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Earth Science Mid-Term Study Guide
Test Format: The Earth Science midterm will consist of 60 multiple choice questions. Use this
study guide to prepare yourself for the test, LOOKING at this information 1 time will not be
enough so study DILIGENTLY.
Science as Inquiry
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What are the characteristics of a good scientific question? Good scientific questions are
Specific, Testable, Objective, and are Written as a question
Define an independent variable. Independent variable: the variable in the experiment that
is changed (you are in control of it)
Define a dependent variable. Dependent variable: the value that changes according to the
changes in the other variable (what is being measured)
Define a control variable. Control: The standard by which the experimental results can be
compared
Atoms and the Periodic Table
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Define an isotope. One of two or more atoms that have the same number of protons but a
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different number of neutrons.
What is an Ion? Ions are atoms or groups of atoms with a positive or negative charge.
How does an Ion get a charge? Ions get a charge by gaining or losing electrons
How is a positive Ion formed? A positive ion (cation) is formed when an atom loses electrons.
How is a negative Ion formed? A negative ion (anion) is formed when an atom gains
electrons.
Use a periodic Table to fill out the following chart:
Element Symbol # of protons
#of neutrons
#of electrons
Li
C
O
3
6
8
4
6
8
3
6
8
Lose or Gain
Electrons
Lose
Both
Gain
Ion Symbol
Li +
C +4/-4
O-2
Layers of the Earth
Fill out the following chart with important characteristics of each layer of the earth.
Crust
Mantle
Outer Core
Inner Core
Chemical Composition:
Oxygen, Silicon,
Aluminum
Thickness:
35km to 70km
State of Matter:
Solid
Special Characteristics:
The crust is the outer
layer that we live on. Two
types: Continental and
Oceanic. Least Dense
Layer
Chemical Composition:
Iron, magnesium,
aluminum, silicon
Thickness:
2900 km
State of Matter:
Both solid and liquid
Special Characteristics:
It is the densest layer.
Consist of the
Lithosphere,
Asthenosphere, and
Mesosphere.
Responsible for plate
tectonics
Chemical Composition:
Nickel and Iron
Chemical Composition:
Nickel and Iron
Thickness:
2250 km
State of Matter:
Liquid
Special Characteristics:
Is not under enough
pressure to become a
solid.
Thickness:
1300 Km
State of Matter:
Solid
Special Characteristics:
The hottest part of the
earth! It is a solid! It is
the most dense layer and
is under the most
pressure
Layers of the Atmosphere
1. What is the atmosphere? The atmosphere is a mixture of gases on and around the Earth’s
surface.
2. What gases are present in the atmosphere? Nitrogen (78%) Oxygen (21%) Other gases
(1%)
3. What are two important characteristics of the atmosphere?
 Air Pressure – the weight of the air above a given point .As altitude increases, pressure
decreases.
 Temperature – the average kinetic energy of the individual particles in a sample of
matter (how fast the atoms are moving)
4. What is the Troposphere? The lowest layer of the atmosphere where humans and all
other organisms live. About 7.5 miles high
5. What is the Stratosphere? Layer above the troposphere and goes until about 30 miles
above sea level. Contains the Ozone layer and Jet Stream.
6. What is the ozone layer? What is the chemical composition of the Ozone Layer? The
ozone layer shields the planet from ultraviolet rays. Composed of 3 oxygen atoms bonded
together.
7. What is a Jet Stream? Fast moving air that pushes the weather from West to East.
8. What is the Mesosphere? Coldest layer of the atmosphere temperatures reach a minimum
of -100 degrees Celsius. Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere.
9. What is the Thermosphere? The temperature here increases due to the absorption of the
Sun’s intense radiation. Air here is very thin. Particles here are electrically charged
10. What is the Exosphere? The outermost region of the atmosphere where outer space
begins. The exosphere is very thin, made up of mostly hydrogen and helium.
Water Cycle
Label the Diagram of the water cycle:
Condensation
Condensation
Precipitation
Transporation
Runoff
Evaporation
Infiltration
Groundwater
1. What is the water cycle? The constant movement of water through the environment,
living things, and back again.
2. What stages require solar radiation? Transpiration and Evaporation
3. What stages require that water give off heat? Condensation
4. Which parts of the water cycle are driven by gravity? Runoff, Infiltration, Precipitation
and Ground Waterflow
Weather
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Define Air Masses: Large bodies of air with the same temperature and humidity.
