Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Name: Answer Key
Earth Science
Date:
Period:
ANSWER KEY
Page 1
Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Density
Three different bars of soap are being investigated by a group of students. They measured the mass
and volume of each bar and recorded the results in the table below.
Soap
A
B
C
Volume (cm3)
100
100
100
Mass (g)
110
95
100
1. Calculate the density of each bar of soap. Show your work.
Soap A:
Density = Mass =
Volume
110 g
100cm3
= 1.1 g/cm3
Soap B:
Density = Mass =
Volume
95 g
100cm3
= 0.95 g/cm3
Soap C:
Density = Mass =
Volume
100 g
100cm3
= 1.00 g/cm3
2. The diagram below represents a container of water. Draw and label the positions that soap bar A,
B, and C would occupy if they were placed in the container. Explain why you drew each bar of
soap in the position selected.
Soap bar A has a greater density than water
________________________________________
so it will sink to the bottom. Soap bar B has
________________________________________
B
a lower density than the water so it will
________________________________________
float. Soap bar C has a density equal to
________________________________________
C
water so it will stay suspended in the
________________________________________
A
middle of the container of water.
________________________________________
3. How would the density of soap bar C change if it were cut in half? Explain your answer. ________
The density would not change because size/shape does not affect density.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How would the density of soap bar A change if it were heated 10˚C? Explain your answer. ______
The density would decrease because as temperature increases, density decreases.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How would the density of soap bar B change if it were compressed to half its original size? Explain
your answer. ___________________________________________________________________
The density would increase because as pressure increases, density increases.
______________________________________________________________________________
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ANSWER KEY
Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Graphing
A
B
C
D
1. Identify the relationship shown in each graph above:
Direct
A. ______________________________
Indirect
B. ______________________________
Direct
Static
C. ______________________________
Cyclic
D. ______________________________
2. Provide two examples in nature that when plotted on a grid would have a similar graph to D.
Phases of the Moon
1. ______________________________
Ocean tides
2. ______________________________
3. Base your answer to the following question on the hardness of the minerals talc (1), quartz (7),
halite (2.5), sulfur (2), and fluorite(4).
On the grid below, construct a bar graph to represent the hardness of these minerals.
ANSWER KEY
Page 3
Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Graphing 2
Base your answers to questions 1 through 3 on the data table below, which shows the average
carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere for specific years from 1930 to
2010. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas in Earth’s atmosphere that contributes to global
warming. The average carbon dioxide concentrations were measured in parts per million (ppm).
1. On the grid below, construct a line graph by plotting the average carbon dioxide concentrations in
Earth’s atmosphere for each year shown on the data table. Connect the plots with a line.
2. Identify the relationship as depicted on the graph between the average CO 2 concentration (ppm)
and time. _____________________________________________________________________
Direct relationship. As time increased, average carbon dioxide concentration increased.
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Calculate the rate of change from 2000 to 2010 of the average carbon dioxide concentrations, in
parts per million per year. Show your work.
Rate of change = change in value = 390 – 370 ppm
time
10 years
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ANSWER KEY
= 2 ppm/year
Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Earth’s Spheres
1. State the two most abundant elements, by volume, in the following locations:
Hydrogen
Oxygen
a. Hydrosphere: _____________________________
& ______________________________
b. Crust:
Oxygen
Potassium
_____________________________
& ______________________________
Nitrogen
Oxygen
c. Troposphere: _____________________________
& ______________________________
2. The diagram below shows four layers of Earth’s atmosphere.
State the name of each layer in Earth’s atmosphere.
Troposphere
A: __________________________
Stratosphere
B: __________________________
Mesosphere
C: __________________________
Thermosphere
D: __________________________
3. The ozone layer is found 10 to 30 miles above Earth’s surface. State the name of the temperature
zone of Earth’s atmosphere where the ozone layer is located. Stratosphere
____________________________
4. The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 resulted in the movement of volcanic ash at a height 1.5
kilometers above sea level. State the name of the temperature zone of Earth’s atmosphere where
Troposphere
the ash cloud traveled. ___________________________________________________________
-90˚C
5. What is the temperature of the atmosphere at the mesopause? ___________________________
6. State the altitude of the stratopause, in miles and kilometers. _______
kilometers
31 miles ________
50
7. Describe the relationship between altitude and atmospheric pressure. ______________________
8.
As
altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases. (Indirect)
______________________________________________________________________________
Troposphere
In which layer of the atmosphere is most of the water vapor found? ________________________
ANSWER KEY
Page 5
Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Altitude of Polaris
The diagram below shows an observer viewing the star Polaris.
43°N
1. What is the latitude of the observer? ________________________________________________
2. State the name of one city in New York State where this observer could be located. ___________
Syracuse, Utica, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester
______________________________________________________________________________
No!
