Download fact packet spring 2014

EARTH SCIENCE SECOND SEMESTER FACT PACKET /STUDY GUIDE
2014
Biogeochemical Cycles
1.
The Law of Conservation states matter cannot be created or destroyed; it only changes form and moves
from place to place. There is a fixed or finite amount of matter in our universe.
2.
In Earth’s cycles the amount of material in the cycle is fairly constant due to the Law of Conservation.
Matter (you should know this section from physical science)
3.
Matter is the material that makes up everything in the universe.
4.
All matter has density, the amount of mass in a given space (mass divided by volume).
5.
An element is a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances by a chemical process.
6.
An atom is the smallest particle of an element. Atoms contain positively charged protons, neutral neutrons,
and negatively charged electrons.
7.
Neutrons and protons make up the nucleus of an atom, while electrons orbit around the nucleus.
8.
Each element has a unique arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
9.
The atomic number of an element equals the number of protons. The number of protons identifies the
element.
10.
Atomic mass or weight is the number of protons plus the number of neutrons in an atom.
11.
Elements combine with other elements to create compounds.
12.
An ion is a charged atom with an unequal number of protons and electrons.
13.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
14.
Isotopes of an atom are radioactive and go through radioactive decay.
Rock Cycle
15.
One or more elements combine to make minerals. Two or more minerals combine to make rocks.
16.
A mineral is defined as: a solid (has crystal form), inorganic, naturally occurring element or compound with
specific chemical and physical properties. (For example, coal would not be considered a mineral because it
is organic in origin)
17.
Minerals, like all compounds, contain a fixed number of atoms (elements) in fixed specific chemical formulas.
18.
Minerals can be identified by their specific properties: crystal shape, cleavage/fracture, hardness, color,
luster, streak, and density (heft).
19.
A mineral’s hardness can be tested by scratching its surface with different materials. For example, corundum
will scratch glass because it is harder than glass.
20.
Luster, a physical property of minerals, describes how a mineral reflects light. Most minerals can be initially
classified has having a metallic luster or nonmetallic luster.
21.
The structure of a crystal is determined by its internal arrangement of atoms.
22.
A minerals response to mechanical impact will result in either fracture or cleavage. Fracture occurs when the
mineral breaks and forms irregular surfaces. Cleavage occurs when flat, planar surfaces are created due to
uneven chemical bonding.
23.
The rock cycle describes the geologic processes that change one type of rock into another type of rock.
24.
The interactions between Earth’s internal energy source (radioactive decay) and external energy source
(sun) and the crust drive the rock cycle.
25.
Rocks are composed of two or more minerals and are classified as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.
26.
Igneous rock is the product of volcanoes and the cooling of magma. The slower the magma cools the larger
the mineral crystals in the rock.
27.
Weathering is the wearing away or breaking down of rock due to the forces of water, wind, ice and gravity.
28.
Erosion is the transporting or moving of the weathered material by the force of water, wind, ice, or gravity.
29.
Deposition is the process by which sediment settles out of the water, wind, or ice that is carrying it,
depositing it in a new location.
30.
All rocks disintegrate when exposed to weather producing smaller particles of broken rocks called sediments.
31.
Chemical weathering is the process of breaking down rocks by changing the mineral composition. This
process occurs most rapidly in hot, wet climates.
32.
Mechanical weathering is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces, changing the size and
shape, common in dry climates.
33.
Sedimentary rocks form from the cementation of the weathered sediments and the influence of pressure
(compaction).
34.
When sedimentary or igneous rock is exposed to enormous heat and pressure it becomes metamorphic
rock.
35.
Oxygen, the byproduct of photosynthesis, dramatically changed the atmosphere allowing for a proliferation of
life on Earth.
36.
Fossils, the remains of living things, are found in sedimentary rocks.
37.
Some fossils can be used to determine ancient or paleo-climates.
38.
Geologic time can be estimated using evidence from rocks and fossils.
39.
Relative age is measured using the Law of Superposition, Law of Cross-Cutting Relationships,
unconformities, and index fossils.
40.
Absolute age is measured using radioactive isotopes to obtain numerical age.
41.
Radioactive isotopes decay at a known rate and therefore can be used as a clock to measure time and age
of igneous rocks and organic material.
42.
Different isotopes have different rates of decay.
43.
Half-life is the length of time for half of the radioactive isotope (parent) to decay to a stable element
(daughter).
44.
Good index fossils have a wide geographic distribution and a narrow geologic age. They are used to
correlate rock sequences over an area and to determine relative geologic age of a rock layer.
45.
The geologic time scale is a record of the life forms and tectonic/geologic events in Earth’s history.
46.
Renewable resources are replenished as quickly as they are used and are constantly being supplied. (wind,
solar, and timber)
47.
Nonrenewable resources are used quicker then they are replenished. (coal, oil, nuclear and natural gas)
Water Cycle
48.
Energy from the sun drives the water cycle.
49.
The total amount of the water on Earth has remained relatively constant over time.
50.
An increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to an increase in the amount of infrared energy
absorbed by the atmosphere.
51.
Atoms absorb energy for evaporation to occur, the substance changes from a liquid to a gas.
52.
Atoms release energy for condensation to occur, the substance changes from a gas to liquid.
53.
Precipitation produces runoff that replenishes surface and groundwater supplies.
54.
Transpiration occurs when plants give off water vapor to the atmosphere.
55.
Groundwater is stored in the pores of the rock below Earth’s surface.
56.
Streams erode V-shaped valleys.
57.
Streams can be classified according to the land features present. For example, the presence of an oxbow
lake and long looping meanders indicates a stream in the mature stage.
58.
Currently on Earth, surface water (rivers) is eroding the greatest amount of sediment and is responsible for
the majority of Earth’s landforms.
59.
The transfer of energy determines a rivers path. Low energy deposits material on the inside of a curve or
meander of a streambed and high energy on the outside erodes.
60.
Depositional features form as the river loses energy.
61.
The greater the velocity, the larger the particle carried.
62.
Glaciers erode U-shaped valleys because the ice fills the valley.
Universe
63.
The Greeks proposed a geocentric model (earth centered) of the universe.
64.
Copernicus proposed a heliocentric model (sun centered) of the universe.
65.
Background radiation is evidence for the Big Bang Theory.
66.
Most astronomers believe the big bang theory, which states the universe began with a great explosion of
concentrated matter and energy and has been expanding ever since.
67.
Current scientific evidence suggests that stars and the solar system formed when gravity pulled a cloud of
gas and dust (nebula) together.
68.
On the order of size with largest coming first: universe, galaxy, solar system, the sun, and planets.
69.
Our solar system contains a star, comets, asteroids, planets, and moons.
70.
The greater the mass of an object the greater the gravitational force. The force increases as the distance
decreases between the objects.
71.
The planets farther from the sun take a longer time to orbit around the sun.
72.
A star is born when a contracting nebula becomes so hot that nuclear fusion begins to fuse hydrogen into
helium.
73.
Stars have a lifecycle: nebula, protostar, main sequence, giant, white dwarf, or supernova-neutron star/black
hole.
74.
Massive stars turn into black holes, supernova, or neutron stars. Smaller stars cool to become white or black
dwarfs.
75.
Supernovas are responsible for the formation of elements heavier than iron in the universe.
76.
Large mass stars go through their life cycle faster than small mass stars.
77.
Luminosity of a star is the total amount of energy radiated by a star in 1 second.
78.
Electromagnetic energy travels in the form of waves and is used to study the universe.
79.
Spectroscopy (spectrum of light) analyzes the spectrum of light coming from a star, which helps us to
determine the star’s temperature, composition, mass, and distance.
80.
The Doppler Effect causes the apparent increase in frequency as you and an energy source move toward
(blue shift) and an apparent decrease in frequency as you move away (red shift).
81.
Edwin Hubble used the Doppler Effect to determine that the universe is expanding (Hubble’s Law).
82.
Galaxies are huge collections of billions of stars held together by gravitational attraction.
83.
Period of revolution is when one object travels around another. For a planet, one revolution is one year.
84.
Period of rotation is one spin on the axis. For a planet, one rotation is one day.
85.
The seasons are caused by the relationship of the tilt of the earth’s axis to its position around the sun. In the
Northern Hemisphere, during summer, the hemisphere receives direct light. In winter, the hemisphere
receives indirect light.
86.
The phase of the moon visible from Earth depends on the how much of the sunlit side of the moon faces
Earth.