2014 Earth Science Midterm Review
1. __Observations_ are facts derived from the environment by using the five senses. Ex:
The rock is black.
2. ___Inferences_______ are conclusions or predictions based on your observations. Ex:
The rock is old.
3. Your senses can be extended (made more precise) by using ___Instruments___. Ex: The
rock is 22cm.
4. _Classification_____ is organizing observations in a meaningful way. Ex: The book is
science fiction.
5. Mass- the amount of ___matter (atoms)______in an object.
6. Volume- the amount of __space________ an object occupies.
7. The __density________ of any given substance will remain the same regardless of the
size, shape, or mass of the sample.
8. As the pressure increases, the density of a substance will ___increase__________.
9. As the temperature increases, the density ___decrease__________.
10. Water expands when it ___freezes___________ causing density to
___decrease___________.
11. Most changes are ___cyclic__________, which means that they are predictable
(repeating pattern).
12. Dynamic Equilibrium means __changes______ are occurring but overall they
___balance_______ out.
13. Most substances are densest as a ___solid__________.
14. Water is densest at __4___ degrees Celsius, when it is a __liquid__________.
15. Objects more dense than water ____sink___(sink/float), less dense will
____float_________(sink/float).
MEASURING EARTH
16. Because the Earth bulges slightly at the equator and is slightly flattened at the poles it is
called an __oblate________ ____spheroid__________.
17. The equatorial diameter is ___slightly larger__________ than the polar diameter.
18. A person would weigh slightly _more_at the poles because he/she is _closer__ to the
center of the Earth.
19. The best model of the Earth’s shape is a ____ping pong ball____________.
20. Evidence for a round earth: photos from space (best evidence), ships disappear slowly
over the horizon, Earth’s shadow on the moon is curved (lunar eclipse), Polaris = latitude,
gravity measurements are different at equator and poles.
21. The altitude of Polaris (North Star) above the horizon is the same as the observer’s
__latittude___.
22. Polaris is located above the Earth’s northern __axis________ of ____rotation_________.
23. You can only see Polaris in the __northern___ hemisphere –always have to look
_north__ to see Polaris.
24. As a persons latitude increases, the altitude of Polaris __increases_________.
25. If you’re at 90°N, then Polaris is _90__ above the horizon- If you are at 0° then Polaris is
_90__° .
26. _Latitude _ Lines run left to right (horizontal) but measures distances _north and
__south__ of the equator.
27. _Longitude_____ Lines run up and down (vertically) but measure east and west of the
Prime Meridian.
28. Approximate latitude of NY is _41___ to 45°N, 72 to __75__°W.
29. Longitude is based on earth’s ___rotation__________of 15°/hr and the sun’s apparent
motion.
30. If you travel west time becomes __less______, if you travel east, time will
____increase______.
31. The closer the isolines (contour, isobar, isotherm) the ___steeper______________ the
slope (gradient).
32. Contour lines always bend ___upstream___, forming a “V” that points in the opposite
direction of flow.
33. Contour ___Interval__________– change in elevation between two contour lines, Ocean/
sea level = 0.
34. Streams always flow from __high_______to___low______ elevation.
35. Hydrosphere = water (oceans) Lithosphere = Crust (continental/oceanic) Atmosphere =
Layers of gasses.
ROCKS AND MINERALS
36 Rocks are classified based on ______origin (How they formed)______________.
37______Igneous____________ rocks exhibit intergrown/interlocking mineral crystals.
38Igneous rocks form from the melting and _solidification________ (crystallization) of
molten material (lava or magma.)
39Vesicular texture – gas pockets (porous). An example would be the rock
___Pumice_____________.
40.If an igneous rock cools extremely fast, the rock will exhibit a __glassy___________
texture.
41.When an igneous rock cools fast, ______small___________________ crystals form.
42.When an igneous rock cools slowly, ______big___________________ crystals form.
43.Intrusive = ___Below__________ ground.
44Extrusive = ___Above__________ ground.
45.Mafic rocks are ___dark__________ with a ____high _________ density.
46..Felsic rocks are ____light_________ with a ____low_________ density.
47.Clastic sedimentary rocks are formed by the ___compaction___ and _cementation___ of
sediments.
