Study Guide Key

Final Exam

Name:______

  1. The basic unit for mass is the _____kilogram______.
  1. A series of steps scientists follow to solve problems are ______scientific methods______

3. What do scientists use to show or describe how something works?A model

  1. Define streak.

The color of the powder a mineral leaves behind.

  1. Silicate minerals must contain these 2 elements - _silicon and

oxygen.

  1. What is the Law of Superposition?

Law that states that in a sequence of rock layers (geologic column), older layers are on bottom while younger layers are on top.

  1. Define trace fossil.

A fossil that was widespread and lived during a short geologic period that is used to date surrounding rock layers.

  1. What is the difference between a catastrophism and uniformitarianism?

Catasrophism says that the events that shape earth happen suddenly, while uniformitarianism says that earth is shaped by slow gradual events.

  1. What is the name of the supercontinent Wegener believed once existed?

Pangaea

  1. What type of boundary do earthquakes occur at?

Transform boundary

  1. What is a divergent boundary?

Boundary where plates move apart.

  1. What is a transform boundary?

Boundary where plates slide past each other.

  1. What is a convergent boundary?

Boundary where plates collide.

  1. Where does sea-floor spreading take place?Mid-ocean ridges
  1. What is subduction?

Place where the ocean floor sinks back into the mantle.

  1. What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics?

Theory that states that pieces of Earth’s lithosphere (plates) are in constant, slow motion.

  1. What type of waves do earthquakes create?

Seismic

  1. Define tsunami.

Ocean waves that are created by an underwater earthquake or by large blocks of rock or ice dropping into the ocean.

  1. How do volcanic eruptions cause climate change?

Ash blocks out sunlight and causes temperature to decrease.

  1. Where are earthquakes and volcanoes most like to occur?

Plate boundaries

  1. What is the difference between oceanic crust and continental crust?

Oceanic crust is thinner and denser, continental crust is thicker but less dense.

  1. 99% of earth’s lower atmosphere is made up of these two elements,

_Nitrogen_ and __Oxygen______ .

  1. Define temperature.

The average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in a substance.

  1. What layer of the atmosphere do we live in?

Troposphere

  1. What is a global heat budget used for?

It is used to represent the flow of energy into and out of the atmosphere.

  1. The global ocean consists of how many divisions?

5

  1. Chlorofluorocarbons harm which layer of the atmosphere?

Ozone

  1. What is the greenhouse effect?

Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other molecules blanket the earth and cause the earth’s temperatures to rise because heat can’t escape.

  1. In which wind belt is most of the U.S. located?

Prevailing westerlies.

  1. Why does wind occur?

Differences in air pressure.

  1. What makes up a cloud?

Water droplets, ice crystals, and dust particles.

  1. Define salinity.

The measure of the amount of dissolved salts in a given amount of liquid.

  1. What is the relationship between water vapor and temperature?

The warmer the air, the more water vapor it holds. Colder air holds less water vapor.

  1. What has improved the collection of weather data over the past 40 years?

Weather balloons, satellites, computers

  1. What information can you get from a weather map?

Wind speed, wind direction, location of fronts, temperature, and air pressure.

  1. What is a meteorologist?

Scientists who study weather and try to predict it.

  1. What is the Coriolis effect?

The deflection of global winds and ocean currents due to the Earth spinning on its axis. An example would be trying to roll a ball across a spinning merry go round – the ball is deflected to the left or right due to the spin of the merry ground.

  1. How do warm water currents affect the coastal areas along which they flow?

They warm up the coast.

  1. What are the negative effects of El-Nino?

Rain, flash floods, and mudslides occur in places where there is usually little rain.

  1. What is global warming?

An increase in the average temperature of the earth created by natural and or human activities.

  1. List 4 things humans do to increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and cause global warming?

Burn fossils fuels, cut down trees, burn down forests, and produce a lot of waste.

