MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Which of the following removes CO2 from the atmosphere?

a. rainforest trees

b. cars

c. burning coal

d. spraying aerosol cans

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Match the type of pollution with its main source:

_____ 1. Acid rain a. Burning of fossil fuels

_____ 2. Particulates b. Aerosol sprays

_____ 3. Photochemical smog c. Coal burning power plants

_____ 4. Carbon dioxide d. Wood burning stoves

_____ 5. Chlorofluorocarbons e. Car exhaust and sunlight

Correct Answers:

1. c

2. d

3. e

4. a

5. b

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Nitrates and sulfates emitted by cars and industry can combine in the atmosphere with water vapor to form

a. Ozone

b. Acid rain

c. Smog

d. Fog

Correct Answer: b

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Which of the following is NOT an effect of acid rain?

a. Disintegration of buildings, statues, tombstones

b. Death and stunting of trees

c. Increase in temperature

d. Loss of aquatic life in rivers and streams

Correct Answer: C

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

The reaction of chemical pollutants with one another in sunlight produces:

a. Acid rain

b. Nitrogen

c. Less pollution

d. Photochemical smog

Correct Answer: d

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

In the carbon cycle, how does carbon enter living organisms?

a. Decomposers release carbon dioxide.

b. Photosynthesis by plants.

c. Humans burn coal.

d. Respiration by animals.

Correct Answer: b

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Which of the following is an example of an ethical question raised by science that science cannot answer?

a. Should the government require people to buy cars that release less carbon dioxide?

b. Can companies make cars that release less carbon dioxide?

c. Are the levels of carbon dioxide increasing in the upper atmosphere?

d. How does carbon dioxide trap the sun’s ultra violet rays?

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Burning fossil fuels adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. If we continue to add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere at the current rate, how will this affect the carbon cycle?

a. The number of carbon atoms on Earth will increase.

b. The number of carbon atoms on Earth will decrease.

c. The number of carbon atoms in the atmosphere will increase.

d. The number of carbon atoms in the atmosphere will decrease.

e. the carbon cycle will be unaffected.

Correct Answer: c

I	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

The following questions are based on the following account of an experiment performed by van Helmont in the 17^th century:

(1) That all vegetable matter immediately and materially arises from the element water alone I learned from this experiment. (2) I took an earthenware pot, placed in it 200 pounds of earth dried in an oven, soaked this with warm water, and planted in it a willow shoot weighing 5 pounds. After five years had passed, the tree weighed 169 pounds. The earthenware pot was constantly wet only with rain or (when necessary) distilled water; and it was ample in size and embedded in the ground; and to prevent dust flying around from mixing with the earth, the rim of the pot was kept covered with an iron plate coated with tin and pierced with many holes. Finally, I again dried the earth of the clay pot and (3) it was found to be the same 200 pounds minus 2 ounces. (4) Therefore, 164 pounds of wood, bark, and root had arisen from the water alone.

1. Which of the statements above (1, 2, 3, or 4) is an observation, or result of the experiment?

2. Which of the statements is a conclusion based on the experiment?

3. Which of the statements describes van Helmont’s experimental method?

4. If van Helmont had found that the earth in the pot weighed considerably less at the end of the experiment than at the beginning, he would probably have concluded that:

a. The matter in the tree came entirely from the element “earth.”

b. Earth is soluble in water.

c. The matter in the tree came from both water and earth.

d. Earth was lost from the soil surface.

Correct Answers:

1. (3)

2. (1) and (4)

3. (2)

4. c

I	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Use these maps to answer the following questions:

*Location of coal burning power plants

1. Which area of North America has the highest concentration of coal burning power plants?

a. northern area

b. southern area

c. eastern area

d. western area

2. The map of prevailing winds is included to show:

a. that the weather is very changeable over most of the USA

b. that sulfur emissions make the wind blow

c. that acid rain cannot travel

d. that wind may be carrying sulfur away from its source

3. What do areas most affected by acid rain have in common?

a. they are downwind from a source of sulfur

b. they are in states where high amounts of sulfur produced

c. they are in states with bad weather

d. they are all in the northern states

4. What relationship do you see between the power plants and areas affected by acid rain?

a. there does not appear to be a relationship

b. areas of heavy emission always have the most badly affected area

c. SO2 emissions are usually located north of the damage they do

d. that areas badly affected are close to many sources of heavy SO2 emissions

5. Which is a major pollutant produced by coal burning power plants?

a. Carbon dioxide

b. Freon

c. Nitrates

d. Sulfur dioxide

Correct Answers:

1. d

2. d

3. a

4. d

5. d

I	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

1. According to the graph, which of the following statements best describes the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

a. It has increased since the Industrial Revolution.

b. It has decreased since the Industrial Revolution.

c. It has remained the same since the Industrial Revolution.

d. There is no carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

2. Which of the following is the best explanation for the increase of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere since 1850?

a. There are many more cows now than in 1850.

b. Since 1850, the burning of fossil fuels has increased.

c. The age of dinosaurs is past so carbon is no longer being stored in coal beds.

d. There is more pollution, which keeps carbon dioxide from being removed from the atmosphere.

