SOL Review6th Grade

Oceanography – the study of oceans

Scientific Investigation

Scientific Method

Problem

Hypothesis

Test the hypothesis

Analyze the results

Draw conclusions

Varibles & Constants

Independent variable – changed by the experimenter.Dependent variable – responds to the changes in the independent variable.Constants (controlled variables) keep the same.A table is used to record the data.The data gets plotted onto a graph

Density

International system of measurement is (SI) – called the metric systemMeter (m) – is used to measure lengthLiter (L) – is used to measure volumeSolids are measured in cm3Volume – of an irregular object is found by water displacement.Mass (g)– is a measure of the amount of matter in an object.Weight – a measure of the pull of the Earth's gravity on an object.Three states of matter – solid, liquid, gas

Density – is a measure of the amount of matter that occupies a particular space. It is determined by dividing the mass of an object by its volume.

Formula for density: Density = Mass/Volume

The SI units are g/cm3 or g/mL.Specific Gravity is the comparison of the density of a substance to the density of water.

Measurement

Latitude & Longitude Basic Map Reading

Road maps, topographic map, Bathymetric map, geologic map, star chart, weather map, physical relief map, and globe.

Latitude – linear show lines in degrees North & South of the equator. Latitude lines are referred to as parallels.Longitude – lines show distance in degrees East and West of the Prime Meridian. Longitude lines are referred to as meridians. The Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, England.The International Date Line – halfway around the Earth from the Prime Meridian, halfway between China & California in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.Four Time Zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, & Eastern

Topographic Maps

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Topographic Maps – show relief using contour lines. Relief is the highs and lows of the land.Elevation refers to the height above sea level. Contour interval is the difference between the elevation of the contour lines on the map.Index contour – heavier lines with elevation marked.Hachure – depression on the map (crater or sinkhole).Gentle slopes = indicated by wide spaced lines.Steep slopes = indicated by lines close together.A profile is a vertical section or "side view".Rivers & Streams are always shown with a “V” & it points upstream

GPS are used to identify places on Earth. It uses a system of satellitesthat orbit the Earth, sent our radio signals and communicate with base stations. It can tell you:• Latitude/Longitude• Speed of travel and direction of

travel• elevation

Mapping the Earth

Properties of Minerals

1. Formed by natural process

2. Inorganic solids3. Elements or

compounds w/chemical composition unique to that mineral

4. Crystal structures; that is the atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern.

ROCKCYCLE

Mineral Identification

1. Color 2. Hardness3. Luster4. Streak5. Cleavage & Fracture

Mineral Resources

Identifying Rocks

& Rock Types

ROCKS & MINERALS

• Gems are highly prized minerals (rare & beautiful)

• Ores are minerals that contain a useful substance that can be mined at a profit.

Mineral types: Feldspars (most abundant) Clays Micas Hornblende Quartz

Sedimentary rock…• Clastic from particles

of rock• Non-clastic organic

remains of plants/animals

• Non-clastic chemical chemical reactions

Metamorphic rock…• Foliated grains in rock in parallel

layers• Non-foliated grains that change, no

parallel layers

Igneous rock…From volcano (lava) or deep in Earth (magma). Can be extrusive (found outside) with a fine grained texture or intrusive (found inside) with coarse grained texture.

Crust – is the outer later of the Earth 1. Continental crust – thicker

but lighter2. Oceanic crust - thinner

but heavierConvection – currents are circular caused by the difference in temperatures from the bottom to the top of the mantle. Because of these currents, the plates of the Earth have moved in the past and are moving today. These plate moves cause earthquakes, mountain building, and volcanism.

Plate Tectonics – Earth is broken into many pieces. • 12 main plates on Earth’s surface• Constantly, but slow moving (1.3 0

10 cm /year)• Continental Drift Theory –

continents have moved & are still moving today.

• 1912 Alfred Wegener introduced this theory

• Pangea is the name given to the super continent from 250 million years ago (see below).

Earth's Composition

Geologic Processes

and FeaturesPlate Tectonic

Processes & Landforms

Plate boundaries: where two plates come together.• Convergent = 2 plates collide OR 1 plate rides

above the other • Divergent = 2 plates are moving apart in

opposite directions• Transform = 2 plates sliding past one another

Mountains

• Folded mountains –wave-like. Plates are pushed together and form tall mountains.

• Fault-block mountains - plates are pushed together & break from the collision.

• Dome mountains -plate collisions push an area of the crust up into a dome shape.

