In 1908, a huge explosion known as the Tunguska Event flattened trees for miles across a remote area of Russia. Scientists now think an asteroid or a comet entered Earth's atmosphere, causing the explosion. Ice core samples from an ice sheet in Greenland reveal signs of this enormous explosion: deposits of ammonia equal to 5 micrograms per square meter. But how exactly did these telltale molecules form?
• Hypothesis 1: The Tunguska explosion started forest fires, known to produce ammonia. Data indicates that such fires would have deposited an amount of ammonia over the Northern Hemisphere equaling 0.1 micrograms per square meter.
• Hypothesis 2: Up to 1% of the object's mass might have been ammonia, and this ammonia might have spread over the Northern Hemisphere. Approximately 0.00005 micrograms of ammonia per square meter are predicted by this hypothesis.
• Hypothesis 3: Since many compounds form in the presence of high heat, the ammonia could
have been produced as the falling object heated the atmosphere. However, heat alone is not
sufficient to cause the formation of ammonia.
• Hypothesis 4: As it passed through the atmosphere, the object pushed air in front of it at high pressure. Nitrogen and hydrogen combine to form ammonia under similar pressure. Considering the amount of hydrogen expected in a comet and the available nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere, approximately 5 micrograms of ammonia per square meter would have been deposited under this hypothesis.
What natural process is required to connect the ice core data to the Tunguska Event?
- A. the cycling of carbon in forest fires
- B. the interaction of comets with the solar wind
- C. the movement of glaciers due to gravity
- D. the constant mixing of the atmosphere
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Connecting ice core data to the Tunguska Event necessitates understanding atmospheric dynamics, which is achieved through the constant mixing of the atmosphere. This mixing disperses particles and gases, allowing researchers to correlate ice core samples with historical events, including the Tunguska explosion. Option A, the cycling of carbon in forest fires, is unrelated to the atmospheric conditions or the specific data derived from ice cores. Option B, the interaction of comets with the solar wind, pertains to space phenomena rather than terrestrial atmospheric processes. Option C, the movement of glaciers due to gravity, describes glacial dynamics but does not address the atmospheric mixing needed to link ice core data to the event.
Connecting ice core data to the Tunguska Event necessitates understanding atmospheric dynamics, which is achieved through the constant mixing of the atmosphere. This mixing disperses particles and gases, allowing researchers to correlate ice core samples with historical events, including the Tunguska explosion. Option A, the cycling of carbon in forest fires, is unrelated to the atmospheric conditions or the specific data derived from ice cores. Option B, the interaction of comets with the solar wind, pertains to space phenomena rather than terrestrial atmospheric processes. Option C, the movement of glaciers due to gravity, describes glacial dynamics but does not address the atmospheric mixing needed to link ice core data to the event.
Other Related Questions
Based on the table, use the drop-down menus to make the following statement correct. _ experiences the least warming effect from CO2 because it has the _ of CO2 in its atmosphere.
- A. smallest amount
- B. largest amount
- C. Mars
- D. Planet L
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A,C
The statement highlights that Mars experiences the least warming effect from CO2 due to its atmospheric composition. Mars has a small amount of CO2 compared to other planets, which limits its greenhouse effect and consequently its warming. Option B, "largest amount," is incorrect as it contradicts the premise that a larger CO2 presence would lead to more warming. Option D, "Planet L," is not a recognized celestial body in this context and does not provide relevant information regarding CO2 levels. Thus, the combination of Mars with the smallest amount of CO2 accurately reflects the relationship between atmospheric composition and warming effects.
The statement highlights that Mars experiences the least warming effect from CO2 due to its atmospheric composition. Mars has a small amount of CO2 compared to other planets, which limits its greenhouse effect and consequently its warming. Option B, "largest amount," is incorrect as it contradicts the premise that a larger CO2 presence would lead to more warming. Option D, "Planet L," is not a recognized celestial body in this context and does not provide relevant information regarding CO2 levels. Thus, the combination of Mars with the smallest amount of CO2 accurately reflects the relationship between atmospheric composition and warming effects.
