47 which temperature zone layer of earth’s atmosphere is ... · cool water at 20°c is poured...

Base your answers to questions 47 through 50 on the cross section below and on your knowledge of Earthscience. The cross section shows the general movement of air within a portion of Earth’s atmosphere locatedbetween 30° N and 30° S latitude. Numbers 1 and 2 represent different locations in the atmosphere.

47 Which temperature zone layer of Earth’s atmosphere is shown in the cross section?(1) troposphere (3) mesosphere(2) stratosphere (4) thermosphere

48 The air movement shown in the cross section is due to the process of (1) condensation (3) evaporation(2) conduction (4) convection

49 What is the approximate percentage by volume of oxygen present in Earth’s atmo-sphere at location 2?(1) 10% (3) 33%(2) 21% (4) 46%

Earth’ssurfaceLatitude

30° S

10 k

m

1 1

22

30° N 0°

(Not drawn to scale)

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’06 [16]

PS/E. Sci.–Jan. ’11 [5] [OVER]

26 Which pie graph correctly shows the percentage of elements by volume in Earth’s troposphere?

27 The symbols below represent star masses and distances.

Which diagram shows two stars that have the greatest gravitational force betweenthem?

( 1 ) ( 3 ) d 2d

( 2 ) 2d

( 4 ) d

d

represents a star with a mass the same as the Sun’s massrepresents a star with a mass greater than the Sun’s mass

represents a certain distance between star centers2d represents twice the distance between star centers

P.S. E./Sci.–Aug. ’01 [19] [OVER]

Base your answers to questions 63 through 65 on the table below, which shows the concentration of ozone,in ozone units, in Earth’s atmosphere at different altitudes. [One ozone unit is equal to 1012 molecules per cubiccentimeter.]

Concentration of Ozone

Altitude Ozone(km) Units

0 0.75 0.6

10 1.115 3.020 4.925 4.430 2.635 1.440 0.645 0.250 0.155 0.0

63 On the grid provided in your answer booklet, construct a line graph of the ozone con-centration in the atmosphere recorded at the different altitudes shown on the table byplotting the data from the table and connecting the points. [3]

64 State the name of the temperature zone of the atmosphere in which the concentrationof ozone is greatest. [1]

65 State how incoming solar radiation (insolation) is affected by the ozone in the atmo-sphere. [1]

22 Which change in the experiment would increasethe heating rate of the water in cup B?(1) making the aluminum bar shorter between

points X and Y(2) making the aluminum bar longer between

points X and Y(3) keeping cup A covered, but uncovering cup B(4) keeping cup B covered, but uncovering cup A

23 The rate of temperature change for the water incup A for the first 10 minutes was approximately(1) 0.77 C°/min (3) 7.7 C°/min(2) 1.3 C°/min (4) 13.0 C°/min

P.S. E./Sci.–Jan. ’02 [6]

Base your answers to questions 22 and 23 on the information about a laboratory procedure, diagram, anddata table below.

Hot water at 90°C is poured into cup A. Cool water at 20°C is poured into cup B.Styrofoam covers are placed on the cups. An aluminum bar and a thermometer are placedthrough holes in each cover. Points X and Y are locations on the aluminum bar. The datatable shows temperature readings taken every minute for 20 minutes.

Temperature of Water (°C)

Minute Cup A Cup B0 90 201 88 202 86 203 85 214 83 215 82 226 81 227 80 228 79 229 78 2310 77 2311 76 2312 75 2313 74 2314 73 2315 72 2416 71 2417 70 2418 69 2419 68 2520 67 25

Cup A Cup B

Waterat 90°C

Waterat 20°C

Styrofoamcover

Aluminum bar

Thermometer

X Y

24 Which sedimentary rock is most likely to bechanged to slate during regional metamor-phism?(1) breccia (3) dolostone(2) conglomerate (4) shale

25 Which planet has an orbit with an eccentricitymost similar to the eccentricity of the Moon’sorbit around Earth?(1) Earth (3) Pluto(2) Jupiter (4) Saturn

35 The diagram below shows a student heating a pot of water over a fire. The arrows represent the transfer ofheat. Letter A represents heat transfer through the metal pot, B represents heat transfer by currents in thewater, and C represents heat that is felt in the air surrounding the pot.

Which table correctly identifies the types of heat transfer at A, B, and C?

Letter Type of HeatTransfer

A conduction

B radiation

C convection

( 1 ) ( 3 )

( 2 ) ( 4 )


A radiation

B conduction

C convection


A conduction

B convection

C radiation


A radiation

B convection

C conduction

BC

A

P.S./E. Sci.–August ’09 [9] [OVER]

32 The diagram below shows the magnetic polarity preserved by minerals within the bedrock of the oceaniccrust near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Letters A, B, C, and D represent locations in the ocean-floor bedrock.

The most recently formed bedrock is found at location(1) A (3) C(2) B (4) D

33 The diagram below shows a laboratory box used to demonstrate the process of convection in the atmosphere.

Which diagram has arrows that show the direction of airflow that occurs when thecandle is burning?

( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 )

Transparenttubes

Transparentfront

Burning candle

MantleOceanic crust Oceanic crust

A

Magnetic Polarity of the BedrockKey

ReversedNormal

B C D

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

P.S./E. Sci.–June ’10 [9] [OVER]

27 The cross section of a house is shown below. Open stairways allow air to move fromone floor to another. The ridge vent is an opening in the roof that allows air to movein or out of the attic.

During a windless summer day, the air inside this house is warmed by the Sun. Inwhich cross section do the arrows show the most likely air movement when the win-dows are opened?

( 3 ) ( 4 )( 2 )( 1 )

Sun

Attic

Second Floor

First Floor

Basement

Ridge Vent

DoorKey

Window


P.S./E. Sci.–Aug. ’06 [7] [OVER]

Base your answers to questions 46 through 50 on the two cross sections below, which represent the PacificOcean and the atmosphere near the Equator during normal weather (cross section A) and during El Niño con-ditions (cross section B). Sea surface temperatures (SST) are labeled and trade-wind directions are shown witharrows. Cloud buildup indicates regions of frequent thunderstorm activity. The change from normal sea level isshown at the side of each diagram.

Frequentthunderstorms

Colder ocean water

Warmer ocean water

SST Sea surface temperature

Key

SouthAmericaAustralia

SST 28°C

Normal sea level

SouthAmericaAustralia

SST 25°CSST 28°C

Normal sea level

Cross Section A: Normal Weather

Cross Section B: El Niño Conditions

Trade winds

Trade winds

Water level(+40 cm)

Water level(+30 cm)

Water level(+0 cm)

Water level(+15 cm)

P.S./E. Sci.–June ’04 [14]

13 If the base of a cloud is located at an altitude of 2 kilometers and the top of the cloud is located atan altitude of 8 kilometers, this cloud is located inthe(1) troposphere, only(2) stratosphere, only(3) troposphere and stratosphere(4) stratosphere and mesosphere

14 On a day with no wind, the air temperature outsidea house is 10°C. The air temperature inside thehouse is 18°C. Which diagram best represents theair circulation pattern that is most likely to occurwhen a window of the house is first opened?

15 Most of the Gulf Stream Ocean Current is (1) warm water that flows southwestward(2) warm water that flows northeastward(3) cool water that flows southwestward(4) cool water that flows northeastward

16 Which event is the best example of erosion?(1) breaking apart of shale as a result of water

freezing in a crack(2) dissolving of rock particles on a limestone

gravestone by acid rain(3) rolling of a pebble along the bottom of a

stream(4) crumbling of bedrock in one area to form soil

17 Which graph best shows the relationship betweenthe concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth’satmosphere and the amount of infrared radiationabsorbed by the atmosphere?

18 The diagram below represents the direction ofEarth’s rotation as it appears from above the NorthPole. Point X is a location on Earth’s surface.

The time at point X is closest to(1) 6 a.m. (3) 6 p.m.(2) 12 noon (4) 12 midnight

19 Snowfall is rare at the South Pole because the airover the South Pole is usually(1) rising and moist (3) sinking and moist(2) rising and dry (4) sinking and dry

NorthPole

Sun’srays

Point X

Direction of rotation

Am

ount

of

Infr

ared

Abs

orbe

dby

Atm

osph

ere

Concentration ofCarbon Dioxide

( 3 )

Am

ount

of

Infr

ared

Abs

orbe

dby

Atm

osph

ere


( 2 )

Am

ount

of

Infr

ared

Abs

orbe

dby

Atm

osph

ere


( 1 )

Am

ount

of

Infr

ared

Abs

orbe

dby

Atm

osph

ere


( 4 )

Roof

Floor

10°C 18°C

( 1 )

Roof

Floor

10°C 18°C

( 3 )

Roof

Floor

10°C 18°C

( 2 )

Roof

Floor

10°C 18°C

( 4 )

P.S./E. Sci.–June ’06 [4]

P.S./E. Sci.–Aug. ’04 [5] [OVER]

23 The cross sections below show different patterns of air movement in Earth’s atmosphere. Air temperaturesat Earth’s surface are indicated in each cross section. Which cross section shows the most likely pattern ofair movement in Earth’s atmosphere that would result from the surface air temperatures shown?

24 The diagrams below represent four permeable sediment samples. The sediments are composed of the samematerial, but differ in particle size and sorting. Which sediment sample will most likely have the fastest ground-water infiltration rate?

( 1 )

( 2 ) ( 4 )

( 3 )

( 1 )

Cool Cool

Warm

( 3 )

Cool Cool

Warm

( 2 )

Cool Cool

Warm

( 4 )

Cool Cool

Warm

Earth’s surface

Earth’s surface

Earth’s surface

Earth’s surface

Base your answers to questions 70 through 73 on the atmospheric cross section below, which represents a winter storm system. Zones A, B, C, and D are located on a west to east line at approximately 43° N latitudeacross New York State. This cross section shows how solid and liquid forms of precipitation depend on the airtemperature above Earth’s surface. The storm is moving from west to east.

70 Explain why sleet is occurring in Zone B. [1]

71 At the time of the events represented by the cross section, Syracuse, New York, isexperiencing the following weather conditions:

The temperature, dewpoint, and wind direction are shown on the weather stationmodel in your answer booklet. Using proper format, add the information shown inthe table to the model provided in your answer booklet. [2]

72 As the storm moves eastward, the type of precipitation received in Syracuse changes.State the type of precipitation that will immediately follow freezing rain. [1]

73 Describe the general air movement and temperature change that caused the cloudsassociated with this storm to form. [2]

Zone A Zone B Zone C Zone D

Alti

tude

Earth’s surface

Clouds

West East


Syracuse

Air temperature below 0oC

Air temperature above 0oC

Key

Snow

Sleet

Freezing rain

Rain

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’03 [26]

Cloud cover 100%

Wind speed 15 knots

Present weather Freezing rain

Precipitation 1.23 inches past 6 hours

Visibility 1 mile


Part A

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (1–35): For each statement or question, write on your separate answer sheet the number of theword or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question. Some questionsmay require the use of the Earth Science Reference Tables.