Earthquakes & Faults

Volcanoes

Freshwater Resources/Geologic Processes

Physical & Chemical Weathering

Physical • Ice wedging• Abrasion • Plant roots • Animal activity• Exfoliation • Friction• Temperature

changes

Chemical• Hydrolysis• Carbonation• Oxidation• Plants produce acid

Soil Formation

Erosion & Deposition

Erosion is the removal & transport of earth materials by natural agents. It results in deposition of sediments.Agents of erosion:• Gravity• Glaciers• Wind• Water

Karst Topography

Karst Topography from dissolving limestone.• Caverns• Sinkholes• Disappearing streams• Stalactites• Stalagmites• Column (when stalactites &

stalagmites join together)

Groundwater Zones &Sources of FreshwaterHuman Usage

Resources

Virginia Resources

Renewable and Nonrenewable

Renewable• Can be replaced by

nature at a rate at which they are used

• Includes vegetation, water, & soil

Nonrenewable• Are renewed very

slowly or not at all• Includes coal, oil,

natural gas, & minerals

EnergyResources

Advantages Disadvantages

Fossil FuelsQuick, easy, inexpensive

Causespollution

NuclearNo harmfulgases into the atmosphere

Nuclear wasteradioactive

Solar

Clean &no pollutants or harmful radiation

Cost of solar panels. Problems with cloudy days.

GeothermalReliable & clean Necessary to

drill the Earth

HydroelectricRenewable resource & clean

Causes floods & $$$ to build the dam

WindClean & endless Wind is un-

predictable.

TidalClean &endless $$$ &

unpredictable

Common misconception: “renewable” does NOT mean recyclable. Recycle = reuse

Environmental Impacts of

Energy

Coal• Non-renewable resource

Lignite Bituminous Anthracite

Effects of Human &Geologic Activity

Composition & Structure of Earth’s atmosphere

Land Breezes/Sea Breezes

Land Breeze

Sea Breeze

Atmospheric MechanismsWeather Patterns Weather

Instruments

Severe Weather

Meteorology

Greenhouse Effect from high levels of O2

Ozone Layer blocks harmful UV radiation

Astronomy &Space

Solar System

Stars

History & Contributions of Space Program

Origin & Evolution of the Universe

Sun-Earth-Moon System

Eclipse

Moon Phases

Constellations

Using Doppler Effect, Edwin Hubble & other astronomers saw that the galaxies were red shifted which means they are ;moving away from each other. Astronomers needed a theory to explain this observation. Today scientist have a theory called The Big Bang Theory. Approx. 15 million years ago the universe began expanding out of an enormous explosion.

1957 – Soviet Union launched Sputnik1958 – U. S. launched 1st satellite, Exlorer 1July 20, 1969 – Apollo 11 – Neil Armstrong & Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin,

Galaxies

Relative Dating

Absolute Dating

Geologic Time Scale

Origin of Earth’s Atmosphere

Fossil Formation & Types

Historical Geology

Places events in sequence without any numerical ages.• Horizontally• Superposition• Cross-cutting

relationships• Included fragments• Unconformity

Places a numerical age on an event.• Radioactive Decay• Half-life• Parent Material• Carbon-14

• Cyanobacteria• Photosynthesis• Ozone

Characteristics of Virginia’s 5 Physiographic ProvincesCoastal Plain• Contains youngest sedimentary rocks• Sediments have sand, gravel, shells, & clay• Fossil beds with shells, bones, & teeth• Eastern Shore of the Coastal Plain shows growth & destruction due to changing sealevels during the Ice Ages. Sediments are from the Appalachian Mountains.• Mineral Resources are oil & natural gas

Piedmont Region• Low & high valleys• Dominant rocks = slates, marble, granite, &quartz. Sandstone & shale found from 205-245 mya• Many preserved fossils – dinosaur traces.• Important minerals are gold and pyrite.• Some coal beds & methane are also found here.

Blue Ridge• Mountain change that ranges from 2 miles wide are the Potomac Riverto 50 miles wide at the VA-NC border.• Very rugged and covered with weather rock.• Major rivers: The James, The Potomac , and The Roanoke.

Valley and Ridge• Contain sedimentary rocks that date back 550 million years ago• Rocks include limestone, sandstone, and shale. Caves in VA are formed from limestone deposits in this province.• Mineral resources include lime, lead, since, & iron.• Oil, gas and coal are also found here.

Appalachian Plateau• Deep, narrow valleys, and steep, rugged mountain sides• Coal beds found throughout

Chesapeake Bay

• Estuary• Watershed• Bay Pollution

Point source Non-Point source

Oceanography

Interacting Processes &

Systems

Ocean Resources & Human Activity

Algae in the oceans are an importantsource of atmospheric oxygen. The oceans are an important source of food & mineral resources also used for recreation & transportation.

Pollution & over-fishing can harm or deplete the valuable resources.

Ocean Topography