4th Grade Science : Earth and Space Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 4th Grade Science

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #7 : Observe Effects Of Weathering On Rate Of Erosion

True or False: Constant strong winds could accelerate the rate of erosion.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

Erosion is the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice. As fragments of rock or debris are broken off through the process of weathering, the materials are moved and worn away by erosion. Constant strong winds could speed up the process of erosion compared to a soft breeze blowing occasionally.

Example Question #1 : Observe Effects Of Weathering On Rate Of Erosion

Steven and his sister Sasha are making observations about erosion and the rate of movement of materials. They are looking at different bodies of water and how small rocks are being moved. Sasha took a piece of broken rock about 2 cm and threw it into each body of water to observe what happened. They followed the material if it moved to get a distance of travel. They recorded the data below.

Screen shot 2020 09 11 at 10.44.12 am

Which body of water likely has the greatest effect on the rate of erosion?

Possible Answers:

A pond

A river

A stream

A lake

Correct answer:

A river

Explanation:

Sasha and Steven are making observations about how different bodies of water move eroded materials. Rivers are a fast-moving flow of water, lakes, and ponds are primarily standing water, and streams are slow-moving bodies of water. Based on the data, they measured and observed the river moved the materials the farthest distance. A connection can be made about the rate of running water and how materials will be eroded or carried away. The faster a body of water moves, the further and faster sediment and eroded materials will move.

Example Question #3 : Observe Effects Of Weathering On Rate Of Erosion

Erosion takes place when rock or sediment is

Possible Answers:

dropped from a high ledge.

changed into something new.

broken into pieces.

transported to a new location.

Correct answer:

transported to a new location.

Explanation:

Erosion is the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice. As fragments of rock or debris are broken off through the process of weathering, the materials are moved and worn away by erosion. A river will carry sediment downstream and move it to new locations as the process of weathering continues.

Example Question #3 : Observe Effects Of Weathering On Rate Of Erosion

Drake notices that a sidewalk near his house is crumbling and he sees tree roots breaking through the concrete. This is an example of

Possible Answers:

weathering.

germination.

human-made changes.

erosion.

Correct answer:

weathering.

Explanation:

Weathering and erosion are usually two terms used simultaneously and together, but each has its independent definition and usage. Weathering used in this context means the wearing away or changing the appearance and texture of something that is being worn away and broken down by the wind, water, ice, and vegetation. Water seeps into the rocks and freezes time after time, which slowly breaks the rock into pieces, plant roots grow through cliffsides and rocks, and the wind and rain batter shorelines with tiny fragments of sediments and water drops. All of these actions slowly break the rocks, shorelines, and cliff faces down. This is an example of plant roots breaking through a material, which is weathering.

Example Question #1 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

The top resources used for fuel and energy in 2019 were coal, natural gas, and petroleum gas. These are resources that are mined from the Earth and nonrenewable. What type of effect could this have on the environment?

Screen shot 2020 06 22 at 1.31.39 pm

Possible Answers:

The Earth is damaged when we mine for these resources, but luckily we will not run out. Humans reduce pollution in the air running the machines to mine for nonrenewable resources.

There is no effect on the environment.

The Earth is healed when we mine for these resources, and we will not run out. Humans remove pollution from the air running the machines to mine for nonrenewable resources.

The Earth is damaged when we mine for these resources, and eventually, we will run out. Humans add more pollution to the air running the machines to mine for nonrenewable resources.

Correct answer:

The Earth is damaged when we mine for these resources, and eventually, we will run out. Humans add more pollution to the air running the machines to mine for nonrenewable resources.

Explanation:

Petroleum, natural gas, and coal are all nonrenewable resources that require mining and removal from under the Earth's surface to use for power and energy. These resources are efficient and useful but come at a cost. Heavy machines that pollute the air, deforestation, stripping the ground of nutrients, and the eventual extinction of these supplies are all adverse effects they have on the environment.

Example Question #2 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

To use fossil fuels, they must be mined from the Earth and then burned to create a chemical reaction. What type of effect on the environment may there be from burning fossil fuels?

Possible Answers:

Reduced expenses

Additional expenses

Additional air pollution

Reduced air pollution 

Correct answer:

Additional air pollution

Explanation:

There is much debate about the use of fossil fuels because of their effect on the environment. Fossil fuels must be burned to create a chemical reaction, and people are concerned that this creates additional air pollution that will only add to the environmental issues that we currently have. There is a concern about the expense of fossil fuels, but that is not an environmental issue, that is a financial issue.

