GED Science Earth and Space Science 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram plots stars according to their luminosity and:
- Mass
- Distance from Earth
- Surface temperature (Correct answer)
- Age
Correct answer: Surface temperature
The H-R diagram plots stellar luminosity (brightness) on the vertical axis against surface temperature (or spectral class) on the horizontal axis, revealing patterns in stellar evolution.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the rock cycle?
- The process by which the Moon causes ocean tides
- The continuous transformation of rocks from one type to another through geological processes (Correct answer)
- The formation of mountains by tectonic uplift only
- The weathering and erosion of rocks into soil
Correct answer: The continuous transformation of rocks from one type to another through geological processes
The rock cycle describes how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are continuously converted from one type to another through melting, cooling, erosion, and pressure.
Question 3: What is the main difference between weather and climate?
- Weather involves temperature only; climate involves precipitation only
- Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions; climate describes long-term patterns (Correct answer)
- Weather occurs in summer; climate occurs in winter
- Weather is measured globally; climate is measured locally
Correct answer: Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions; climate describes long-term patterns
Weather refers to day-to-day atmospheric conditions like temperature and precipitation, while climate describes the average patterns over 30 or more years for a region.
Question 4: A region that receives less than 25 cm (10 inches) of precipitation per year and has sparse vegetation is classified as a:
- Temperate forest
- Desert biome (Correct answer)
- Grassland
- Boreal forest
Correct answer: Desert biome
Deserts are defined by extremely low annual precipitation (under 25 cm), which severely limits plant and animal life, regardless of temperature.
Question 5: Which force is primarily responsible for holding stars together against the outward pressure of nuclear fusion?
- Electromagnetic force
- Strong nuclear force
- Gravity (Correct answer)
- Weak nuclear force
Correct answer: Gravity
Gravity pulling the star's mass inward balances the outward radiation pressure from nuclear fusion, maintaining a star's stable size during its main-sequence lifetime.
Question 6: Continental drift was first proposed by Alfred Wegener based partly on the observation that:
- All continents have the same climate
- The coastlines of South America and Africa appear to fit together like puzzle pieces (Correct answer)
- Earthquakes only occur at continental edges
- Ocean floors are older than continental crust
Correct answer: The coastlines of South America and Africa appear to fit together like puzzle pieces
Wegener noticed the complementary shapes of South America's eastern coast and Africa's western coast, along with matching fossils and rock formations on both continents.
Question 7: During a lunar eclipse, what is positioned between the Sun and the Moon?
- Venus
- Earth (Correct answer)
- Mercury
- A passing asteroid
Correct answer: Earth
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting Earth's shadow on the lunar surface.
GED Science Earth and Space Science 4
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram plots stars according to their luminosity and: