FREE WCAS Earth and Space Science Questions and Answers

Question 1

Many different energy sources are used to produce electricity. The Amount of Carbon Dioxide Released graph shows the amount of carbon dioxide gas released by some energy sources, in grams per kilowatt hour (g/kWh).

Which change in energy sources would cause the greatest decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide released?

Accepted Answer

Increasing hydroelectric and reducing coal

Answer

Replacing natural gas with coal

Answer

Replacing nuclear with natural gas

Answer

Increasing wind and reducing nuclear

Question 2

A student stood quietly in a field observing a rabbit eating grass. The student moved and stepped on a twig. The twig broke, which made a loud sound, and the rabbit ran away.

Choose the order that shows how a rabbit processes information after hearing a twig break.
1 - The rabbit hears a twig break.
2 -
3 -
4 -

A. The rabbit acts.
B. The rabbit's brain processes information.
C. The rabbit's brain sends a message to act.

Accepted Answer

BCA

Answer

ABC

Answer

CBA

Answer

BAC

Question 3

From November to February, the constellation Orion is clearly visible in the night sky from Mississippi. Orion appears to rise from the east and set in the west. The stars do not actually move through the sky. They appear to change positions due to the Earth's Movement.

What factor is responsible for the changes in Orion's position when viewed during the winter month?

Accepted Answer

The rotation of Earth on its axis

Answer

The rotation of the Sun

Answer

The revolution of the Sun around the Earth

Answer

The revolution of the moon around the Sun

Question 4

Which celestial body is primarily responsible for causing ocean tides on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Moon

Answer

Sun

Answer

Jupiter

Answer

Venus

Question 5

What type of eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Solar eclipse

Answer

Lunar eclipse

Answer

Total eclipse

Answer

Partial eclipse

Question 6

Which layer of the Earth is composed of solid iron and nickel?

Accepted Answer

Inner core

Answer

Crust

Answer

Mantle

Answer

Outer core

Question 7

What type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?

Accepted Answer

Igneous

Answer

Sedimentary

Answer

Metamorphic

Answer

Crystalline

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a type of plate boundary?

Accepted Answer

Perpendicular boundary

Answer

Convergent boundary

Answer

Divergent boundary

Answer

Transform boundary

Question 9

What type of weathering involves the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical weathering

Answer

Chemical weathering

Answer

Erosional weathering

Answer

Biological weathering

Question 10

What term describes the process of water vapor changing into liquid water?

Accepted Answer

Condensation

Answer

Evaporation

Answer

Precipitation

Answer

Sublimation