2ND SEMESTER EXAMStudy Guide

# 1 and 2

Name the layers of the Earth. Describe the composition of each of the Earth’s layers.

1 and 2 Name the layers of the Earth.

Describe the composition of each of the Earth’s layers.

Crust = Mostly Solid RockMantle = Melted Rock Lithosphere= Crust and upper rigid mantleAsthenosphere: the part of the mantle that starts to become more liquefied(Convection Occurs Here)Outer Core = Liquid Iron and NickelInner Core = SOLID Iron and Nickel (it is kept solid due to the great pressure of the layers above it.

# 3Explain the interactions that take place between the different layers of Earth (core and mantle, mantle, crust, lithosphere, and asthenosphere).

3. Explain the interactions that take place between the different layers of Earth (core and mantle, mantle, crust,

lithosphere, and asthenosphere).

Heat from the inner core and the outer core move through the layers of the earth and that energy is released through the crust. Within the Earth, irregular heating, which causes convection currents, within the mantle transfer heat from the core to the surface of the planet. The asthenosphere is pliable and can be pushed and deformed like silly putty in response to the warmth of the Earth. The flowing asthenosphere carries the lithosphere of the Earth, including the continents, on its back.

#4.

What is the energy source that drives the movement of the Earth’s plates?

4. What is the energy source that drives the movement of the Earth’s

plates?

THE CORE--It heats up the inside of the Earth (due to friction and decay (aging)) and drives convection currents (heat transfer in the magma) in the mantle.

# 5 What is the difference between chemical and physical weathering?

# 5. What is the difference between chemical and physical weathering?

Chemical changes the actual substance (the state of it), but physical just changes its appearance.

Example: Physical- Water seeps into the cracks of a rock, when the

water freezes it cracks the rock. This happens because water expands when frozen. The rock itself doesn't change, just the appearance. Other examples: Wind, Gravity, Ice, Plant Roots, Animals.

Chemical- Acid rain. This process can occur by water being evaporated from a polluted water source when it rains it can cause discoloring or the breaking down of rocks. Other examples—Anything that changes chemical composition (dissolving, rusting, oxidizing)

# 6 What will occur when water and limestone interact?

6. What will occur when water and limestone interact?

The limestone will be weathered and eroded (chemically altered) by the water as it percolates into the aquifer and into the bedrock. The water, already slightly acidic naturally, dissolves the limestone. Over time, the limestone dissolves and caverns, caves (open holes) form. These cavities can collapse and form a sink hole. *Karst topography!!!!!

# 7 What are the primary agents of physical erosion and how do they change the surface of Earth? What is the relationship between volume

of water passing through an area and the amount of erosion that takes place?

7. What are the primary agents of physical erosion and how do they change the surface of Earth?

What is the relationship between volume of water passing through an area and the amount of erosion that takes place?

Wind, water, ice, gravity, animals and plants (roots). Physical erosion changes the surface of the Earth by slowly wearing away and moving features on the Earth’s surface.

The more water, and the faster the stream, the more erosion can be done.

# 8 Describe several ways in which rock layers can be dated.

# 8 Describe several ways in which rock layers can be dated.

Relative age dating (superposition). For instance, a river cuts deep into the Earth and exposes layers. The oldest layer is the farthest down. Absolute age dating (carbon dating)--uses half lives by measuring the amount of carbon, uranium, etc. in a substance.

#9 Describe the steps of the rock cycle and the types of rocks that are created during each process.

#9 Describe the steps of the rock cycle and the types of rocks that are created during each process.

Intrusive Igneous—Magma hardens INSIDE the Earth, beneath the surface Extrusive Igneous – Magma (lava) hardens OUTSIDE the Earth

****KNOW THE PROCESSES EACH ROCK UNDERGOES!!!!

Rock Formation Processes

Sedimentary: Weathering/Erosion, compaction/ cementation

Igneous: cooling of lava/ magma Extrusive =Outside Earth Cooling, Intrusive=

Inside Earth Cooling. Metamorphic: heat and pressure Sediments: weathering and erosion Magma: melting

# 10 and 11 --Explain Wegener’s theory of continental drift AND why it is different from Plate Tectonics.

# 10 and # 11Explain Wegener’s theory of continental drift AND why it is different from Plate Tectonics.

Wegener thought that all of the continents once were joined together as one big landmass. This super continent was called Pangea. Using the theory of plate tectonics, all of the continents broke apart forming Earth as we know it today. He used fossils, rocks, and coastlines as evidence. **Wegener’s problem was that he could not explain WHY the continents were moving. Plate Tectonics explained WHY using convection currents and the explanation that new crust formation is pushing the continents (as part of the crust).

# 12 Describe the 4 types of interactions that can take place between tectonic plates.# 13 Explain the different land features that result at each type of plate boundary.

# 12 Describe the 4 types of interactions that can take place between tectonic plates.

# 13 Explain the different land features that result at each type of plate boundary.

Name_______________________________ J#_______

Plate Tectonics Tree M ap

Types of Plate Boundaries

Convergent Divergent Transform

Example 1 Example 1 Example 1

Oceanic-Continental Process= Subduction (Sinking of one plate due to density) Process= Seafloor Spreading Process=Friction/Tension Geologic Feature = Trench AND Continental Volcanoes Geologic Feature = New Seafloor(Crust Geologic Feature = None Underwater Volcanic Ridge Geologic Event = Earthquake

Example 2 Example 2 Oceanic-Oceanic Process= Subduction (Sinking of one plate due to density) Process= Continental Separation Geologic Feature = Trench AND Volcano Island Arc Geologic Feature = Rift Valley

Example 3 Continental-Continental Process= Uplift/Folding Geologic Feature = Mountains ****Subduction is sometimes considered a 4th type of boundary. It destroys the MOST amount of the Earth’s crust.

