Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

SY Spring Semester > GEOL 120 - Midterm 1 > Flashcards

GEOL 120 - Midterm 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Exponential growth

A

A type of growth where a constant percentage of the population is added each year, mathematically represented as 𝑁 = 𝑁 0𝑒 𝑘𝑡 where k is the growth rate, N is the original population, and t is the time in years. Doubling time: 70/k

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Covalent Bonds

A

shared electron pair, strongest bond (e.g diamonds)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

ionic bonds

A

opositely charged atoms, dissolve in water (e.g salt)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Metalic Bonds

A

electrons are shared by all atoms of the solid, joins bulk of metal atoms (e.g aluminium foil)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Van der Waals

A

weak attraction between chains of ions (e.g graphite)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Minerals

A

inorganic, normally solid, crystaline, formed as the result of a geological process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Isotopes

A

atoms of the same element w/ different number of neutrons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Magnetic Stripes

A

prove the creation of new seafloor. Earth’s magnetic feild reverses every few thousand years.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Subduction Zones

A

areas where one plate sinks under another and oceanic crust is destroyed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Mid-oceanic ridges

A

where divergent plates move away from each other and oceanic crust is created

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Sustainability

A

The development or use of resources that are economically viable, do not harm the environment, are socially just, and ensure equal access to resources for future generations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Freshwater Salinization

A

The process where freshwater sources become saline due to causes like road de-icing runoff, leading to implications such as compromised drinking water and supply depletion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Residence Times

A

The average time a substance spends in a system, calculated as T= S/F where S is the size of the stock and F is the rate of transfer, providing insights into system dynamics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Earth System Science

A

The study of the entire planet as a system, considering its various components and interactions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Uniformitarianism

A

The concept that present processes can help interpret past geological events, suggesting that current processes operated similarly in the past.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

5 Spheres

A

Geosphere (lithosphere), atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Denitrification and Water Quality

A

Nitrogen compound is released back into the atmosphere by bacteria converting nitrate into gaseous N. Occurs in wetlands! Treats water to reduce its nitrate-nitrogen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Nitrogen Pollution

A

causes the production of algae which consumes the oxygen, sinks to the bottom, and causes “dead zones”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Mass Balance Approach

A

Considering the inputs, output, and distribution of a substance. Pools: the given stock of materials. Fluxes: the amount of inflow or outflow. Steady-state (inputs = outputs) no net change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Catastrophism

A

Earth’s landscape has been changed rapidly by violent, short-lived, large-sacale events

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Nitrogen Cycle

A

The cycle altered by human activities like fertilizer use, leading to consequences such as climate change, acid rain, and ozone layer depletion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Organic Matter

A

help with bacterial decompostiion (so bacteria doesn’t absorb too much oxygen, killing other organisms)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Phosphorus and Nitrogen

A

cause growth of algal blooms in lakes (fertilizer runoff)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What happened to Kissimmee and Florida Everglades

A

floodplanes were drained to make room for infrastructure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Stratification in lakes is caused by

A

density varaitions (heat and salinity)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Envrionmnetal estrogens

A

synthetic chemical that may act like estrogen hormones, can cause hormone imbalances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Ocean Acidification

A

The rising acidity level of the ocean caused by carbon dioxide dissolved into water and turning into carbonic acid. Harful to coral reefs and shelled organisms. “the other CO2 problem”

28
Q

Scientific Method

A

A logical pathway involving observation, hypothesis development, testing, and theory formation through repeated testing.

29
Q

Population Growth

A

The rapid increase in the human population causing environmental issues like overconsumption and resource depletion.

30
Q

Volcanism

A

The process of magma rising to the Earth’s surface and producing igneous rocks.

31
Q

Tectonics

A

The movement and deformation of the Earth’s crust leading to the formation of different types of rocks.

32
Q

Wegener’s Theory

A

Pangea/Continental Drift. Rejected b/c there was no mechanism (until Hess proved seafloor spreading). Evidence: fossil, glacial, and rock

33
Q

Seafloor Spreading

A

Plate tectonic concept that new crust is continuously added to the edges of lithospheric plates at divergent plate boundaries b/c of upwelling magma along mid-oceanic ridges. Evidence: marine magnetic anomalies.