1 The motion of a Foucault pendulum providesevidence of (1) the Sun’s rotation (3) Earth’s rotation(2) the Sun’s revolution (4) Earth’s revolution

2 Which form of electromagnetic radiation has awavelength of 1.0 ! 10–3 centimeter?(1) ultraviolet (3) radio waves(2) infrared (4) microwaves

3 The time required for the Moon to show a com-plete cycle of phases when viewed from Earth isapproximately(1) 1 day (3) 1 month(2) 1 week (4) 1 year

4 Which planet has an orbital eccentricity most likethe orbital eccentricity of the Moon?(1) Pluto (3) Mars(2) Saturn (4) Mercury

5 On June 21, where will the Sun appear to rise foran observer located in New York State?(1) due west (3) north of due east(2) due east (4) south of due east

6 Which statement best describes sedimentsdeposited by glaciers and rivers?(1) Glacial deposits and river deposits are both

sorted.(2) Glacial deposits are sorted, and river deposits

are unsorted.(3) Glacial deposits are unsorted, and river

deposits are sorted.(4) Glacial deposits and river deposits are both

unsorted.

7 The diagram below shows four different chemicalmaterials escaping from the interior of early Earth.

Which material contributed least to the earlycomposition of the atmosphere?(1) SiO2 (3) N2(2) H2O (4) CO2

8 The diagram below shows a fossil found in thesurface bedrock of New York State.

Which other fossil is most likely to be found inthe same age bedrock?(1) Phacops (3) Coelophysis(2) condor (4) Tetragraptus

9 Soil composed of which particle size usually has thegreatest capillarity?(1) silt (3) coarse sand(2) fine sand (4) pebbles

Centroceras

Water (H2O)

Nitrogen (N2)

Carbondioxide (CO2)

Silicon dioxide(SiO2)

Earlycooling,

solidifyingEarth

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’06 [8]

33 Which graph best represents the relative wavelengths of the different forms of electromagnetic energy?

X rays Infraredwaves

Micro-waves

Radiowaves

Wav

elen

gth

( 1 )


Micro-waves

Radiowaves

Wav

elen

gth

( 3 )


Micro-waves

Radiowaves

Wav

elen

gth

( 4 )


Micro-waves

Radiowaves

Wav

elen

gth

( 2 )

Form of Electromagnetic Energy Form of Electromagnetic Energy

Form of Electromagnetic Energy Form of Electromagnetic Energy

P.S./E. Sci.–August ’10 [11] [OVER]

Part B–1

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (36–50): For each statement or question, write in your answer booklet the number of the wordor expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions mayrequire the use of the 2010 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science.

Base your answers to questions 36 and 37 on the diagram below, which represents the greenhouse effect inwhich heat energy is trapped in Earth’s atmosphere.

36 Which type of radiation from Earth is the long-wave radiation absorbed by greenhouse gases?(1) ultraviolet (3) infrared(2) visible light (4) radio waves

37 The Earth surface that best absorbs short-wave solar radiation has which characteristics?(1) black and rough (3) white and rough(2) black and smooth (4) white and smooth

Sun

Short-wave (visible)radiation readilypasses throughthe atmosphere.

Earth


Long-waveradiation from Earthis partially absorbedby greenhouse gasesin the atmosphere.

Base your answers to questions 83 and 84 on the diagram below, which shows incoming solar radiation passing through the glass of a greenhouse and then striking the floor.

83 Some of the incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the floor. Identify the type ofelectromagnetic energy reradiated by the floor. [1]

84 Describe one way the glass in the greenhouse acts like the greenhouse gases in Earth’satmosphere. [1]

Incomingsolar

radiationGlass

FloorPlants

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’10 [21]

Base your answers to questions 54 through 57 on the model and data table shown below. A student con-structed a model to demonstrate how water is recycled by natural processes on Earth. The model consisted ofa clear plastic tent over a pan containing a bowl of water. The model was sealed so no air could enter or leavethe tent. The data table shows the observations recorded when the model was placed in direct sunlight for 60 minutes.

