Daily Static Quiz (Geography) March 1, 2025
The detection of gravitational waves by LIGO in 2015 marked a significant milestone in astrophysics. What is the primary reason these waves were predicted to exist?
A. They are a result of the expansion of the universe, causing spacetime to stretch
B. They are generated by the acceleration of massive objects, such as binary black hole mergers
C. They are produced by the oscillations in Earth’s magnetic field
D. They are a consequence of the Big Bang theory, representing residual energy from the cosmic explosion
: B
: Gravitational waves are predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity as ripples in spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as merging black holes or neutron stars.
A certain astrophysical limit determines the maximum mass a white dwarf can have before it collapses into a more compact form. What is the primary factor that determines this limit?
A. The mass of the star at the time of its formation
B. The rate of nuclear fusion in the star’s core
C. The balance between electron degeneracy pressure and gravitational force
D. The presence of dark matter in the vicinity of the star
: C
: The Chandrasekhar Limit is determined by the balance between electron degeneracy pressure and gravitational force. When a white dwarf exceeds this limit, electron degeneracy pressure cannot counteract gravity, leading to collapse.
Among the planets in our solar system, one has a surface temperature significantly higher than Mercury, despite being farther from the Sun. What is the primary reason for this phenomenon?
A. Its highly eccentric orbit causes extreme temperature variations
B. Its atmosphere is composed mainly of greenhouse gases, leading to a runaway greenhouse effect
C. It has a very slow rotation period, resulting in prolonged exposure to sunlight on one side
D. It has a large number of moons that contribute to its thermal energy through tidal heating
: B
: Venus’s surface temperature is higher than Mercury’s due to its thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, which creates a strong greenhouse effect, trapping heat and causing a runaway warming effect.
The transition from one eon to another in Earth’s history is marked by significant geological and biological changes. What event is believed to have occurred at the boundary between the Hadean and Archean eons?
A. The formation of the Earth’s magnetic field
B. The stabilization of Earth’s crust and the emergence of simple life forms
C. The breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea
D. The onset of the Cambrian explosion of life diversity
: B
: The transition from the Hadean to the Archean eon is marked by the stabilization of Earth’s crust and the appearance of the first life forms, such as prokaryotes, indicating a more hospitable environment.
A specific geological period is notable for its contribution to modern energy resources. What was the primary factor leading to this contribution?
A. Extensive volcanic activity that formed coal deposits
B. The formation of large oil reserves through marine life
C. The development of vast forests that later became coal deposits
D. The creation of natural gas fields through microbial activity
: C
: The Carboniferous period is significant because extensive forests formed during this time, which later became coal deposits, providing a major source of modern energy.
Earth’s history includes several mass extinction events, but one is considered the most severe. What was the approximate timing and cause of this event?
A. Late Ordovician, caused by glaciation
B. End-Permian, attributed to massive volcanic eruptions and climate change
C. End-Cretaceous, linked to a large asteroid impact
D. Early Triassic, due to the breakup of supercontinents
: B
: The Permian-Triassic extinction, also known as “The Great Dying,” occurred around 252 million years ago and is believed to have been caused by massive volcanic eruptions and associated climate change, leading to the extinction of about 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species.
A specific seismic discontinuity marks a significant boundary within Earth’s structure. What is the primary characteristic of this boundary?
A. It separates Earth’s mantle from its outer core
B. It marks the transition from Earth’s crust to its mantle
C. It is a zone where seismic waves are completely absorbed by liquid magma
D. It is the layer where Earth’s magnetic field is generated
: B
: The Mohorovičić Discontinuity (Moho) is the boundary between Earth’s crust and mantle, characterized by a sudden increase in seismic wave velocity due to changes in material composition.
Earth’s core is divided into two layers with distinct properties. What is the primary reason for the difference in state between these layers?
A. Composition – The outer core is silicate-rich, while the inner core is metallic
B. Temperature – The inner core is hotter than the outer core
C. Pressure – The immense pressure in the inner core prevents it from melting despite high temperatures
D. Magnetism – The outer core generates Earth’s magnetic field, while the inner core does not
: C
: The outer core is liquid, while the inner core is solid, primarily due to the immense pressure in the inner core that prevents it from melting, even at extremely high temperatures.
Seismic waves travel through Earth’s interior at different speeds depending on their type. Which type of seismic wave travels the fastest?
A. S-waves (Secondary waves), which are shear waves
B. P-waves (Primary waves), which are compressional waves
C. Surface waves, including Love and Rayleigh waves
D. Tsunami waves, which are oceanic waves
: B
: P-waves are compressional waves that travel the fastest through Earth’s interior because they can move through both solid and liquid layers.
Earth’s internal heat is generated by several processes, but one source is particularly significant. What is the primary mechanism contributing to this heat?
A. Solar radiation absorbed by Earth’s surface
B. Radioactive decay of isotopes like uranium-238 and thorium-232
C. Frictional heating from tectonic plate movements
D. Residual heat from Earth’s formation and differentiation
: B
: The primary source of Earth’s internal heat is the radioactive decay of isotopes such as uranium-238, thorium-232, and potassium-40, which generates heat continuously over geological time scales.