Science Final Flashcards

1
Q

We use only about ___ for crops
4%
5%
6%
14%

A

4%

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2
Q

Only ~0.5% of water on earth is available freshwater
True
False

A

true

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3
Q

Too much water can be bad for the earth.
True
False

A

true

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4
Q

The factors that cause water problems do not include:
Weather and Climate
Drinking Water
Population Growth
Sharing Water Resources Among Countries
None of the choices is correct

A

None of the choices is correct

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5
Q

Some of the strategics to conserve water are
Install water-saving shower heads and faucets
Install low-flush toilets
Purchase high efficiency appliances
None of the choices are correct
All of the choices are correct

A

All of the choices are correct

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6
Q

Many developing countries have sufficient water to meet drinking and household needs
True
False

A

False

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7
Q

The Environmental Impacts of agricultural use of fossil fuels and pesticides contribute to air pollution.
True
False

A

True

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8
Q

overfishing can lead to loss in biodiversity.

True
False

A

True

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9
Q

Earth’s biological diversity is disappearing at an unprecedented rate
True
False

A

True

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10
Q

This specie is extinct
Abingdon tortoise
Pitcher Plant
Black Rhinoceros
Hawk
Mountain Gorilla

A

Abingdon tortoise

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11
Q

The main problem with energy from nuclear fusion power is:
fusion technology requires vast quantities of uranium
None of these
fusion power still remains to be proven practical to control
it is dependent upon hydrogen, a limited fuel resource.
fusion only occurs in the sun, and we don’t know how the sun’s energy is produced

A

fusion power still remains to be proven practical to control

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12
Q

Which of the following is a liquid fuel converted from biomass?
charcoal
hydrogen
methanol
methane
propane

A

methanol

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13
Q

The amount of solar radiation hitting the Earth depends on:
the time of day
All of these
the distance from the equator
the season of the year
the amount of cloud cover

A

All of these

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14
Q

Which U.S. government agency manages federally owned land?
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
National Park Service
All of these choices are correct
U.S. Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management

A

All of these choices are correct

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15
Q

The two areas of the world with the greatest food insecurity are:
South America and South Asia
South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
South America and sub-Saharan Africa
the Middle East and South Asia
China and sub-Saharan Africa

A

South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa

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16
Q

Removing too much fresh water from a river or lake can
A. result in increasing salinity for associated estuaries.
B. cause a local increase in bird populations due to an increase in available habitat.
C. have little effect on associated wetland areas.
D. increase the productivity of associated wetlands.
E. reduce an area’s precipitation.

A

result in increasing salinity for associated estuaries

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17
Q

Water problems are particularly severe in the
A. Pacific Northwest.
B. American Southwest (Colorado River basin).
C. High Plains.
D. Gulf Coast states.
E. Upper Midwest.

A

American Southwest (Colorado Basin)

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18
Q

Cities are encouraging individual water conservation by
A. including water charges in the rent.
B. providing economic incentives for installing water saving household fixtures.
C. repairing city water mains and pipes to improve “water accountability”.
D. collecting and storing rain water for redistribution to individuals.
E. decreasing the price of water.

A

providing economic incentives for installing water saving household fixtures

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19
Q

Future climate change will likely
A. have no effect on precipitation.
B. cause an increase in precipitation.
C. cause a decrease in precipitation.
D. cause an increase in precipitation in some areas and a decrease in others.
E. cause extreme droughts throughout all of North America.

A

cause an increase in precipitation in some areas and a decreased in others

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20
Q

Excessive removal of groundwater can result in
a. rising water tables.
b. sinkhole formation.
c. groundwater desalinization.
d. increased discharge to streams.
e. all of these choices are correct

A

-sinkhole formation

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21
Q

Which of the following human activities or features does NOT significantly contribute to flooding?
draining of wetlands
zoning restrictions
all of these significantly contribute to flooding
deforestation
paving surfaces for roads and parking

A

-zoning restrictions

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22
Q

Around the world, about ___ people live without adequate access to safe drinking water?
A.0.75 billion
B.10 million
C.98 million
D.1.5 billion
E.5.2 billion

A

0.75 billion

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23
Q

Which of the following best describes ground water?
water moving from precipitation over the ground to rivers and lakes
water that is completely independent of surface water
water found above the water table
water found in lakes and rivers
water flowing through permeable rocks and sediments

A

water flowing through permeable rocks and sediments

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24
Q

Which of the following is the most effective way to reduce flood related damage?
restricting development on flood plains
constructing new buildings
paving new roads
building expensive levees
creating exposed, barren hillsides by clear cutting woodlands

