Intro to Geology study guide

Question 1

study of the earth

Answer 1

geology

Question 2

driven by energy from the sun

Answer 2

external processes

Question 3

driven by heat inside the earth

Answer 3

internal processes

Question 4

the expansion of the universe from a tiny point

Answer 4

big bang theory

Question 5

what two factors influence an object’s gravitational attraction?

Answer 5

distance and mass

Question 6

what is formed when a dense clump of mass is collapsed inward on itself

Answer 6

protostar

Question 7

What is responsible for igniting a star?

Answer 7

Nuclear fusion reactions involving hydrogen and helium occuring in a protostar

Question 8

when was the first star born?

Answer 8

800 million years after the big bang

Question 9

What is unique about first generation stars?

Answer 9

They are larger, burn brighter, and run out of fuel faster than other stars

Question 10

What happens when a star runs out of fuel?

Answer 10

-it dies by collapsing in on itself (gravitational compression)
-then it explodes into a supernova-creates nebula clouds

Question 11

process by which heavier elements will form as a byproduct of fusion reactions during a star’s lifecycle

Answer 11

stellar nucleosynthesis

Question 12

How do galaxies form?

Answer 12

They are formed by nebula material coming together in an accretionary disc

Question 13

What materials make up solar systems?

Answer 13

Primordial gases left over from the big bang and the guts of dead stars

Question 14

exploding stars create greater proportions of heavier elements and new nebula-creates solar systems

Answer 14

the solar nebula theory

Question 15

Describe terrestrial planets:

Answer 15

-inner planets
-smaller rocky bodies

Question 16

Describe jovian planets:

Answer 16

-comprised of gases condensed around small rocky cores

Question 17

materials that make it up are evenly distributed

Answer 17

homogenous compostion

Question 18

separation of materials by density

Answer 18

Differentiation

Question 19

How do we know what Earth’s inner structure is?

Answer 19

we can observe the seismic waves through earthquakes

Question 20

the increase in temperature as you move closer towards the Earth’s core

Answer 20

geothermal gradient

Question 21

Describe the crust:

Answer 21

-light elements found here
-oceanic (iron) and continental (silica) crust

Question 22

Describe the lithosphere

Answer 22

the crust and upper mantle (solid)

Question 23

Describe the asthenosphere

Answer 23

-lower mantle, outer core, and inner core
-plasticky texture/solid but flows and moves

Question 24

Describe the core

Answer 24

-outer is liquid
-inner is solid
-nickel