4th Grade Science : Earth and Space Science

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Weather And Erosion Rate

The data table below shows the width of the beach measured every two years.

Screen shot 2020 09 11 at 11.03.11 am

Based on the pattern, what will the width of the beach most likely be in year 11?

Possible Answers:

6.9 meters

7.3 meters

7.1 meters

7.5 meters

Correct answer:

7.3 meters

Explanation:

Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. The beach is eroding at a rate of 0.02 meters every two years. It can be predicted that the trend will continue, and in year 11, the beach will be 7.3 meters wide.

Example Question #8 : Weather And Erosion Rate

True or False: The effects of weathering on the rate of erosion cannot be measured.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. The effects of weathering on the rate of erosion can be measured and often is to determine if reconstruction or human intervention is needed to stop the weathering and erosion in areas.

Example Question #81 : Earth And Space Science

Which example is NOT a direct cause of erosion?

Possible Answers:

Wind

Water

Gravity

Temperature

Correct answer:

Temperature

Explanation:

Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. Wind, water, and gravity can all move bits of broken rock and sediment. Temperature is not a direct cause of erosion. It plays an effect in the freezing and melting of water during the weathering process that breaks rocks apart.

Example Question #1 : Weather And Erosion Rate

What is the best scientific method for determining if erosion is taking place?

Possible Answers:

All of the answer choices are correct.

None of the answer choices are correct.

Take photographs 

Write detailed observations of the area

Take measurements over time

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. Measuring the area over time, taking photographs for comparison, and writing detailed observations are scientific methods for determining if erosion is taking place.

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 06 22 at 11.23.54 am

What observations can be made regarding the bodies of water and distance eroded materials travel?

Possible Answers:

A slower flow of water can carry more eroded material than a faster flow of water.

A faster flow of water is not able to carry eroded material as far as a slower flow of water.

A slower flow of water is not able to carry eroded material as far as a faster flow of water.

Fast-moving and slow-moving flows of water carry the same amount of eroded materials the same distance.

Correct answer:

A slower flow of water is not able to carry eroded material as far as a faster flow of water.

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 #2 : Observe Effects Of Weathering On Rate Of Erosion

What does the term "weathering" mean? Example: Gabriel studied the effects of weathering on the Grand Canyon by taking daily measurements during his summer internship.

Possible Answers:

The state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.

Wear away or change the appearance or texture of something by prolonged exposure to wind, water, ice, and vegetation

Expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives

Movement something that is broken by prolonged exposure to wind, water, ice, and vegetation to a new place

Correct answer:

Wear away or change the appearance or texture of something by prolonged exposure to wind, water, ice, and vegetation

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.

Example Question #11 : Weather And Erosion Rate

What does the term "erosion" mean in the context provided?? Example: Gabriel studied the process of erosion on the coast of North Carolina by comparing aerial maps and measurements over the last 100 years.

Possible Answers:

The process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice

come safely through a storm

The removal of a person's authority, rights, or confidence

Breaking down of rocks, soil, and minerals as well as wood and artificial materials by the Sun

Correct answer:

The process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice

Explanation:

Weathering and erosion are usually heard used together, but each has its definition and essential part of shaping our landscapes over time. 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 #1 : Observe Effects Of Weathering On Rate Of Erosion

What type of erosion would occur most frequently in the Mohave Desert?

Possible Answers:

Wind erosion

Glacial erosion

Vegetation erosion

Water erosion

Correct answer:

Wind erosion

Explanation:

The type of erosion most likely to occur in the Mohave Desert would be wind erosion. The desert would not experience glacial erosion because there are no frozen blocks of ice. In the desert, there is limited water and vegetation, so neither of those would be likely to cause erosion. The desert does experience high winds and sandstorms, which would cause movement of the materials and sediment in the area.

Example Question #2 : Observe Effects Of Weathering On Rate Of Erosion

Which of these is an example of erosion?

Possible Answers:

Rain breaking down rock

Sunshine on a mountain

Water sitting in a pond

Wind blowing away sediment

Correct answer:

Wind blowing away sediment

Explanation:

Erosion is the movement of materials and broken down debris from the process of weathering. The correct answer choice must address the movement of materials, not just the breaking down of materials. "Wind blowing away sediment" is the right answer because it demonstrates the movement of sediment by the wind; sediment is material that settles in water or on shorelines, so this is a reasonable type of debris that would be picked up and moved.

Example Question #12 : Weather And Erosion Rate

The picture below shows a process that happens when rocks and soil are moved from one place to another.

Screen shot 2020 09 11 at 10.21.48 am

What is the name of this process?

Possible Answers:

Erosion

Weathering

Fertilization

Pollination

Correct answer:

Erosion

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. 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. The question has the key phrase "moved from one place to another," which lets readers know movement is taking place, which is the process of erosion.

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