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Earth and Space Science

Earth and Space Science — Free MYP3 Sciences Practice Questions

1QuestionDefinition and Types of WeatheringConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion B

A student investigates how rock size affects the rate of weathering. Three rocks — large, medium, and small — are each placed in separate containers with the same volume of water and shaken for the same duration. The mass of each rock is measured before and after shaking.

Identify the independent variable in this investigation. [1]

Identify one controlled variable and explain why keeping it the same is important for this investigation. [1]

Solutions

2QuestionDefinition and Types of WeatheringConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion A

The diagram shows two examples of weathering.

Image A: a rock with large cracks caused by water repeatedly freezing and thawing inside the rock.

Image B: a rock with a reddish-brown surface caused by iron in the rock reacting with oxygen.

Identify the type of weathering shown in each image — mechanical weathering or chemical weathering.

Image A: [type] Image B: [type] [2]

Solutions

3QuestionAsteroids Comets and MeteoroidsConcept Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion A

The diagram shows two celestial objects. Object X is located in the inner solar system, has an irregular rocky surface, and orbits the Sun in a nearly circular path. Object Y is located in the outer solar system, has a bright icy nucleus, and follows a highly elongated elliptical orbit.

Identify Object X and Object Y. [2]

Explain how two differences in composition between Object X and Object Y account for Object Y's ability to develop a glowing tail as it approaches the Sun. [2]

Solutions

4QuestionLunar Phases and Their CycleConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion A

The diagram below shows the Moon during its first quarter phase. An arrow points to the boundary between the illuminated and dark portions of the Moon's surface.

Identify the feature indicated by the arrow. [1]

Explain why the Moon is described as waxing at this phase. [1]

Solutions

5QuestionClimatic Differences Due to Earth MovementConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion B

A student investigates how latitude affects seasonal temperature variation. Average monthly temperatures are recorded over one year at three locations: the equator (

0°

45°\text{N}

, and the Arctic Circle (

66.5°\text{N}

). The same thermometer is used on the same day each month.

Identify the independent variable in this investigation. [1]

Identify one controlled variable and explain why keeping it constant makes this a fair test. [1]

Solutions

6QuestionClimatic Differences Due to Earth MovementConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion A

The diagram shows Earth with its axis of rotation drawn as a straight line through the North and South Poles. The angle between this axis and the vertical is marked as

23.5°

State the name of this angle. [1]

Explain why this angle causes some parts of Earth to receive more solar energy than others during the year. [1]

Solutions

7QuestionHow Earth Structure Affects LandformsConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion A

The diagram shows a cross-section of the Earth with its layers labelled. Layer X is the layer directly beneath the crust.

Identify layer X. [1]

Explain why layer X is important for the movement of tectonic plates. [1]

Solutions

8QuestionHow Each Type of Rock FormsConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion A

Examine the two diagrams below.

Diagram A shows a volcano with magma rising from the mantle and lava erupting from the crater.

Diagram B shows a river delta where layers of sand and mud are being deposited.

Identify which diagram shows igneous rock formation and which shows sedimentary rock formation. [1]

Explain why the process shown in Diagram A produces igneous rock. [1]

Solutions

9QuestionDefinition and Types of WeatheringAssessment Practice

6 marks~9 minCriterion D

A city council is choosing between two sites for a new limestone building: an urban area with high levels of sulfur dioxide (

\text{SO}_2

) and nitrogen oxides (

\text{NO}_x

) in the air, and a rural area with clean air.

Describe what chemical weathering is and identify which location would cause it to occur faster. [2]

Explain how

\text{SO}_2

and

\text{NO}_x

in the urban atmosphere lead to faster chemical weathering of limestone (

\text{CaCO}_3

). [2]

Analyse two reasons why it is difficult to predict how much weathering the limestone building will experience over 50 years. [2]

Solutions

10QuestionProcesses of Erosion by Wind Water IceAssessment Practice

5 marks~8 minCriterion C

A wind tunnel experiment tests how particle size affects wind erosion. Air is blown at

30 \text{ km/h}

over sand samples for

5

minutes each. The results are recorded below.

Particle diameter (mm)	$0.1$	$0.3$	$0.5$	$0.7$	$0.9$
Mass eroded (g)	$12.5$	$18.2$	$15.0$	$8.6$	$3.1$

A student claims: "Wind erosion is always strongest on the smallest particles."

Describe the overall trend shown by the data. [1]

Explain why the data contradict the student's claim. [2]

Analyse whether the experimental data are sufficient to fully support or refute the student's claim. [2]

Solutions

11QuestionMovements of Planets Around the SunAssessment Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion D

A communications satellite is designed to orbit Earth at exactly the right speed to remain above the same point on the ground at all times.

Describe one real-world consequence for users if the satellite's orbital speed is too slow or too fast. [2]

Solutions

12QuestionMovements of Planets Around the SunAssessment Practice

6 marks~9 minCriterion B

The table shows the average distance from the Sun and the orbital period for four planets.

Planet	Distance (AU)	Orbital Period (years)
Mercury	0.39	0.24
Venus	0.72	0.61
Earth	1.00	1.00
Mars	1.52	1.88

Describe the relationship between a planet's distance from the Sun and its orbital period. [1]

A student claims the relationship is not simply proportional. Calculate

d^3

and

P^2

for Mercury and Mars, and explain what these values reveal about the relationship. [3]

An asteroid has an average distance of 2.50 AU from the Sun. Use the relationship you identified to predict its orbital period. Show your working. [2]

Solutions

13QuestionAsteroids Comets and MeteoroidsAssessment Practice

7 marks~11 minCriterion C

A student simulated asteroid impacts by dropping spheres into a tray of sand from a height of 1.5 m, producing an impact speed of approximately 5.4 m/s. Crater diameter was measured for each sphere.

Sphere	A	B	C	D	E
Mass (g)	10	20	10	20	40
Crater diameter (cm)	3.0	4.2	4.2	6.0	8.5

Identify which two spheres have the same kinetic energy. Explain your reasoning. [2]

Describe the relationship between sphere mass and crater diameter shown in the data. [2]

Sphere F has a mass of 30 g and is dropped from the same height. Analyse the data to predict the crater diameter Sphere F would produce. [3]

Solutions

14QuestionLunar Phases and Their CycleAssessment Practice

3 marks~5 minCriterion B

The table below shows moonrise times for seven consecutive days during a waxing gibbous phase.

Day	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Moonrise time (PM)	6:15	7:05	7:55	8:45	9:35	10:25	11:15

Identify the pattern in the daily change in moonrise time. Support your answer with at least two calculations from the data. [1]

Calculate the predicted moonrise time for Day 10. Show all working. [2]

Solutions

15QuestionViewing Moon Phases from EarthAssessment Practice

8 marks~12 minCriterion C

The diagram below shows four positions of the Moon in its orbit around Earth. Sunlight travels from right to left. A 90° grid is centred on Earth.

Position 1: Moon between Earth and Sun.
Position 2: Moon at 90° from the Sun–Earth line.
Position 3: Moon directly opposite the Sun.
Position 4: Moon at 270° from the Sun–Earth line.

Identify which position (1, 2, 3, or 4) could produce a total lunar eclipse. [1]

Explain why the Moon must be at that position for a total lunar eclipse to occur. In your answer, use the terms umbra and alignment. [3]

The diagram shows that lunar eclipses do not occur every month, even though the Moon reaches position 3 every orbit. Analyse two reasons why a total lunar eclipse is rare. [4]

Solutions

16QuestionLunar Phases and Their CycleAssessment Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion D

Sea turtle hatchlings use the reflection of moonlight on the ocean surface to navigate toward the sea after hatching.

Describe one real-world effect that a full moon has on sea turtle hatchlings. [2]

Solutions

17QuestionClimatic Differences Due to Earth MovementAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion D

A Norwegian town at 70°N experiences 24-hour darkness in December and 24-hour daylight in June because of Earth's axial tilt. Farmers plan to use greenhouses with artificial lighting in winter and rely on continuous natural daylight in summer to grow crops year-round.

Describe one benefit of 24-hour summer daylight for crop growth at 70°N. [1]

Explain one limitation of using artificial lighting to replace sunlight during winter. [2]

The Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current, flows past northern Norway. Analyse how this current affects the reliability of using axial tilt alone to predict growing seasons in this region. [1]

Solutions

18QuestionClimatic Differences Due to Earth MovementAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion C

The diagram shows sunlight striking Earth's surface at Location X (

90°

) and Location Y (

30°

) during the same time of year.

State which location receives more heat energy per square metre. [1]

Explain how the angle of insolation at Location X causes energy to be more concentrated than at Location Y. [2]

A student claims that Location Y could receive equal heating if sunlight shone for twice as long each day. Analyse whether this claim is scientifically valid, using your understanding of angle of insolation. [1]

Solutions

19QuestionLayers of the Earth Crust Mantle CoreAssessment Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion D

The diagram shows a cross-section of Earth's interior with arrows indicating convection currents in the mantle.

Describe how convection currents in the mantle cause tectonic plates to move. [1]

Explain one reason why the mantle convection model cannot precisely predict the location of a future volcanic eruption. [1]

Solutions

20QuestionLayers of the Earth Crust Mantle CoreAssessment Practice

3 marks~5 minCriterion C

The table below shows average data for continental and oceanic crust.

Continental crust — thickness	35 km	elevation: +0.8 km
Oceanic crust — thickness	7 km	elevation: −4.0 km

Describe the relationship between crustal thickness and elevation shown in the data. [1]

Explain how the difference in density between continental and oceanic crust causes them to float at different heights on the mantle. [1]

A geologist claims that a newly discovered crust sample is oceanic. It has a thickness of 30 km and an elevation of +0.5 km. Using the data above, evaluate whether this claim is likely to be correct. [1]

Solutions

21QuestionTectonic Plates and Plate Boundaries IntroductoryAssessment Practice

7 marks~11 minCriterion B

The table below shows GPS data for five locations near a plate boundary, recorded over three years.

Location	A	B	C	D	E
Direction	NW	NW	SE	SE	SE
Speed (mm/year)	35	32	28	30	27

Locations A and D are 500 km apart.

Interpret the movement pattern in the table and identify the type of plate boundary. [2]

Calculate the expected change in distance between A and D after 10 years. Show your working. [2]

Analyse whether the three-year GPS record provides a reliable basis for your 10-year prediction. [3]

Solutions

22QuestionHow Each Type of Rock FormsAssessment Practice

6 marks~9 minCriterion B

A geologist cools five samples of molten magma at different rates and records the average crystal size formed in each sample.

Cooling time (days)	0.007	0.042	0.25	2	7
Average crystal size (mm)	0.1	0.5	1.2	2.8	4.5

Describe the relationship between cooling time and average crystal size shown in the data. [1]

Explain why slower cooling produces larger crystals in igneous rocks. [2]

A sample of the same magma is cooled over 30 days. Using the data, predict the average crystal size and justify your prediction. [3]

Solutions

23QuestionHow Each Type of Rock FormsAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion C

The graph below shows the relationship between cooling time and average crystal size for four magma samples.

X-axis	Cooling time (hours): 0	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100
Y-axis	Average crystal size (mm): 0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

Sample A	(10	0.5)
Sample B	(25	2.0)
Sample C	(50	4.5)
Sample D	(90	9.0)

Describe the relationship between cooling time and average crystal size shown by the data. [2]

Identify which sample most likely formed an extrusive igneous rock and justify your choice using data from the graph. [2]

Solutions

24QuestionPhysical and Chemical Properties of RocksAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion D

A construction company must choose between limestone and granite for the exterior of a building in an area with high acid rain.

Describe one chemical property of each rock that is relevant to this situation. [1]

Explain why granite is more suitable than limestone for this building exterior. [2]

Identify and explain one real-world limitation the company may face when choosing granite. [1]

Solutions