U2 - Geosphere Flashcards
A renewable resource
A resource that can be used continuously - it is always available.
E.g. Wind and solar energy
A non-renewable resource
A resource that is finite - only so much available, it will eventually run out.
E.g. - coal, oil and gas
weathering
exposure and breaking down of rocks
transportation
movement of rock fragments by water, wind, ice or gravity
erosion
breakdown of rocks into small pieces or sediments
deposition
the settling down of rock fragments
igneous rock
rock that forms from melting and cooling of rock. (magma cooling above or below surface)
What is an example of an Igneous Rock ?
Granite and Basalt
sedimentary rock
rock formed by sediment/rock fragments that have been deposited and compacted
What is an example of a Sedimentary Rock ?
Limestone and Sandstone
metamorphic rock
rock formed by heat and pressure
What is an example of Metamorphic Rocks ?
Slate and Marble
rock definition
a solid mass made of one or more mineral (e.g. granite)
mineral definition
a particular chemical compound - formed by the rock cycle (e.g. quartz)
ore
solid material, a mixture of rock and valuable mineral particles
porosity
how much water or air can be stored in a rock (lots of holes inside - e.g. pumus stone)
permeability
a measure of how much water can pass through a rock
where is limestone formed?
tropical sea beds
how is limestone removed from ground?
quarrying
how is limestone processed for use by humans?
cut and crushed
What is limestone used for?
Cement, glass, mortar, lime for agriculture, making steel
How is iron formed?
Formed in sea water when oxygen (produced from plants) reacts with dissolved iron. This forms iron oxide.
How is iron extracted?
Open-cast mining
How is iron processed?
blast furnace - blasts of hot air (2000 degrees C), limestone and coke are added to remove impurities
Uses of iron
steel, reinforced concrete, cast iron products.
Environmental problems of iron extractrion?
Habitat destruction or water pollution from mines
How is crude oil formed?
Crude oil is formed from the remains of small animals and plants that died and fell to the seafloor millions of years ago; compression and heating of these remains within the Earth’s crust forms oil
How is crude oil extracted?
Oil drilling (on land and at sea on oil rigs)
How is crude oil processed into a final product?
Fractional distillation separates the mixture of liquids.
Each liquid has a different boiling point and evaporates at a different temperature.
Uses of fuels
Electricity production, diesel, petrol, tar (roads), cosemtics, medicines
Environmental impact of crude oil
Oil spills, high carbon dioxide emissions (Climate Change)