Data Table

54 Identify the process that caused the water level in the bowl to decrease. [1]

55 How much heat energy, in calories per gram, is released as water droplets are formedon the inside walls of the tent? [1]

56 If the model is changed and the bowl of water is replaced with a green plant, by whichprocess would the plant supply water vapor to the air inside the tent? [1]

Time (min) Observations

0Water level in bowl = 10 cm Inside walls of the plastic tent are dry. Inside air temperature = 20°C

30Water level in bowl = 9.9 cm Small drops of water form on the inside walls of the tent.Inside air temperature = 23°C

60Water level in bowl = 9.8 cm Large drops of water form on the inside walls of the tent.Inside air temperature = 26°C

Wire supports

Bowl

Plastic wrappedunder pan

Plastic tent

Water level

Tin pan

Thermometer

P.S./E. Sci.–Aug. ’08 [18]

15 The diagram below shows a greenhouse.

What is the primary function of the clear glass ofthe 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 toescape.

(3) The glass allows short wavelengths of radia-tion to enter, but reduces the amount of long-wavelength radiation that escapes.

(4) The glass allows long wavelengths of radiationto enter, but reduces the amount of short-wavelength radiation that escapes.

16 The cross section below shows the prevailingwinds that cause different climates on the wind-ward and leeward sides of this mountain range.

Compared to the climate conditions on the lee-ward side of this mountain range, the conditionson the windward side are usually(1) cooler and wetter(2) cooler and drier(3) warmer and wetter(4) warmer and drier

17 The California Ocean Current, which flows alongthe west coast of North America, is a (1) cool current, flowing north(2) cool current, flowing south(3) warm current, flowing north(4) warm current, flowing south

18 Which change at a particular location in a streamusually causes more sediments to be deposited atthat location?(1) decrease in stream velocity(2) decrease in stream width(3) increase in stream slope(4) increase in stream discharge

19 Rocks are classified as igneous, sedimentary, ormetamorphic based primarily on their(1) texture(2) crystal or grain size(3) method of formation(4) mineral composition

20 The internal atomic structure of a mineral mostlikely determines the mineral’s(1) color, streak, and age(2) origin, exposure, and fracture(3) size, location, and luster(4) hardness, cleavage, and crystal shape

21 How are the minerals biotite mica and muscovitemica different?(1) Biotite mica is colorless, but muscovite mica

is not.(2) Biotite mica contains iron and/or magnesium,

but muscovite mica does not.(3) Muscovite mica scratches quartz, but biotite

mica does not.(4) Muscovite mica cleaves into thin sheets, but

biotite mica does not.

22 Which three minerals are most commonly foundin the igneous rock granite?(1) amphibole, calcite, and hematite(2) amphibole, biotite mica, and gypsum(3) plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, and olivine(4) plagioclase feldspar, potassium feldspar, and

quartz

OceanMountain range

Prevailingwind

Windward side Leeward side

Greenhouse

InsolationClear glass

P.S./E. Sci.–Aug. ’04 [4]

6 Which object is located at one foci of the ellipti-cal orbit of Mars?(1) the Sun (3) Earth(2) Betelgeuse (4) Jupiter

7 What is the basic difference between ultraviolet,visible, and infrared radiation?(1) half-life (3) wavelength(2) temperature (4) wave velocity

8 The diagram below shows a cylinder filled withclean water. At the left of the cylinder is a lightsource, and at the right of the cylinder is a meterthat measures the intensity (brightness) of lightas it passes through the water. One minute afterthe light is turned on, a mixture of sand, silt, andclay is poured into the cylinder.

Which graph shows the probable change in lightintensity (brightness) recorded during the 6-minute period after the light is turned on?

9 What is the dewpoint when the dry-bulb tem-perature is 24°C and the wet-bulb temperatureis 15°C?(1) 8°C (3) 36°C(2) –18°C (4) 4°C

10 In New York State, dry, cool air masses (cP)often interact with moist, warm air masses (mT).Which statement correctly matches each airmass with its usual geographic source region?(1) cP is from the North Atlantic Ocean and mT

is from the deserts of the southwesternUnited States.

(2) cP is from northern Canada and mT is fromthe deserts of the southwestern UnitedStates.

(3) cP is from northern Canada and mT is fromthe Gulf of Mexico.

(4) cP is from the North Atlantic Ocean and mTis from the Gulf of Mexico.

11 The graph below shows the average monthlytemperatures for two cities, A and B, which areboth located at 41° north latitude.

Which statement best explains the difference inthe average yearly temperature range for the twocities?(1) City B is located in a different planetary

wind belt.(2) City B receives less yearly precipitation.(3) City B has a greater yearly duration of inso-

lation.(4) City B is located near a large body of water.

-8

2824201612

840

-4

D J F M A M J J A S O N D

City A

City B

Ave

rage

Mon

thly

Tem

pera

ture

(!C

)

Month

32

-120 1 2 3 4 5 6

Inte

nsity

Time (min)

( 1 )

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Inte

nsity

Time (min)

( 4 )

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Inte

nsity

Time (min)

( 3 )

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Inte

nsity

Time (min)

( 2 )

Lightmeter

Lightsource

Clean waterin cylinder

P.S. E./Sci.–Aug. ’01 [3] [OVER]

13 If the base of a cloud is located at an altitude of 2 kilometers and the top of the cloud is located atan altitude of 8 kilometers, this cloud is located inthe(1) troposphere, only(2) stratosphere, only(3) troposphere and stratosphere(4) stratosphere and mesosphere

14 On a day with no wind, the air temperature outsidea house is 10°C. The air temperature inside thehouse is 18°C. Which diagram best represents theair circulation pattern that is most likely to occurwhen a window of the house is first opened?

15 Most of the Gulf Stream Ocean Current is (1) warm water that flows southwestward(2) warm water that flows northeastward(3) cool water that flows southwestward(4) cool water that flows northeastward

16 Which event is the best example of erosion?(1) breaking apart of shale as a result of water

freezing in a crack(2) dissolving of rock particles on a limestone

gravestone by acid rain(3) rolling of a pebble along the bottom of a

stream(4) crumbling of bedrock in one area to form soil

17 Which graph best shows the relationship betweenthe concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth’satmosphere and the amount of infrared radiationabsorbed by the atmosphere?

18 The diagram below represents the direction ofEarth’s rotation as it appears from above the NorthPole. Point X is a location on Earth’s surface.

The time at point X is closest to(1) 6 a.m. (3) 6 p.m.(2) 12 noon (4) 12 midnight

19 Snowfall is rare at the South Pole because the airover the South Pole is usually(1) rising and moist (3) sinking and moist(2) rising and dry (4) sinking and dry

NorthPole

Sun’srays

Point X

Direction of rotation

Am

ount

of

Infr

ared

Abs

orbe

dby

Atm

osph

ere


( 3 )

Am

ount

of

Infr

ared

Abs

orbe

dby

Atm

osph

ere


( 2 )

Am

ount

of

Infr

ared

Abs

orbe

dby

Atm

osph

ere


( 1 )

Am

ount

of

Infr

ared

Abs

orbe

dby

Atm

osph

ere


( 4 )

Roof

Floor

10°C 18°C

( 1 )

Roof

Floor

10°C 18°C

( 3 )

Roof

Floor

10°C 18°C

( 2 )

Roof

Floor

10°C 18°C

( 4 )


P.S./E. Sci.–Aug. ’11 [18]

Base your answers to questions 56 through 60 on the table and map below. The table shows the duration ofinsolation, in hours, at Barrow, Alaska, on the twentieth day of each month during 2008. The map shows thelocation of Barrow at 71° N 156.5° W.