34
Q

Using seismology to learn about the internal structure of the Earth

A

S-waves can’t move through liquid —> there is a liquid (outer) core

35
Q

What moves tectonic plates

A

Mantle convection

36
Q

Internal Structure of Earth

A

Crust - continental (thickest in mountains) and oceanic (thinest)

Mantle - Lithosphere: more rigid (forms continents and plates) and Asthenosphere: hotter, slow-flowing

Liquid outer core

Solid inner core

37
Q

Types of plate boundaries

A

Convergent (together)

Transform (slide past)

Divergent (away)

38
Q

Isotasy

A

Equilibrium between Earth’s crust and the mantle.

39
Q

Subduction

A

The process where one tectonic plate moves under another, leading to the recycling of rocks into the mantle.

40
Q

Sedimentary Rock

A

Rocks formed from weathered pre-existing rocks or organic materials that accumulate on the Earth’s surface.

41
Q

Igenous Rock

A

Rocks formed from the cooling and solidifcation of magma

42
Q

Metamorphic Rock

A

Rocks formed from the alteration of existing rocks due to high temperatures and pressures.

43
Q

Acidic Mine Drainage

A

The formation of highly acidic water rich in heavy metals due to the oxidation of sulfide minerals in coal-bearing rocks.

44
Q

Rock Laws

A

Law of Original Horizontality: sediments are basically horizontal when deposited

Law of Superposition: if not overturned, oldest on the bottom, youngest on top

Law of Crosscutting Relationships: rock is younger than anything it cuts

45
Q

Halides

A

Minerals with weak ionic bonds formed from a cation and a halogen ion.

46
Q

Carbonates

A

Minerals formed from marine shells, easily weathered, and react with acids.

47
Q

Silicates

A

The most abundant group of rock-forming minerals made of oxygen and silicon.

48
Q

Oxides

A

Minerals like hematite and bauxite formed from oxygen and metal ions.

49
Q

Sulfides

A

Minerals like pyrite associated with environmental degradation and acid mine drainage.

50
Q

Types of Igneous rock

A

intrusive: crystalized beneath the surface, slow coolin, and large grain

extrusive: cystalized at/near surface, rapid cooling, shiny, often black exterior

51
Q

Rock

A

an agregate of a mineral or minerals

52
Q

Kissimmee River (FL)

A

most succuesful ecosystem restoration, re-connected the floodplain of the river to replicate its natural paths.

53
Q

Ecological Niches

A

How a species makes a living

54
Q

Wetlands

A

swamps, marshes, bogs that are frequently or continously inuated by water. They filter/detoxify (nature’s kidneys). Often red or black soil, adapted vegetation, presence of water at surface/root zone

55
Q

Why and how are streams restored

A

riparian reconnection to increase denitrifiation and improve water quality

56
Q

Native elements

A

Minerals like silver, copper, and gold found in small deposits and concentrated by hydrothermal processes.

57
Q

Weathering

A

The breakdown of rocks through physical, chemical, or biological processes.

58
Q

Stable Isotopes

A

Isotopes that do not decay, used in determining ages and sources of materials.

59
Q

Radioisotopes

A

Isotopes that undergo nuclear decay, used in radiometric dating.

60
Q

Ecosystem

A

a community of organisms and their nonliving envrionment in which chemical elements cycle and energy flows

61
Q

Keystone Species

A

Species with a disproportionate impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance.

62
Q

Climax Communities

A

Stable ecological communities in balance with their environment.

63
Q

Biodiversity

A

The variety of life forms in an ecosystem, essential for ecosystem health.

64
Q

Riparian Zone

A

Vegetated land along rivers critical for water quality and ecosystem health.

65
Q

Catastrophes

A

Damages to people, property, or society that require a long-involved recovery or rehabilitation process, caused by natural disasters in vulnerable areas.

SY Spring Semester (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions