Module #6

Question 1

Of the five sections listed:
Atmosphere, hydrosphere, crust, mantle, core
which can we observed directly?

Answer 1

Atmosphere, hydrosphere, and crust.

Question 2

What two regions of the earth does the Moho discontinuity separate? What about the Gutenburg discontinuity? What about Lehmann discontinuity?

Answer 2

The Moho separates the crust from the mantle, and the Gutenberg discontinuity separates the mantle from the core. The Lehmann discontinuity separates the inner core from the outer core.

Question 3

Scientists often separate the earth into five distinct sections. Name those sections.

Answer 3

Atmosphere, hydrosphere, crust, mantle, and core.

Question 4

What is the difference between the ways that igneous rock and sedimentary rock form?

Answer 4

Sedimentary rock is formed when sediments are solidified through chemical reactions. Igneous rock forms when molten rock solidifies.

Question 5

Of the three types of rock discussed in this module, which type start out a different type of rock?

Answer 5

Metamorphic rock

Question 6

What is unique about the rock in the asthenosphere?

Answer 6

Rock behave sometimes like a liquid and sometimes like a solid

Question 7

What is the main thing scientists observe in order to learn about the makeup of the earth’s interior?

Answer 7

Scientists observe seismic waves

Question 8

Which is solid: the inner core or the outer core? Why is it solid when the other is liquid?

Answer 8

The inner core is solid because of pressure freezing

Question 9

Where is the magnetic field of the earth generated?

Answer 9

The magnetic field is generated in the earth’s core.

Question 10

What causes the magnetic field of the earth?

Answer 10

The magnetic field is caused by a large amount of electrical flow in the core.

Question 11

What makes the rapid – decay theory more scientifically valid than the dynamo theory?

Answer 11

The rapid – decay theory has been used to accurately predict the magnetic fields of other planets.

Question 12

Why is a catastrophe like the worldwide flood in Noah’s time an essential part of earth’s history if the rapid – decay theory is true?

Answer 12

The rapid – decay theory requires a global catastrophe in order to be consistent with the data that indicate the magnetic field of the earth has reversed several times.

Question 13

Fault

Answer 13

The boundary between two sections of rock that can move relative to one another

Question 14

What two reasons make otherwise good scientists ignore the more scientifically valid
rapid-decay theory?

Answer 14

The fact that the rapid-decay theory requires a catastrophe like worldwide flood and the fact that the rapid-decay theory indicates an earth 10,000 years old or younger

Question 15

Why would life cease to exist without the earth’s magnetic field?

Answer 15

Without the magnetic field, cosmic rays from the sun would hit the earth.

Question 16

Sedimentary rock

Answer 16

Rock formed when chemical reactions cement sediments together, hardening them

Question 17

What are the “plates” in plate tectonics?

Answer 17

The plates are large “islands” of the earth’s lithosphere.

Question 18

What’s can happen when plates collide with one another?

Answer 18

One plate can slide under another and form a trench; the plates can move a way from each other, allowing magma to rise and create new crust; the plates can push against each other, causing the crest to fold; or the plates can slide along each other.

Question 19

What is Pangaea?

Answer 19

Pangaea is a hypothetical supercontinent that might have existed in earth’s past.

Question 20

Why do otherwise good scientists ignore the plate tectonics theory despite the evidence that exists for it?

Answer 20

Some good scientists ignore plate tectonics because it is typically linked to the idea of an earth that is billions of years old.

Question 21

What causes earthquakes?

Answer 21

Earthquakes are caused by the motion of rock masses along a fault or by volcanic activity.

Question 22

Plastic Rock

Answer 22

Rock that behaves like something between a liquid and a solid

Question 23

Epicenter

Answer 23

The point on the surface of the earth directly above and earthquake’s focus

Question 24

A seismologist detects an earthquake that measures for on the Richter scale. Later, he detects on that measures 8. How many times more energy does the second earthquake release as compared to the first ?

Answer 24

1,048,576 Times more energy than the first!

Question 25

Name the four kinds of mountains. What is required for the formation of each?

Answer 25

The four types of mountains are: volcanic mountains, domed mountains, fault – block mountains, and folded mountains. Volcanic and domed mountains need magma from the Earth’s mantle, fault – block mountains need vertical motion along a fault, and folded mountains need rock masses pushing against each other.