MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM

Transcription

1 MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM PART I Multiple Choice Answer all questions in this part [60 pts] Directions (1-30): For each statement of question, select the word or expression that best completes the statement or answers the question. Record your answer on the answer sheet provided. Some questions may require the use of the Earth Science Reference Tables. 1. Which graph shows data from a location in New York State? (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D 2. The graph to the right shows a cup of hot water that cooled to room temperature over the course of a class period. What was the rate of cooling over the course of 40 minutes? (1) 1 o C/min (2) 1.5 o C/min (3).75 o C/min (4) 1.25 o C/min 3. Which shadow would represent the time of that the greatest intensity of insolation was striking the surface? (1) A (3) C (2) B (4) D 4. If a sample of air was heated up, which would probably occur? (1) The density of the air would decrease and the air would rise toward the ceiling. (2) The density of the air would decrease and the air would sink to the floor. (3) The density of the air would increase and the air would rise toward the ceiling. (4) The density of the air would increase and the air would sink to the floor. 5. The best example of a cyclic event is (1) an earthquake in California (3) changes in tides (2) the amount of snowfall on Long Island (4) a volcanic eruption in Hawaii

2 6. On December 21 st, some Earth locations have 24 hours of darkness. These locations are all between the latitudes of (1) 0 o and 23.5 o N (3) 66.5 o N and 90 o N (2) 0 o and 23.5 o S (4) 66.5 o S and 90 o S 7. One complete cycle of Moon phases takes approximately (1) one day (3) two weeks (2) one week (4) one month 8. In a Doppler Red Shift, the observed wavelengths of light from distant celestial objects appear closer to the red end of the spectrum than light from similar nearby celestial objects. The explanation for the red shift is that the Universe is presently (1) contracting, only (3) remaining constant in size (2) expanding, only (4) alternating between contracting and expanding 9. Which process results in the absorption of heat? (1) cooling of water (3) condensation of water vapor (2) melting of ice (4) freezing of liquid water 10. The diagram to the right shows a greenhouse. What is the primary function of the clear glass of the greenhouse? (1) The glass reduces the amount of insolation entering the greenhouse. (2) The glass allows all wavelengths of radiation to enter and all wavelengths of radiation to escape. (3) The glass allows short wavelengths of radiation to enter, but reduces the amount of long-wavelength radiation that escapes. (4) The glass allows long wavelengths of radiation to enter, but reduces the amount of short-wavelength radiation that escapes. 11. As compared to Jovian planets, the terrestrial planets are (1) farther from the Sun, higher in mass, and lower in density (2) farther from the Sun, lower in mass, and higher in density (3) closer to the Sun, lower in mass, and higher in density (4) closer to the Sun, higher in mass, and lower in density 12. The Foucault pendulum provides evidence that the Earth (1) rotates on its axis (3) revolves around the Sun (2) has a spherical shape (4) is inclined on its axis 13. Which description best describes the Milky Way? (1) elliptical-shaped with one star (3) spiral-shaped with one star (2) elliptical-shaped with billions of stars (4) spiral-shaped with billions of stars

3 The diagram below represents the Moon in various positions in its orbit around the Earth. Letters A through E represent five of the Moon s positions. 14. Which statement is true of events that occur at point A? (1) full moon, spring tide, possible lunar eclipse (2) new moon, spring tide, possible solar eclipse (3) new moon, neap tide, possible solar eclipse (4) full moon, neap tide, possible lunar eclipse 15. During which season in the Northern Hemisphere does Earth reach its greatest distance from the Sun? (1) winter (3) summer (2) spring (4) fall 16. Which statement describes how the insolation changes in New York State from May 21 to June 21? (1) The intensity of insolation decreases and duration of insolation increases. (2) The intensity and duration of insolation both decrease. (3) The intensity of insolation increases and duration of insolation decreases. (4) The intensity and duration of insolation both increase. 17. As altitude increases in the troposphere, the amount of water vapor (1) increases (2) decreases (3) remains the same 18. The diagram below shows latitude measurements every 10 degrees and longitude measurements every 15 degrees. If it is noon at the Prime Meridian, what is the longitude value and time of day at point X? (1) 45 E, 9:00am (3) 45 W, 9:00am (2) 45 W, 3:00pm (4) 45 E, 3:00pm 19. An increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may lead to an increase in global temperatures because carbon dioxide (1) absorbs heat radiation thus preventing it from escaping the Earth s atmosphere (2) blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching Earth s surface and being absorbed (3) interferes with the formation of clouds which block sunlight and cause cooling (4) enters the atmosphere at a high temperature from combustion and respiration

4 Base your answers to questions on the diagram below, and your knowledge of Earth science, The diagram shows the system of star Alpha and planet X, Points A, B, C, and D indicate four orbital positions of planet X. 20. At which position does planet X have the slowest orbital velocity? (1) A (3) C (2) B (4) D 21. As the distance between star Alpha and planet X increases, the gravitational attraction between the two celestial bodies will (1) increase (2) decrease (3) remain the same 22. Which graph shows the star's apparent diameter, as viewed from planet X? 23. The diagram to the right shows a moon in its orbit around a planet. What is the eccentricity of the moon's orbit? (1) (3) (2) (4) Which type of energy transfer is indicated by the arrows in the diagram? (1) insolation (2) conduction (3) convection (4) radiation

5 Base your answers to questions 25 through 27 on the diagram below, which represents an exaggerated view of Earth revolving around the Sun. Letters A, B, C, and D represent Earth s location in its orbit on the first day of each of the four seasons. 25. Which location in Earth s orbit represents Earth at perihelion? (1) A (3) C (2) B (4) D 26. Earth s rate of revolution around the Sun is approximately (1) 1 per day (3) 15 per hour (2) 360 per day (4) 23.5 per hour 27. Which observation provides the best evidence that Earth revolves around the Sun? (1) Stars seen from Earth appear to circle Polaris. (2) Earth s planetary winds are deflected by the Coriolis effect. (3) The Foucault pendulum appears to change direction in a predictable manner. (4) Different stars are observed at different times of the year 28. Four trays, each containing sand at the same temperature but with different characteristics, were placed on a sunny windowsill. The type of sand in each tray is listed below: Tray 1 light-colored sand which is dry Tray 2 light-colored sand which is wet Tray 3 dark-colored sand which is dry Tray 4 dark-colored sand which is wet After 30 minutes, which tray would probably contain the sand that had undergone the greatest temperature change? (1) Tray 1 (3) Tray 3 (2) Tray 2 (4) Tray Which type of electromagnetic energy has the longest wavelength? (1) infrared radiation (3) ultraviolet radiation (2) radio wave radiation (4) x-ray radiation 30. Which of the following statements regarding the eccentricity of specific planets is true? (1) Earth s orbit is more eccentric than Mercury s orbit (2) Earth s orbit is less elliptical than Saturn s orbit (3) Jupiter s orbit is less eccentric than Venus orbit (4) Neptune s orbit is more elliptical than s Uranus orbit

6 MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM PART II Constructed Response Answer all questions in this part [40 pts] Base your answers on questions on the diagram below which shows the apparent path of the Sun as viewed by an observer in New York State on March At approximately what time of day would the Sun be at the location shown in the diagram? (2 points) 32. Using the Sun s present position, state the direction that the the observer would look to see his shadow. (2 points) 33. On the diagram, draw the Sun s apparent path as viewed by an observer on June 21. (3 points) 34. The diagram shows an observer on Earth viewing the star Polaris. What is this observer s latitude? (2 points) 35. If the observer traveled south, what would he notice about the altitude of Polaris? (2 points) 36. What is the latitude and longitude of Old Forge, NY to the nearest minute. (3 points)

7 air pressure 37. The points below represent temperature readings ( o F) in a classroom. The dashed lines represent the location of desks in the room. Draw isolines on the map below using an interval of 2. Start with the 62 o F isoline. (8 points) Y X N 1 meter 38. Calculate the gradient between points X and Y. a. Write the Formula: (1 point) b. Substitute Data: (2 points) c. Solve with Correct Units: (3 points) (round to tenths place) 39. a. Sketch a graph that shows the relationship between altitude and air pressure. (1 point) b. Make a relationship statement that explains the graph. (1 point) altitude

8 Use the diagram to the right to answer questions 41 and What season is it in the Northern Hemisphere? (2 points) 42. What is the duration of insolation at the following locations? The Equator: The South Pole: (1 point) (1 point) 43. Which planet in our Solar System has longest period of revolution? (1 point) 44. Name one month in which every day the amount of daylight hours would increase. (1 point) 45. What is the name of the star on the H-R diagram that has the highest luminosity? (1 point) 46. Convert 51 o C to Fahrenheit. (1 point) 47. What is the name of the process by which stars make their own energy? (1 point) 48. Which Earth motion is responsible for the bending of Earth s winds and ocean currents? (1 point)