Earth Science 11 Review: The Solar System
Learning Outcomes:
1. I can describe the major characteristics of the sun and a method to measure its diameter.
2. I can explain how to predict the motion of orbiting bodies using Kepler’s Laws.
3. I can outline general features of components of the solar system: inner planets and outer planets.
4. I can provide examples proving that the earth rotates around its axis.
5. I can describe how the rotation and revolution of the Earth affects the motion of stars and other
planets.
6. I can use models to explain the phases of the moon.
7. I can describe the purpose and function of tools and instruments used to gather astronomical
information.
8. I can explain the uses of space technologies.
Some Important Topics and Key Words:
Earth’s Rotation and Revolution
-Earth’s Rotation: a) Proven by Foucualt’s Pendulum and the Coriolis Effect; b) Parallelism.
-Time Zones: a) Prime Meridian and other important lines of longitude.
Earth’s Moon
-Moon Formation
-Moon’s Orbit
-Moon Phases: a) Terms and characteristics.
-Lunar Eclipses: a) Definition and characteristics; b) Labeled illustration.
The Sun and the Solar System
-Correct order of the planets found within our Solar System (My Very Easy Method: Just Set Up Nine).
-Common characteristics of Terrestrial Planets and Jovian Planets.
-The Sun: a) Parts of the Sun (Core, Radiative Zone, Convection Zone, Photosphere, Sun Spot,
Chromosphere, Corona); b) Nuclear Fusion; c) Solar wind and Aurora formation.
-Heliocentric and Geocentric Models: a) Definitions; b) Strengths and weaknesses; c) Supporting
evidence.
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-Kepler’s 3rd Law of Planetary Motion P2=D3 (You will need a calculator for this quiz!).
-Gravitational Attraction: a) Definition; b) How is it increased or decreased.
-Retrograde motion of Mars: a) Definition and explanation.
The Planets and the Solar System
-Planet Characteristics: a) Inner Planets; b) Outer Planets
-Solar System Debris: a) Comets; b) Asteroids, Meteors, Meteoroids, Meteorites
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Earth Science 11 Review: Stars and Universe
Learning Outcomes:
1. I can describe the historical roles of constellations in mythology and navigation.
2. I can explain how spectra are used to determine the temperature, composition and motion of a star.
3. I can distinguish between an astronomical unit and a light year.
4. I can explain a variety of methods for estimating the distance to stars.
5. I can define apparent magnitude, absolute magnitude and the luminosity of a star.
6. I can group starts using the Hertzprung-Russell diagrams.
7. I can outline the life cycles of stars.
8. I can describe the characteristics of astronomical entities like galaxies, quasars and black holes.
9. I can debate the pros and cons of space exploration.
10. I can critique theories explaining the origin of the universe.
Some Important Topics and Key Words:
A Closer Look at Light
-Electromagnetic Radiation: a) Light; b) Travels in waves; c) Electromagnetic Spectrum.
-Visible Spectra: a) Continuous Spectrum; b) Emission Spectrum; c) Absorption Spectrum.
-Doppler Effect: a) Blueshift; b) Redshift.
Stars and Their Characteristics
-Star Temperature and Colour: a) What these qualities reveal about a star; b) How these characteristics
are influenced by a star’s composition, temperature, mass and size.
-Apparent Magnitude: a) Definition; b) Characteristics of the scale; c) Flaws with.
-Luminosity: a) Definition.
-Absolute Magnitude: a) Definition; b) Characteristics of the scale; c) Effectiveness compared to
Apparent Magnitude.
-Distance Measurements: a) Astronomical Unit; b) Light Year; c) Parsec.
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Life Cycle of Stars
-Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram: a) Definition; b) Be able to label the position of main star groups (main
sequence, blue supergiants, red supergiants, white dwarfs, red dwarfs)
and understand what this indicates about their characteristics.
-Nebula: a) Definition.
-Death of main sequence stars: a) Understand the steps in the death of a star like our sun.
-Death of a massive star: a) Understand the steps in the death of a star more than eight times our sun.
-Neutron Star: a) Definition.
-Black hole: a) Definition; b) Understand its role in active galaxies.
Galaxies and the Universe
-Galaxies: a) Definition; b) Types and their characteristics; c) Difference between active and normal.
-Big Bang: a) Definition and characteristics of; b) Supporting evidence; c) Flaws within it.
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Earth Science 11 Review: Earth’s Structure and Motion
Lesson Objectives:
1. I can describe the Nebular Theory and compare it to other Earth creation hypothesis.
2. I can discuss ways to determine the volume, density, shape and circumference of Earth.
3. I can discuss the characteristics of Earth’s interior layers and the processes that have created them.
4. I can describe the nature of Earth’s magnetic field.
5. I can describe the nature of Earth’s magnetic field.
Some Important Topics and Key Words:
Earth’s Formation
-Nebular Theory: a) Steps in the formation of our solar system; b) Planetesimals.
