Regents Earth Science First Semester Mid-Term Exam
STUDY GUIDE
EARTH SCIENCE MID-TERM EXAM
12:00PM, THURSDAY,
JANUARY 24, 2013 -- GYM
This exam is an assessment of your knowledge of all the concepts taught
throughout the first half of the school year in preparation for your
2013 June Earth Science Regents exam. Your mid-term test grade
counts as 25% of your second marking period grade so be sure to study!
STUDENTS ACHIEVING A MID-TERM EXAM GRADE BELOW 65
MUST ATTEND WEEKLY REGENTS REVIEW PREP SESSIONS EVERY
WEDNESDAY AFTER SCHOOL UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL
YEAR, SO BE SURE TO REVIEW FOR THIS EXAM!
HONORS ES STUDENTS MUST ACHIEVE A MINIMUM GRADE OF 85!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PASS THIS EXAM!!!:
1. Density Formula: (front cover of ESRT)
a. Density = _Mass_
Volume
b. Be able to use the density triangle to find volume or mass:
Example: If you are trying to determine the volume and you
know the mass and density, just cover the "V", and the formula is revealed!
V = M ÷ D
c. Density of gases:
 Density increases with increased pressure
 Density decreases with increased temperature (heat)
2. Latitude and Longitude
a. Be able to use page 3 in the ESRT to locate positions on Earth
b. Latitude is measured North or South of the Equator
c. Longitude is measured East or West of the Prime Meridian
d. Remember the altitude of Polaris = the latitude of the observer
in the northern hemisphere! See the example for Phoenix, NY
(Example: the altitude of Polaris for Phoenix is 43o N; this equals
43o N latitude)
3.
Graphical Representation of Information (always connect points on graph!)
a. Be able to construct and analyze a graph
b. Remember a cyclic change is a repeating pattern
c. A direct relationship: Both variables increase
d. An inverse relationship: One variable increases, while the other
decreases (An opposite relationship)
e. A static change: There is no change in the variable over time
4. Fields and Gradient (Mapping) (front cover of ESRT)
a. Be able to use the gradient formula (gradient means how much
the measured field changes)
b. Be able to recognize greater or lesser gradient by the spacing
of the isolines:
i. Greater temperature gradient is where isotherms (points
of equal value for temperature) are closer
ii. Steeper gradient contour lines (elevation) are closer
c. Be able to recognize and construct a profile of a hill (side view
of the shape of the land) by observing the spacing of the
contour lines
d. Be able to calculate the highest or lowest possible elevation for
a given area by looking at the contour lines
5. Rocks & Minerals
a. Mineral characteristics & identification (Page 16 in ESRT)
b. Rock characteristics & identification (Pages 6 & 7 in ESRT)
6. Earth’s Interior
a. Properties of Earth’s Interior (Page 10 ESRT)
b. Inferred properties of Earth’s interior comes from studying
seismic waves
7. Dynamic Crust (Earthquakes and Volcanoes)
a. Composition of Earth’s crusts: oceanic crust is basalt and the
continental crust granite (Page 10 in ESRT)
o Density of Earth’s crust: oceanic crust—more dense,
continental crust—less dense
o Thickness of Earth’s crust: oceanic crust—thinner and
more dense, continental crust—thicker and less dense
b. Evidence for continental drift:
o Continents fit together like pieces of a puzzle
o Similar fossils & rock types on separate continents
o Magnetic polarity reversal indicated in ocean crusts
o Sea floor younger at mid-ocean ridges than continents
c. Plate tectonics (Page 5 in ESRT)
o Divergent plate boundary   (forms mid-ocean ridge)
o Convergent plate boundary   (forms mountain)
o Subduction plate boundary
 (forms trench)
o Transform plate boundary ---> (forms fault)
<--d. Earthquakes and volcanoes—occur along plate boundaries
e. Properties of seismic (earthquake) waves
o P-waves travel through solids, liquids, gases layers
o P-waves are faster and occur first
o P-waves have push-pull motion (compression waves)
o S-waves only go through solid layer only (not through
liquid outer core)
o S-waves travel slower and occur second (side-to-side
shearing waves)
o L-waves occur on the surface of the land; cause the
damage to property and loss of life
f. Epicenter location: (where the damage is from an earthquake)
o The epicenter is where 3 circles intersect
representing the seismic stations of three cities on a
map.
g. Use of P & S wave chart (Page 11 of ESRT)
HELPFUL HINT: PRACTICE CASTLE LEARNING QUESTIONS AND
REVIEW POWERPOINTS AND OLD EXAMS ON TEACHER’S WEBSITE
TO HELP YOU DO YOUR BEST ON THIS EXAM!
REMEMBER TO USE
YOUR EARTH SCIENCE REFERENCE TABLES!!!
Do NOT leave blank answers – they are marked wrong!
EARTH SCIENCE MID-TERM EXAM PRACTICE – ROOM 170
REVIEW SESSION #1: Students with test averages below 65
should attend this session: Wednesday, January 23
8:00—10:30am
REVIEW SESSION #2: Students with test averages below 65
should attend this session: Wednesday, January 23
12:00—2:20pm
REVIEW SESSION #3: *BY PRIOR REGISTRATION ONLY*
Thursday, January 24
8:00—10:30am
EARTH SCIENCE MID-TERM EXAM
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 12:00—1:30pm
(GYM)
NO CELL PHONES OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
ARE ALLOWED IN THE TESTING AREA!
Test Buses:
There will be regular morning bus runs in to school for morning exams during Regents week. For
afternoon exams, if you do not have your own transportation available to school, you must take
the morning bus to school. Wed. 1/23 & Thurs. 1/24: Buses will be available at 11:00 and 2:20 to
take students home.
Breakfast & Lunch:
Lunches will be available on Wed. and Thurs. from 11:00-12:00 outside the Athletic Office
corridor. Students may use their school accounts to purchase a lunch. Menu items will include
cold sandwiches, chips, and milk or juice.
Breakfast items will include granola / cereal bars, cereal, and milk. Breakfast will be available
from 7:30-8:00 a.m.