How the Earth Works Flashcards
Understand first lecture
The Earth System is made up of
Atmosphere Hydrosphere Cryosphere Biosphere Lithosphere
gaseous envelop surround earth
Atmosphere
all liquid water surrounding earth; lakes, rivers, oceans
Hydrosphere
ice, snow, and/or hail; layer that has frozen water on earth; i.e. glaciers
Cyrosphere
regions of earth that are occupied by living organisms
biosphere
all of the rocks and solid foundation on earth; the rigid foundations of earth on the outer most consisting of crust
Lithosphere
What percentage of land takes up earth?
30%
What percentage of water takes up earth?
70%
Curve that plots surface elevation to see the different heights of land or sea (can be both)
Hypsometric Curve
How many kilometers (km) does land lie within sea level?
1 km
What is the depth the Ocean Floor falls close to?
5 km
Four main elements Earth is made up of
Oxygen (O)
Iron (Fe)
Silicone (Si)
Magnesium (Mg)
Percentages of the four main elements that make up earth
10.1% Silicone
32.1% Iron
13.9% Magnesium
30% Oxygen
How do Asteroids and Meteorites help scientists study the Earth?
They reveal Temperature and Pressure conditions;
we discover these properties through experiments
The effect as weigh increases as depth increases; what is above you
Pressure (P)
Heat that is generated in Earth’s interior; increases as depth increases; increases faster the deeper
Temperature (T)
The rate temperature changes over depth
Geothermal Gradient
What gives more accurate info to proving that Earth has layers?
Density Differences
Two elements that make up the CORE
Iron + Nickel
Discovered Metal was in Earth’s core
Emil Wiechert
Physical Properties of Lithosphere
firm, but brittle; if string was put on it, it would break easily
Physical Properties of Asthenosphere
solid but ductile (stress implied)
Physical Properties of Mesosphere
Solid
Physical Properties of OUTER CORE
Liquid
Physical Properties of INNER CORE
solid
elements the crust is made out of?
Light elements such as aluminum
Elements the Mantle is made out of?
Iron and Magnesium
Elements the Core is made out of?
Iron and Nickel
Average density of continental crust
2.79 g/cubic centimeters
thickest and lights crust; made of granite and other elements
continental crust
Avg Density of Oceanic Crust?
3.0 g/cubic centimeters
Oceanic crust characteristics
more dense than continental
made of basalt
Crust in upper mantle; Breaks easily from Earthquakes
Lithosphere
the process where things that are hot rise, and things that are cold sink
Convection
flows, ductile, doesn’t break but bend; also apart of upper mantle; soft solid
Asthenosphere
The outer core is made of ____?
Iron, Sulfur, nickel
How is the inner core solid?
Due to magnetic interaction and pressure
What degree is earth tilted at?
23 degrees
What degree is the magnetic field at
11 degrees
what does the magnetic field protection the earth from?
solar radiation, northern lights, and technology failure
Earth’s crust is made up of what elements (percentages)
Silicon 28%
Oxygen 46%
Iron 10%
Aluminum 1.1%