-Earth’s Shape: a) Effect of young Earth’s rotation on its final shape; b) Oblate Spheroid; c) One way to
prove that Earth is an oblate spheroid.
-Earth’s Interior: a) Nebular Theory of the interior of Earth’s organization; b) Organization of Earth’s
layers by density; c) Characteristics of Earth’s layers;
-Earth’s Heat: a) Process through which heat is still being generated in Earth’s interior.
-Earth’s Magnetic Field: a) Scientific theory of how it’s produced; b) Visual conception of its structure.
Earth’s Rotation
-Rotation: a) One piece of evidence supporting this phenomenon (e.g. Foucualt’s Pendulum); b) Angle
Earth’s axis; c) Parallelism; d) Latitude’s effect on rotation speeds (links to Earth being an oblate
spheroid).
-Time Zones: a) Be able to explain how Earth’s rotation creates time zones.
Earth’s Revolution
-Revolution: a) Definition; b) Evidence for (e.g. parallax).
-Seasons: a) Be able to explain how Earth’s revolution contributes to the creation of our seasons; b) Be
able to define Summer and Winter Solstice, Vernal and Autumnal Equinox.
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Earth Science 11 Review: Earth Materials
(Minerals, Rock Cycle and Rocks)
Lesson Objectives:
1. I can identify and classify minerals using their physical and chemical properties.
2. I can describe the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and understand their
positions within the rock cycle.
3. I can identify and classify rocks using their physical and chemical properties.
4. I can recognize the ways in which the study of minerals and rocks relates to geology and industry.
Some Important Topics and Key Words:
Composition and Structure of Minerals
-Mineral Characteristics: a) The five characteristics of all minerals.
-Mineral Formation: a) Magma Process; b) Pressure Process.
Identifying Minerals
-Mineral Identification Characteristics: a) Cleavage; b) Specific Gravity; c) Lustre; d) Streak; e) Colour;
f) Moh’s Hardness Scale; g) Crystal Structure.
Mineral Groups
-Major Mineral Groups: a) Silicates contain oxygen and silicon and are the most common minerals; b)
Carbonates contain carbonate ions; c) Oxides and Sulfides contain large quantities of iron ore; d) You
should know one example for each of the groups listed above.
How Rocks Form
-Rock: a) Group of minerals joined together.
-Rock Cycle: a) Be able to describe how one rock type can change into another and the processes by
which this occurs.
Igneous Rocks
-Formation: a) Intrusive, including Batholith, Laccolith, Dike, Sill; b) Extrusive.
-Felsic Magma: a) Characteristics; b) Granite Family characteristics and examples.
-Mafic Magma: a) Characteristics; b) Gabbro Family characteristics and examples.
-Intermediate Magma: a) Characteristics; b) Diorite Family characteristics and examples.
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Sedimentary Rocks
-Clastic: a) Cementation; b) Rock Types (Conglomerate, Breccia, Sandstone, Shale).
-Chemical: a) Precipitation.
-Organic: a) Organic Limestone; b) Coal.
-Features: a) Stratification; b) Fossils; c) Ripple Marks and Mud Cracks; d) Geodes.
Metamorphic Rocks
-Regional Metamorphism: a) Definition; b) Characteristics of the rocks it produces.
-Deformational Metamorphism: a) Definition; b) Characteristics of the rocks it produces.
-Contact Metamorphism: a) Definition; b) Characteristics of the rocks it produces.
-Foliation: a) Definition.
-Parent Rock: a) Definition; b) Know examples of this phenomenon.
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Earth Science 11 Review: Resource Use
Lesson Objectives:
1. I can recognize the ways in which the study of minerals and rocks relates to geology and industry.
2. I can distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources and suggest strategies to conserve
the latter.
3. I can identify the uses of ore minerals, rock, sediment materials and fossil fuels.
4. I can debate the importance of resource extraction industries and environmental conservation.
Some Important Topics and Key Words:
Mineral Resources
-Fossil Fuels: a) Definition.
-Resources: a) Renewable; b) Nonrenewable.
-Earth’s Minerals: a) Ore mineral; b) Reserve.
Energy Resources
-Coal: a) Transformation from peat to anthracite; b) Relation of carbon content to energy released when
burnt.
-Renewable Energy: a) Name three alternatives to nonrenewable energy sources.
Environmental Issues
-Conservation: a) Definition.