3. Based on the graph above, which of the following statements is an inference?

a. The concentration of carbon dioxide is measure in ppm.

b. There was more carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere in 1970 than in 1910.

c. In 1950, the atmosphere had a carbon dioxide concentration of approximately 311 ppm.

d. The destruction of rainforests has contributed to the rise in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

4. What is the most likely effect of the increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

a. acid rain

b. ozone depletion

c. warmer atmosphere

d. tropical rainforest destruction

5. What is the cause of increased atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide in terms of the carbon cycle?

a. More carbon is being stored in plant and animal tissue.

b. Carbon is being added to the atmosphere faster than it is being removed.

c. The carbon cycle is unaffected because the number of carbon atoms on Earth remains the same.

d. Ocean organisms will have to remove more carbon from the atmosphere in order to keep the cycle in balance.

Correct Answers:

1. a

2. b

3. d

4. c

5. b

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Predict the effect of slash and burn deforestation on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Explain your answer with two reasons.

Correct Answer:

Slash and burn deforestation will lead to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. One reason for this is a reduction in the amount of photosynthesis. A second reason is an increase in the amount of combustion.

Scoring Guide:

4 - Prediction is accurate. Explanation includes two reasons.

3 - Prediction is accurate. Explanation includes one reason.

2 - Prediction is accurate but no explanation is provided.

1 - Prediction is inaccurate.

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

In Utah, the majority of our electrical power production is generated from fossil fuel. Describe ways such an activity might effect the population nearby.

Scoring Guide

4 - The student will list and describe 2 forms of air, water or land pollution caused and describe specific results.

3 - The student will describe 2 forms of pollution and explain effects in very general ways.

2 - The student will list 2 forms of pollution with some clarity, but list no effects.

1 - The student lists a form of pollution.

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

In the Antarctic Ocean, there is a significant amount of phytoplankton that live near the surface. Predict an effect of severe ozone depletion on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Justify your prediction by describing one or more cause/effect relationship.

Correct Answer:

Severe ozone depletion will lead to an increase in the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Ozone depletion will permit an increase in the amount of ultra-violet light that strikes the surface of the ocean. The ultra-violet rays will kill some of the phytoplankton that live near the surface, reducing the amount of photosynthesis.

Scoring Guide:

4 - Prediction is correct. Cause/effect relationship directly relates to prediction.

3 - Prediction is correct. Cause/effect relationship justifies prediction somewhat.

2 - Prediction is correct. No justification offered.

1 - Prediction is incorrect.

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Identify two different types of automobile emissions and their impact on our atmosphere.

Scoring Guide

4 - The student will come up with 2 different types of automobile emissions and at least 2 impacts they each have on the atmosphere.

3 - The student will come up with 2 different types of automobile emissions and at least 1 impact they have on the atmosphere.

2 - The student will come up with at least 1 type of automobile emission and 1 impact it has on the atmosphere.

1 - The student names an automobile emission or an impact, but does not relate them.

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Discuss the economic aspects of air pollution and atmospheric change. Take the position of a doctor, a scientist, a citizen and a company president. Explain the problems you see, how you feel they could be solved and what you feel the future holds if solutions are not found.

Doctor:

Scientist:

Citizen:

Company President:

Scoring Guide:

20% for each person (80% total)

20% spelling and punctuation

Sample Answers:

Doctor: I see health problems associated with air pollution such as emphysema, asthma, and skin cancer. Illnesses are lengthened by poor air. Skin cancer is becoming increasingly common. Industry and individuals doing their part to clean the air can solve the problems. The medical field can help by finding more ways to help keep people healthy. If something is not done, peoples' health will continue to suffer.

Scientist: Problems with the atmosphere may ultimately cause grave problems for the earth and its' life. The possibility of global warming could flood millions of people from their homes and change growing seasons and food production. Ozone destruction could leave the earth unprotected from the suns' ultraviolet rays. Poor air quality will continue to cause health problems. The solutions lay in nations working together to stop the increase in pollution of the air. People must be educated so that they can make responsible decisions.

Citizen: Dirty air is ugly and disgusting. It is depressing to live in. Some days it is unhealthy just to go outside. I am worried about the future if it gets worse. I think the solution to the problem lays with the government and the laws they make and with the decisions people make everyday. If the air doesn't get better I may have to move to protect my families health.

Company President: Pollution from factories and cars is necessary for modern industry to function. If people want jobs and transportation they should expect some pollutant. The problem cannot be solved too quickly or industry will be unable to afford the cost of new technologies. It is in the business communities best interests to run clean and safe factories but they must also make money. Things will get better but people have to help and be patient.

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

How do humans affect the carbon cycle? Provide 3 examples and explain them.

Possible Answers:

a. Humans burn fossil fuels like coal and oil. Combustion increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

b. Through cellular respiration, humans produce carbon dioxide, which is added to the atmosphere.

c. Humans plant and cut down trees, which decreases and increases the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. The current net effect is an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

d. Humans pollute the ocean, contributing to a reduction of photosynthesis by phytoplankton. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere.

e. Humans contribute to ozone depletion, leading to a reduction of photosynthesis by phytoplankton. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere.

Scoring Guide:

4 - Three correct examples are provided and explained.

3 - At least two correct examples are provided and explained.

2 - At least one correct example is provided and explained.

1 - No explanations are offered.

P	Earth Systems	Standard: 05
Objective: 01. Describe how matter in the atmosphere cycles through other Earth systems.
ILO:

Use the following data to make a line graph comparing available fossil fuel with its consumption by people. Be sure to label both your x-axis and y-axis. Answer the questions after you make your graph.

YEAR	Percentage of available fossil fuels
0 BC	96%
200 AD	95%
400 AD	94%
600 AD	93.5%
800 AD