Earth Environmental Science Final Exam

Front 1

Most Plants Prefer a soil with pH approximately:

A)0

B)3

C)5

D)7

Back 1

7

Front 2

Why is sunspot activity not adequate to explain major temperature changes in earth's atmosphere?

Back 2

The sun's energy has not changed significantly for a long time

Front 3

The main purpose of the Kyoto Protocol(begun in 1997) is to:

Back 3

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Front 4

Which of the following best describes "Ultisol"?

Back 4

A heavily weathered and extensively leached mid-latitude forest soil, characteristic of the American south

Front 5

This mineral type does not contribute to the formation of clay or silt particles in soil

Back 5

hornblende

Front 6

The clean water act of 1972 mandated for all municipalities:

Back 6

Secondary treatment of waste water before release into nature

Front 7

This country has the world's largest coal deposits.

Back 7

United States

Front 8

About this percent of the world population does not have access to electricity on a daily basis.

Back 8

30%

Front 9

Milankovitch cycles involve changes in:

Back 9

Earth's position in space relative to the sun

Front 10

Most electricity, both globally and in the U.S., is generated with:

Back 10

Turbines

Front 11

This is the cleanest burning grade of coal.

Back 11

Anthracite

Front 12

Fluids such as gasoline, paint solvents, and organic cleaning solutions release:

Back 12

Volatile organic compounds

Front 13

Which of the following best describes "C horizon"?

Back 13

Weathered bedrock, with little or no organic matter or mineral grains

Front 14

Seeds germinate mainly in this horizon

Back 14

A

Front 15

Why are fossil fuels still the basis of most energy creation in 2016?

Back 15

They are cheaper than alternatives

Front 16

What are the 3 basic ways of managing municipal solid waste?

Back 16

recycle, burn, landfill

Front 17

What are the main components of any soil?

Back 17

Minerals (sand, clay, silt) 45%; water 25%; gases 25%; humus 5%.

Front 18

Give examples of biomass fuels

Back 18

Biomass fuel may be firewood, animal waste, or alcoholproduced from corn, sugarcane, wood.

Front 19

All of these are "gas giant" planets except

A)pluto

B)mars

C)venus

D)None are gas giants

Back 19

None are gas giants

Front 20

One type of radioactive decay involves the capture of an electron by a nucleus. When this occurs:

Back 20

The atomic number decreases by 1

Front 21

This era is known as the "age of the mammals"

Back 21

Cenozoic

Front 22

The main greenhouse gas for planet earth is

Back 22

Water vapor

Front 23

What is the best definition of "beta particle"?

Back 23

An electron produced from an atom's nucleus as a result of radioactive decay

Front 24

The best definition for "Feldspar"

Back 24

A relatively abundant aluminosilicate mineral making up a large part of granite and basalt

Front 25

Due to a virtual absence of life forms, fossils are notably absent in rocks dated from this geologic time interval.

Back 25

Hadean

Front 26

This is the best definition for "hydrologic cycle".

Back 26

The transition of water molecules between various physical forms over time

Front 27

What is the best definition of "Troposphere"?

Back 27

The surface layer of earth's atmosphere, heated by the greenhouse effect

Front 28

The evolutionary advantage of angiosperms over gymnosperms and bryophytes was:

Back 28

A hard, protective covering for the seed

Front 29

This gas makes up most of the earth's atmosphere.

Back 29

Molecular Nitrogen

Front 30

This is the best definition of "Producer".

Back 30

Able to perform photosynthesis

Front 31

Which planet is known as the "Lord of the Heavens"?

Back 31

Jupiter