Convergent Boundaries: When two plates move towards each other, they will collide. This is called convergent plate movement. As the plates collide, some crust is destroyed due to the impact, which is why convergent boundaries are also called destructive boundaries. Sometimes, one plate will sink, or subduct, under the other plate.

Divergent Boundaries: Divergent plate movement occurs when two plates move away from each other. Magma from the mantle underneath the crust to rise up to the surface to cool and solidify, forming new crust at the plate boundary.

Transform Boundaries: Transform plat movement occurs when two plates slide laterally past each other. However, movement is not smooth due to friction between the rocks and the two plates. Therefore, the two plates sometimes become ‘stuck’ and lock together. Since the convection currents of the underlying magma are still dragging the plates, much tension and pressure is built up at the boundary and, once there is a sufficient buildup of pressure, the rocks in the plates will break and get jerked apart.

Subduction: Subduction occurs at convergent boundaries when one more dense plate slips below a less dense plate and pierces the mantle below. Very distructive to Crust

#14 Explain how the process of erosion affects Florida’s beaches each year.#15 What actions could we take to prevent the erosion of Florida’s shorelines?

#14 Explain how the process of erosion affects Florida’s beaches each year.

#15 What actions could we take to prevent the erosion of Florida’s shorelines?

Because Florida is surrounded by water we are naturally susceptible to erosion; Tides alone wash away or sand. Hurricanes and storm surge does this much more quickly. Construction on the beaches, driving, destruction of natural habitats have sped up this process.

We can plant more plants along the beach berms. Plant roots hold the sand in place and naturally prevent erosion. We can also ban driving on beaches.

**Our barrier islands (which can take the brunt of storms) off the coast are particularly at risk. Native grasses have been stripped in these areas and we must replant them in order to protect both these islands (from sinking) and our mainland.

# 16 Understand the processes that create underground caves and Karst topography in Florida.

# 16 Understand the processes that create underground caves and Karst topography in Florida.

Underground caves are natural cavities beneath the surface of the earth, created by groundwater dissolving the limestone bedrock.

Karst topography is a landscape created by groundwater dissolving sedimentary rock such as limestone.

Sink holes can also be found! As the roofs of these caves and caverns are unstable and topped by sand.

Florida gets its electricity from burning coal. These pollutants can get into our water supply, through acid rain, and damage the soil which in turn would create more acidic percolation into the bedrock. This would speed up the process of limestone breakdown, in addition to hurting our soil.

#17 Understand the methods used to measure the age of Earth and its parts.

#17 Understand the methods used to measure the age of Earth and its parts.

See # 8

# 18 Explain the processes that create and destroy Earth’s crustal material.# 19 Where would Earth’s crust be the oldest? The newest?

# 18 Explain the processes that create and destroy Earth’s crustal material.

# 19 Where would Earth’s crust be the oldest? The newest? Earth’s crust is destroyed at convergent plate boundaries

where trenches form due to one plate subducting under the other

Earth’s crust is created at divergent plate boundaries where mid-ocean ridges form when magma from the mantle comes to the surface and cools and hardens.

Where would Earth’s crust be the oldest? The newest?

# 20 Identify common features found on the ocean floor (abyssal plain, continental shelf, continental slope, guyot, mid-ocean ridge, seamount, and trench).

Trench= Deepest parts of ocean-Where crust is destroyed due to subduction. Mid-Ocean Ridge= New Crust (seafloor spreading-boundary between divergent

plates) Seamounts (mounts under the sea) and Guyots (Seamounts that went above

water and were eroded back down). Abyssal Plain=bottom of the ocean—cold dense water moves along Shelf (contains deposition of sediment) Slope= Drop off—Much erosion steep slope that marks the boundary between

continental and oceanic crust

A = Continental MarginB= Continental Slope

C= TrenchD= Mid Ocean Ridge

E and F = Seamount and Guyot (Guyots erode)G =Abyssal Plain

#21 What gases make up our atmosphere? #22 Which of these gases are most important to living organisms? WHY?

#21 What gases make up our atmosphere? #22 Which of these gases are most important to living

organisms? WHY?

The atmosphere is: 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% other gases (such as Argon, Ozone, Water, and Carbon Dioxide).

Carbon dioxide and oxygen are the gases in the atmosphere that are needed for life.

Animals need oxygen to breathe. Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. They use

sunlight to change carbon dioxide and water into food. The process releases oxygen.

Other living things depend on plants (Producers) for food. These organisms need the oxygen plants release to get energy out of the food. Even plants need oxygen for this purpose. PRODUCERS are the main source of Oxygen for our planet!

#23 What is the water cycle? What energy source drives the water cycle?

#23 What is the water cycle? What energy source drives the water cycle?

This unending circulation of Earth’s water supply is the water cycle. The water cycle is a worldwide system powered by the sun.

Balance in the water cycle means the amount of precipitation and evaporation are equal. This is what is ideal for full function of the water cycle. *For instance, if the amount of solar radiation would increase, the amount of evaporation would increase. If this happened, the amount of precipitation would also have to increase or we would wind up in a drought!

# 24 What is the carbon cycle?

#24 What is the Carbon Cycle

Carbon is an element that makes up every living thing on our planet. It continuously moves through all plants, animals, soils, oceans, and the atmosphere.

The movement of carbon is referred to as the carbon cycle.