Name: _________________________ Date: ______________ Period: _______
Chapter 13 Study Guide
1. What is soil? What do you call the layers that we see as we dig?
Soil is the loose, weathered material in which plants grow. It is divided into
layers that we call horizons.
2. How do scientists determine the density and the makeup of Earth’s inner
layers? By analyzing earthquake waves
3. Define each of the 4 Earth Systems, and give an example of something found
in each. Atmosphere: the outer most system made up of a mixture of gases and
particles of matter; oxygen and nitrogen and the ozone layer can be found
here, water vapor
Hydrosphere: contains all of Earth’s water; most of which is found on Earth’s
surface. Hurricanes and tsunamis form here
Geosphere: includes the thin layer of soil and rocks on Earth’s surface and all of
the underlying layers of Earth; example a cliff, the largest reservoir of carbon
can be found here.
Biosphere: all the living things on Earth; example people
4. What is the least dense layer of the geosphere? Outer crust
5. What is the densest layer of the geosphere? Inner core
6. The core is made up of metal iron and nickel.
7. Describe the mantle; be sure to include information on the asthenosphere
and the lithosphere.
The mantle is the thick, middle layer of the geosphere. The lithosphere is made
up of the crust and the uppermost mantle to form a brittle outer layer. The
asthenosphere is the weak, partially melted layer of the mantle
8. Describe the core; include information on both the outer core and inner core.
The core is the dense, metallic center of the Earth. The outer core is made up of
liquid iron and nickel due to the high temperatures in the center of the Earth.
The inner core is a dense, solid ball of iron and nickel.
9. The metal needle in a compass aligns with the magnetic field of Earth.
10. What are phosphates?
When oxygen combines with phosphorus it is called a phosphate; plants obtain
phosphates that are dissolved in water in the soil.
11. How do nutrients enter the soil?
Through dead and decaying bodies and waste of organisms
12. Describe each of the four cycles.
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above and below
Earth’s surface.
The rock cycle is the series of processes that change rocks from one form to
another.
The carbon cycle is the series of processes that continuously move carbon
among Earth systems.
The phosphorus cycle is the series of processes that move phosphorus among
Earth systems.
13. During the carbon cycle name one way that Carbon dioxide is removed
from the atmosphere and one way it is put into the atmosphere.
Removed: absorption of carbon dioxide by water, photosynthesis, stored in fossil
fuels.
Enters the atmosphere: released by volcanism, cellular respiration, burning fossil
fuels, decomposition, forest fires and deforestation
14. What is cleavage?
The tendency of minerals to break along smooth, flat surfaces
15. What is luster?
The way a mineral’s surface reflects light
16. What is streak?
Color of a minerals powder
17. What is hardness?
Uses the Mohs scale which ranks mineral a scale of 1 to 10. 10 being the hardest;
diamond is the hardest mineral and is ranked at a 10
18. What is fracture?
The tendency of a mineral to break along irregular surfaces
19. What do living plants remove from the atmosphere?
Carbon Dioxide
20. What is organic matter?
Organic matter is the remains of something that was once alive
21. Do all of the changes to Earth’s surface happen slowly? Give an example to
support your answer.
No, all changes to Earth’s surface do not happen slowly. Examples are volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes, and floods. They can all change the surface of Earth
rather quickly.
22. Name two ways that carbon dioxide leaves the biosphere.
Two ways that carbon dioxide can leave the biosphere is through cellular
respiration and organisms dying and decaying.
Essays
1. Name and describe each of the three main layers of the Earth.
The three main layers of the Earth are the crust, mantle, and core. The crust is
the outermost layer and the least dense. It contains both continental and
oceanic crust. The mantle is the largest layer and contains both the lithosphere
and the asthenosphere. The core is the center-most layer made up of iron and
nickel. It has an outer, liquid core and a solid inner core.
2. Name and describe the three types of rocks.
The three main types of rocks are igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
Igneous rocks are formed when molten rock material cools and hardens.
Metamorphic rocks are formed when sedimentary, igneous, or other metamorphic
rocks are subjected to high temperatures and extreme pressure. Sedimentary rocks are
formed when sediment is eroded by water, wind, ice, or gravity and deposited in layers.
3. Name and describe the four Earth systems.
The four Earth systems are the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and
geosphere. The atmosphere is the outer most system made up of a mixture of
gases and particles of matter. The hydrosphere contains all of Earth’s water;
most of which is found on Earth’s surface. The geosphere includes the thin layer
of soil and rocks on Earth’s surface and all of the underlying layers of Earth. The
biosphere is all the living things on Earth.