48Bioclastic – form from the compaction and cementation of ___Organic (biologic)
fragments_______.
49.Crystalline sedimentary rocks form from the _____evaporation_______________ of
water and ____precipitation___________________ of dissolved mineral from a solution.
50.Only rock type to contain fossils - ____Sedimentary___________________.
51.Metamorphic rocks from pre-existing rocks that have been altered due
____Heat_________ and/or ___Pressure__________.
52.___Metamorphic_____________________ rocks may be foliated (banding.)
53.Key words for ___Metamorphic____________ rocks are ; foliation, re-crystallize,
distorted structure.
54.Mineral properties such as cleavage and hardness depend on the ___Internal
Arrangement________ of the atoms and molecules.
55.The most common mineral is _____Quartz_______________. With a composition of
SiO2 (composed of silicon and oxygen.)
56.Cleavage- the tendency for a mineral to break along _____predictable flat ____ surfaces.
57.Hardness – the __resistance__ to being _____scratched____________.
Weathering, Erosion, Deposition & Landscapes
1. If compaction and Cementation occur at the delta, what is the name of the sedimentary
rock formed at: SANDSTONE
a. Area B? __________________
SILTSTONE
b. Area C? __________________
SHALE
c. Area D? __________________
2. Unsorted, angular, rough-surfaced cobbles and boulders are found at the base of a cliff.
What most likely transported these cobbles and boulders? GRAVITY
3. Sorted, rounded pebbles found at a delta were transported by RUNNING WATER
4. Erosion is taken place at which locations? A,D This is
because the stream’s velocity is the FAST-est.
5. Deposition is taken place at which locations? B,C.This
is because the streams velocity is flowing the SLOW est.
6. Draw the relationship between the following relationships:
a.
b.
Stream
Velocity
c.
Stream
Velocity
Volume
Rate of
Deposition
Slope
Roundness
d.
e.
f.
Rate of
Deposition
Rate of
Deposition
Size
Density
Surface
Runoff
Slope
7. Soils developed from material different from the bedrock are known as
TRANSPORTEDsoils, while those develop on top of their parent bedrock are
RESIDUALsoils.
8. The layer of soil with the most organic material is the A-Horizon or TOP soil.
9. The driving force of erosion is GRAVITY and can also act as an AGENTof erosion.
10. A sudden rush of rocks and soils down a slope is called a LANDSLIDE or a
MUDSLIDE.
11. The dominant agent of erosion on Earth is RUNNING WATER.
12. Any process that causes a rock to crack or break into pieces is called SEDIMENTS.
13. Name three types of physical weathering: ABRASION, FROST ACTION,
EXFOLIATION,
14. The effects of repeated freezing and thawing of water is called FROST ACTION.
15. The expansion and contraction of rocks due to differences in temperature is called
EXFOLIATION.
16. Most materials will CONTRACT when freezing, while an unusual feature of water is
that it will EXPAND when freezing.
17. True or False. The effects of frost action are most noticeable in places where the
temperatures usually stay below the freezing point of water.
18. True or False. Roots growing into rocks can exert enough pressure to crack the rocks.
19. True or False. The deeper a rock is, the more it will be affected by weathering.
20. True or False. The smaller the sized particles the faster the rate of weathering.
21. True or False. Smaller sized sediments have a larger surface area than a larger sized
sediment of equal mass and composition.
22. A common example of CHEMICAL WEATHERING (OXIDATION) is rust.
23. Stream volume is also known as DISCHARGE.
24. Flattest materials get deposited LAST
25. Densest materials get deposited FIRST
26. When a stream has a balance between erosion and deposition, it has reached
EQUILIBRIUM.
27. The fan shaped deposit at the end of a stream is a DELTA on land ALLUVIAL FAN.
28. When minerals are dissolved in water, the resulting ions are called by streams by
SOLUTION.
29. Particles in a sand dune deposit are small and very well-sorted and have surface pits
that give them a frosted appearance. This deposit most likely was transported by
WIND.
30. The stream velocity at point C is 100 cm per second and the stream velocity at point D
is 40 cm per second.
Identify one sediment particle most likely being deposited between points C and D.
