Summative Assessment 1

Question 1

Geology

Answer 1

Study of the Earth’s structure, history, and processes

Question 2

Rates of Change

Answer 2

Measurement of the speed at which geological processes occur

Question 3

Interpretation

Answer 3

Process of assigning meaning or significance to an observation

Question 4

Stars

Answer 4

Luminous celestial bodies made up of hot gases

Question 5

Gravity

Answer 5

Force that attracts objects with mass towards each other

Question 6

Density

Answer 6

Mass per unit volume of a substance

Question 7

Planets

Answer 7

Celestial bodies that orbit around a star

Question 8

Solar System

Answer 8

A collection of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets that orbit around a star

Question 9

Venus

Answer 9

Second planet from the Sun, known for its dense atmosphere

Question 10

Mars

Answer 10

Fourth planet from the Sun, known for its red color and potential for water

Question 11

Tectonic Plates

Answer 11

Large sections of the Earth’s lithosphere that move and interact with each other

Question 12

Deposition

Answer 12

Process of sediment settling and accumulating on the sea floor

Question 13

Mountain Building

Answer 13

Process of the formation of large mountain ranges over millions of years

Question 14

Observation

Answer 14

Act of perceiving or noticing something through the senses

Question 15

Hypothesis

Answer 15

Proposed explanation for an observation or interpretation

Question 16

Theory

Answer 16

Well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world

Question 17

Big Bang

Answer 17

The initial explosion that resulted in the formation of the universe

Question 18

Rocky Planets

Answer 18

Planets primarily composed of solid rock and metal

Question 19

Earth

Answer 19

Third planet from the Sun, the only known planet to support life

Question 20

Radioactive Decay

Answer 20

Process in which the nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation and heat

Question 21

Absolute Age

Answer 21

The exact age of a rock or fossil determined through radiometric dating

Question 22

Isotopes

Answer 22

Forms of an element with different numbers of neutrons

Question 23

Relative Age

Answer 23

The age of a rock or fossil compared to the ages of other rocks or fossils

Question 24

Law of Superposition

Answer 24

Principle that states that younger rocks are found above older rocks

Question 25

Law of Original Horizontality

Answer 25

Principle that states that sedimentary rocks are originally deposited in horizontal layers

Question 26

Law of Cross Cutting Relationships

Answer 26

Principle that states that a rock or feature that cuts across another rock or feature is younger

Question 27

Law of Inclusions

Answer 27

Principle that states that an inclusion within a rock is older than the rock itself

Question 28

Unconformities

Answer 28

Gaps in the geologic record due to erosion or non-deposition of sediment

Question 29

Caveats

Answer 29

Exceptions or limitations to a general rule or principle

Question 30

Geologic Time Scale

Answer 30

A system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time

Question 31

Rock

Answer 31

A solid, naturally occurring substance made up of minerals

Question 32

Mineral

Answer 32

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure

Question 33

Silicate Minerals

Answer 33

Minerals that contain both silicon and oxygen

Question 34

Sedimentary Rock

Answer 34

formed by compacted or cemented together sediments (lithified sediments)

Question 35

Metamorphic Rock

Answer 35

formed through heat and pressure

Question 36

Igneous Rock

Answer 36

formed through melting and crystallization

Question 37

Weathering

Answer 37

Mechanically breaking apart a rock or chemically altering a rock exposed to sunlight, rain, wind, plants and animals; produces loose material, or sediment

Question 38

Erosion

Answer 38

transportation of sediments via gravity, glaciers, flowing water, or wind

Question 39

Lithification

Answer 39

Once deposited, sediment can be buried and compacted, becoming sedimentary rock

Question 40

Crystallization

Answer 40

Melted rock can cool and solidify either at depth or by rising to the surface

Question 41

Uplift

Answer 41

Buried rocks are brought back to the surface where they are exposed to weathering