Which statement describes the motion of the object for the first 10 seconds?
- A. The object is moving at a constant speed.
- B. The object is doubling its speed every two seconds.
- C. The object is increasing its height.
- D. The object is accelerating.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The motion of the object for the first 10 seconds indicates that it is accelerating, meaning its speed is increasing over time. Option A is incorrect because constant speed implies no change in velocity, which contradicts the evidence of acceleration. Option B suggests a specific pattern of doubling speed, which is not necessarily true without further information on the object's velocity changes. Option C, while it may imply upward motion, does not capture the essential aspect of acceleration, which is a change in speed rather than just height.
The motion of the object for the first 10 seconds indicates that it is accelerating, meaning its speed is increasing over time. Option A is incorrect because constant speed implies no change in velocity, which contradicts the evidence of acceleration. Option B suggests a specific pattern of doubling speed, which is not necessarily true without further information on the object's velocity changes. Option C, while it may imply upward motion, does not capture the essential aspect of acceleration, which is a change in speed rather than just height.
Based on these results and assuming that whenever two materials are present their remaining energy is averaged, what would the scientist best conclude to be the composition of Saturn's rings?
- A. equal amounts of loose rocks and loose snow
- B. equal amounts of ice and bedrock
- C. a small amount of bedrock and a large amount of carbon rock
- D. large amounts of ice and smaller amounts of carbon rock
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The conclusion about Saturn's rings is supported by the composition of ice and carbon rock. Large amounts of ice are consistent with observations of Saturn’s rings, which are primarily composed of water ice particles. Smaller amounts of carbon rock align with the presence of darker materials found in the rings. Options A and B suggest equal amounts of materials that do not reflect the observed predominance of ice. Option C overestimates the presence of bedrock, which is not supported by scientific data. Thus, option D accurately captures the dominant composition of Saturn's rings.
The conclusion about Saturn's rings is supported by the composition of ice and carbon rock. Large amounts of ice are consistent with observations of Saturn’s rings, which are primarily composed of water ice particles. Smaller amounts of carbon rock align with the presence of darker materials found in the rings. Options A and B suggest equal amounts of materials that do not reflect the observed predominance of ice. Option C overestimates the presence of bedrock, which is not supported by scientific data. Thus, option D accurately captures the dominant composition of Saturn's rings.
A substance has a mass of 10 grams. This substance has 45 joules of heat added to it, and the change in temperature is 5 degrees. What is the specific heat of the substance? J/gK
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: 0.9
To determine the specific heat, we use the formula \( c = \frac{Q}{m \Delta T} \), where \( Q \) is the heat added (45 J), \( m \) is the mass (10 g), and \( \Delta T \) is the temperature change (5 °C). Plugging in the values: \( c = \frac{45 \, \text{J}}{10 \, \text{g} \times 5 \, \text{°C}} = 0.9 \, \text{J/g°C} \). Other options may arise from calculation errors, such as misapplying the formula or using incorrect units. For instance, if one mistakenly divides by a different temperature change or mass, it would yield incorrect specific heat values. Thus, 0.9 J/gK accurately reflects the relationship between heat, mass, and temperature change for this substance.
To determine the specific heat, we use the formula \( c = \frac{Q}{m \Delta T} \), where \( Q \) is the heat added (45 J), \( m \) is the mass (10 g), and \( \Delta T \) is the temperature change (5 °C). Plugging in the values: \( c = \frac{45 \, \text{J}}{10 \, \text{g} \times 5 \, \text{°C}} = 0.9 \, \text{J/g°C} \). Other options may arise from calculation errors, such as misapplying the formula or using incorrect units. For instance, if one mistakenly divides by a different temperature change or mass, it would yield incorrect specific heat values. Thus, 0.9 J/gK accurately reflects the relationship between heat, mass, and temperature change for this substance.