A

restricting development on flood plains

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25
Q

Saltwater and saline groundwater can be made drinkable by a process called
trickle irrigation
boiling
reverse osmosis
salinization
osmosis

A

-reverse osmosis

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26
Q

The effects of flooding are more destructive today than in the past because
buildings are constructed on flood plains
deforestation
all of these significantly contribute to flooding
paving surfaces for roads and parking
draining of wetlands

A

buildings are constructed on flood plains

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27
Q

The process of forcing saltwater through a permeable membrane in order to remove salt from ground water from the water is termed
a. chlorination.
b. distillation.
c. reverse osmosis.
d. saltwater intrusion.
e. salinization.

A

-reverse osmosis

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28
Q

Most freshwater is present in the form of:
water in rivers
water in lakes
groundwater
ice caps and glaciers
atmospheric water vapor

A

ice caps and glaciers

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29
Q

Artificial lakes in which water is stored for later use are called
estuaries
reservoirs
lakes
cisterns
ponds

A

-reservoirs

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30
Q

Which of the following have a vested interest in resolving the water rights controversy along the Mississippi river?
A. farmers
B. Native Americans
C. recreational and tourism groups
D. hydroelectric producers
E. all of these groups have a vested interest

A

all of these groups have a vested interest

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31
Q

One way to make agricultural water more sustainable is through
microirrigation
plot flooding
“use it or lose it” water allotments for farmers
international water swaps
water diversion

A

-microirrigation

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32
Q

Nonportable water that has already been used once but is reused for toilets or car washing is called
household water
gray water
secondhand water
reclaimed water
xeriscaped water

A

-gray water

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33
Q

Which of the following countries does not face significant water supply challenges?
Which of the following countries does NOT face significant water supply challenges?
A. United States
B. Iraq
C. China
D. Mexico
E. None; all of these countries face water supply challenges.

A

none: all of these countries face water supply challenges

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34
Q

Desalinization is a particularly large industry in
A. Arizona
B. France
C. Russia
D. Saudi Arabia
E. Denmark

A

Saudi Arabia

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35
Q

The average U.S. citizen can conserve water by

A

All of these choices can help conserve water

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36
Q

The upper limit of an unconfined underground reservoir of water is termed the
watershed
water table
groundwater
aquifer
wetland

A

water table

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37
Q

Complete the following analogy: Dam is to ___ an levee is to ____.
A. xeriscaping / hydroponics
B. electricity / natural gas
C. reservoir / flood plain
D. stable runoff / reclaimed water
E. aquifer / drainage basin

A

-reservoir / flood plain

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38
Q

All of the following are successful motivators for consumers to conserve water EXCEPT:
All these choices are true
effective education
increased water prices
improved technology
water rationing

A

water rationing

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39
Q

In many developing countries, individuals
A. utilize excessive amounts of water for irrigation.
B. consume about 200 gallons of fresh water per day.
C. have insufficient water to meet basic drinking and household needs.
D. use the most current technology to increase their water use efficiency.
E. rely on desalinization to provide the majority of their water needs.

A

have insufficient water to meet basic drinking and household needs

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40
Q

Planting the same crop year after year
a) does not deplete essential nutrients from the
soil
b) increases damage by insects and disease
c) will slowly increase crop yields
d) decreases soil erosion
e) is a new and innovative agricultural practice

A

increases damage by insects and disease

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41
Q

Increased soil erosion may be caused by all of the following except:
construction of buildings
construction of shelterbelts
agriculture
clearcutting large forested areas
construction of roads

A

-construction of shelterbelts

42
Q

Mulch:
a) helps to control weeds.
b) reduces evaporation.
c) extends the growing season.
d) decreases soil erosion.
e) All of these choices are correct

A

all of the choices are correct

43
Q

organic fertilizers:
a) have nutrients immediately available to plants.
b) can consist of manure, crop residues, or bone meal.
c) are quickly leached out of the soil by rain.
d) are manufactured.
e) have minimal effect on the production of a given crop.

A

can consist of manure, crop residues, or bone meal.

44
Q

The soils of tropical rain forests tend to be nutrient poor due to
a. extensive wind erosion.
b. the fact that nutrient minerals are stored primarily in the vegetation.
c. removal of native plants, largely grasses, depleting the nutrient minerals.
d. sediment washing into streams from intact forests. Incorrect
e. poor crop rotation practices in slash-and-burn agriculture.

