Earth Science D2l Questions Flashcards

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1
Q
  1. What is a mineral?
A

naturally occurring, inorganic solid, with a definite chemical composition.

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2
Q
  1. What are the two characteristics of rocks that geologists examine in order to determine the processes and history recorded in the rock?
A

Texture and color, crystals. Chemical and physical properties.

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3
Q
  1. What are some of the differences between mafic and felsic silicate minerals?
A

Mafic is darker in color, and is oceanic crust. Felsic is lighter in color and contentinal crust

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4
Q
  1. What is the rock cycle?
A

Rocks start out as minerals and then turn into magma which turns into igneous rocks and crystalizes, then the Igneous gets broken down into sedimentary rock, and then the sedimentary rock gets exposed to heat and becomes metamorphic. If it gets to hot it turns back into sedimentary or igneous rock.

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5
Q
  1. Where do igneous rocks form and what determines their texture?
A

The surface; the heat engine starts to make it melt.

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6
Q
  1. Why are silicate minerals the most common minerals?
A

Because they make up 75% of earth’s crust. It is made up of Si and O

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7
Q
  1. What does the crystal size of an igneous rock tell us about the origin of the rock?
A

It tells us how fast it cooled. So where it came from.

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8
Q
  1. Why do the three major rock types have different properties, and what are a few of these properties?
A

They form in different places. Igneous- big crystals, formed slowly. Sedimentary- grainy, sandish. Metamorophic- texture, compresstion, mountains.

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9
Q
  1. What are the two ways to melt rocks to produce magma? Where does the heat come from?
A

Convection or conduction; the outer core

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10
Q
  1. Why are theories not considered to be absolute truths (why do theories change)?
A

Things change over time like technology.

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11
Q
  1. Why are the ocean basins situated at lower elevations than the continents?
A

The texture and composition is how they got there.

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12
Q
  1. What are the layers of earth? Also, what are some of the differences between the layers?
A

Crust, Mantle, core, inner core, outer core. Crust-we stand on. Mantle- ooy gooey, most of the planet, Core- inner part inner core-very hot outer core- internal heat engine.

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13
Q
  1. What type of information can geologists read from sedimentary rocks?
A

Texture and composition

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14
Q
  1. What are the four agents that can transport sediments across the surface of the earth?
A

Water, air, Ice, gravity

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15
Q
  1. What are the two types of weathering
A

Chemical and mecahinacal

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16
Q
  1. What are the final two steps for converting sediment into sedimentary rock
A

Deposition, Lithlfication

17
Q
  1. How are the textures of sedimentary rocks different from igneous rocks?
A

Sedimentary is grainy, igneous has crystals.

18
Q
  1. What is sediment?
A

Lose solid particles that can originate by one weathering and erosion of pre existing rocks.

19
Q
  1. Why are minerals important, and why are rocks important
A

Minerals are used in everything we use, and rocks can tell the history of our life.

20
Q
  1. The source of energy for internal earth processes is the internal heat engine. What is the source of energy that powers surface processes?
A

The sun

21
Q
  1. How does loose sediment become sedimentary rock?
A

Lithlfication

22
Q
  1. What are the four parts of the Earth System, and do they interact?
A

Solid earth, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere

23
Q
  1. What are the three layers that make up the internal structure of earth?
A

Core, inner core, outer core

24
Q
  1. If you apply too much heat to a metamorphic rock what does it become?
A

Igneous rock

25
Q

Why are controversial theories some of the strongest scientific theories?

A

they are tested the most

26
Q

What are the two properties of an igneous rock which allow us to determine information about its origins

A

composition and texture

27
Q

where on earth is weathering generally more intense

A

the mountains and the tropics

28
Q

How does heat and pressure influence the texture of metamorphic rocks?

A

the heat causes new mineral growth, and because of the pressure the minerals grow perpendicular to the stress direction to produce foliation