UniverseTenth Edition

Chapter 9The Living Earth

Roger Freedman • Robert Geller • William Kaufmann III

Clicker Questions

Which of the following has the smallest effect on the motions of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans?A. solar energy B. the Earth’s internal heat C. tidal forcesD. both B and CE. This is a misleading question. All of these

have comparably large effects on the atmosphere and oceans.

Q9.1

Which of the following has the smallest effect on the motions of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans?A. solar energy B. the Earth’s internal heat C. tidal forcesD. both B and C.E. This is a misleading question. All of these

have comparably large effects on the atmosphere and oceans.

A9.1

What energy source creates clouds in our atmosphere?

A. The Sun B. Earth’s internal heat C. Tidal interactions with the MoonD. The solar windE. None of the above

Q9.2

What energy source creates clouds in our atmosphere?

A. The Sun B. Earth’s internal heat C. Tidal interactions with the MoonD. The solar windE. None of the above

A9.2

What energy source leads to mountain building on Earth?

A. The Sun B. Earth’s internal heat C. Tidal interactions with the MoonD. The solar windE. None of the above

Q9.3

What energy source leads to mountain building on Earth?

A. The Sun B. Earth’s internal heat C. Tidal interactions with the MoonD. The solar windE. None of the above

A9.3

In the greenhouse effect,A. some infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s

surface is absorbed by the atmosphere. B. some ultraviolet radiation emitted by the

Earth’s surface is absorbed by the atmosphere.

C. vegetation traps thermal energy near the surface.

D. infrared radiation from the Sun is captured as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere.

E. infrared radiation from the Sun is reflected by the Earth’s atmosphere into space. Q9.4

In the greenhouse effect,A. some infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s

surface is absorbed by the atmosphere. B. some ultraviolet radiation emitted by the

Earth’s surface is absorbed by the atmosphere.

C. vegetation traps thermal energy near the surface.

D. infrared radiation from the Sun is captured as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere.

E. infrared radiation from the Sun is reflected by the Earth’s atmosphere into space. A9.4

Which of the follow best describes the natural greenhouse effect (not including human influence) on Earth?A. There is no natural greenhouse effect. B. The natural greenhouse effect keeps Earth’s

average temperature relatively constant and above freezing.

C. The natural greenhouse effect has continuously increased the average temperature of the atmosphere and surface over the past 4.56 billion years.

D. The natural greenhouse effect has continuously decreased the average temperature of the atmosphere and surface over the past 4.56 billion years.

Q9.5

Which of the follow best describes the natural greenhouse effect (not including human influence) on Earth?A. There is no natural greenhouse effect. B. The natural greenhouse effect keeps Earth’s

average temperature relatively constant and above freezing.

C. The natural greenhouse effect has continuously increased the average temperature of the atmosphere and surface over the past 4.56 billion years.

D. The natural greenhouse effect has continuously decreased the average temperature of the atmosphere and surface over the past 4.56 billion years.

A9.5

Which of the following is not an important greenhouse gas?

A. Carbon dioxide B. Methane C. Water D. Ammonia E. All of these are important greenhouse

gases.

Q9.6

Which of the following is not an important greenhouse gas?

A. Carbon dioxide B. Methane C. Water D. Ammonia E. All of these are important greenhouse

gases.

A9.6

Which of the following is a correct statement about seismic waves used to map the Earth’s interior structure?

A. P waves are longitudinal and are able to travel through solids and liquids; S waves are transverse and can only travel through liquids.

B. P waves are transverse and are able to travel through solids and liquids; S waves are longitudinal and can only travel through liquids.

C. P waves are transverse and are able to travel through solids and liquids; S waves are longitudinal and can only travel through solids.

D. P waves are longitudinal and are able to travel through solids and liquids; S waves are transverse and can only travel through solids.

Q9.7

Which of the following is a correct statement about seismic waves used to map the Earth’s interior structure?

A. P waves are longitudinal and are able to travel through solids and liquids; S waves are transverse and can only travel through liquids.

B. P waves are transverse and are able to travel through solids and liquids; S waves are longitudinal and can only travel through liquids.

C. P waves are transverse and are able to travel through solids and liquids; S waves are longitudinal and can only travel through solids.

D. P waves are longitudinal and are able to travel through solids and liquids; S waves are transverse and can only travel through solids.

A9.7

The Earth’s magnetic field is generated by

A. electric currents in the liquid outer core; the field has never changed direction.

B. electric currents in the liquid inner core; the field has never changed direction.

C. electric currents in the liquid outer core; the field has reversed many times in the past.

D. electric currents in the liquid inner core; the field has reversed many times in the past.

E. electric currents caused by interactions with the solar wind.Q9.8

The Earth’s magnetic field is generated by

A. electric currents in the liquid outer core; the field has never changed direction.

B. electric currents in the liquid inner core; the field has never changed direction.

C. electric currents in the liquid outer core; the field has reversed many times in the past.

D. electric currents in the liquid inner core; the field has reversed many times in the past.

E. electric currents caused by interactions with the solar wind.A9.8

The Red Sea rift is

A. formed by two tectonic plates moving apart. B. a subduction zone, where one plate is pushed

under the other. C. a fold in the middle of a plate caused by

compressing forces on both sides of the plate. D. a hot spot in Earth’s mantle, which is spreading

two plates apart. E. the result of a earthquake that occurred thousands

of years ago.Q9.9

The Red Sea rift is

A. formed by two tectonic plates moving apart. B. a subduction zone, where one plate is pushed

under the other. C. a fold in the middle of a plate caused by

compressing forces on both sides of the plate. D. a hot spot in Earth’s mantle, which is spreading two

plates apart. E. the result of a earthquake that occurred thousands

of years ago.A9.9

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is best described asA. a line of undersea mountains caused by two plates

colliding and pushing each other upward.B. a fold in the middle of a plate caused by

compressing forces on both sides of the plate.C. a region where one plate is being subducted

beneath another.D. a site where two plates are moving apart, allowing

molten subsurface rock to rise upward.E. a region in the middle of a plate that happens to lie

over a hot spot in the mantle.Q9.10

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is best described asA. a line of undersea mountains caused by two plates

colliding and pushing each other upward.B. a fold in the middle of a plate caused by

compressing forces on both sides of the plate.C. a region where one plate is being subducted

beneath another.D. a site where two plates are moving apart, allowing

molten subsurface rock to rise upward.E. a region in the middle of a plate that happens to lie

over a hot spot in the mantle.A9.10

The Earth shows very little evidence of meteor impacts becauseA. plate tectonics is continuously recycling

the Earth’s crust.B. wind and rain have continually eroded the

Earth’s surface. C. very few meteors struck the Earth in the

past. D. vegetation has covered the craters.E. Both A and B are correct.

Q9.11

The Earth shows very little evidence of meteor impacts becauseA. plate tectonics is continuously recycling

the Earth’s crust.B. wind and rain have continually eroded the

Earth’s surface. C. very few meteors struck the Earth in the

past. D. vegetation has covered the craters.E. Both A and B are correct.

A9.11

If the early atmosphere of the Earth was composed of carbon dioxide, why does the present atmosphere contain oxygen molecules? A. Volcanoes slowly enriched the Earth’s atmosphere with oxygen.

B. When life first developed on the Earth, this life produced oxygen from carbon dioxide by photosynthesis.

C. Rainwater slowly broke down carbon dioxide into its components.

D. Oxygen was captured from space over many millions of years.

E. Solar radiation breaks down CO2.Q9.12

If the early atmosphere of the Earth was composed of carbon dioxide, why does the present atmosphere contain oxygen molecules? A. Volcanoes slowly enriched the Earth’s atmosphere with oxygen.

B. When life first developed on the Earth, this life produced oxygen from carbon dioxide by photosynthesis.

C. Rainwater slowly broke down carbon dioxide into its components.

D. Oxygen was captured from space over many millions of years.

E. Solar radiation breaks down CO2.A9.12

Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. The ozone layer that protects the Earth’s surface from ultraviolet lightA. has been present and stable for as long as we have

been measuring it. B. has shown gradual changes over the last 20 years

with a hole appearing over Antarctica. C. shows no holes yet but appears to be getting

thinner. D. shows rather large seasonal changes with large

holes appearing over the North and South Poles during their respective winters.

E. is no longer present.Q9.13

Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. The ozone layer that protects the Earth’s surface from ultraviolet lightA. has been present and stable for as long as we have

been measuring it. B. has shown gradual changes over the last 20 years

with a hole appearing over Antarctica. C. shows no holes yet but appears to be getting

thinner. D. shows rather large seasonal changes with large

holes appearing over the North and South Poles during their respective winters.

E. is no longer present.A9.13

The oxygen in our atmosphere is chemically reactive, combining with other elements to form compounds, and is also being used by respiratory life. Despite this, the amount of oxygen in our atmosphere is not decreasing because it is being replenished byA. outgassing from seawater. B. volcanic eruptions. C. biological activity, such as photosynthesis. D. meteors and comets, which bring oxygen to

the Earth. E. solar radiation breaking down CO2.

Q9.14

The oxygen in our atmosphere is chemically reactive, combining with other elements to form compounds, and is also being used by respiratory life. Despite this, the amount of oxygen in our atmosphere is not decreasing because it is being replenished byA. outgassing from seawater. B. volcanic eruptions. C. biological activity, such as photosynthesis. D. meteors and comets, which bring oxygen to

the Earth. E. solar radiation breaking down CO2.

A9.14