Help
Options
Question
some parts of NC can be classified as temperate rain forests. where and why do these rain forests exist?
click to flip
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't know
Question
in NC most of the mature Piedmont forests are dominated by deciduous trees, while most mature upland forests are dominated by evergreen conifers. what factor contributes to this difference?
Remaining cards (68)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Science Final Exam
Earth/Environmental Science Final Exam Pretest
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| some parts of NC can be classified as temperate rain forests. where and why do these rain forests exist? | in the mountains where high elevations regularly cause higher rainfall totals |
| in NC most of the mature Piedmont forests are dominated by deciduous trees, while most mature upland forests are dominated by evergreen conifers. what factor contributes to this difference? | most soils in coastal areas are sand rich and of high permeability favoring the deep root systems of coniferous trees |
| What does the removal of a top predator do to an ecosystem? | It allows other species to affect the ecosystem significantly. |
| Which best defines biodiversity? | Biodiversity is the total variability of living organisms on Earth. |
| Which best describes the function of a keystone species in an ecosystem? | It stabilizes the population of other species in the ecosystem. |
| The photo shows an area with a heavy growth of kudzu, an introduced vine species commonly found in North Carolina. Based on the evidence shown in the photo, what is the effect of kudzu on the habitat shown? | The kudzu is overcrowding the native plant species. |
| Menhaden is a species of plankton-eating fish that has gone through cycles of over fishing. What is a probable short-term consequence of menhaden over fishing to the local ecosystem? | Menhaden predator populations decrease in size. |
| The diagram shows one way electricity can be created. Which renewable energy source is used to create this electricity? | geothermal energy |
| Which energy source has the lowest long–term environmental impact? | wind |
| Why is solar power generally considered a renewable form of energy? | It does not deplete the Sun. |
| Based on the information in the table, how does North Carolina’s commitment to developing renewable energy sources compare to that of the other states listed? | It falls below standards set by the other states. |
| As an important part of waste management, many farms are cultivating high energy–yielding trees and grasses. How can this technology impact the environment? | decrease in the use of fossil fuels |
| What impact could widespread adoption of the local-food movement have on the environment? | cleaner air as a result of decreased transportation needs |
| If rainfall amounts have been consistent and this farmer has consistently applied the same agricultural methods, what factor would be the most probable reason for the corn yields this farmer is producing over time? | Soil nutrients are quickly being leached and lost to the root systems of crops. |
| The exponential growth rate has increased the demand for global food supplies and for natural resources related to the production of food. Which natural resource has been least affected by increased food production? | minerals |
| According to one source, approximately 70% of the worlds freshwater is currently used by agricultural industries. What problem is at the root of this stress on the world’s freshwater sources? | between 401 and 500 organisms |
| their fuel economies, and the number of students that could be transported in each type of vehicle. If 40 students are traveling 90 miles from Charlotte to Greensboro, which choice is the most fuel-efficient transportation option? | train |
| According to Kepler’s Third Law, which is the shape of every planet’s orbit around the Sun | elliptical |
| Which movement is the reason for the Earth year being 365 days? | Earth’s revolution around the Sun |
| If the Moon were more massive, what would happen to the barycenter of the Earth-Moon system? | The barycenter of the Earth-Moon system would be located closer to the center of the Moon. |
| Why are the constellations visible during the summer different from those visible during the winter? | Earth revolves around the Sun. |
| If Earth’s rate of rotation were to slow down, what change would occur? | Precession of the Earth’s axis of rotation would decrease. |
| Which statement is true regarding the effect of the Sun and the Moon on Earth’s tides | The effect of the Moon is more than that of the Sun. |
| What best describes the energy of the Sun that moves through space? | electromagnetic energy |
| What is the relationship between biodiversity of life on Earth and the distribution of sunlight on Earth’s land areas? | Biodiversity is directly related to the amount of sunlight received by an ecosystem. |
| When plants receive solar energy and photosynthesize, which form of energy is used for storage? | chemical energy |
| What term best describes the process in which one type of rock is changed into other types of rock? | the rock cycle. |
| If the diagram above represents two continental plates, what type of geological event will occur? | a mountain will form |
| The map provides seismic information for North Carolina. Which statement is best supported by the information on the map | A fault occurs in the Blue Ridge area. |
| All active stratovolcanoes within the lower 48 states of the United States are concentrated in the area shown. What kind of plate boundary created these volcanoes in this particular geographic region? | transform |
| Which of the following sediments are the smallest in size? | clay |
| Which is a major force of shoreline reshaping in North Carolina? | hurricanes |
| Last summer, a family built a camp on a barrier island. They returned this summer, and the camp was gone. What is the most likely explanation for the camp’s disappearance? | A Barrier Island is only a sand ridge, and the sand washed away in storms. |
| The map shows the frequency of seismic activity recorded in the southeastern United States. Individual seismic zones are circled and labeled. In which circled zone is activity most frequent? | ET |
| What is the most probable effect agriculture has on river water within the floodplain of the river | Phosphorous content of the river water is increased. |
| What would be the most sustainable strategy in an agricultural area that is being depleted of irrigation water sources? | planting crops with deeper root systems |
| The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has produced detailed three-dimensional maps of the shoreline of North Carolina. How does this information help policymakers preserve the shoreline? | by allowing more precise identification of the shoreline effects of various events and trends |
| What energy resource produces solid wastes that must be stored in isolation for long periods? | nuclear fission |
| Which fuel produces the least air pollution? | natural gas |
| Tropical regions and Polar Regions are able to maintain fairly constant average temperatures. What accounts for this fact? | Continual motion of air and water reallocates heat energy to all parts of Earth. |
| What are the two main factors that influence ocean currents? | wind and density |
| Which is considered the underground region where groundwater can move but does not fill the pore space in the rock or sediment | zone of aeration |
| Which will help groundwater flow most easily? | high porosity |
| What is true about freshwater in the United States? | Policies related to use of water from western rivers have significantly altered these rivers. |
| Which of the following contributes to conserving water? | both a and b |
| By 1990, the water available per person had dropped to 9000 cubic meters annually. What is primarily responsible for this change in availability of fresh water? | global population growth |
| North Carolina lost approximately 50% of its original wetlands to development, primarily for agricultural operations. How has this most likely affected water quality | by increasing nitrates |
| North Carolina regulations prevent the destruction of wetlands immediately adjacent to large bodies of water. What is one reason it is important to protect these wetland areas from development? | Wetland areas act as buffers, filtering out non-point source pollutants such as nitrogen-and phosphorous-containing substances. |
| While attempting to assess the biotic index of this lake, a student found 25 leeches, 20 riffle beetles, 20 mayfly nymphs, 10 water pennies, 10 clams, and 10 snails. What is the biotic index of the lake? | good (60 to 79) |
| Which layer of the atmosphere contains weather, clouds, pollution and life forms? | Troposphere |
| Why is stratospheric ozone beneficial to life on Earth? | Stratospheric ozone absorbs UV radiation that is dangerous to life. |
| The density of Earth’s atmosphere vs. altitude is represented below. Which best describes Earth’s atmosphere? | . highly compressible with decreasing density as altitude increases |
| Which conditions would least favor the formation of pressure differentials in an air mass? | uniform, flat topography of the underlying surface and slow-moving air |
| Which type of weather front will often be preceded by fog? | warm front |
| The storm was an extreme example of a classic “Nor’easter” cyclone. What significant weather-related condition must be in place that contributes to the formation of such storms? | The difference between the temperatures of ocean waters and the land in southeastern United States is at its greatest. |
| How does the air pressure within a tornado funnel compare to the pressure outside of it? | The air pressure inside the funnel is usually much lower than outside. |
| The image below represents a frontal system crossing part of the United States. At which location would northeasterly winds be blowing? | Location Z |
| Which substance causes the majority of acid precipitation? | sulfur dioxide |
| During the 1980s and 1990s, the average year-round stratospheric ozone concentration declined by approximately 4% per decade. Discovery of this ozone depletion resulted in an international treaty that began what action? | the banning of some chlorofluorocarbons’ use and production |
| Which man-made source contributes most to the formation of acid precipitation | microbial action on livestock wastes |
| Compared to inland towns and cities in the southeastern United States, what is the climate in coastal towns and cities? | warmer winters and cooler summers |
| What is the predominant direction that weather conditions move in the United States? | from west to east |
| A southerly wind flow that originated over the Gulf of Mexico brings air into the southeastern United States. What is the most likely set of weather conditions that would be measured? | low barometric pressure and high humidity |
| What is the name of the phenomenon produced when equatorial Pacific Ocean water that is warmer than normal produces changes in weather patterns | El Niño |
| Which statement explains why a gradual increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide would warm Earth’s atmosphere? | Carbon dioxide is a good absorber of infrared radiation. |
| How does deforestation affect global warming? | It increases global warming because less carbon dioxide is absorbed. |
| The figure shows carbon dioxide emissions from different sectors of the economy of the United States from 1973 to 2010. Based on the data shown, changing the carbon dioxide emission of which sector would best benefit the environment? | transportation |
| What do scientists believe is the cause of the increase in sea level over the past 50 years? | Warmer temperatures, due to increased use of fossil fuels, are melting glaciers. |
| In order for barrier islands to form, the supply of sediment and rate of change in sea level must remain relatively constant. Which event is most likely to correspond to a lack of barrier island formation? | climatic warming |
Created by:
Natasha2300
Popular Earth Science sets