ACT Science : Earth and Space Sciences
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Example Question #32 : How To Find Data Representation In Earth And Space Sciences
Researchers are curious about the effects of large amounts of steam released by a power plant. They hypothesize that the large amounts of moisture might affect precipitation in the area. They record yearly rainfall at multiple locations at various distances from the power plant and find the results below:
| Distance from Power Plant (kilometers) | Yearly Rainfall (inches) | |||
| 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | |
| 1 | 40.2 | 44.3 | 45.1 | 38.8 |
| 5 | 38.6 | 42.8 | 44.1 | 37.5 |
| 10 | 37.3 | 41.2 | 43.7 | 37.1 |
| 20 | 36.9 | 40.5 | 42.3 | 36.8 |
At what tested distance from the power plant is rainfall the highest?
Rainfall is equal among the distances tested.
The highest recorded rainfall each year is at a distance of 
Example Question #31 : How To Find Data Representation In Earth And Space Sciences
Explorers have discovered a new planet, Planet K. It is known that Planet K has magnetic poles to similar to those of Earth, so the explorers decide that using a compass to navigate is possible. When navigating Planet K's surface, it is discovered that the compass points north for a distance then flips so that it points north in the opposite direction for a distance, before returning to pointing north in the original direction. It is known that the magnetic poles of the planet flip every 100 years. Weather is recorded on the planet for 250 years.
How does the flipping of the magnetic poles affect the weather on Planet K?
Cannot be determined from the given information
It causes a sharp temperature decrease and a reduction in precipitation
It causes the temperature to increase, but the precipitation to decrease
It causes the temperature to decrease, but the precipitation to increase
It causes the temperature to increase and the amount of precipitation to increase
It causes a sharp temperature decrease and a reduction in precipitation
It can be seen in the data table that in the years 0, 100 and 200 the temperature is well below zero and the precipitation is much less than that recorded in the years 50, 150 and 250. Since the poles flip direction every 100 years it is reasonable to assume that the flipping of the poles causes a decrease in temperature and a reduction in the precipitation.
Example Question #1111 : Act Science
Scientists have long debated the origin of organic molecules on Earth. Organic molecules are those based on the atom carbon, which can form four distinct bonds in contrast to the fewer number allowed in most other non-metals. As a result of this property, carbon can give rise to the enormously complex molecular shapes necessary for life to arise.
Some scientists argue that organic matter was dissolved in water ice on comets, and brought to Earth early in its history. These comets crashed into the early Earth, and deposited carbon-based molecules in copious quantities to the Earth’s surface as their water melted.
In 2014, the first space probe landed on the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Suppose that scientists find the following information from 5 distinct samples after landing on the comet. Each sample was taken at a single geographical location, but 5 meters deeper than the last. Sample 1 was taken at a depth of 1 meter below the surface.
|
Sample # |
Water Ice? |
Concentration of Organics |
|
1 |
No |
N/A |
|
2 |
Yes |
1 mg/L |
|
3 |
No |
N/A |
|
4 |
Yes |
4 mg/L |
|
5 |
Yes |
10 mg/L |
These samples were compared to 5 similar samples from the surface of Mars. Scientists posited that this comparison would be meaningful because we know that life does not exist on Mars the same way that it does on Earth. Thus, they are comparing a known non-biological celestial body, Mars, with another celestial body, the comet, which may be seeding life on suitable plants.
|
Sample # |
Water Ice? |
Concentration of Organics |
|
1 |
No |
N/A |
|
2 |
No |
N/A |
|
3 |
No |
N/A |
|
4 |
No |
N/A |
|
5 |
Yes |
1 mg/L |
On the comet, the best description of the relationship between depth of sampling and the concentration of organics is:
Inverse
Direct
Initially direct, then inverse
No relationship
Direct
In the first table in the passage, there is a roughly direct relationship between the depth of sampling and the concentration of organic matter in the sample.
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