Patterns In Systems

The water cycle shows the movement of water in the Earth system.

How are the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles similar? a. They are all biogeochemical cycles. b. They all involve an interaction between living and nonliving elements. c. They are all part of the Earth system. d. All of the above.

The amount of sunlight received at Earth's surface fluctuates more at the poles than the equator.

Why are a variety of instruments needed to measure change in the climate system? a. A different type of instrument is needed for each different climate. b. The climate system involves a number of different factors that are measured differently. c. Climate is determined over a number of years, rather than a short period of time. d. Different areas have developed different instruments to measure climate change.

It is believed the major reason for the decline in amphibian species is _______. a. death through disease b. changing reproductive habits c. mutation d. climate change

Where are rain gauges located? a. on or near the ground b. one meter above the ground c. on weather balloons d. on satellites

The movement of oceans has no impact on the Earth's climate.

How do landfills contribute to global warming? a. They keep people from recycling. b. Animals become dependent on landfills for resources. c. They take up valuable space. d. They produce methane, a greenhouse gas.

Which of the following is an effect of global warming? a. falling sea levels b. decrease in the acidity of seawater c. heavier rainfall and flooding d. health improvements

Which of the following was the leading cause of global fossil carbon emissions in 2004? a. petroleum b. coal c. natural gas d. cement production

Which of the following statements about biogeochemical cycles is not true? a. Biogeochemical cycles include living and nonliving elements. b. The rock cycle is a biogeochemical cycle. c. Biogeochemical cycles are an important part of the Earth system. d. Carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles are biogeochemical cycles.

There is only one possible path for each stage in the rock cycle.

There is a single instrument to measure climate change.

The movement of oceans has no impact on the Earth's climate.

Which of the following is not an advantage to tracking changes in the climate system? a. forecasting weather b. predicting natural disasters c. tracking human impact on climate d. preventing weather events

Which of the following is not a use for a weather radar? a. forecasting weather b. locating precipitation c. determining type of precipitation d. measuring temperature

According to the GLOBE maps viewed online, it can be inferred that solar energy is not the only factor affecting average global temperature because _______. a. the area between the equator and pole have distinct seasons that switch back and forth as the Earth orbits around the sun b. the south pole experiences mild temperature fluctuations with large variations in solar energy while the opposite is true for the north pole c. the poles have extremes in the level of solar energy and extremes in temperature d. a and c

Why are a variety of instruments needed to measure change in the climate system? a. A different type of instrument is needed for each different climate. b. The climate system involves a number of different factors that are measured differently. c. Climate is determined over a number of years, rather than a short period of time. d. Different areas have developed different instruments to measure climate change.