56 On the grid in your answer booklet, construct a line graph by plotting the data for the duration of insolation at Barrow for each date shown on the data table. Connect the plots with a line. [1]

57 Explain why Barrow receives 0 hours of insolation on December 20. [1]

58 State the altitude of Polaris as seen from Barrow. [1]

59 Explain why Barrow is in a different time zone than New York City. [1]

60 On what date was the noontime Sun highest in the sky at Barrow? [1]

Duration of Insolationat Barrow, Alaska

DateDuration ofInsolation

(h)Jan 20 0Feb 20 7.8Mar 20 12.5Apr 20 17.6May 20 24June 20 24July 20 24Aug 20 16.7Sept 20 12.6Oct 20 7.8Nov 20 0Dec 20 0

Russia

Alaska Canada

N

Barrow, AlaskaBarrow

Arctic Circle

26 Which diagram best represents visible light raysafter striking a dark, rough surface?

27 The cartoon below illustrates possible inter-action between humans and mammoths.

During which geologic timespan could this“game” have occurred?

(1) Pleistocene Epoch(2) Pennsylvanian Epoch(3) Precambrian Era(4) Paleozoic Era

28 The apparent shift in the direction of swing of aFoucault pendulum is caused by Earth’s

(1) revolution (3) spherical shape(2) rotation (4) tilted axis

29 The diagram below shows a glacial landscape.

Which evidence suggests that ice created thislandscape?

(1) U-shaped valleys(2) many stream valleys (3) sorted sediment on the valley floor(4) the landslide near the valley floor

30 An earthquake’s P-wave arrived at a seismographstation at 02 hours 40 minutes 00 seconds. Theearthquake’s S-wave arrived at the same station 2 minutes later. What is the approximate dis-tance from the seismograph station to the epi-center of the earthquake?

(1) 1,100 km (3) 3,100 km(2) 2,400 km (4) 4,000 km

31 When small particles settle through water fasterthan large particles, the small particles are prob-ably

(1) lighter (3) better sorted(2) flatter (4) more dense

Stream

River

Landslide

The primitive game of “Pull the mammoth’s tail and run”

( 2 )

( 1 )

( 4 )

( 3 )


P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’09 [6]

19 The diagram below indicates the amount of solar radiation that is reflected by equal areas of variousmaterials on Earth’s surface.

Which material absorbs the most solar radiation?(1) grassy field (3) sand(2) fresh snow (4) forest

20 The diagram below shows a process thought to have produced Earth’s early atmosphere.

Which major component is shown as gas X?(1) helium (3) carbon dioxide(2) ozone (4) hydrogen

GasX

Nitrogen

Wat

erva

por

Sand Grassyfield

Freshsnow

Forest

15%to

45%

10%to

30%

75%to

95%

3%to

10%

31 The cross section below shows layers of soil.

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’06 [7] [OVER]

Dark brown to black soilwith a high organic content

Tan to orange soil witha high clay content,some rock fragments

Light gray to black soil,coarse rock fragments

Which two processes produced the layer of dark brown to black soil?(1) melting and solidification of magma (3) weathering and biologic activity(2) erosion and uplifting (4) compaction and cementation

32 Equal volumes of the four samples shown below were placed outside and heated by energy from the Sun’srays for 30 minutes.

Iron fragmentsBasaltic sandCopper penniesWater

The surface temperature of which sample increased at the slowest rate?(1) water (3) basaltic sand(2) copper pennies (4) iron fragments


27 Which graph best represents the average monthly temperatures for one year at a location in the SouthernHemisphere?

28 The diagram below shows four surfaces of equal area that absorb insolation.

Which letter represents the surface that most likely absorbs the greatest amount ofinsolation?(1) A (3) C(2) B (4) D

A B C D

4540353025201510

50

–5–10–15–20

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Aver

age

Mon

thly

Tem

pera

ture

(°C)

( 2 )


Aver

age

Mon

thly

Tem

pera

ture

(°C)

( 1 )


Aver

age

Mon

thly

Tem

pera

ture

(°C)

( 4 )


Aver

age

Mon

thly

Tem

pera

ture

(°C)

( 3 )Month

Month

Month

Month

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–5–10–15–20

4540353025201510

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–5–10–15–20

4540353025201510

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47 which temperature zone layer of earth’s atmosphere is ... · cool water at 20°c is poured...

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