Download 11th Grade Earth Science

11th Grade Earth Science
Exam I
Study Guide
The following topics are those which we covered in class that I want you to focus on for the exam. I know it’s a lot of information, but
I hope that it narrows it down from what you have in your textbook (i.e. a lot). Good luck studying! 
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What are the various branches of science that make up Earth Science (Geology, Oceanography, etc.) and what is studied within
them?
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What is the scientific method? What are the steps? Can you define the IV and DV in an experiment? What are controls?

What are the “spheres” of earth (hydrosphere, atmosphere, etc.)?
o
Geosphere: Why does earth have a magnetic field, and why is it important?
o
Be able to define crust, mantle, core, lithosphere, and asthenosphere
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What’s the difference between an open and closed sytem?
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Chemistry: Know the definitions of the following: elements, atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic number, atomic mass,
isotopes, compounds, ions, ionic bonds, covalent bonds,
o
Why do elements form bonds with one another (HINT: outer electrons…)?
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What is special about elements that are in the same group (column) of the periodic table?
Minerals: what are they? What are the requirements for being a mineral? How are they different from rocks?
o
How do we classify minerals? Define the following terms, and be able, given a sample (or picture of a sample), to
identify these terms: Luster, Color, Crystal shape, Hardness, Cleavage
o
What is the most common mineral type in Earth’s crust? What is the molecular arrangement of this mineral (HINT: it
contains Si and O)?
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Rocks: What are they? Be able to fill in or label a diagram of the rock cycle, including HOW each type of rock forms
o
Given a sample of rock (ig, met, sed), be able to explain how it formed SPECIFICALLY (i.e. if it is igneous with large
crystals, where did it form? How quickly did it form?)
o
Igneous rocks: how do they form? Understand how they are classified, e.g. Intrusive or extrusive, texture, composition,
etc.
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Sedimentary Rocks: How do they form? Know the following terms: weathering, erosion, deposition, lithification,
cementation, compaction
o
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What is the difference between a clastic (or “detrital”) and a chemical sedimentary rock? How does each form?
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Know how to identify the different textures (conglomerate, sandstone, breccia, etc)
Metamorphic rocks: How do they form? What are the two main agents for making metamorphic rocks?
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External processes: be able to define identify weathering vs. mass wasting vs. erosion.
o
What two types of weathering are there, and what are some examples of each?
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What is foliation and how does it form?
How do these two types of weathering work together to break down rock?
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What is soil? How is it formed? What is the most important factor that governs what type of soil is formed?
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What causes mass wasting? What are some examples (be able to explain at least one in some detail).
o
What is the single most important erosional agent involved in sculpting the earth’s surface?
The hydrologic cycle: be able to fill in/label a diagram of it, including the names of the following processes: precipitation,
evaporation, infiltration, runoff, and transpiration.
o
What are drainage basins? River systems?
o
Define the following: zone of erosion, zone of transportation, zone of deposition. Where are each of these zones typically
found in a river?
o
Sediment transport: Define dissolved load, suspended load, and bed loads. What is the most river characteristic that
determines how much sediment can be sustained by a river?
o
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What is groundwater? What features of the earth’s crust determine how much water can be held underground?
Glaciers: What are they? How do they form? How are they different from ice sheets and ice fields?
o
If you were to dig a core through a glacier, what would the surface be like? What would it look like about 50m below the
surface? What would it look like at the bottom?
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o
Why does a glacier move?
Formation: What are the zones of accumulation and wastage? What is the glacial budget, and how does it determine the
size of a glacier from year to year?
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What are the effects glaciers can have on the land around/beneath them? Define plucking, abrasion, drift, moraines
o
Be able to explain the connection between glaciers and climate change
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Glaciers have receded/advanced all throughout earth’s history. Why?
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Why does it matter whether or not a glacier is melting or not? What effects can it have on the earth
system as a whole?