SAND, SILT, CLAY
31. A stream with a water velocity of 150 centimeters per second decreases to a velocity of
100 centimeters per second. Which sediment size will most likely be deposited? COBBLES
32. According to the graph of the Relationship of the Particle Size to Water Velocity in
the reference information, what is the minimum stream velocity needed to maintain
transport of a pebble that is 1 centimeter in diameter? 100 cm/sec
33. Which particle will settle:
a. the fastest? (1)
b. the slowest? (4)
34. Which element is most
abundant by mass in the
Earth's crust? OXYGEN
35. Compared to a low-density spherical particle, a high-density spherical particle of the
same size will sink through water FASTER
36. A stream is entering the calm waters of a large lake. Draw a diagram which best
Stream
illustrates the pattern of sediment being deposited in the lake from the stream
flow.
37. Unsorted, angular, rough-surfaced cobbles and boulders are found
at the base of a cliff. What most likely transported
these cobbles and boulders?GRAVITY
38. In which type of climate does chemical weathering usually occur most rapidly?
WARM, MOIST
39. Which landscape shows the greatest evidence of erosion? C
39. Which rock layer is the most resistant to erosion? A,D
40.
Label each Landscape region X,Y,Z as either mountains, plateaus, or plains.
X = MOUNTAINS
Y= PLATEAUS
Z = PLAINS
42. The block diagrams show a river and its landscape during four stages of erosion. In which
order should the diagrams be placed to show the most likely sequence of river and landscape
development?
la
D,A,C,B
41. Which New York State Landscapes are oldest in age? ADIRONDACKS
42. What type of rock makes up the oldest bedrock in New York State? METAMORPHIC
43. Which New York State Landscape is youngest in age? ATLANTIC COASTAL
PLAIN
44. What type of rock material makes up the youngest bedrock in New York State?
SEDIMENTARY
45. What agent of erosion formed the Atlantic Coastal Plain Landscape in New York
State? GLACIERS
46. Landscapes with horizontal bedrock structure, steep slopes, and high elevations are
classified as PLATEAUS
47. Which sequence shows the order in which landscape regions are crossed as an airplane
flies in a straight course from Albany, New York, to Massena, New York?
HUDSON-MOHAWK LOWLANDS, ADIRONDACKS, ST. LAWRENCE
LOWLANDS.
48. What type of rock is most abundant in New York State that covers the surface as a thin
veneer?
SEDIMENTARY.
49. The best title for the
map would be
“WATERSHEDS OF NEW
YORK”
63. _______________ Gravity___________ is the force behind all erosion.
64. _______________Running Water__________ is the primary agent of erosion.
65. Stream velocity depends on ________ gradient _______ and ______ volume (discharge)
___________.
66. The size of the particle transported depends on the stream’s _____ velocity _____________.
67. Heavy-dense-round particles settle _________ first _______ in water.
68. Graded bedding (vertical sorting) _____ large______ sediments are on the bottom.
69. An arid landscape has _____ steep _________ slopes with _____ high________ angles.
70. A humid landscape has ____ gentle __________ slopes with ____ low _________ angles.
71. A landscape is determines by the climate, bedrock, and geologic structures.
72. Stream Drainage patterns – ___ Radial ___________ pattern for MTs – dendritic pattern for
_____ downhill _____, Plateaus have a rectangular or ____ trelis__________ pattern.
73. Glacial sediments are _________ unsorted ______, scratched and form ________ “U”
_________ shaped valleys.
74. Stream deposits are ______ sorted _______, round, and form _____ “V”________ shaped
valleys.
75. Weathering- Break down of rocks at the earth’s surface into _________ sediments ____.
76. Sediments – broke down pieces of rock.
77. Soil- mixture of weathered rock (sediments) and organic remains that cover bedrock.
78. Chemical weathering dominates in _____ warm ________ and________ wet _____ climates.
79. Physical weathering dominates in _____ cold ____ and ____ wet __________ climates. (Good
For Frost Wedging)
80. As the particle size decreases, the rate of weathering will _______ increases_________.
81. When particles are broken into smaller pieces, the surface area _____ increases _________.
82. Sediments are classified based on their _________ particle size__. (i.e. .02cm particles are sand)
83. Erosion- _____movement________ of sediments
84. ___________ Gravity _____ is the ultimate force behind erosion.
85. _________ Running Water _______ is the primary agent of erosion.
