Download MSD EOC S.G. Sem 2

EARTH SCIENCE STUDY GUIDE SECOND SEMESTER
1. In Earth’s cycles the amount of material in a cycle is fairly constant due to the Law of Conservation (ie. Water cycle).
Matter
2. Matter is the material that makes up everything in our universe- it has mass, volume & density .
3. All matter has density, the amount of mass in a given space (mass divided by volume).
4. An element is a pure substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances by a chemical process.
5. An atom is the smallest particle of an element. Atoms contain positively charged protons, neutral neutrons, and
negatively charged electrons.
6. Neutrons and protons make up the nucleus of an atom, while electrons orbit around the nucleus.
7. Each element has a unique arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
8. The atomic number of an element equals the number of protons.
9. Electrons are arranged in different orbits called energy levels. (2N2)
10. Elements combine with other elements to create compounds and have a fixed ratio of atoms.
11. Most matter on earth is in the form of compounds. Compounds contain specific combinations of elements,
have the same properties, and react in predictable ways.
12. Atomic mass, or weight, is the number of protons plus the number of neutrons.
13. A stable atom has an equal number of protons and electrons.
14. An ion is a charged atom with an unequal number of protons and electrons.
Rock Cycle,
15. One or more elements combine to make minerals. Two or more minerals combine to make rocks.
16. Minerals are solid, inorganic, naturally occurring compounds in the earth.
17. Minerals have specific properties: crystal shape, cleavage, hardness, color, luster, streak, and density.
18. Rocks are composed of two or more minerals and are classified as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.
19. 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.
20. All rocks break down when exposed to weather producing smaller particles of broken rocks called sediments.
Sedimentary rock forms from either sediments or chemical action.
Weathering & Erosion, Water Cylce
21. Chemical weathering is the process of breaking down rocks by changing the chemical composition. (occurs
most rapidly in hot, wet climates)
22. Mechanical weathering is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces. (occurs in dry climates)
23. The rate at which soil forms depends of the climate and type of rock.
24. When sedimentary or igneous rock is exposed to enormous heat and pressure it becomes metamorphic rock.
25. The water cycle moves water between the atmosphere, ground, surface, and ice.
26. Groundwater is stored in the pores of the rock beneath the surface.
27. Glaciers erode U-shaped valleys while streams erode V-shaped.
28. Rivers carry the smaller particles farther downstream than larger particles.
29. Oceans cover 70% of the earth’s surface.
30. Evaporation occurs when a substance changes from a liquid to a gas. Condensation occurs when a substance
changes from a gas to liquid.
Earth History
31. Fossils, the remains of living things, are found in sedimentary rocks.
32. Some fossils can be used to determine ancient or paleo-climates.
33. Good index fossils have a wide geologic distribution and a narrow geologic age. They are used to correlate rock
sequences over an area and to determine geologic age of a rock layer.
34. The Earth’s resources provide the means for our standard of living.
35. Renewable resources are replenished as quick as they are used and are constantly being resupplied. (wind,
solar, and timber)
36. Nonrenewable resources are used quicker then they are replenished. (coal, oil, and natural gas, minerals)
37. The principles of crosscutting & superposition are useful tools in determine the relative time of geologic events.
38. Radiometric decay rates with half lives and age ratios can determine absolute dates to geologic events.
Universe
39. Tides are caused by the gravitational forces between Earth and the moon.
40. 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 (Hubble’s Law).
41. Period of revolution is when one object travels around another. For a planet, one revolution is one year.
42. Period of rotation is one spin on the axis. For a planet, one rotation is one day.
43. 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.
44. Our solar system contains a star, comets, asteroids, planets, and moons.
45. The phase of the moon depends on the how much of the sunlit side of the moon is observed.
46. Stars are spinning clouds of gases that radiate heat and light through nuclear fusion reactions, changing
hydrogen to helium.
47. Stars are made by the gravitational attraction of gases in a nebula.
48. Stars have a lifecycle. The way a star dies is determined by its mass. Our sun is of medium mass.
49. Massive stars turn into black holes, supernova, or neutron stars. Smaller stars cool to become white or brown
dwarfs.
50. Spectroscopy (spectrum of light) analyzes the spectrum of light coming from a star. which helps us to
determine the star’s temperature and composition.
51. Galaxies are huge collections of billions of stars held together by gravitational attraction.
Practice Exam will be held a week or two before the actual EOC.
Google diagrams over the topics above to practice analyzing data!