Introductory Concepts and Earth Science - AP Environmental Science
Card 1 of 1180
Which element is not a component of soil?
Which element is not a component of soil?
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All of these components make up soil. Differences in ratios of these components account for different soil types.
All of these components make up soil. Differences in ratios of these components account for different soil types.
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Soil is categorized by composition and depth. Each category is referred to as a .
Soil is categorized by composition and depth. Each category is referred to as a .
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Soil categories are referred to as "horizons." Additionally, a vertical cross section of soil horizons is called a "profile."
Soil categories are referred to as "horizons." Additionally, a vertical cross section of soil horizons is called a "profile."
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is soil with the smallest particles. (Less than 0.002mm diameter).
is soil with the smallest particles. (Less than 0.002mm diameter).
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Clay has the smallest particles, followed by silt, which contains larger particles than clay, but smaller particles than sand. Loam is a mixture of these three types of soil.
Clay has the smallest particles, followed by silt, which contains larger particles than clay, but smaller particles than sand. Loam is a mixture of these three types of soil.
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Conserving our natural resources is one of the challenging issues of the 21st century. What important natural resource is comprised of clay, silt, pebbles, and sand?
Conserving our natural resources is one of the challenging issues of the 21st century. What important natural resource is comprised of clay, silt, pebbles, and sand?
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The correct response is soil. Soil is a mix of sand, clay, pebbles, and silt. It is the foundation of all our ecosystems.
The correct response is soil. Soil is a mix of sand, clay, pebbles, and silt. It is the foundation of all our ecosystems.
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Soil scientists help farmers discover how healthy their soils are. When a soil scientist measures the ability of soil particles to clump together, what soil property are they measuring?
Soil scientists help farmers discover how healthy their soils are. When a soil scientist measures the ability of soil particles to clump together, what soil property are they measuring?
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The correct response is cohesion. This property measures how well a soil clumps together or breaks apart.
The correct response is cohesion. This property measures how well a soil clumps together or breaks apart.
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When a soil scientist measures how well water moves through the soil, what soil property is he/she measuring?
When a soil scientist measures how well water moves through the soil, what soil property is he/she measuring?
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The correct response is permeability. This measure how quickly water can move through any substance - including soil.
The correct response is permeability. This measure how quickly water can move through any substance - including soil.
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Which of the following does not impact an area's climate?
Which of the following does not impact an area's climate?
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Climate may impact the population dynamics of a keystone species, but not the other way around.
Climate may impact the population dynamics of a keystone species, but not the other way around.
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Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the longest length of time?
Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the longest length of time?
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The correct response is era because it represents longer periods of time on the geological time scale. The answer choicest from longest to shortest are as follows: Era > Period > Epoch > Age.
The correct response is era because it represents longer periods of time on the geological time scale. The answer choicest from longest to shortest are as follows: Era > Period > Epoch > Age.
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ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) weather patterns are characterized by variations in air pressure and temperature. Which type of ENSO pattern contains both low air surface pressure and a cooling phase?
ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) weather patterns are characterized by variations in air pressure and temperature. Which type of ENSO pattern contains both low air surface pressure and a cooling phase?
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The correct response is La Nina. The La Nina has low air pressure and cooling, while El Nino contains high air pressure and warming. Madden-Julian oscillation and Coriolis effect do not make sense as answer choices.
The correct response is La Nina. The La Nina has low air pressure and cooling, while El Nino contains high air pressure and warming. Madden-Julian oscillation and Coriolis effect do not make sense as answer choices.
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A volcano has a giant crater instead of a peak at the top and steep, sloping sides. What kind of volcano is this likely describing?
A volcano has a giant crater instead of a peak at the top and steep, sloping sides. What kind of volcano is this likely describing?
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This type of volcano is called a cinder cone volcano. Unlike a composite volcano or a shield volcano, a cinder cone volcano is characterized by a missing chunk near the top. This crater is a result of violent explosions followed by the falling of large quantities of debris and ash.
