Physics Test 21B
 
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Physics Test 21B

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1. 

Earth’s lithosphere is composed of
a.
the crust only.
b.
the mantle only.
c.
the crust and the upper portion of the mantle.
d.
the mantle and the upper portion of the outer core.
 

 2. 

One hypothesis states that plate movement results from convection currents in the
a.
mantle.
c.
lithosphere.
b.
asthenosphere.
d.
outer core.
 

 3. 

A convergent boundary occurs where two plates
a.
move toward each other.
c.
move past each other.
b.
move away from each other.
d.
move over each other.
 

 4. 

A transform fault boundary occurs where two plates
a.
move toward each other.
c.
move past each other.
b.
move away from each other.
d.
move over each other.
 

 5. 

The reversal of Earth’s magnetic poles, as indicated by the rock on the ocean floor, occurs on average every
a.
100,000 years.
c.
300,000 years
b.
200,000 years.
d.
400,000 years
 

 6. 

A seismograph measures
a.
how much the surface of Earth moves during an earthquake.
b.
the speed of S waves.
c.
the force of the earthquake.
d.
the location of the epicenter.
 

 7. 

The magnitude of earthquakes is expressed using
a.
the Richter scale.
c.
the amplitude of the P waves.
b.
the Mercalli scale.
d.
the Mohs’ scale.
 

 8. 

The magma of shield volcanoes is rich in
a.
nitrogen and oxygen.
c.
silica.
b.
magnesium and iron.
d.
hydrogen.
 
 
nar001-1.jpg
 

 9. 

The rock labeled “B” is
a.
igneous.
c.
sedimentary.
b.
metamorphic.
d.
magma.
 

 10. 

The rock labeled “A” is
a.
igneous.
c.
sedimentary.
b.
metamorphic.
d.
magma.
 

 11. 

Limestone can be metamorphosed into
a.
gneiss.
c.
marble.
b.
shale.
d.
slate.
 

 12. 

Weathering that does not alter the chemical composition of the rock is called
a.
chemical weathering.
c.
biological weathering.
b.
physical weathering.
d.
acid weathering.
 
 
nar002-1.jpg
 

 13. 

Which of the following valley shapes would glaciers produce?
a.
A
c.
C
b.
B
d.
D
 

 14. 

Rain is naturally
a.
slightly acidic.
c.
slightly basic.
b.
very acidic.
d.
very basic.
 

 15. 

What is the layer directly beneath Earth’s crust called?
a.
oceanic crust
c.
outer core
b.
inner core
d.
mantle
 

 16. 

Because of intense pressure, the inner core of Earth is
a.
liquid.
c.
solid.
b.
gaseous.
d.
plastic.
 

 17. 

Which of the following gives evidence for plate tectonics?
a.
magnetic alignment of oceanic rock
b.
movement of crust away from a plate boundary
c.
cooling molten rock
d.
the age of Earth’s crust
 

 18. 

Mid-oceanic ridges are formed by
a.
bends and folds along the subduction zone.
b.
cooled magma that hardens between diverging plates.
c.
the diving of oceanic plates.
d.
collisions of Earth’s continental crust.
 

 19. 

Where do most earthquakes occur?
a.
along convergent boundaries
b.
at vents in Earth’s crust
c.
near hot spots
d.
along shifting plate boundaries
 

 20. 

The location on Earth’s surface where most earthquake damage occurs is called the
a.
focus.
c.
epicenter.
b.
vent.
d.
surface wave point.
 

 21. 

Longitudinal waves are called primary waves because they
a.
are shaped like a “P.”
b.
reach recording stations first.
c.
only move across Earth’s surface.
d.
cause the most destruction.
 

 22. 

A _____ wave does not originate from the focus.
a.
transverse
c.
longitudinal
b.
direct
d.
surface
 

 23. 

Which of the following statements is not true about the Richter scale?
a.
The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake.
b.
Earthquakes with equal ratings do not have the same severity.
c.
The Richter scale allows us to make predictions of earthquake severity.
d.
Each step of the scale represents a 30-fold increase in energy released.
 

 24. 

Where do volcanoes tend to form?
a.
convergent plate boundaries
c.
hot spots
b.
divergent plate boundaries
d.
All of the above
 

 25. 

Shield volcanoes are known for their
a.
mild eruptions.
c.
small size.
b.
viscous magma.
d.
ash production.
 

 26. 

What determines the severity of volcanic eruptions?
a.
composition of magma
c.
frequency of eruptions
b.
size of the volcano
d.
number of vents
 

 27. 

Volcanoes that form along convergent plate boundaries are located
a.
along the Ring of Fire.
c.
at high altitudes.
b.
at the edges of plate collisions
d.
underwater.
 

 28. 

Cinder cone and composite volcanoes both
a.
go dormant quickly.
c.
are of similar size.
b.
have trapped gas.
d.
have mild eruptions.
 

 29. 

Feldspar is considered a _____ because it has a characteristic chemical composition and a definite internal structure.
a.
sedimentary rock
c.
igneous rock
b.
mineral
d.
metamorphic rock
 

 30. 

An igneous rock forms when molten rock
a.
cools.
c.
crystallizes.
b.
hardens.
d.
All of the above
 

 31. 

Why does obsidian, an igneous rock, appear smooth and glassy?
a.
Its crystals cool quickly.
c.
It has large, numerous crystals.
b.
Its crystals cool slowly.
d.
None of the above
 

 32. 

Which of the following statements is not true about sedimentary rocks?
a.
They are formed from compressed layers of sediment.
b.
They are formed when dissolved minerals fuse sediments together.
c.
They may contain old rocks.
d.
They are completely inorganic.
 

 33. 

Which of the following transforms sedimentary rocks into metamorphic rocks?
a.
seasonal heating and cooling
c.
extreme heat and pressure
b.
Earth’s magnetic field
d.
radioactive decay
 

 34. 

_____ occurs when water fills cracks in rock and freezes.
a.
Frost wedging
c.
Deposition
b.
Chemical weathering
d.
Oxidation
 

 35. 

What causes rock fragments to move down inclines?
a.
magnetism
c.
gravity
b.
minerals
d.
magma
 

 36. 

Abrasion caused by particles in water is a type of
a.
acid precipitation.
c.
sediment deposition.
b.
physical weathering.
d.
chemical weathering.
 

 37. 

Water plays a part in chemical weathering during
a.
leaching.
c.
oxidation.
b.
acid precipitation.
d.
All of the above
 

 38. 

Which process forms ocean cliffs?
a.
glacial abrasion
c.
deforestation
b.
deposition
d.
water erosion
 

 39. 

The continental crust is deepest beneath
a.
oceans.
c.
valleys.
b.
mountains.
d.
rivers.
 

 40. 

About 80 percent of Earth’s volume is made up of
a.
crust.
c.
inner core.
b.
mantle.
d.
outer core.
 

 41. 

Which of these does not support the theory of plate tectonics?
a.
Some continental coastlines fit together.
b.
Similar fossils are found on separate continents.
c.
Older rocks are found farther apart in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
d.
Earth’s core is solid.
 

 42. 

A geologic feature of divergent plate boundaries in oceanic crust is the formation of
a.
mountain ranges.
c.
U-shaped valleys.
b.
fossils.
d.
faults.
 

 43. 

A zone where oceanic crust dives beneath continental crust is called a zone of
a.
subduction.
c.
reduction.
b.
divergence.
d.
rifting.
 

 44. 

Earthquakes occur mostly
a.
in the middle of continents.
c.
at plate boundaries.
b.
in the asthenosphere.
d.
at the edges of the continents.
 

 45. 

Which of the following is not a characteristic of S waves?
a.
They travel slower than P waves.
b.
They travel through solids and liquids.
c.
They are transverse waves.
d.
None of the above
 



 
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