In which sequence are the celestial objects correctly listed in order from the smallest mass to the largest mass?
Saturn, solar system, Milky Way, universe
Saturn, universe, Milky Way, solar system
Milky Way, Saturn, solar system, universe
Milky Way, universe, solar system, Saturn
2. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
The red shift of light from distant galaxies provides evidence that these galaxies are
decreasing in size
increasing in size
decreasing in distance from Earth
increasing in distance from Earth
3. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
The best evidence of Earth’s rotation is provided by the
Foucault pendulum and global warming
Foucault pendulum and Coriolis effect
Moon phases and global warming
Moon phases and Coriolis effect
4. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
Which sphere of Earth covers approximately 70%of Earth’s surface?
atmosphere
hydrosphere
lithosphere
asthenosphere
5. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
Some of the constellations that are visible to New York State observers at midnight in December are different from the constellations that are visible at midnight in June because
constellations revolve around Earth
constellations rotate on an axis
Earth rotates on its axis
Earth revolves around the Sun
6. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
**According to the diagram, where will high ocean tides and low ocean tides most likely be located?
high tides at A and B; low tides at C and D
high tides at B and D; low tides at A and C
high tides at A and C; low tides at B and D
high tides at C and D; low tides at A and B
7. Multiple Choice
1 minute
1 pt
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued on a warm summer afternoon. Which present weather symbol represents the dangerous solid form of precipitation that is commonly associated with some of these severe thunderstorms?
snow
sleet
hail
freezing rain
8. Multiple Choice
1 minute
1 pt
The barometric trend for the past three hours on a station model reads: +02\ This location has experienced a steady increase of
0.2 mb
0.002 mb
2.0 mb
0.02 mb
9. Multiple Choice
1 minute
1 pt
Which New York State location is most often affected by lake-effect snow storms caused by winds blowing over Lake Ontario?
Jamestown
Oswego
Plattsburgh
Riverhead
10. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
Which type of air mass would most likely form over the northern Pacific Ocean?
mP
cP
mT
cT
11. Multiple Choice
30 seconds
1 pt
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in eastern Africa at 3° S. Which climate factor best explains the presence of permanent snow on its peak?
latitude
prevailing winds
elevation
ocean currents
12. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
Equal masses of granite, iron, copper, and lead are placed in sunlight. Based on specific heat, which material will warm up the fastest?
granite
copper
iron
lead
13. Multiple Choice
30 seconds
1 pt
During explosive volcanic eruptions, large amounts of ash entering Earth’s atmosphere often rise to an altitude of 20 kilometers. What is the most likely effect of this ash cloud?
a decrease in the insolation reaching Earth’s surface
a decrease in the thickness of Earth’s stratosphere layer
an increase in the insolation reaching Earth’s surface
an increase in the thickness of Earth’s stratosphere layer
14. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
Approximately how many years ago did Earth and other planets in our solar system form?
8.2 billion years ago
542 million years ago
13.8 billion years ago
4600 million years ago
15. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
Scientists infer that the Big Bang occurred approximately
4.6 billion years ago
7 billion years ago
9 billion years ago
13.8 billion years ago
16. Multiple Choice
30 seconds
1 pt
Which process produces the largest amount of energy given off by stars?
nuclear fusion of lighter elements into heavier elements
nuclear fusion of heavier elements into lighter elements
radioactive decay of lighter elements into heavier elements
radioactive decay of heavier elements into lighter elements
17. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
Which two factors caused the interior layering of Earth and other planets in our solar system during their formation?
cosmic background radiation and density differences
cosmic background radiation and specific heat
gravity and density differences
gravity and specific heat
18. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
The altitude of Polaris measured by an observer at the Tropic of Cancer is
15°
66.5°
23.5°
90°
19. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
During which month does the Sun rise north of due east in New York State?
February
October
July
December
20. Multiple Choice
1 minute
1 pt
Which change in the heat energy content of water occurs when water changes phase from a liquid to a solid?
gain of 334 Joules of heat energy per gram
release of 334 Joules of heat energy per gram
gain of 2260 Joules of heat energy per gram
release of 2260 Joules of heat energy per gram
21. Multiple Choice
30 seconds
1 pt
What is the primary source of energy for Earth’s weather systems?
incoming solar radiation
subtropical jet streams
precipitation from clouds
heat from Earth’s interior
22. Multiple Choice
1 minute
1 pt
As altitude increases in the troposphere and stratosphere, the air temperature
decreases in the troposphere and increases in the stratosphere
decreases in both the troposphere and stratosphere
increases in the troposphere and decreases in the stratosphere
increases in both the troposphere and stratosphere
23. Multiple Choice
45 seconds
1 pt
Which factor causes the surface of Lake Ontario to cool at a slower rate than the surface of the land along the shore of the lake?
Evaporating water releases more heat into the lake than into the land.
Lake water has a higher specific heat than land.
Water vapor cools the lake as it condenses.
Sunlight passes through the top layers of the lake water.
24. Multiple Choice
1 minute
1 pt
Summer monsoon rains normally occur in India when
high pressure exists over land, pulling moisture in from the Indian Ocean
high pressure exists over land, pushing moisture out to the Indian Ocean
low pressure exists over land pulling moisture in from the Indian Ocean
low pressure exists over land pushing moisture out to the Indian Ocean
25. Multiple Choice
30 seconds
1 pt
When Earth is closest to the Sun, which season is occurring in the Northern Hemisphere?