Earth's Shape and Structure Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the shape of the Earth?

Oblate spheroid

What is the approximate diameter of the Earth?

13,000 kilometers

Which of the following layers is the Earth's outermost layer?

  • Inner Core
  • Crust (correct)
  • Outer Core
  • Mantle

The Earth's mantle is a completely solid layer.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of the Earth's outer core?

<p>Iron and nickel</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes the Earth's magnetic field?

<p>Convection within the outer core</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Earth's inner core is solid due to immense pressure.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does latitude measure?

<p>How far north or south a point is from the equator</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the lines of latitude with their corresponding degrees:

<p>Equator = 0 degrees Tropic of Cancer = 23 degrees north Tropic of Capricorn = 23 degrees south Arctic Circle = 66.5 degrees north Antarctic Circle = 66.5 degrees south</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Earth's rotation causes the seasons.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Earth's orbit around the sun is perfectly circular.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes the sky to appear blue?

<p>Rayleigh scattering</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Earth's atmosphere absorbs all types of electromagnetic radiation equally.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is light pollution?

<p>Artificial light from human sources that obscures our view of stars</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is averted vision?

<p>Looking slightly away from a faint object to see it more clearly</p> Signup and view all the answers

Red light preserves dark adaptation.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Stars twinkle because they are very distant.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Planets twinkle as much as stars.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Earth's shape

An oblate spheroid; slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator.

Centrifugal force

The outward force due to rotation.

Earth's mean diameter

13,000 kilometers.

Earth's crust

Thin outermost layer of Earth.

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Tectonic plates

Sections of the Earth's crust.

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Earth's mantle

Solid but viscous, layer below the crust.

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Earth's outer core

Liquid iron and nickel, generates magnetic field.

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Earth's inner core

Solid iron and nickel, under immense pressure.

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Latitude

Distance north or south of the equator.

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Longitude

Distance east or west of the prime meridian.

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Equator

Line of 0 degrees latitude.

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Prime Meridian

Line of 0 degrees longitude, Greenwich.

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Tropic of Cancer

23 degrees North latitude.

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Tropic of Capricorn

23 degrees South latitude.

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Arctic Circle

66.5 degrees North latitude.

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Antarctic Circle

66.5 degrees South latitude.

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Earth's rotation

Earth spinning on its axis.

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Earth's orbital plane

Plane in which Earth orbits the sun.

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Ecliptic

The Earth's orbital plane.

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Earth's orbit

Elliptical path around the sun.

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Earth's atmosphere

Gaseous layer surrounding Earth.

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Rayleigh scattering

Scattering of light by the atmosphere.

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Light pollution

Unwanted light in the sky.

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Dark adaptation

Eyes adapt to low light.

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Averted vision

Looking slightly away for better low-light vision.

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Study Notes

Earth's Shape and Structure

  • The Earth is an oblate spheroid, meaning it is slightly squashed at the poles and bulges at the equator. This is due to centrifugal forces caused by the Earth's rotation.
  • The Earth's mean diameter is 13,000 kilometers.
  • The Earth's interior is made up of several layers:
    • Crust: Thin, outer layer, approximately 5-10 kilometers thick under oceans and slightly thicker under continents. It is divided into tectonic plates that float on the mantle.
    • Mantle: Mostly solid but behaves like a very viscous liquid over geological timescales.
    • Outer Core: Liquid layer composed of iron and nickel. Convection within the outer core generates the Earth's magnetic field.
    • Inner Core: Solid core, composed of iron and nickel, incredibly hot but solid due to immense pressure.

Coordinate System: Latitude and Longitude

  • Latitude measures how far north or south a point is from the equator.
  • Longitude measures how far east or west a point is from the prime meridian.
  • The equator is the line of zero degrees latitude.
  • The prime meridian is the line of zero degrees longitude and passes through Greenwich, England.
  • Special lines of latitude:
    • Tropic of Cancer: Approximately 23 degrees north.
    • Tropic of Capricorn: Approximately 23 degrees south.
    • Arctic Circle: 66.5 degrees north.
    • Antarctic Circle: 66.5 degrees south.

Earth's Rotation and Orbit

  • The Earth rotates on its axis, tilted at approximately 23 degrees to its orbital plane.
  • This tilt causes the seasons and the variation in the position of the sun in the sky throughout the year.
  • The Earth orbits the sun in a plane called the ecliptic.
  • The Earth's orbit is elliptical, meaning it is slightly oval-shaped.

Earth's Atmosphere

  • The Earth's atmosphere absorbs electromagnetic radiation from the sun and other sources.
  • Different wavelengths of radiation are absorbed and transmitted to varying degrees.
  • Visible light is largely transmitted, while ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma radiation are mostly absorbed.
  • The atmosphere scatters blue light more than other colors, which causes the sky to appear blue.
  • Rayleigh scattering is responsible for the scattering of blue light.
  • The atmosphere also affects the way we observe astronomical objects by causing twinkling, light pollution, and distortion.

Observing the Sky

  • Light pollution can obscure our view of stars.
  • Our eyes adapt to darkness, becoming more sensitive to low light levels (dark adaptation).
  • Averted vision involves looking slightly away from a faint object to see it more clearly.
  • Using red lights for observing preserves dark adaptation.
  • The twinkling of stars is caused by atmospheric turbulence, which distorts the path of light from the stars.
  • Planets do not twinkle as much as stars because they are much larger and their light is not as easily distorted.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the Earth's shape, structure, and layers. This quiz covers topics such as the Earth's oblate spheroid shape, layers including the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core, as well as the coordinate system of latitude and longitude. Challenge yourself to understand our planet's fascinating characteristics!

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