A

the fact that nutrient minerals are stored primarily in the vegetation

45
Q

Soil degradation is primarily attributed to
a) erosion, excessive tillage and coastal location
b) exhaustion of parent material, severe climate
c) poor agricultural practices, overgrazing and
deforestation
d) wildfires, surplus soil organisms and dense
vegetation
e) heavy rainfall, agroforestry and crop rotation

A

poor agricultural practices, overgrazing, and deforestation

46
Q

A(n) _____ is a type of soil that usually forms in colder climates beneath coniferous forests and makes poor farm land because it is often too acidic and nutrient poor.
a) mollisol.
b) oxisol.
c) aridisol.
d) alfisol.
e) spodosol.

A

-spodosol

47
Q

Which of the following two regions have the largest land areas with extensive soil damage?
a) Europe and Asia
b) North and South America
c) Africa and Asia
d) Europe and South America
e) Africa and North America

A

Africa and Asia

48
Q

A major problem with conservation tillage is
a) the soil becomes compact.
b) soil erosion increases.
c) it increases insect populations.
d) it requires greater use of herbicides to control weeds.
e) the soil contains less organic matter.

A

it requires greater use of herbicides to control weeds

49
Q

which of the following is not true of conservation tilling?
a) a method of cultivation in which residues from previous crops are left in the soil
b) residues are partially covering soil and helping it to hold seeds
c) there are several types including no tilling
d) over 70% of US farmland was planted using conservation tilling in the early 2000s
e) all these are false

A

over 70% of U.S. farmland was planted using conservation tilling in the early 2000s

50
Q

The difference between compost and mulch is:
a) compost is mixed into soil to improve fertility; mulch is placed on soil’s surface to control weeds and retain moisture.
b) compost is made of inorganic materials; mulch is made of organic materials.
c) compost is used in landfills, individual property owners use mulch.
d) composting is an expensive commercial process; mulching is a do-it-yourself endeavor.
e) There is no difference. Mulch and compost are synonyms.

A

compost is mixed into soil to improve fertility; mulch is placed on soil’s surface to control weeds and retain moisture

51
Q

soil is composed of
air
mineral particles
water.
All of these
organic materials

A

all of these

52
Q

The 1930s Dust Bowl in the western United States is an example of
a) the use of flood plains for agriculture leading
to desertification
b) the relationship between economics and
annual precipitation
c) human activities not being the cause of or
accentuating soil problems
d) the natural cycle of climate disasters in that
region
e) prolonged drought and accelerated wind
erosion caused by use of marginal land for
agriculture

A

prolonged drought and accelerated wind erosion caused by use of marginal land for agriculture

53
Q

A(n) _________ is a type of soil that forms in tropical and subtropical regions where organic material decomposes so fast there is very little A-horizon.

a) mollisol.
b) oxisol.
c) aridisol.
d) alfisol.
e) spodosol.

A

oxisol

54
Q

Scientists know relatively little about the roles of most soil organisms because

A

it is hard to study them in a natural environment

55
Q

Worldwide, 75 billion metric tons (83 billion tons) of topsoil are lost annually, primarily due to:
a. poor agricultural practices.
b. global warming.
c. ozone depletion.
d. the soil rustler’s black market.
e. conservation tillage.

A

poor agricultural practices

56
Q

The removal of dissolved minerals from the soil as water moves downward is called:
a. illuviation.
b. leaching.
c. deposition.
d. decomposition.
e. weathering.

A

leaching

57
Q

Humus is composed of
a) weathered rocks
b) fresh leaf litter
c) iron and aluminum compounds.
d) decomposed organic matter.
e) various inorganic minerals.

A

decomposed organic matter

58
Q

compost is
a) a natural fertilizer
b) used to minimize soil erosion.
c) placed on the soil surface when used.
d) used to minimize water loss from the soil.
e) used to control weeds.

A

a natural fertilizer

59
Q

soil is formed from parent material by biological, chemical, and physical ____ ________.
digestion processes
composting
leaching
terracing
weathering processes

A

weathering processes

60
Q

which of the following may affect the mineral composition of soil?

A

All of these

61
Q

The deposition of leached material in the lower layers of the soil is called:

A

illuviation

62
Q

the uppermost layer of soil that is rich in plant litter and other organic material is the
a) A horizon.
b) B horizon.
c) C horizon.
d) O horizon.
e) E horizon.