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Earth Science 11 Review: Geologic Time
Lesson Objectives:
1. Studying the Past
a) Distinguish between relative age dating and absolute age dating.
b) Relate principles of relative age dating and absolute age dating to the interpretation and correlation of
geological sequences.
c) Outline the process of absolute dating by means of radioactive elements and solve simple problems
related to absolute time.
d) Explain the process of fossil formation.
2. Geological Time
a) Describe the significance of fossils in interpreting past events.
b) Describe the geological history of Earth in terms of the development of life.
c) Describe major events in Earth’s history (accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere, mass extinctions)
using the Geological Time Scale.
Some Important Topics and Key Words:
Fossils
-Fossil: a) Definition; b) Different types, definitions and examples; c) Reasons behind the scarcity of
fossil remains.
Relative Time
-Relative Dating: a) Definition.
-Relative dating rules: a) Uniformitarianism; b) Principle of Superposition; c) Principle of Original
Horizontality; d) Principle of Cross Cutting relationships (pluton, dike, sill,
laccolith, batholiths); e) Faulted layers.
-Unconformity: a) Definition; b) Angular unconformity; b) Disconformity; c) Nonconformity.
-Correlation: a) Definition; b) Index fossil 4 basic requirements and use in correlation and; c) Key bed
definition and use in correlation.
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Absolute Time
-Absolute Time: a) Definition.
-Radiometric dating: a) Definition; b) Radioactive isotope; c) Alpha decay, Beta decay, Electron capture;
d) Parent isotope, Daughter Isotope; e) Half life; f) Basic information about
Radiocarbon, Uranium-Lead, Rubidium-Strontium and Potassium-Argon dating.
The Geological Time Scale
-Geologic Time Scale: a) Definition; b) Correct order of Eon, Era, Period, Epoch and an understanding of
why the Geological Time Scale is divided into these categories.
*On the test you will be provided with a copy of the Geological Time Scale found in your text.
Earth's Recent History
-Early Humans: a) Hominid definition; b) Bipedal definition; c) Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo
erectus, Homo sapiens.
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Earth Science 11 Review: Weathering and Erosion
Lesson Objectives:
1. Relate Weathering and Erosion Processes to Landscape Features
a) Distinguish between weathering and erosion.
b) Use examples to distinguish between mechanical and chemical weathering.
c) Describe the origin and function of soil.
d) Identify the processes by which glaciers, running water, wind and wave action erode rock and
sediment.
e) Differentiate between erosional and depositional features formed by glaciers, running water, wind and
wave action.
Some Important Topics and Key Words:
Weathering
-Weathering: a) Definition; b) Mechanical and Chemical with definitions and examples.
-Mechanical weathering: a) Frost wedging; b) Abrasion; c) Plants and animals; d) Upward Expansion
(Exfoliation).
-Chemical Weathering: a) Water or water vapour (Hydrolysis, carbonic acid, acid rain); b) Oxygen
(Oxidation).
-Rates of Weathering: a) Surface area; b) Rock composition; c) Climate.
Mass Movements and Erosion
-Mass Movement: a) Definition and difference from erosion; b) Landslide; c) Earthflow; d) Mudflow.
-Erosion: a) Definition and difference from Mass Movements and Weathering; b) Mechanical Erosion; c)
Chemical Erosion.
Streams and Rivers
-Factors Affecting erosion in rivers: a)Velocity; b) Gradient; c) Discharge.
Stream Erosion and Deposition
-Characteristics of Erosion in Headwater Areas.
-Characteristics of Erosion at a Waterfall.
-Characteristics of Erosion in Valley areas: a) “V” shaped valleys; b) Canyons.
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-Characteristics of Erosion in Floodplains: a) Differences of velocity in meanders; b) Oxbow Lake
formation.
-Characteristics of Erosion in Delta Areas: a) Understanding of the idea that Deltas are only formed when
sediment deposition outweighs erosion.
Glacial Movement and Erosion
-Glaciers: a) Definition; b) Types of movement (Basal slip, plastic flow).
-Erosion by Glaciers: a) Till; b) Moraine; c) Striations; d) Erratics.
-Erosion by Valley Glaciers: a) Glacial Valley definition; b) Cirque; c) Arete; d) Horn; e) Hanging valley
waterfall; f) Abrasion; g) Plucking.
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Earth Science 11 Review: Atmosphere
Lesson Objectives:
1. Characteristics and Significance of the Atmosphere
a) Describe the structure of the atmosphere and the abundance of substances within it.
b) Explain the relationship among air volume, density, pressure and temperature and the structure of the
atmosphere.
c) Describe the effects of the sun’s radiation on the atmosphere.
d) Predict the effects of changing the composition of the atmosphere.
e) Predict the effects of changing composition of the atmosphere, such as through ozone pollutants, water
vapour, greenhouse gases, pollutants.
f) Describe how temperature and pressure are related to phase changes of water in the atmosphere and to
relative humidity.
g) Outline the complex wind circulation patterns over Earth.
h) Describe wind deflection due to the Coriolis Effect
2. Describe the Function of the Hydrologic Cycle
a) Illustrate the hydrologic cycle, including how temperature and pressure are related to phase changed of
water in the atmosphere and to relative humidity.
