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Science · Drill 80

Science practice 80

7 questions ~9 min recommended
⏱ 00:00
Score
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PASSAGE II

The Earth's magnetic field is one of the planet's most significant natural phenomena. For centuries, the field has been used to aid navigation and exploration, and has been vital to many major discoveries. The magnetic field of the Earth extends several thousands of miles into space. It has the effect of shielding the Earth from solar wind, protecting the planet from dangerous high-energy particles and radiation. The exact source of the Earth's magnetic field is not certain. The following two Scientists attempt to explain the phenomenon.

Scientist 1

The Earth's magnetic field is similar to that of a bar magnet tilted 11 degrees from the spin axis of the Earth. The magnetic field of a bar magnet, or any other type of permanent magnet, is created by the coordinated motions of electrons within iron atoms. It is widely accepted that the Earth's core consists of metals. The inner core is 70% as wide as the moon and consists of a solid iron ball, which would exhibit properties of ferromagnetism1 (the natural magnetic tendency of iron). The core has its own rotation and is surrounded by a "sea" of molten rock. The magnetic field grows and wanes, and the Earth's poles drift and occasionally flip as the rotation of the core changes. The poles of the magnetic field have "flipped" many times due to the fluctuations in the rotation of the solid inner core. Other fluctuations in the magnetic field that can occur on a daily basis are largely the result of interference by solar wind.

Scientist 2

The Earth's magnetic field is attributed to a dynamo effect2 of circulating electric current in the molten outer core. Electric currents cause magnetic fields; therefore, the circulating electric currents in the Earth's molten metallic core are the origin of the magnetic field. When conducting fluid flows across an existing magnetic field, electric currents are induced, creating another magnetic field. When this magnetic field reinforces the original magnetic field, a dynamo3 is created which sustains itself.

Sitting atop the hot, iron inner core, the Earth's molten outer core churns and moves. The outer core also has cyclones or whirlpools powered by the Coriolis effects of Earth's rotation. These complex and unpredictable motions generate the fluctuating magnetic field. The outer core is seething, swirling, and turbulent, which has been detected by the constant changes and reversals in polarity throughout the planet's history. Further, iron has a special characteristic. When it is hotter than 1043 K, its Curie temperature, iron loses its magnetic properties. Therefore the Earth's magnetic field is caused not by magnetised iron deposits, but mostly by electric currents in the liquid outer core.

PASSAGE II

The Earth's magnetic field is one of the planet's most significant natural phenomena. For centuries, the field has been used to aid navigation and exploration, and has been vital to many major discoveries. The magnetic field of the Earth extends several thousands of miles into space. It has the effect of shielding the Earth from solar wind, protecting the planet from dangerous high-energy particles and radiation. The exact source of the Earth's magnetic field is not certain. The following two Scientists attempt to explain the phenomenon.

Scientist 1

The Earth's magnetic field is similar to that of a bar magnet tilted 11 degrees from the spin axis of the Earth. The magnetic field of a bar magnet, or any other type of permanent magnet, is created by the coordinated motions of electrons within iron atoms. It is widely accepted that the Earth's core consists of metals. The inner core is 70% as wide as the moon and consists of a solid iron ball, which would exhibit properties of ferromagnetism (the natural magnetic tendency of iron). The core has its own rotation and is surrounded by a "sea" of molten rock. The magnetic field grows and wanes, and the Earth's poles drift and occasionally flip as the rotation of the core changes. The poles of the magnetic field have "flipped" many times due to the fluctuations in the rotation of the solid inner core. Other fluctuations in the magnetic field that can occur on a daily basis are largely the result of interference by solar wind.

Scientist 2

The Earth's magnetic field is attributed to a dynamo effect of circulating electric current in the molten outer core. Electric currents cause magnetic fields; therefore, the circulating electric currents in the Earth's molten metallic core are the origin of the magnetic field. When conducting fluid flows across an existing magnetic field, electric currents are induced, creating another magnetic field. When this magnetic field reinforces the original magnetic field, a dynamo is created which sustains itself.

Sitting atop the hot, iron inner core, the Earth's molten outer core churns and moves. The outer core also has cyclones or whirlpools powered by the Coriolis effects of Earth's rotation. These complex and unpredictable motions generate the fluctuating magnetic field. The outer core is seething, swirling, and turbulent, which has been detected by the constant changes and reversals in polarity throughout the planet's history. Further, iron has a special characteristic. When it is hotter than 1043 K, its Curie temperature, iron loses its magnetic properties. Therefore the Earth's magnetic field is caused not by magnetised iron deposits, but mostly by electric currents in the liquid outer core.

1. Which of the following statements about the Earth's core was implied by Scientist 2?

2. A scientific article stated, "Since 1848, when the strength of the Earth's magnetic field was first measured, the field has lost 10% of its strength." Which of the scientists' viewpoints, if any, is (are) in agreement with this statement?

3. Researchers notice that volcanic rocks exhibit regular and predictable variations in their magnetic properties depending on their age. Which of the following statements about the variations would both scientists most likely agree with?

4. Scientists 1 and 2 would most likely disagree about which of the following statements?

5. Do the Scientists differ in their description of the Earth's magnetic field?

6. Suppose a new type of sensor was invented that could detect electric currents in the outer core. This new technology would:

7. According to Scientist 1, which of the following assumptions about the source of the Earth's magnetic field is a major flaw in Scientist 2's theory?

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