A

O horizon

63
Q

The ____ is a lighter-colored soil layer where iron and aluminum often accumulate
a) A horizon.
b) B horizon.
c) C horizon.
d) O horizon.
e) E horizon.

A

B horizon

64
Q

The Four ways to get rid of solid waste are:
Dump it, bury it, burn it, or eat it
Dump it, bury it, burn it, or compost it
Dump it, bury it, freeze it, or compost it
None of these

A

Dump it, bury it, burn it, or compost it

65
Q

Which of the following statements about tropical rain forests is false?
Approximately 1% of tropical rain forests are being cleared or degraded every decade
Most species that live in tropical rain forests are endemic
The forest itself generates much of the rainfall in tropical rain forests
Migratory birds that winter in tropical rain forests are declining

A

Approximately 1% of tropical rain forests are being cleared or degraded every decade

66
Q

A species in imminent danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range is said to be:
endemic
endangered
threatened
invasive
commercially extinct

A

endangered

67
Q

Endemic species:
all of these choices are correct
often have small populations
have few natural defenses
represent a high percentage of recently extinct (bird) species
are commonly found on islands

A

all of these choices are correct

68
Q

Which of the following affects organisms even in undisturbed, natural ecosystems?
acid precipitation
all of these choices are correct
thermal pollution
global warming
ozone depletion

A

all of these choices are correct

69
Q

Which of the following have been linked to the dramatic global decline of amphibian populations?
infectious diseases
drainage of wetlands
pollutants
global climate warming
all of these choices are correct

A

All of the above

70
Q

All of the following are benefits of coastal wetlands except:
reduced flooding through their ability to hold excess water
reduced impact of ozone depletion
Produce important commercial products
improved water quality
Provide habitat for endangered species

A

reduced impact of ozone depletion

71
Q

Sustainable agricultural practices are characterized by all of the following except:
crop selection
water and energy conservation
monoculture
use of manure as a fertilizer
increasing biological diversity to control pests

A

monoculture

72
Q

Which of the following techniques is used to identify structural traps that might contain oil and natural gas?
watch plate tectonics and drill test holes and obtain rock samples
satellite imaging
mining
drill test holes and obtain rock samples
watch plate tectonics

A
73
Q

Today the world’s main energy source is
coal
hydroelectric
oil
nuclear
natural gas

A

oil

74
Q

The fact that solar systems only generate electricity during the day is typically not a problem because:
they are often located in deserts
demand for electricity is often highest during the day
many photovoltaic cells continue to generate electricity through the night
the electricity can be used to power Stirling engines
they currently do not produce much electricity on a global scale

A

demand for electricity is often highest during the day

75
Q

A mixture of hydrocarbons contained in oil shale is referred to as:
overburden
bitumen
gas hydrate
anhtracite
kerogen

A

kerogen

76
Q

How has the burning of fossil fuels affected the global carbon cycle?
Less carbon is stored underground
The amount of carbon taken up by plants has decreased
Carbon is stored underground for longer periods of time
The carbon cycle has slowed down
The total amount of carbon on earth has increased

A

Less carbon is stored underground

77
Q

Which fossil fuel is most abundant in North America?
oil
uranium
peat
natural gas
coal

A

coal

78
Q

The energy released in the burning of biomass fuels:
All of these
was stored as chemical energy in plant tissues or animal waste products
originated as solar energy
was initially converted from solar energy to chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis
is one of the oldest fuels known to humans

A

all of these

79
Q

Which of the following countries has the largest deposits of the element uranium?
Australia
Canada
Afghanistan
South Africa
United States

A

Australia

80
Q

Potential locations for wind farms include:
All of these places
mountain passes
coastal areas
islands
grasslands

A

All of these places

81
Q

Many sun-tracking mirrors are used to focus sunlight on a central tower boiler to produce steam to drive generators. This best describes:
indirect solar energy
active solar heating
photovoltaic solar cells
solar power towers
passive solar heating

A

solar power towers

81
Q

A 2008 study by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography predicts climate change over the next 50 years will result in:
flow in the Colorado River decreasing by 10-30%.
flow in the Colorado River increasing due to warmer and wetter air masses
Lake Mead being unable to supply water to San Francisco.
greater saltwater intrusion along the Pacific Coast
Hoover Dam producing 10% more electricity

A

flow in the Colorado River decreasing by 10-30%.