86. Dissolved mineral are carried in _____ solution_________.
87. Silt/Clay colloids are carried by _____ suspension _________.
88. Sand/ Pebbles slide and bounce along the bottom.
89. As the velocity increases, the size of the sediments a stream can transport _______ increases
________.
90. As the slope/gradient of a stream increases, the size of the sediments a stream can transport _____
increases_______.
91. As the discharge (an amount of water in a stream) increases, velocity will _______ increase
________.
92. The velocity of a stream is greatest on the _______ outside___ of a meander (bend).
93. Erosion occurs on the _____ outside________ of a meander where velocity is ____ fast
__________.
94. Deposition occurs on the _____ inside _______ of a meander where velocity is ______ slow
________.
95. _____ Large______, _______ dense_______, _________ Round _____, particles are the first to
settle out of water as the water slows down. (Sorting Sediments)
96. Sediments transported by water are _____ round_______ and _____ smooth_______ due to
abrasion.
97. Streams erode a _ “V” ____ shaped valley.
98. Sediments deposited by glaciers are _______ unsorted _______, (all mixed up in size and
shape.)
99. Glaciers erode a __ “U” __ shaped valley.
100.
After a glacier has moved through an area the bedrock is _______ smooth___ and
_______ polished____ with parallel glacial striations (scratches).
101.
Wind deposits consist of fine grained well sorted particles (sand) particles exhibit a
pitted/frosted appearance and cross bedded layers.
102.
Residual soil- developed from the bedrock below it- _____ same _________ mineral
composition as bedrock below.
103.
Transported soil- transported from another location- _____ different______ mineral
composition than bedrock below.
104.
______ Longshore _______ drift moves sand along the beach in the direction of the
ocean current.
EARTH”S DYNAMIC CRUST
105.
Earthquake is a sudden movement along a fault, usually happens at ______ plate
boundaries_____.
106.
______ Tsunamis________ (tidal wave) caused by underwater earthquake.
107.
Fossils of marine life found at high elevation are evidence of _______ uplift_______.
108.
Evidence of continental drift (pangea) – The puzzle like appearance of the continents
(South America/Africa) South America and Africa have same: fossils, rock layers. Climactic
evidence (i.e. glacier in Africa?)
109.
Mid-Ocean ridges (spreading center) are areas where ____________ new crust__
______________ is being created as tectonic plates move apart.
110.
______ Divergent ________ plate boundary – Two plates move apart.
111.
______ Convergent ________ - two plates move toward one another.
112.
Proof of sea floor spreading -1- the age of the ocean floor is ______ younger____ at the
mid ocean ridges and gets _____ older____ as you move away in either direction. 2. There is also
a matching pattern of earth’s _____ magnetic__ polarity on either side of the ridge.
113.
Inferences about Earth’s interior come from the study of ________ seismic waves
_________.
114.
Earthquakes and volcanoes happen in the same spot, near ________ plate
boundaries________.
115.
______ Hot Spots________ are not associated with plate boundaries –magma burns
through plate = a series of islands (Hawaii).
116.
Continental crust is ______ older_______ with a density of ______ 2.7 g/cm3 ______
and is composed of ____granite __________.
117.
Oceanic crust is ________ younger___, with a density of ___3.0 g/cm3 _____ and is
composed of ___basalt____.
118.
When a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate the ______ oceanic________
plate subducts because it ______more________ dense.
119.
______ Transform________ Boundary – Plates slide past each other (San Andres Fault).
120.
Subduction zones/Trenches are where _________ oceanic crust_____________ is
destroyed. (Recycled).
121.
_____ Convection Currents_ in the asthenosphere (mantle) cause the plates to move.
122.
P- Waves travel _____ faster _________ than S- waves.
123.
P waves travel through ___ solids_______ & ______ liquids _____, but S- waves
through _____ solids ____ only.
124.
We can infer that the outer core is _____ liquid_________ because __ S__ waves cannot
penetrate it.
125.
One seismic station can determine the _____ distance _________ to the epicenter.
126.
As the distance from the epicenter increases, the time lag between the P sand the S wave
_______ increases_______.
127.
You need ______ 3 ________ seismic stations to plot an epicenter. (Where three circles
meet).