This type of volcano is called a cinder cone volcano. Unlike a composite volcano or a shield volcano, a cinder cone volcano is characterized by a missing chunk near the top. This crater is a result of violent explosions followed by the falling of large quantities of debris and ash.
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An earthquake along the eastern coast of the North American Continent would be classified as belonging to which of the following classes of risk?
An earthquake along the eastern coast of the North American Continent would be classified as belonging to which of the following classes of risk?
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Events that occur infrequently but potentially carry large consequences are classified as a low risk events. An earthquake along the eastern shoreboard of the North American Continent would fall into this classification. "Very high risk" is not a risk classification.
Events that occur infrequently but potentially carry large consequences are classified as a low risk events. An earthquake along the eastern shoreboard of the North American Continent would fall into this classification. "Very high risk" is not a risk classification.
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A plate boundary forms when two tectonic plates move together, the higher density plate subducting under the other.
A plate boundary forms when two tectonic plates move together, the higher density plate subducting under the other.
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A convergent plate boundary forms when two tectonic plates (large plates that make up the Earth's surface) move towards each other. When they meet, the higher density plate goes underneath (subducting) under the other. This is the type of plate boundary happening along the west coast of the United States. Divergent plate boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move apart. This process, over millions of years, can form ocean basins. As the divergent plate boundaries continue to move apart, new rock is formed between them. This type of plate boundary is taking place in the center of all modern ocean basins. Transform plate boundaries form when two tectonic plates slide against each other. This is occurring in California at the San Andreas Fault. Strike-slip faults are structures that form along transform plate boundaries.
A convergent plate boundary forms when two tectonic plates (large plates that make up the Earth's surface) move towards each other. When they meet, the higher density plate goes underneath (subducting) under the other. This is the type of plate boundary happening along the west coast of the United States. Divergent plate boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move apart. This process, over millions of years, can form ocean basins. As the divergent plate boundaries continue to move apart, new rock is formed between them. This type of plate boundary is taking place in the center of all modern ocean basins. Transform plate boundaries form when two tectonic plates slide against each other. This is occurring in California at the San Andreas Fault. Strike-slip faults are structures that form along transform plate boundaries.
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Which of the following is a type of natural disaster caused by plate tectonics—movement of the plates that compose the Earth's surface?
Which of the following is a type of natural disaster caused by plate tectonics—movement of the plates that compose the Earth's surface?
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Along convergent plate boundaries, friction from the subducting plate causes earthquakes. These quakes form deep within the Earth and can cause significant damage to the Earth's surface and human developments upon it. An example of a convergent boundary that causes frequent earthquakes is the west coast of the United States. While tornados, tropical storms, and tsunamis created by mass wasting are all natural disasters; they are typically not the result of plate tectonics.
Along convergent plate boundaries, friction from the subducting plate causes earthquakes. These quakes form deep within the Earth and can cause significant damage to the Earth's surface and human developments upon it. An example of a convergent boundary that causes frequent earthquakes is the west coast of the United States. While tornados, tropical storms, and tsunamis created by mass wasting are all natural disasters; they are typically not the result of plate tectonics.
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The theory of plate tectonics describes the movement of tectonic plates within Earth's .
The theory of plate tectonics describes the movement of tectonic plates within Earth's .
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The correct response is lithosphere . The lithosphere is comprised of parts of the crust and upper mantle.
The correct response is lithosphere . The lithosphere is comprised of parts of the crust and upper mantle.
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A geologist is measuring the magnitude of the last big earthquake that struck South America. She is able to calculate the magnitude because earthquakes release energy that create .
A geologist is measuring the magnitude of the last big earthquake that struck South America. She is able to calculate the magnitude because earthquakes release energy that create .
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The correct response is seismic waves . Geologists can identify the magnitude of an earthquake using a seismograph that measure seismic wave activity.
The correct response is seismic waves . Geologists can identify the magnitude of an earthquake using a seismograph that measure seismic wave activity.