  1. How does latitude affect climate?

Latitude directly affects climate due to the amount of sunlight an area receives. As latitude increases, temperatures decrease.

  1. Why does the equator experience similar temperatures year round?

The sun’s rays strike the equator at about the same angle all year.

  1. What would the impact on climate be if Earth was struck by an asteroid?

Dust and small rocks would be flung up into the atmosphere causing temperatures to decrease.

  1. What causes surface currents?

wind

  1. What is “continental deflection” as it relates to surface currents?

Causes surface currents to change direction.

  1. What increases the density of ocean water?

Gets colder or more evaporation.

  1. What causes seasons?

The earth’s tilt and rotation on its axis.

  1. List, define, and provide examples of the three types of heat transfer.

Conduction – molecules transfer heat through contact, or banging into each other – metal spoon in boiling water.

Convection – the transfer of heat through the rising and sinking of hot and cold liquids or gases. – heating soup, pudding, water.

Radiation – the transfer of heat through waves that needs no medium to transfer through – sun, hand near flame.

  1. How do weathering, erosion, and deposition work together to shape Earth’s surface. Provide examples of each.

Weathering causes rocks to break down into sediment through chemical or mechanical processes – cracked rocks due to plant roots and or acid rain.

Erosion causes sediments to transported, or carried away to another location – sediments being moved by a stream, glacier, or wind.

Deposition – sediment are deposited by wind, water, or ice to form sand dunes, deltas, moraines

The Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, beaches, the finger lakes and Long Island were all created by weathering, erosion, and/or deposition.

  1. You live near an active volcano. Besides damage from lava, describe other hazards that might affect your town and its people.

Crops would be destroyed, ash from the volcano could build up on houses and on the ground, toxic chemicals could be released, businesses could be damaged, and the overall livelihood of the residents could be negatively impacted. Also, the climate could cool down.

  1. What should you do before (2), during (2), and after (2) an earthquake?

Before, make sure you have a first aid kit, medicines, water, non-perishable food, and a flash light on hand. During, crouch down under a table or stand in a doorway if you are inside. If you are outside, run to an open area away from buildings and power lines and crouch down on the ground covering your head. Most importantly, stay calm and avoid panic. Afterwards, remain calm and listen to a handheld radio to determine when it’s safe to return home. Look for damage in areas before you go there because aftershocks can collapse already damaged buildings. Use your telephone only for emergencies.

  1. Explain the steps in the water cycle using the following terms: condensation, evaporation, precipitation, collection, and runoff.

Evaporation occurs when water evaporates, or changes from a liquid to a gas. Water evaporates from oceans, rivers, lakes, or any pool of water due to the sun.

Condensation occurs when water changes from a gas to a liquid. As water vapor rises, it comes together with dust particles and ice to form clouds. When the water builds up and gets colder and colder, the cloud cannot hold the water, so it falls to the ground in the form of precipitation. Precipitation can be in the form of rain, snow, ice, or hail. Water from precipitation runs off the ground into other streams of water and collects there.

  1. What is the relationship between latitude and temperature?

As latitude increases, temperature decreases.

  1. Meteorologists have many sophisticated tools to help them forecast the weather. However, weather forecasts are still sometimes incorrect. Why do you think this is the case?

The earth’s atmosphere is always changing is not 100% predictable. Also, computer and human errors occur.

  1. List and explain 3 human and 3 natural causes of climate change?

Human causes: burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, increased population.

Natural causes: volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, motion of Earth, sun cycles, etc.

  1. List and explain 2 changes we can make to reduce our carbon footprint.

Reduce, reuse, recycle – limits the amount of carbon emitted due to decrease in manufacturing and use.

Conserve energy – turn off lights, electronic equipment, and turn down your thermostat during the winter. Walk or ride a bike instead of driving.

Develop alternative energy sources – reduces the use of fossil fuels.

Develop energy efficient products – cars, planes, trains, houses, buildings

  1. List and explain 4 things you learned this year in Earth Science that you can carry forward with you.