Some Important Topics and Key Words:
The Atmosphere in Balance
-Atmosphere: a) Composition; b) Water, oxygen and carbon dioxide cycling through.
Heat and the Atmosphere
-Movement of Heat: a) Conduction; b) Convection; c) Radiation.
-Atmosphere Structure: a) Different layers’ defining characteristics and their order.
-Insolation: a) Definition.
-Global Heat Budget: a) Be able to explain the movement of heat through the atmosphere.
Local Temperature Variations
-Factors Affecting Temperature: a) Altitude; b) Intensity of Insolation.
-Factors Affecting Intensity of Insolation: a) Time of year; b) Latitude; c) Time of day; d) Cloud cover.
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-Water and Land Heating: a) Be able to explain the differential heating of land and water.
Human Impact on the Environment
-Air pollutants: a) Acid Rain; b) Smog; c) Ozone depletion;
-Global Warming: a) Greenhouse effect; b) Positives and Negatives; c) Ways to reduce our Greenhouse
Gas emission.
Humidity and Condensation
-States of water in the atmosphere: a) 3 states’ definitions.
-Humidity: a) Definition; b) Specific humidity; c) Maximum Capacity; d) Relative humidity.
-Condensation: a) Definition; b) Dew Point; c) Conditions required for condensation; d) Types of
condensation.
Clouds
-Cloud formation: a) Condensation level: b) Conditions for vertical growth; c) Dry and moist adiabatic
lapse rates; d) Stable and unstable air.
-Cloud types: a) Classification.
Precipitation
-Precipitation formation: a) Rain; b) Ice crystals; c) Nucleating agent; d) Types of precipitation based on
air temperature.
-Where precipitation occurs: a) Equator; b) Mountain ranges; c) High pressure areas.
-Weather modification: a) Cloud seeding.
Air Pressure and Wind
-Air Pressure: a) Definition; b) Factors affecting (temperature and humidity).
-Humidity: a) Specific humidity; b) Saturated air; c) Relative humidity.
-Plotting Air Pressure: a) Isobar; b) Pressure gradient..
Factors Affecting Wind
-Coriolis Effect: a) Definition and characteristics.
-Friction: a) Effect on wind speeds; b) Relationship with Coriolis effect.
Global Wind Patterns
-Three-Celled Circulation Model: a) Strengths; b) Weaknesses.
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Air Masses and Weather
-Air Masses: a) Definition; b) Types and characteristics.
Fronts and Lows
-Front: a) Definition; b) Cold; c) Warm; d) Occluded; e) Stationary.
-Mid-Latitude Cyclone: a) Origin and characteristics; b) Jet Stream.
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Earth Science 11 Review: Oceanography
Lesson Objectives:
-To describe features and processes associated with physical oceanography.
a) Identify techniques used to study the ocean and ocean floor
b) Diagram a typical ocean floor including continental margins, mid-ocean rise (ridge), rift, trench,
abyssal plain and seamounts
c) Relate the formation of turbidity currents to submarine canyons
d) Identify the physical properties of sea water (temperature, density)
e) Explain the general pattern of major ocean currents in the ocean
Some Important Topics and Key Words:
Properties of Ocean Water
-Salinity: a) Definition; b) Origins of salts; c) Variations in salinity.
-Temperature: a) Temperature layer characteristics; b) Thermocline definition and importance.
The Continental Margin
-Continental Margin: a) Parts; b) Active vs. Passive; c) Submarine Canyons; d) Turbidity Currents.
The Ocean Basin
-Ocean Basin Features: a) Abyssal Plain; b) Abyssal Hills; c) Deep-Sea Trenches; d) Deep-Ocean Vents;
e) Mid-Ocean Ridges; f) Seamounts and Guyots; g) Corals and Coral Atolls.
Ocean Floor Sediments
-Sediment Types and Origins: a) Terrigenous; b) Biogenous; c) Hydrogenous.
Surface Currents
-Surface Current: a) Definition; b) Factors influencing; c) Types (Warm, Cold, Gulf Stream Rings,
Countercurrents)
Currents Under the Surface
-Density Current: a) Definition; b) Three types (Antarctic Bottom, North Atlantic Deep Water, Antarctic
Intermediate Water); c) Evaporation as a cause.
-Upwelling: a) Definition and origins; b) Importance.
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