Example Question #91 : Earth And Space Science

Which answer choice is a negative effect that coal has on the environment?

Possible Answers:

More abundant than oil

Found all around the world

Requires limited transportation

Mining damage to wildlife habitat

Correct answer:

Mining damage to wildlife habitat

Explanation:

Coal is a fossil fuel that is nonrenewable and is created throughout millions of years by combining the remains of organisms and applying immense pressure. There are benefits to using coal, but a primary environmental concern is the damage mining causes to wildlife habitats in the areas of the digging. The land is cleared to make room for workers and machinery, and animals are displaced during this time; the earth is left barren adn stripped of many needed minerals, so vegetation becomes limited.

Example Question #2 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

Which answer choice is a negative effect on the environment caused by wind energy?

Possible Answers:

Noise pollution

No air pollution

Provide electricity to use at home, school, etc.

Can be built on existing farms

Correct answer:

Noise pollution

Explanation:

Wind energy is a renewable resource and an increasingly more popular replacement for traditional fossil fuels and power plants. One negative effect that wind energy may have on the environment is noise pollution. There is construction needed to build the wind turbines necessary, which creates noise as well as the maintenance and daily sounds produced by the turbines and generators. Wind energy has many positive effects on the environment as well, so the pros and cons must be weighed to makes decisions about the best energy source.

Example Question #3 : Formation And Uses Of Energy

The top resources used for fuel and energy in 2019 were coal, natural gas, and petroleum gas. These are resources that are mined from the Earth and nonrenewable. What type of effect would there be on the environment if people switched to renewable resources like wind, water, and solar power?

Screen shot 2020 06 22 at 1.31.39 pm

Possible Answers:

All of the answer choices are correct

Cleaner energy sources available to the public

Less pollution

Fewer animal habitats destroyed

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct

Explanation:

Petroleum, natural gas, and coal are all nonrenewable resources that require mining and removal from under the Earth’s surface to use for power and energy. These resources are efficient and useful but come at a cost. Heavy machines that pollute the air, deforestation, stripping the ground of nutrients, and the eventual extinction of these supplies are all adverse effects they have on the environment. If we were to switch to renewable resources, there would be less concern for running out of energy sources, less pollution, fewer animal habitats destroyed, less deforestation, and cleaner energy sources available to the public. There are many benefits to switching to alternative fuels and replacing fossil fuels.

Example Question #6 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

Coal Power

The typical coal plant in the United States creates more than 125,000 tons of ash and 193,000 tons of sludge each year. On average, 42% of coal combustion waste ponds and landfills are unlined. This means that the substances in the waste can seep into the ground and nearby lakes. Some of the substances include arsenic, mercury, chromium, and cadmium. These can contaminate drinking water supplies and come in direct contact with the consumers who drink water from these areas.

The disposal of coal plant waste has damaged many ecosystems. Once the coal plants have cycled through billions of gallons of water to cool the system, it is dumped back into the river, ocean, or lake it is pulling water from. When this hot water is released back into the body of water, it creates “thermal pollution,” and this can cause harm to the plants and animals living in this area. Many plants add chemicals to their cooling water, so this is released back into the lake, ocean, or river with the hot water.

This article focuses on the various impacts that producing power with coal can have on the environment. Which answer choice(s) list a NEGATIVE example of how coal affects the environment?

Possible Answers:

The water released from the power plants is much warmer than the body of water it flows into, so it creates thermal pollution.

Chemicals added to the cooling water are released back into rivers, ocean, or lakes.

None of the answer choices are correct.

All of the answer choices are correct.

Waste substances can seep into the ground and drinking water contaminating it for those who consume it.

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

Petroleum, natural gas, and coal are all nonrenewable resources that require mining and removal from under the Earth's surface to use for power and energy. These resources are efficient and useful but come at a cost. This article focuses on the way coal power plants impact the environment. All of the answer choices listed are the adverse effects of the plant. Creating thermal pollution, releasing chemicals into oceans, rivers, and lakes, as well as contaminating the ground and drinking water, are all negative examples of the effect fossil fuels have on the environment.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors