
b. The lithosphere includes the crust and uppermost mantle.
c. The lithosphere rides on the weak asthenosphere.
d. The lithosphere is easily deformed, like a tube of toothpaste.
90. Currently, the world’s population is approximately
a. 7,000
b. 10 billion
c. 3.5 billion
d. 7 billion
On a separate piece of paper, Choose ONE of the following essay questions. Limit your response to
one page.
1. Draw a diagram showing the internal layers of the earth. Label each layer and compare their relative
densities. Also explain why the pattern of different densities occurs within the Earth’s interior.
2. What is the significance of valence electrons? And briefly describe the difference between covalent and
ionic bonding. Give one mineral example of a covalent bond and one mineral example of an ionically
bonded mineral.
3. Draw the rock cycle and provide a brief explanation of how each rock group forms. Also, identify
various internal and external forces that drive the rock cycle.