82
Q

The basis for most of water’s physical properties is/are:
All of these choices are correct
ionic bonds
the hydrogen bonds between adjacent molecules
its non-polar structure
its status as a positive ion

A

the hydrogen bonds between adjacent molecules

83
Q

Insects are an important biological resource because they:
produce antibiotics
help control weeds and insect pests
fix nitrogen in the soil
prevent soil erosion
help control the severity of local flooding

A

help control weeds and insect pests

84
Q

The introduction of a foreign species onto an island is an example of:
commercial extinction
biotic pollution
background extinction
endemism
commercial harvest

A

biotic pollution

85
Q

Which of the following is a disadvantage of restoration ecology?
all of these choices are correct
long time periods required for restoration to occur
high cost
lack of positive results in habitats such as Tallgrass Prairie
Both high cost and the long time periods required for restoration to occur are disadvantages

A

high cost

86
Q

Which of the following statements is NOT true about public planning of land use?
All of these statements are true
Initial land development spawns additional land development
Public planning is concerned primarily with immediate effects
Land use decisions are complex because they have multiple effects
Public planning of land should take all repercussions into account

A

All of these statements are true

86
Q

Bacteria and fungi are important to humans because they:
pollinate crop plants
provide shelter
provide foods and antibiotics
help control weeds
deplete nutrient minerals in the soil

A

provide foods and antibiotics

87
Q

Which fossil fuel reserves will most likely last the longest?

a) oil
b) natural gas
c) coal
d) peat
e) uranium

A

Peat

88
Q

The most common foods eaten in the world today are:
corn (maize), rice, sweet potato, and wheat
corn, rice, and wheat
barley, corn, rice, and wheat
corn, potato, soybean, and rice
cassava, potato, rice, and wheat

A

corn, rice, and wheat

89
Q

Anthracite coal

a) causes the most air pollution
b) has the highest sulfur content
c) is very hard and burns cleanly
d) is the most abundant grade of coal
e) is very soft and burns at high temperatures

A

is very hard and burns cleanly

90
Q

Bituminous coal:

a) is the most common grade of coal
b) causes the least amount of air pollution of any type of coal
c) is very soft and burns at high temperatures
d) is very hard and burns cleanly
e) has the lowest sulfur content of any type of coal

A

is the most common grade of coal

91
Q

Lignite coal:

a) is the most common grade of coal
b) causes the least amount of air pollution of any type of coal
c) is very soft and has a relatively low heat value
d) is very hard and burns cleanly
e) has the lowest sulfur content of any type of coal

A

is very soft and has a relatively low heat value

92
Q

The world’s coal reserves could last for possibly another:

a) 20 years
b) 50 years
c) 100 years
d) 200 years
e) 500 years

A

200

93
Q

The legislation that has regulated mining activities in the United States since 1977 is the:

a) Wilderness Act
b) Clean Water Act
c) Endangered Species Act
d) Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
e) Soil Conservation Service Act

A

Surface mining control and reclamation act

94
Q

Scrubbers in smoke stacks remove large amounts of what major air pollutant?

a) carbon dioxide
b) sulfur oxides
c) nitric acid
d) sodium oxides
e) mercury

A

sulfur oxides

95
Q

What is the current state of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology for use in coal power plants?
a) The theory of CCS technology is established, but an
adequate design of a CCS mechanism has not been
developed
b) CCS technology is not yet ready for testing in power
plants
c) CCS technology has been tested many times and was
found to be inadequate for meeting current capture
and storage needs
d) CCS technology is ready to be implemented on a large
scale
e) CCS technology is being tested on a very small scale

A

CCS technology is being tested on a very small scale

96
Q

It is hypothesized that undiscovered large oil deposits are located
a) In the continental United States
b) In locations where volcanoes are common
c) Below ocean basin trenches
d)In locations where natural gas will not be found
e) Under the continental shelves

A

under the continental shelves

97
Q

Petrochemicals are used in the production of all of the following except:
a) Lightweight concrete
b) Paints
c) Synthetic fibers
d) Fertilizers
e) Medicines

A

lightweight concrete

98
Q

Which of these statements about coal is false?
a) Some types of coal contain a lot of sulfur
b) Subsurface mining accounts for about 40% of the coal
mined in the U.S.
c) Coal powered the steam engine during the Industrial
Revolution
d) Coal supplies about 20% of the energy used in the
United States
e) Coal produces far less SO2 than natural gas or oil

A

Coal produces far less SO2 than natural gas or oil

99
Q

The ____________ contains weathered pieces of rock and is found just above the solid bedrock.

a) A horizon
b) B horizon
c) C horizon
d) O horizon
e) E horizon

A

C horizon