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The Hawaiian Islands are known for their hot spot volcanoes. This part of the world contains many different types of volcanoes. If researchers in Hawaii discover a volcano that has no record of ever erupting, then it would be referred to as a(n) volcano.
The Hawaiian Islands are known for their hot spot volcanoes. This part of the world contains many different types of volcanoes. If researchers in Hawaii discover a volcano that has no record of ever erupting, then it would be referred to as a(n) volcano.
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The correct response is dormant. The term dormant volcano refers to any volcano that has never been known to erupt. An active volcano is currently erupting or has been known to erupt in the past. An extinct volcano will never erupt again.
The correct response is dormant. The term dormant volcano refers to any volcano that has never been known to erupt. An active volcano is currently erupting or has been known to erupt in the past. An extinct volcano will never erupt again.
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A researcher studies the natural history of volcanoes. He has found that a volcano in South America was formed by plates that collided and slid under each other. What type of volcano has the researcher discovered?
A researcher studies the natural history of volcanoes. He has found that a volcano in South America was formed by plates that collided and slid under each other. What type of volcano has the researcher discovered?
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The correct response is s ubduction volcano. This type of volcano is formed when plates collide and slide under each other. A rift volcano is formed when plates move away from each other. The other three answer choices describe volcanic activity which was never mentioned in the question.
The correct response is s ubduction volcano. This type of volcano is formed when plates collide and slide under each other. A rift volcano is formed when plates move away from each other. The other three answer choices describe volcanic activity which was never mentioned in the question.
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Both the Hawaiian and the Galapagos Islands are formed from what type of volcanoes?
Both the Hawaiian and the Galapagos Islands are formed from what type of volcanoes?
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Both the Hawaiian and the Galapagos islands are formed by 'hot spots' in the Earth's mantle. As the tectonic plate passes over these hot spots, some mantle pushes through to form a volcano beneath the ocean, which gradually builds itself tall enough to become an island. When the plate moves away from the hot spot, the process starts over, and another island forms.
Both the Hawaiian and the Galapagos islands are formed by 'hot spots' in the Earth's mantle. As the tectonic plate passes over these hot spots, some mantle pushes through to form a volcano beneath the ocean, which gradually builds itself tall enough to become an island. When the plate moves away from the hot spot, the process starts over, and another island forms.
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The seasons experienced on Earth are caused by .
The seasons experienced on Earth are caused by .
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Contrary to what many people think, the seasons are caused by the amount of light that the surface of each hemisphere of Earth receives during different parts the year. Because of the tilt of the Earth's axis and its rotation, certain months of the year result in more direct sunlight, but not necessarily because they are closer to the sun. The Northern hemisphere receives less sunlight during some months when the Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun; the resulting season is winter. Each ray of sunlight is spread out over more distance at the poles, whereas the warmest areas (at the equator) get the most direct sunlight. When Earth's axis is pointed towards the sun, the resulting season is summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
Contrary to what many people think, the seasons are caused by the amount of light that the surface of each hemisphere of Earth receives during different parts the year. Because of the tilt of the Earth's axis and its rotation, certain months of the year result in more direct sunlight, but not necessarily because they are closer to the sun. The Northern hemisphere receives less sunlight during some months when the Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun; the resulting season is winter. Each ray of sunlight is spread out over more distance at the poles, whereas the warmest areas (at the equator) get the most direct sunlight. When Earth's axis is pointed towards the sun, the resulting season is summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Ecosystems experience seasonality differences throughout the year. Some regions experience four seasons, while others only experience two season. Why do we experience seasons on Earth?
Ecosystems experience seasonality differences throughout the year. Some regions experience four seasons, while others only experience two season. Why do we experience seasons on Earth?
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The correct response is **tilt of the Earth.**The Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. This tilt allows seasonal differences to exist on the Earth since each region is pointing towards the Sun at different angles throughout the year.
The correct response is **tilt of the Earth.**The Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. This tilt allows seasonal differences to exist on the Earth since each region is pointing towards the Sun at different angles throughout the year.
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