Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
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The Final exam will be broken up into 4 parts: 30 multiple choice questions, 2 short
answer questions, 1 long essay, and a read and response question.
Section 1: Introduction to earth science.
Introduction to Earth Science- Chapter 1
1) Name and description of Earths four major spheres
2) Why is the earth considered a system
3) Sources of energy for the earth system
4) Descriptions of scientific theory and hypotheses
5) Density and dimensional analysis problems
You should use your notes, quizzes, tests, vocabulary lists, in class activities and book to
study. DO NOT wait until the night before the test to study. Please see me if you have
any questions or concerns, again the sooner the better.
Key Terms:
Geosphere - The geosphere is the solid, rocky crust covering entire planet. This crust is
inorganic and is composed of minerals. It covers the entire surface of the earth from the
top of Mount Everest to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The Geosphere also includes
the Mantle and the Core of the Earth ("Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere,
Lithosphere").
Hydrosphere - The hydrosphere is composed of all of the water on or near the earth.
This includes the oceans, rivers, lakes, and even the moisture in the air. Ninety-seven
percent of the earth's water is in the oceans. The remaining three percent is fresh water;
three-quarters of the fresh water is solid and exists in ice sheets ("Atmosphere,
Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere").
Biosphere - The biosphere is composed of all living organisms. Plants, animals, and onecelled organisms are all part of the biosphere. Most of the planet's life is found from three
meters below the ground to thirty meters above it and in the top 200 meters of the oceans
and seas ("Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere").
Atmosphere - The atmosphere is the body of air which surrounds our planet. Most of our
atmosphere is located close to the earth's surface where it is most dense. The air of our
planet is 79% nitrogen and just under 21% oxygen; the small amount remaining is
composed of carbon dioxide and other gasses ("Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere,
Lithosphere").
All four spheres can be and often are present in a single location. For example, a piece of
soil will of course have mineral material from the lithosphere. Additionally, there will be
elements of the hydrosphere present as moisture within the soil, the biosphere as insects
and plants, and even the atmosphere as pockets of air between soil pieces
("Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere").
System – a group of interacting parts making an integrated whole. There are 2 types of
systems in earth science. Open and closed. Open systems allow matter and energy to
flow in and out. Closed systems allow only energy to flow in and out of the system. Matter
does not flow freely in and out.
Energy sources for the Earth’s system - the sun and the Earth’s interior
Two most common gases in the atmosphere - oxygen and nitrogen
Two most common elements in the earth’s crust - oxygen and silicon
Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Section II. Earthquakes and volcanoes
Earthquakes- Chapter 8
1) Faults
2) Focus
3) Epicenter – How do we determine the location of an epicenter
4) Distance between seismic stations - triangulation
5) Determine the arrival of P and S waves
6) Richter scale and magnitude – Moment magnitude scale
Volcanoes- Chapter 10
1) Factors that determine the explosiveness
2) Particles produced in an eruption
3) Types of volcanoes
4) Where they are found and why
5) Ring of fire
6) Latitude and Longitude
Key Terms:
A fault is a fracture in the Earth where movement has occurred, earthquakes are most
often associated with them.
Pyroclastic materials are the particles produced in volcanic eruptions are
Be familiar with the following figures associated with earthquakes and volcanoes.
Figure 1. Earthquake focus and epicenter.
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 2. The function of p waves during an earthquake.
Figure 3. The function of S waves during an earthquake.
Figure 4. Triangulation used to calculate the location of an earthquake epicenter.
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 5. 3 types of volcanoes
Section III. Igneous activity
1) 3 ways that Magma forms
2) Relationship to Platetectonics
Key Terms:
Pluton: igneous intrusion formed from magma
Volcanic rock: rock formed from lava
Section IV. Continental Drift and Platetectonics
Continental Drift and Platetectonics- Chapter 9
1) Processes that drive the movement of the earths plates
2) Wegener and his ideas – continental drift
3) Define the Theory of Platetectonics – How is it different from continental drift
4) Movement of the plates
5) Boundaries – where they form, how they form, where they are found
a. Convergent – types of
b. Divergent
c. Transform fault
6) Scientific developments
7) Subduction
8) Paleomagnetism
9) Seafloor spreading
10) Hot spots
11) Slab pull – ridge push – Thermal convection
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
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Section V. Radiometric dating and relative dating
Relative dating- Chapter 12.1
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Law of superposition
Principle of uniformitarianism
Principle of cross-cutting relationships
Principle of original horizontality
Unconformities
a. Disconformity
b. Nonconformity
c. Angular unconformity
Fossils – Chapter 12.2
1) Types of fossils
2) What type of rocks fossils are found in
3) Formation of fossils
Numerical dating- Chapter 12.3
1) radiometric dating – what is it? how is it done? Why is it possible?
2) radioactivity
3) half-life
4) Parent and daughter isotopes
5) Radiocarbon dating – what is it good for, what age fossils can be measured using
it?
6) Interpreting graphs
Geologic time – 12.4
1) The geologic time scale – How it is divided up? Major changes in life.
2) Eras – Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic
Key Terms:
Geologic time scale – The division of Earth’s history into manageable units based on
interpretations of rock units and changes in fossil life forms.
Half-life - The time it takes for 50% of the nuclei in a radioactive sample to decay to its
stable isotope.
Relative dating -The dating process that places geologic events in proper sequence.
The law of superposition states that in an undeformed sequence of sedimentary rocks,
each layer is older than the one above it.
The principle of original horizontality - sediments are commonly deposited in flat-lying
layers is called.
Unconformity - a sequence of horizontal sedimentary rocks, with a considerable span of
time for which no sedimentary rock layers exist at this location.
The principle of uniformitarianism - The physical, chemical, and biological laws that
operate today have also operated in the geologic past. The present is the key to the past.
The principle of cross-cutting relationships - an intrusive rock body is younger than
the rocks into which it intrudes
Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Section VI. Weather, climate, atmosphere and cycles
Rocks- Chapter 3
1) Rock cycle
2) Rock formation
Carbon Cycle – P85, 110-111
1) Carbon cycle
2) Role of organisms in the carbon cycle
Water Cycle – 158-159
1) The water cycle
2) Earths water balance
Chapter 17.2 – pages 483-487
1) Heating
2) Atmosphere
Chapter 21.1 – pages 588-591
1) Factors that affect climate
Chapter 21.3 pages 600-603
2) Factors that affect climate
The following chapters are not on this final!
Chapter 18.1 – pages 504-509
1) Water in the Atmosphere
Chapter 19.1 – pages 532-536
1) Air pressure
Chapter 20.1 – pages 558-563
1) Air masses
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
This is how you will be evaluated for the short answer, essay, and reading
comprehension questions.
0
0
0
Unnacceptable
Question left
unanswered.
3
10
6
Needs
Improvement
Answers are partial
or incomplete. Key
points are not
clear. Question not
adequately
answered.
5
Answers are not
comprehensive or
completely
stated. Key
points are
addressed, but
not well
supported.
Short Answer questions (10 pts each)
Figure 6. Periodic Table
15
10
Satisfactory
7
21
14
Meets
Expectations
Answers are
accurate and
complete. Key
points are stated
and supported.
10
30
20
Exceptional
Answers are
comprehensive,
accurate and
complete. Key
ideas are
clearly stated,
explained, and
well supported.
Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 7. Radiometric dating decay curve.
Figure 8. Relative dating using fossils.
Figure 9. Sedimentary rock layers – Grand Canyon, USA
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 10. Top down web of the development of continental drift
Figure 11. The supercontinent Pangaea (300 mya).
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 12. Distribution of Volcanoes and Earthquakes around the world.
Figure 13. A description of a hot spot
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 14. Plate movement over a hot spot. The formation of the Hawaiin islands.
Figure 15. Plate Movement
Figure 16. Paleomagnetism.
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 17. Unequal heat distribution within the earth (convection currents).
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 18. Oceanic-Continental Convergent Boundary
Figure 19. Oceanic-Oceanic Convergent Boundary
Figure 20. Continental-Continental Convergent Boundary
Figure 21. Divergent Plate Boundary
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 22. A detailed diagram of the Rock Cycle
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Figure 23. A detailed diagram of the water cycle
(http://www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/images/ocp2003/WaterCycle-optimized.jpg)
Figure 24. A detailed description of the Carbon Cycle
(http://www.eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/images/carboncycle.jpg).
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Dr. Houghton – Earth Science – Final Exam 2012
Work Cited
"Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere." Geography Home Page Geography at About.com. Web. 13 Jan. 2012.
<http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/a/fourspheres.htm>.
Tarbuck, Edward J., and Frederick K. Lutgens. Earth Science. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.
"Volcanic Activity in the Red Sea : Image of the Day." 2011. NASA Earth Observatory :
Home. Web. 13 Jan. 2012.
<http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=76801>.
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