Use these questions to test your understanding. If you get them wrong, you will be linked back to the relevant part of the notes.
Be sure you study them thoroughly (don't just get a quick fix for your mistake) so your overall understanding is improved.
1. The current arrangement of continents and oceans on the earth’s surface
a. has been present since the earth formed b. is the result of meteor collisions
c. is the result of the formation of the moon d. is the result of motion of plates
2. The earth's atmosphere has
a. changed only due to the action of humans b. remained the same since the earth formed
c. changed due to meteors d. changed due to the moon
e. changed due to volcanoes, rainwater induced chemical reactions, and photosynthesis
3. Aurorae are seen around the Earth and Jupiter because
a. both have strong magnetic fields b. both have oxygen atmospheres
c. both have volcanoes d. both have strong gravitational fields
e. both can attract particles from the sun
4. A planet that is differentiated
a. was put together from different bodies with distinct compositions
b. formed from a dense, metallic object to which rocky debris got added later
c. developed a surface of low density rocks deposited through volcano eruptions
d. will have plate tectonics as a result
e. must have been sufficiently molten that the denser materials sank to the center
5. The magnetic field of the earth
a. has remained constant since the planet formed
b. fluctuates in strength and reverses direction about every 20,000 years
c. has been steadily decreasing as the core of the earth cools
d. is produced by convection in the hot mantle of the planet
e. proves that there is a solid core to our planet
6. The most useful means to explore the crust and mantle of the earth is
a. studying earthquakes and seismic waves
b. drilling deep holes down into the earth
c. going down in very deep mines and making measurements
d. studying the motions of the continents
e. comparing the properties of the earth with those of other planets
7. The convection of hot rocks in the mantle of the earth occurs because
a. water deep within the earth boils and forces rocks upward
b. the mantle is stirred by the magnetic field as the earth spins
d. the motions of the continents stir up the rock underneath
e. the effects of tidal forces from the moon
8. We know the interior of the earth is liquid because
a. on a quiet night, you can feel it slosh
b. the way the earth wobbles on its axis shows it is not all solid
c. deep gold mines reach the liquid layer
d. earthquake waves that can't go through liquids are blocked by the interior of the earth
e. it is larger through the equator than through the poles
9. If there were no plate motions and continent building,
a. the earth would look pretty much like it does now
b. everything would be under water
c. only the polar caps would stick out of the water
d. the continents would still be there, but the mountains would be much lower