Unit 3 of 5
Study guide for CLEP CLEP Natural Sciences — Unit 3: Earth & Space Science. Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.
52
Practice Questions
14
Flashcards
4
Key Topics
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A researcher is studying the effects of climate change on a specific ecosystem. The researcher collects data on temperature, precipitation, and species populations over a period of 10 years. What is the primary advantage of using a long-term study like this to investigate the effects of climate change?
It allows the researcher to control for other environmental factors that may be affecting the ecosystem.
It enables the researcher to collect data on a larger number of species.
It provides a more accurate representation of short-term climate fluctuations.
It increases the risk of experimental error due to changes in instrumentation over time.
It allows the researcher to study the ecosystem in a single representative year
Answer: A — Long-term studies allow researchers to control for other environmental factors, providing a more accurate representation of the effects of climate change.
What is the farthest human-made object from Earth?
International Space Station
Hubble Space Telescope
Mars Curiosity Rover
Voyager 1
Apollo 11
Answer: D — Voyager 1 is correct because Voyager 1 has traveled far beyond other objects, while ISS orbits Earth.
A researcher is studying the effects of climate change on a specific ecosystem. The researcher collects data on temperature, precipitation, and species populations over a period of 10 years. What is the primary purpose of collecting this data?
To compare the ecosystem's temperature and precipitation with other ecosystems
To identify the most abundant species in the ecosystem
To determine the average temperature and precipitation in the ecosystem
To predict the future climate of the ecosystem
To establish a cause-and-effect relationship between climate change and species populations
Answer: E — The researcher is collecting data to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between climate change and species populations, which is a key aspect of scientific inquiry.
What is the primary component of Earth's atmosphere?
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Carbon dioxide
Helium
Hydrogen
Answer: B — Nitrogen is correct because nitrogen makes up 78% of the atmosphere, while oxygen is 21%, making nitrogen the primary component.
Which of the following best describes the process of plate tectonics?
The movement of large plates of the Earth's lithosphere
The flow of the Earth's mantle
The motion of the Earth's core
The changing of the Earth's climate
The erosion of the Earth's surface
Answer: A — The movement of large plates of the Earth's lithosphere is correct because it accurately describes plate tectonics. The flow of the Earth's mantle is related but incorrect.
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