Wollega University

Faculty of Natural Science, Program of Physics

General Geophysics (phys368) Distance course,
physics Summer III. Final Exam 2011/12 A.C
Exam Date: 02/08/2011. Time allowed: 1:30hrs
Exam code__________________________
General direction: Give your response clearly and
neatly on space provided

The Exam paper contains two parts

For instructor use only

Multiple
choice
(15 points)
Points

Work out
Questions
(35points)

Total (50 %)

I.

Choose the best answer from the given alternatives and write the letter of your
choice on space provided (15%).

1. Three 0.300-kg billiard balls are placed on a table at the corners of a right triangle, as shown in
below. What is the gravitational force on the ball m1 resulting from the other two balls
A. (6.67x10-11i+5.5x10-2j) N

B. (3.75x10-11i+10.5x10-8j) N

C. (6.67 i+3.75j) x10-11N)

D. None
m2

0.4

m1

0.5

0.3

m3

2. The left end of a homogeneous bar of length L and mass M is at a distance h from a particle of
mass m Fig. below. What is the gravitational field expression exerted by the bar at the origin?
A. g= Gm/h (h+L)

B. g=Gm/(h2-L)

C. g=Gm/h

D.none

3. One of the following is not the advantage of Geophysics?

A.it studies the planet earth using the principle of physics
B.It can also be used for exploration of other planets in association with other
discipline.
C.It is important for natural resource exploration

D. none

4. What is the acceleration due to gravity at 1/4re from the centre of the earth? Assume that the earth
is uniformly distributed mass system and (9.8m/s2) at the surface of the earth.
A.2.45m/s2

B. 9.8m/s2

C. 4.9m/s2

D.1.258m/s2

E. none

5. The science that studies the shape and size of the Earth is called
A. Geodesy

B. Geogravimetry

C. Cartography meter

D. None

6. Seismic waves are recorded by an instrument called a (1) _________ and the record of the
earthquake that the instrument generates is called a (2) _________.
A. (1) seismograph (2) seismometer B. (1) Seismograph (2) seismogram
C. (1) Seismometer (2) seismograph D. (1) Seismogram (2) seismograph
E. (1) seismogram (2) seismometer
7. The first seismic wave to arrive from seismic source is:
A. the S-wave B. the P-wave C. the Love wave D. the Rayleigh wave
E. variable from seismic source to seismic source
8. Which of the following types of waves is unable to pass through any liquid?
A. P-waves

B. Sound waves C. water waves D. Primary waves

E. S-waves

9. The order of arrival of seismic waves is:

A. body waves, primary waves, surface waves, secondary waves
B. P-waves, primary waves, S-waves, secondary waves
C. P-waves, S-waves, Love waves, Rayleigh waves
D. Love waves, primary waves, surface waves, Rayleigh waves
E. Rayleigh waves, secondary waves, primary waves, Love waves
10. The Mohorovicic discontinuity, better known as the Moho, is:
A. the boundary between the crust and the mantle
B. the boundary between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere
C. the boundary between the mantle and the outer core
D. the boundary between the outer core and the inner core
E. none
11. The reason the Earth is able to have plate tectonics is because:
A. the asthenosphere is soft and gooey so the plates can move around on top of it
B. the lithosphere is brittle so it has been able to break apart to form the plates
C. convection in the mantle provides a driving force to move the plates around
D. subduction of old crust makes room for new crust forming at mid-ocean ridges
E. all of the above
12. Continental crust, which commonly forms high mountains, is thicker, and stands higher, than
oceanic crust:
3

A. because continental crust is denser than oceanic crust

B. because continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust
C. because of the principle of isostacy D. both A and C above, E. Both B and C above.
13. The Earth has a magnetic field because:
A. the liquid outer core creates an electric current which induces a magnetic field
B. magnetic minerals are common at temperatures above the Curie point
C. it has a magnetic iron-nickel core, D. all planets have magnetic fields when they form,
E. the Earth is a giant domino
14. The process whereby seismic wave motion directions change as they pass across a boundary
from one rock layer into a rock layer with a different density is:
A. wave reflection B. Wave refraction C. wave rays D. wave interference E. wave
shadowing
15. P-waves and S-waves
A move through material at different but constant speeds, B can move through liquids
C are surface waves, D move through material at different speeds that may vary based upon the
density of the material, E. cannot move through liquid
II. Conceptual and work out questions (35%). Show your steps clearly and neatly where
necessary.
16. What is the difference between Lithosphere and Asthenosphere?(4pts)
17. What is seismic tomography? ?(4pts)
18. List the main sources of geomagnetic fields?(4pts)
19. Mechanisms of heat transfere in the earth?(4pts)
20. List gravity corrections that are applied to gravity data with their mathematical computations?
(4pts)
21. Which is Airys and which is Pratt model in the diagram below? (4pts)

22. A large area of continent consists of crust and asthenosphere with the whole 90
km thick with density 2.8kg/m3 crust and asthenosphere material with density
3.3 kg/m3. Calculate how far the top of the crust is above asthenosphere material
surface? (5pts)
23. List types of remanent magnetization (4pts)
4

24. List types of plate boundaries with specific examples for each (2pts).

Answer sheet
Exam code___________________________
I.

Multiple choices (15%)

1.

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6. _____

11. _____

2.

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7. _____

12. _____

3.

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8. _____

13. _____

4.

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9. _____

14. _____

5.

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10. _____

15. _____

II.Conceptual and Work out problems (35%)

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