Name _____________________________________ Date______________ Period______
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Earth Science Study Guide
Complete the sentences by using your vocabulary terms.
1. The name of the group of sciences that deal with Earth and its neighbors in space is called
Earth science.
2. All the water on Earth makes up the hydrosphere.
3. A word that means “study of Earth” is geology.
4. A distance measured in degrees north or south of the equator is called latitude.
5. A distance measured in degrees east or west of the prime meridian is called longitude.
6. The contour interval tells you the difference in elevation between two adjacent lines on a
topographic map.
7. Lying beneath both the atmosphere and the ocean is the geosphere.
8. A system can be any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole.
9. An untested scientific explanation is called a hypothesis.
10. The gaseous envelope surrounding Earth is called the atmosphere.
11. A topographic map represents Earth’s three-dimensional surface in two dimensions.
12. The elevation on a topographic map is shown using contour lines.
13. The biosphere includes all life on Earth.
14. The study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather and climate is
meteorology.
15. The study of the universe is astronomy.
16. What is the difference between physical geology and historical geology?
Physical geology deals with materials making up Earth.
Historical geology deals with the physical and biological changes in Earth’s past.
17. Describe the following parts of the geosphere:
a: crust – thin, outside layer of Earth’s surface
b: upper mantle – joins with crust to form the lithosphere
c: lower mantle – more dense part of mantle below the asthenosphere (which flows)
d: outer core – part of core directly below mantle
e: inner core – very center of Earth; innermost layer; very dense
18. Of the parts listed in #17, which are the three main parts of the geosphere?
crust, mantle, core
19. Of the parts listed in #17, which two make up the lithosphere?
crust & upper mantle
20. What are the two sources of energy for the Earth system?
Sun & heat from Earth’s interior
21. Give a good definition for:
a: scientific theory – well-tested and widely accepted explanation for certain observable
facts; all other ideas that compete against the theory have been eliminated (disproven)
b: nebular hypothesis – idea that the bodies in our solar system formed from an
enormous rotating cloud called the solar nebula
c: parallel – another name for a latitude line
d: meridian – another name for a longitude line
22. List the main areas of Earth science.
geology (physical & historical)
oceanography
meteorology
astronomy
23. Where on the global grid is the Prime Meridian? 0o longitude
24. Where on the global grid is the equator? 0o latitude
25. In terms of what they are made from, how are the inner and outer planets different?
Inner planets were made from rocky, metallic materials while the outer planets were made
from gases and ices.
26. Describe what a topographic map can show you.
surface features (natural and manmade)
27. How do topographic maps show a steep elevation?
contour lines that are close together
28. How do topographic maps show a flat area?
contour lines that are far apart
29. Describe what a geologic map can show you.
age and type of rocks