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Descriptive Statements:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of water, how these properties affect Earth materials and surface processes, and changes of state and associated energy changes of water.
- Apply knowledge of the hydrologic cycle, processes that move water through the cycle (e.g., energy of the Sun, Earth's gravity, condensation, evaporation, transpiration) and factors that affect the distribution of water over space and time (e.g., temperature fluctuations, glaciations).
- Demonstrate knowledge of types and characteristics of surface-water reservoirs (e.g., oceans, lakes, streams, glaciers) and groundwater reservoirs (e.g., aquifers, water table) and factors that affect the movement of water through these systems (e.g., gradient, topography, porosity, permeability).
- Demonstrate knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of ocean water, the causes and characteristics of ocean waves, the characteristics of ocean layers and zones (e.g., benthic, pelagic), and ocean circulation and currents (e.g., thermohaline circulation, surface currents), including factors that influence currents.
- Apply knowledge of the interaction of the hydrosphere with other Earth systems (e.g., weathering, ocean absorption and retention of heat, clouds, albedo effect), including how one change to Earth's hydrosphere can create feedback loops.
- Apply knowledge of the use of science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content related to the hydrologic cycle and water systems, such as developing and using models, planning and safely conducting investigations, applying mathematical concepts, and communicating and evaluating data and conclusions.
Sample Item:
Ocean waves increase in height as they approach the shore because, as the waves approach the shore:
- a reduction in the volume of the wave causes the period to decrease while the wave speed and the distance between the waves increase.
- the friction with the seafloor decreases wave speed and the distance between the waves while the wave period remains constant.
- water molecules within the wave speed up as they move vertically over the increasingly shorter distance to the seafloor.
- winds driving the formation of waves slacken when the area over which they blow decreases.
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
Correct Response: B.
Descriptive Statements:
- Analyze the composition and layered structure of the atmosphere, the properties of each layer, and reasons for differences in these properties.
- Analyze how various wavelengths of radiation are affected as they enter and pass through the atmosphere and are absorbed by and radiated from Earth's surface.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the how composition of the atmosphere affects absorption of radiation from Earth's surface and heats the atmosphere (i.e., natural greenhouse effect).
- Apply knowledge of the sources of atmospheric energy (e.g., insolation, terrestrial radiation, latent heat of water) and the processes by which energy is transferred to and within the atmosphere (e.g., radiation, convection, conduction).
- Demonstrate knowledge of factors responsible for the generation of winds (e.g., uneven heating), global wind patterns, and prevailing wind speed and direction (e.g., Coriolis effect, barriers, elevation).
- Apply knowledge of the interaction of the atmosphere with other Earth systems (e.g., erosion, climate, weather patterns), including how one change to Earth's atmosphere can create feedback loops.
- Apply knowledge of the use of science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content related to the atmosphere and atmospheric processes, such as developing and using models, planning and safely conducting investigations, applying mathematical concepts, and communicating and evaluating data and conclusions.
Sample Item:
The midlatitude westerlies in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere originate in the high-pressure "horse latitudes" between latitudes 30 degrees and 35 degrees in both hemispheres. These westerly prevailing winds are strongest during which of the following conditions?
- when air pressures over the polar regions are lowest
- when insolation over the Americas is highest
- when temperatures in the equatorial region are highest
- when the velocities of the trade winds are lowest
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
Correct Response: A.
Descriptive Statements:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the differences between weather and climate.
- Apply knowledge of types and characteristics of low- and high-pressure zones and air masses, their formation and patterns of movements, and the kinds of fronts that form as a result of air-mass interactions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of factors that affect regional weather (e.g., influence of ocean temperature, ocean currents, land–ocean contrast, position of jet streams, topography), including factors and conditions that lead to severe weather.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship of patterns of air-mass interactions and other factors and conditions to the formation of local weather (e.g., fog, clouds, inversions, different types of precipitation).
- Apply knowledge of the characteristics and distribution of current major climatic regions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of factors that affect regional climates over different time scales (e.g., flow of energy into and out of Earth's systems, latitude, wind patterns, topography), the relationship of climate and weather, and the causes of past changes in climate (e.g., Milankovitch cycles).
- Demonstrate knowledge of the application of weather and climate models and data, instruments and methods that are used to gather weather and climate data (e.g., Earth-observing satellites, tree-ring data, ice cores), and the interpretation of weather maps and symbols.
- Apply knowledge of the use of science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content related to weather and climate, including regional phenomena, such as developing and using models, planning and safely conducting investigations, applying mathematical concepts, and communicating and evaluating data and conclusions.
Sample Item:
An anemometer is used for measuring which of the following variables?
- humidity
- air pressure
- wind speed
- dew point
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
Correct Response: C.
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