Topic Test Answers

Which of the following statements about the interaction of Earth’s systems is true?a.The interaction between Earth’s systems is limited to a response to human activity.b.The Earth’s system interact using positive feedback only.c.The Earth’s systems interact using negative feedback only.d.All of the Earth’s systems interact with each other.

What device can be used to make measurements globally?a.rain gaugeb.buoyc.satellited.thermometer

Which system serves as the interface between the other spheres? a.geosphereb.hydrospherec.atmosphered.biosphere

Which of the following cycles does not involve living organisms?a.carbon cycleb.oxygen cyclec.rock cycled.nitrogen cycle

How are the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles similar?a.They are all biogeochemical cycles.b.They all involve an interaction between living and nonliving elements.c.They are all part of the Earth system.d.All of the above.

Glacial episodes are an example of _______.a.positive feedbackb.negative feedbackc.the “Daisy model”d.the Gaia hypothesis

Which of the following is an effect of global warming?a.falling sea levelsb.decrease in the acidity of seawater c.heavier rainfall and floodingd.health improvements

Positive feedback interactions in Earth’s systems are always a result of human action.

What system facilitates the movement of water between spheres through the process of transpiration? a.geosphereb.hydrospherec.atmosphered.biosphere

According to the GLOBE maps viewed online, it can be inferred that solar energy is not the only factor affecting average global temperature because _______. a. the area between the equator and pole have distinct seasons that switch back and forth as the Earth orbits around the sun b. the south pole experiences mild temperature fluctuations with large variations in solar energy while the opposite is true for the north pole c. the poles have extremes in the level of solar energy and extremes in temperature d. a and c Please select the best answer from the choices provided

What is the most likely effect a decrease of plant life in the biosphere would have on the atmosphere?a.A decrease in plant life would have no effect on the atmosphere.b.A decrease in plant life would cause carbon dioxide levels to increase and oxygen levels to decrease.c.A decrease in plant life would cause carbon dioxide levels to decrease and oxygen levels to increase.d.A decrease in plant life would cause an increase in all gases in the atmosphere.

Which of the following was the leading cause of global fossil carbon emissions in 2004? a.petroleumb.coalc.natural gasd.cement production

Which of the following best explains why the biosphere is a key component of the Earth’s systems?a.The biosphere is a key component of the Earth’s systems because it is a common concept to many disciplines in science.b.The biosphere is a key component of the Earth’s systems because the seasonal cycles directly affect primary productivity.c.The biosphere is a key component of the Earth’s systems because it helps drive the other systems by interacting with and exchanging matter and energy with the other spheres.d.The biosphere is a key component of the Earth’s systems because it has evolved to create the chemical composition of the planet we know today.

There is only one possible path for each stage in the rock cycle.

What is the main difference between negative and positive feedback?a.Positive feedback leads to system instability, while negative feedback leads to system stability.b.Positive feedback is caused by human impact, while negative feedback occurs naturally.c.Negative feedback ultimately leads to an increase in the first variable, while positive feedback ultimately leads to a decrease in the first variable. d.Positive feedback occurs at a much faster rate than negative feedback.

Which system protects us from radiation and the vacuum of space? a.geosphereb.hydrospherec.atmosphered.biosphere

The atmosphere is unaffected by changes in the geosphere.

Earth’s systems interact through _______.a.humansb.glacial episodesc.feedback mechanismsd.none of the above

What system includes the core, mantle, and crust of the Earth? a.geosphereb.hydrospherec.atmosphered.biosphere

Earth is a system comprised of interacting processes.