Label the Air Masses Map
Maritime Polar
Maritime Polar
Continental Polar
Continental Tropical
Describe and draw the symbol for the following fronts:
Warm Front
Forms when a moist, warm air mass slides up and over a cold air mass.
A warm front brings steady rain or light snow, followed by warmer,
milder weather.
Cold Front
A cold air mass pushes under a warm air mass, forcing the warm air to
rise. Thunderstorms can form as the moisture in the warm air mass
rises, cools, and condenses. As the front moves through, cool, fair
weather is likely to follow.
Forms when a warm air mass gets caught between two cold air masses.
The warm air mass rises as the cool air masses push and meet in the
middle.
Occluded Front
Stationary Front
Forms when warm and cold air meet and neither air mass has the force
to move the other. They remain stationary, or “standing still.”
Solar System
I.
Planets
a.
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List the Planets in order from closest to the sun to furthest away.
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
b. List the 4 Inner Planets
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Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
c. List the 4 Outer Planets
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Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
II.
III.
b. Inner planets are also called ___Terrestrial ____because they have a solid
surface. Outer planets are called __Gas Giants___ because they are composed
only of a thick atmosphere.
Rotation vs. Revolution
a. Rotation refers to a planets spin on its axis.
 Rotation= Length of _____Day___
 Ex. Earth’s rotation takes 24 hours
b. Revolution refers to the length of time it takes a planet to travel around the sun.
 Revolution=Length of ____Year___
 Ex. Earth’s revolution takes_____365 days____
 Revolution is also referred to as an Orbit.
Force of Gravity and Distance
a. As Distance increases the Force of Gravity ____Decreases_____
b. As Distance decreases the Force of Gravity _______Increases_____
Star Life Cycle and HR Diagram
I.
Star Life Cycle
The two types of stars are __Average_____ and Massive
a. The Life Cycle of an average star is
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Nebula
Average Star
Red Giant
White Dwarf
b. The Life Cycle of a massive star is
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Nebula
Massive Star
Red Supergiant
Supernova
Neutron Star or Blackhole
Write a short description of what happens in each stage of the life cycle of the star
Nebula
Star Stage
Red Giant
large amount of gas and dust
spread out in an immense
volume
There is a gravitational pull
toward the center of the mass!
It pulls all of the gas and dust
together to form a
PROTOSTAR!
When the gas and dust
become so hot that nuclear
fusion starts, a star is born!
2 types-Average Star and
Massive Star
The star beings to run out of
fuel, the core shrinks and the
outside expands.
Red Super Giant
Once a nebular turns into a
star it can become a
supergiant!
This is only if the star is
extremely massive (7 times the
mass of the sun)!
These stars are very hot and
can explode very violently!
Supernova
When a red supergiant
explodes it is called a
supernova!
Some parts of the explosion
become new stars!
They last between a few weeks
and a couple of months!
White Dwarf
The outer part of the red
giant grows larger until it
eventually drifts out into
space.
The hot core that is left
behind is called
No longer produces energy
Neutron Star
Black Hole
The material that is left from
a supernova is called a
neutron star Neutron stars
are trillions of times as dense
as the Sun.
Stars with masses from 10 to
40 times the mass of the Sun
become black holes when they
die.
When a supernova occurs, the
gravity of this mass is so
strong that the gas is pulled
inward.
it is just a huge amount of
energy found in a small space
II.
Nuclear Fusion
a. During nuclear fusion ____Helium__ is produced.
HR Diagrams
III.
a) What factors are compared on the HR Diagram?
Temperature& Luminosity
b) Another word for brightness is Luminosity
c) The hottest stars on the diagram are colored Blue
d) The coolest stars on the diagram are colored Red
e) What is the relationship between the temperature and luminosity of the
stars?
As temperature increases luminosity increases, as temperature decreases
luminosity decreases.
Seasons
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What causes the seasons? The seasons occur because the tilt of Earth’s axis causes each
hemisphere to either face towards the sun, away from the sun, or both equally.
Which seasons are Equinoxes? Spring and Fall
Which seasons are Solstices? Summer and Winter
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If the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing summer, which season is the Southern
Hemisphere experiencing? If the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing summer then the
Southern Hemisphere is experiencing winter.
Label the following image with the correct seasons.
Spring Equinox
Winter Solstice
Summer Solstice
Fall Equinox