Question 1

The lithosphere lies directly above the ____________.
A) transition zone
B) crust
C) asthenosphere
D) lower mantle

Accepted Answer

The lithosphere, which includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle, lies directly above the asthenosphere, a region of the upper mantle characterized by relatively low viscosity and plasticity.

Question 2

If the lithosphere was not relatively rigid,but rather free-flowing,which of the following would be true?
A) The asthenosphere would be free to flow to Earth's surface.
B) Plate tectonics would not occur.
C) The temperature of Earth's surface would be hotter.
D) All of the above are correct.
E) Both a and b are correct.

Accepted Answer

If the lithosphere was not relatively rigid, but rather free-flowing, the asthenosphere would be free to flow to Earth's surface, plate tectonics would not occur, and the temperature of Earth's surface would be hotter.

Question 3

The distinction between the crust and the mantle is primarily on the basis of a difference in ____________; the distinction between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere is primarily on the basis of a difference in ____________.
A) chemistry (mineral content); degree of physical rigidity
B) color; chemistry (mineral content)
C) degree of physical rigidity; chemistry (mineral content)
D) chemistry (mineral content); chemistry as well

Accepted Answer

The crust and mantle differ in mineral content (chemistry), with the crust being composed mostly of lighter silicates and the mantle being composed of denser, darker silicates. The lithosphere and asthenosphere differ in physical rigidity, with the lithosphere being stiffer and more rigid, while the asthenosphere is more plastic and deformable.

Question 4

As compared to the rocks that make up the crust,Earth as a whole is ____________.
A) considerably more dense
B) considerably less dense
C) slightly less dense
D) about the same density

Accepted Answer

The core of the Earth is much denser than the crust, so overall Earth as a whole is considerably more dense than the rocks that make up the crust.

Question 5

The boundary between the crust and the mantle is marked by a seismic-velocity discontinuity called ____________.
A) the Edsel
B) the Moho
C) Lyell's surface
D) the transition zone

Accepted Answer

The seismic-velocity discontinuity that marks the boundary between the Earth's crust and mantle is commonly known as the Mohorovičić discontinuity, or the "Moho" for short. This boundary separates the relatively cool and brittle crust from the hotter and more ductile mantle beneath it.

Question 6

As compared to the asthenosphere,the lithosphere is ____________.
A) cooler and more able to flow
B) hotter and more able to flow
C) cooler and less able to flow
D) hotter and less able to flow

Accepted Answer

The lithosphere, which includes the Earth's crust and uppermost part of the mantle, is cooler and less able to flow compared to the asthenosphere. The asthenosphere has greater heat and pressure, which allow it to flow more easily.

Question 7

If the outer core was not liquid,which of the following would be true about Earth?
A) Life on Earth would likely be very different.
B) The Earth may not have an atmosphere.
C) The Earth would not have a magnetic field.
D) All of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

The liquid outer core is crucial for generating Earth's magnetic field through the geodynamo process. Without it, the magnetic field would not exist, potentially affecting the atmosphere and life on Earth.

Question 8

The lithosphere is composed of the ____________.
A) crust only
B) crust, mantle, and outer core
C) top 100 m of sediments and sedimentary rocks
D) crust and the uppermost part of the mantle

Accepted Answer

The lithosphere is composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect as it only includes the crust. Option B includes the outer core which is not a part of the lithosphere. Option C only includes the top 100 m of sediments and rocks which is not a comprehensive definition of the lithosphere.

Question 9

The metallic content of Earth's core is ____________. 
A) likely similar to what has been found in metallic meteorites
B) partly liquid and partly solid
C) an iron alloy (mostly iron with a few other elements mixed in)
D) All of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The metallic content of Earth's core is...

Question 10

From left to right,correctly label each section of this slice of the Earth. 
A) crust, liquid outer core, transition zone, solid inner core, upper mantle, lower mantle
B) crust, upper mantle, transition zone, lower mantle, liquid outer core, solid inner core
C) transition zone, crust, upper mantle, lower mantle, liquid outer core, solid inner core
D) transition zone, crust, liquid outer core, solid inner core, upper mantle, lower mantle

Accepted Answer

The correct order from left to right in the slice of the Earth is crust, upper mantle, transition zone, lower mantle, liquid outer core, and solid inner core. This is because the crust is the outermost layer, followed by the upper mantle, which extends down to the transition zone. Below the transition zone is the lower mantle, which is followed by the liquid outer core and solid inner core. Option B correctly labels these sections in the correct order.

Question 11

The densest layer of Earth is the ____________. 
A) crust
B) mantle
C) outer core
D) inner core

Accepted Answer

The inner core is the densest layer of Earth, with a density averaging around 13 g/cm³.

Quiz 1: The Earth in Context

The lithosphere lies directly above the ____________.

If the lithosphere was not relatively rigid,but rather free-flowing,which of the following would be true?

The distinction between the crust and the mantle is primarily on the basis of a difference in ; the distinction between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere is primarily on the basis of a difference in .

As compared to the rocks that make up the crust,Earth as a whole is ____________.

The boundary between the crust and the mantle is marked by a seismic-velocity discontinuity called ____________.

As compared to the asthenosphere,the lithosphere is ____________.

If the outer core was not liquid,which of the following would be true about Earth?

The lithosphere is composed of the ____________.

The metallic content of Earth's core is ____________.

From left to right,correctly label each section of this slice of the Earth.

The densest layer of Earth is the ____________.