3. Can you see Polaris in the Southern Hemisphere? _____________________________________
Point directly overhead (90˚ above an observer)
4. What is the zenith? ____________________________________________________________
90˚N (North Pole)
5. Where on Earth would you be located if Polaris was found at the zenith? __________________
6. Describe the relationship between latitude and the altitude of Polaris. ______________________
As latitude increases, the altitude of Polaris increases.
______________________________________________________________________________
7. If you travel from directly from Binghamton, NY to Jamestown, NY, what happens to the altitude of
Altitude of Polaris remains the same because
Polaris? Explain your answer. ______________________________________________________
Binghamton & Jamestown are at the same latitude.
______________________________________________________________________________
8. The diagram below shows the positions of constellations in the night sky as viewed by a group of
students.
a. Circle Polaris on the diagram.
North
b. Which compass direction were these students facing? __________________________
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ANSWER KEY
Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Latitude & Longitude
The world map below has points A through G and points 1 and 2 labeled.
1. Determine the latitude and longitude of the following points (include unit and direction):
115°W
a. Point B: 35°N,
_______________________
10˚S, 40˚W
c. Point D: _______________________
25°S, 70°W
b. Point C: _______________________
d. Point G: _______________________
45°S, 75°E
2. Determine the point nearest the latitude and longitude coordinates given:
Point E
a. 30˚N, 15˚W: ____________________
Point A
c. 55˚N, 170˚W: ___________________
Point H
b. 67˚S, 65˚E: _____________________
Point F
d. 55˚N, 83˚E: ____________________
Equator
3. What is the name of the 0˚ latitude line? ______________________________________________
Prime Meridian
4. What is the name of the 0˚ longitude line? ____________________________________________
15°
5. How many degrees of longitude separate each time zone? _______________________________
increase.
6. As you go east, time will _______________________.
35°N, 115°W
get less.
7. As you go west, time will _______________________.
11 a.m.
8. If it is 7:00 am at Point 1, what time is it at point 2? _______________________
42°N
9. If the altitude of Polaris of an observer is 42˚, what it the observer’s latitude? _________________
25°
10. If your latitude is 25˚N, what is the altitude of Polaris? ___________________________________
Can’t see Polaris in S. Hemisphere
11. What is the altitude of Polaris if your latitude is 41˚S? ___________________________________
ANSWER KEY
Page 7
Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Isolines
Base your answers to the questions below on the temperature field map below. The map shows
temperature readings (°C) recorded by students in a science classroom. The readings were taken at
the same time at floor level. Temperature readings for points A and B are labeled on the map.
1. On the temperature field map, use solid lines to draw the 18°C, 20°C, and 22°C isotherms.
Isotherms must extend to the boundary of the map. Label each isotherm to indicate its
temperature.
2. Determine the temperature gradient from point A to point B by following the directions below.
a. Write the equation used to determine the gradient.
b. Substitute values from the field map into the equation.
c. Solve the equation and label the answer with the proper units.
Gradient = change in field value = 22°C - 19°C
distance
6m
Page 8
ANSWER KEY
= 3°C = 0.5°C/m
6m
Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Topographic Maps
On the topographic map below, Letters A, B, C, D, and E represent locations on Earth’s surface.
Letters K, L, M, and N are locations along Copper Creek. Points 1 and 2 are locations in the Amethyst
River. Elevations are measured in meters.
2
1
1. How do you know Copper Creek is flowing faster between points N&M, than between points L&K?
There are more lines closer together between N&M so it is steeper than between L&K.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
10 m
2. What is the elevation for point A? __________________
29 m
3. What is the highest possible elevation for the island in the NW corner of the map? ___________
2.5 km
4. What is the distance between points D & E? __________________
5. Calculate the gradient between points B & C. Show your work.
Gradient = change in field value
distance
=
50 – 10 m
2 km
ANSWER KEY
= 40 m
2 km
= 20 m/km
Page 9
Part 1: Prologue & Earth’s Dimensions
Topographic Maps 2
Base your answers to questions 1 through 4 on the map below, which shows elevations in feet at
various points. The southern part of the map has contour lines representing elevations at 20-foot
intervals. Lines AB and CD are reference lines on the map.
E
1. On the map above, draw contour lines for the 780-ft, 760-ft, and 740-ft elevations. Extend your
contour lines to the edges of the map.
2. On the grid above, construct a topographic profile along line AB by plotting the elevation of each
contour line that crosses line AB. Connect the plots with a line to complete the profile.
3. Calculate the gradient along line CD and label your answer with the correct units.
a. Write the equation for gradient.
b. Substitute the correct values into the equation.
c. Calculate the gradient and label your answers with correct units.
Gradient = change in field value
distance
=
800 – 760 ft = 25 feet/mile
1.6 miles
901 feet
4. What is the lowest possible elevation of point E? _____________________
5. Explain how the contour lines indicate the direction of flow of Otter Creek. ___________________
The contour lines bend upstream so Otter Creek is flowing north/northeast.
______________________________________________________________________________
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ANSWER KEY