Mrs. Spencer’s Topic 6 Test Review ~ Exploring Earth Science
***KNOW HOW TO READ A TOPOGRAPHIC MAP***
ISOLINES
*ISO means same, so same lines
*connect points of equal value
*NEVER touch, cross or split/ always closed
*gentle curved lines
Contour Lines *the CLOSER the lines, the STEEPER the slope
Streams flow
*downhill (high to low elevation/height)
*toward the ocean/sea (sea level is 0!)
*down the Vs (make a mountain of a V and water flows down the mountain)
Latitude – LAT is FLAT – horizontal lines that measure degrees north and south of the equator
Longitude – LONG – vertical lines that measure degrees west and east of the prime meridian
Theory of Plate Tectonics explains the formation & movement of Earth’s plates.
***Scientists studied recordings of earthquake/seismic waves in order to develop the model of the Earth.
*The layers of Earth are divided based on materials found in each layer (crust, mantle, outer & inner core).
***Crustal plates move because convection currents, which are located in the MANTLE.
**Earth’s crust moves and makes earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and creates mountains & ocean basins.
Uneven heating of Earth’s surface is the cause of WEATHER.
WEATHER - short-term condition of atmosphere at a specific place & time).
CLIMATE – long-term condition – atmospheric conditions that prevail from season to
season & year to year at a certain location.
*Dust and ash entering atmosphere from volcanic eruptions can affect Earth’s
weather & climate.
*Most local weather condition changes are caused by movement of air masses.
*Weather conditions (differences in air pressure) at a location are determined
mostly by temperature, humidity & pressure of air masses over that location.
*Movement of air masses is determined by prevailing winds (west to east) & upper air currents.
HIGH pressure  high & dry (fair weather)
LOW pressure  low & lousy (rainy/moist weather)
AIR MASSES:
Air masses form when a body of air becomes stationary over a region of Earth’s surface OR air moves over a large
region, like an ocean…
Polar = cold (North)
Tropical = warm (South)
Maritime (think marines, marina, water/el mar) = moist
Continental (think continents, land) = dry
IsoTHERM – line on map connecting points of equal air temperature (THERMometer)
isoBARs – for air pressure (measured with BARometer)
FRONTS: ***fronts always mean unsettled weather***
Cold front – cold air mass overtakes warm air mass
Warm front – warm air mass overtakes cold air mass
Stationary front – 2 different air masses form boundary & don’t move; precipitation for days
Occluded front – warm air mass between 2 cold air masses; cloudy sky & precipitation
SOLAR SYSTEM:
***Heliocentric model – Sun is center of solar system and planets, their moons and stars revolve
around it.
Gravity (a force) & inertia combine to keep planets in orbit around the sun.
Earth’s orbit – nearly circular; oval or ellipse shape
Planets
*all revolve (or move, travel, orbit) around sun
*all rotate (or spin) on their own axis
*order from sun: remember – My Very Efficient Mother Just
Sent Us Nine (Pizzas)
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, (Pluto)
Sun & moon rise on EAST and set on WEST horizons.
Earth *moving 18 miles per second – everything else travels at the same speed
*rotates/spins on axis (24 hours/1 day for a full rotation)
*tilted 23.5 degrees causing seasons
*Earth has seasons because its axis is tilted in the same direction as it revolves around the sun.
*seasons of Northern/Southern hemispheres are reversed because of tilt
Moon *revolves around planet
*we only see one side from Earth
*visible because of reflected light from the sun
*Earth’s gravity keeps it in orbit
*it takes 29.5 days for the moon to go through all of its phases
*phases of the moon are caused by the moon’s revolutions around Earth
*waxing = growing; waning = shrinking
*eclipse = shadow of planet/moon falls on another body in space
*solar (sun) eclipse = moon makes shadow on Earth (moon in between sun & Earth)
*lunar (moon) eclipse = Earth makes shadow on moon (Earth in between sun & moon)
*tides = regular rise & fall of ocean waters caused by moon’s gravitational pull on Earth
Latitude and Longitude Practice
*Plot points given latitude & longitude
*Name points given city or letter
G
F
E
H
Place the letter A at 48 N and 95 W
Place the letter B at 47 N and 96 W
Place the letter C at 49 N and 91 W
Place the letter D at 44 N and 88 W
What are the latitude and longitude points for the following letters?
E) _______________________________________
F) _______________________________________
G) _______________________________________
H) _______________________________________
Name ______________________
TOPIC 6 REVIEW: Earth Science
Directions: Go to station 1 or 2 and switch after 10 - 15 minutes.
Check your answers at each station…
Station 1: Latitude & Longitude
Go to the last page of you blue packet and do the entire page of
“Latitude and Longitude Practice.” Check answer key when done.
Station 2: Smartboard
Directions: Practice the two Smartboard games to check your
knowledge of earth science… Good luck and have fun! 
Station 3: Review!
Directions: Listen to the music and look at the blue review packet.
Circle or highlight anything you don’t know or understand. Ask Mrs.
Spencer any questions and STUDY WHATEVER YOU DON’T KNOW!
Science 8 Topic 6 Review
Station 4: Moon Phase Oreos
Directions: Take a spoon and 2 Oreos, but DO NOT EAT THEM YET! Turn to
page 4 in your blue packet (the moon phases). Mrs. Spencer will give
instructions…