Science Summative Flashcards
The eon during earths lifetime wherein the ocean and atmosphere formed. The core and crust stabilized, and is know as the “Chaotic Eon”
Hadean Eon
The eon during earths lifetime wherein the continents formed, the sky was orange due to methane in the atmosphere with little oxygen, and the sea was green due to iron.
Archean Eon
The eon during earths lifetime wherein the continents started to drift and multi-cellular organism appeared.
Proterozoic Eon
The era during earths lifetime wherein marine life, land plants, and amphibians formed. It was also the time of the “Rise of Reptiles”
Paleozoic Era
The era during earths lifetime known as the age of dinosaurs and saw the formation of several continents
Mesozoic Era
The era during earths lifetime which lasted until this very day. Known as the age of mammals wherein humans left their mark
Cenozoic Era
Earth’s early atmosphere is characterized by
nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and very little oxygen
Why is the earth a near perfect sphere
The planet was formed from a swirling cloud of gas and dust with the force of gravity pulling the matter towards the center
How is the earths magnetic field generated and what is its purpose
By the movement of molten iron in the planet’s core and it acts a shield to deflect harmful solar radiation away from the planet
What is earth’s axial tilt
23.5 degrees
What is the goldilocks zone
It means that earth’s distance from the sun is just right. Combined with its atmosphere and water cycle, it creates a relatively stable temperature making it suitable for life
What is the atmosphere-hydrosphere interaction
The atmosphere influences evaporation and precipitation, while the hydrosphere affects weather patterns and cloud formations
What is the Lithosphere-biosphere interaction
The lithosphere provides foundation for ecosystem, while the biosphere influences soil formation and weathering processes
What is the biosphere-hydrosphere interaction
Aquatic ecosystems rely on water from the hydrosphere, while organisms in the biosphere influence water quality and flow
What are the differences between the inner core and outer core
The innermost layer of the earth is solid and mostly comprised of iron with a small percentage of nickel. The core was dense and experiences immense pressure
and
heat reaching almost hotter than the sun and the outer core is liquid and composed of iron and nickel. The liquid state allows the metals to flow
What is the difference between the upper and lower mantle
The upper mantle is semi solid and behaves like a viscous fluid. Its composed of silicate minerals. It is also responsible for the movement of tectonic plates
and
The lower mantle is a solid layer. It is also composed of silicate minerals with a higher density than the upper mantle
One of the crusts that is thicker, less dense, and composed of granite
Continental crust
One of the crusts which is thinner, denser, and composed of basalt
Oceanic crust
The interaction between the magnetic field and charged particles from the sun
Aurora Borealis and Australis
The breaking down of rocks due to elements such as wind, rain, and ice
Weathering
In relation to physical weathering what is frost wedging
Water seeping into cracks, freezing, expanding, and breaking the rock
In relation to physical weathering what is abrasion
Rock fragments carried by wind, water, or ice collide with exposed rock surfaces, causing erosion
In relation to physical weathering what is thermal stress
Repeated heating and cooling causing rock to expand and contract, creating stress which leads to fractures
In relation to physical weathering what is thermal stress
Repeated heating and cooling causing rock to expand and contract, creating stress which leads to fractures
In relation to physical weathering what is exfoliation
Outer layers of rock being peeled away leaving a round or dome-like shape
In relation to chemical weathering what is dissolution
When minerals in rocks dissolve in acidic solutions
In relation to chemical weathering what is oxidation
Oxygen in the atmosphere reacting with minerals in rocks especially minerals that contain iron, forming oxides (the rusting of iron)
In relation to chemical weathering what is hydrolisis
Water molecules reacting with minerals in rocks breaking down the mineral structure in a rock (weathering feldspar which forms clay materials)
In relation to chemical weathering what is carbonation
Carbonic acid, which is formed from the reaction of carbon dioxide and water, dissolving minerals in rocks (weathering of limestone)
Two causes of biological weathering
Plant roots growing in rocks causing the rocks to break from the exerted pressure of the growing plant
Burrowing animals loosening and breaking up soil exposing fresh rock surfaces to other weathering agents
Explain mass wasting process
The movement of rock and soil down a slope under the influence of gravity
What is an Igneous rock
Rocks with a crystalline texture formed form cooled and solidified molten rock called magma. Minerals form different sizes and shapes depending on how quick the magma cooled.
What is a Sedimentary rock
Accumulation of , and cementation of sediments such as mud, sand, and fragments of rocks. Often has layered patterns and can contain fossils
What are metamorphic rocks
Rocks formed from existing sedimentary or igneous rocks are subjected to intense heat and pressure causing the rocks to transform into a new mineral with new composition
What is Luster
How light reflects off a mineral’s surface (metallic, glassy, pearly, dull)
What is a streak
The color of the minerals powder which is better for mineral identification because it is less influenced by impurities
What is Mohs Hardness Scale
A standard to measure a minerals hardness. A rank of ten minerals from softest to hardest, in which a mineral can only scratch minerals thar are below it on the scale and not above it.
What is erosion
The movement of weathered materials from one location to another
What is a creep in relation to mass wasting events
The slow movement of soil and rock down a slope. A slow landslide caused by freeze-thaw cycles, wherein water expands as it freezes pushing soil downhill
What is absolute dating
Any method of measuring the ago of an event or object in years. In this case done by analyzing isotopes of radioactive elements
What are isotopes
Atoms of the same element that have similar number of protons but diff number of neutrons
What is radiometric dating
Determining the age of samples based on the ratio of parent material to daughter material
