physical science mid term

The two most abundant elements in Earth's crust are

oxygen & aluminum quartz and feldspar silicates and carbonates silicon and oxygen

d

#The three sources that brought young Earth to its melting point were

impacting heating, gravitational contracting heating, radioactive decay heating.

collisional heating, contracting heating, radiometric heating.

impact heating, convection heating, radiometric heating.

a

#Minerals are composed of

homogeneous solids silicon compounds common types of rocks inorganic solids

d

#The mineral gold (Au) is very soft. Gold's softness can be attributed to

very loosely bonded atoms large closely packed and strong bonded atoms. large loosely packed and loosely bonded atoms. large tiny packed atoms.

c

#A mineral's hardness is dependent on the

mineral ionizaton geometric arrangement of atoms strength of its chemical bonds size of atoms

c

#most common mineral in earths crust ____ and the second most common is _____

quartz, feldspar olivine, feldspar feldspar, quartz

c

#Galena belongs to the class of minerals known as the A) sulfides. B) sulfates. C) silicates. D) carbonate.

a

#by definition an ore is a mineral in valueable metals. to be considered as an ore means that the

deposit is very rich and abundant in valueable metals.

metals can be economically extracted to yield a profit.

metalix minerals are very abundant.

b

#a mineral that is not a silicate is

feldspar quartz mica calcite

d

#the process of crystallization acts to

enrich the crystallized minerals in silica.

enrich the molten magma in silica.

deplete the molten magma.

b

#the first mineral to crystallize from a cooling magma have a

low melting point and high silica count.

low melting point and low silica count.

high melting point and low silica.

high melting point and high silica

c

#the precipitation of and crystallization of evaporite minerals is similar to the crystallization of minerals from a magma. the first evaporite minerals to precipitate are those with the

lowest silica content highest solubility highest melting point lowest solubility

d

#rocks are grouped into three classes depending on how the rock was

formed discovered shaped located

a

#the hawaiian islands are predominantly made up of

metamorphic rock volcanic igneous rock sedimentary rock

b

#The most common igneous rock is formed from

basaltic magma granitic magma andesitic magma none

a

#The most violent volcanic activity is associated with ________.

shield volcanoes cinder cones composite volcanoes none

c

#Silica content of magma greatly affects its viscosity. magma with a high silica content has a

low viscosity and flows quick low viscosity and flows slow high viscosity and flows quick high viscosity and flows slow

d

#As rock is weathered it breaks down and erodes. Sedimentation begins where erosion stops. Erosion is

a chemical process. decomposition and alternation of rock material. transportation of rock particles via water wind or ice.

c

#The majority of surface rocks are

intrusive sedimentary metamorphic extrusive

b

#In a wet and humid climate, the mineral halite will succumb to weathering more easily than granite because

granite is more resistant. halite is relatively soft halite dissolves in water. all of the above.

d

#when a rock is broken into smaller pieces, we say the rock as undergone

mechanical weathering erosion lithification chemical weathering

a

#The metamorphic equivalent of limestone is

quartzite schist gneiss marble

d

#The type of mineral formed is determined by

chem bonding silica content elements present and the condition that lead to formation crystallization

c

#the most rock forming minerals are members of the group called

oxides carbonates silicates sulfates

c

#metamorphic rock that is weathered and broken down into small pieces can become

sediments which can then become sedimentary.

igneous rock

recrystallized

fossilized

a

#seismic waves are classified as body waves and surface waves. an example of body waves is a

rayleigh wave primary wave teritary wave love wave

b

#fastest seismic wave is

tertiary wave primary wave rayleigh wave secondary wave

b

#a seismograph

measures ground movement predicts earthquakes helps prevent earthquakes measures fault displacement

a

#an earthquake occurs as

seismic waves travel to earths surface.

energy released at earth's surface travels to earths interior.

seismic waves travel to earths interior

energy released from earths interior travels in the form of seismic waves to earths surface

d

#p waves travel faster through the inner core than the outer core because the inner core is

solid rock the same as outer core hotter than outer core

a

#evidence to support the fact that earths central core is solid can be attributed to

an increase in p wave velocity as they encounter and move through the inner core.

decrease in pwaves velocity as they encounter and move through the inner core.

an increase in swave velocity as they encounter and move through the inner core

a

#the outer core is

source of volcanoes rock liquid plastic

c

#The mantle can be separated into two different portions: the lower mantle and the upper mantle. The lower mantle is

completely solid due to extreme pressure that prevents iron-rich silica rocks from melting.

predom liquid silica.

composed of silly putty that flows like molasses.

rigid and has no capability of flow.

a

#The theory of continental drift is attributed to

alfred wegener hh hess simon tectonic w loma prieta

a

#The theory of continental drift is supported by paleoclimatic data, the jiwsaw fit of the continents

and seafloor spreading.

transform boundaries, and paletontology.

at their continental margins, and paleontology.

paleontology and paleomagnetic data.

c

#the theory of continental drift is supported by paleoclimate data, paleontology, and

seafloor spreading. transform boundaries. paleomagnetic data. the jisaw fit of the continents at their continental margiins.

d

#What evidence did Wegener use to support his hypothesis of continental drift

polor reversals

transform fault boundaries

paleoclimatic data

sea floor spreading.

c

#paleomagnetism from a rock gives information on the

amount of iron in the rock.

direction from the rock to the North Pole.

magnetic field at the time the rock was formed.

present day magnetic field

c

#The theory of seafloor spreading is supported by

paleomagnetic analysis of the oceans floor.

geological, biological, and climatological data.

change in earths polarity.

none

a

#according to the theory of seafloor spreading, molten rock is rising up along

trenches that border continental margins.

areas of sinking seafloor

islands surrounding the pacific volcanic rim.

the mid ocean riges.

d

#rate of seafloor spreading can be calculated by

rate of seafloor spreading cant be calc.

looking at the magnetic tape recording of the ocean floor.

knowing the data for magnetic pole reversals and the distance from the location of a known reversal site to the ocean ridge.

magnetic pattern generated at the ocean floor.

c

#The main idea of seafloor spreading is that

seafloor never stops spreading.

new crust forms at a spreading center and old crust is recycled at a subduction zone.

lithosphere floats on the asthenosphere

new crust is magnetized according to the exisitng magnetic field.

b

#plate tectonics differs from continental drift bc it

showed that pangaea broke up much later than predicted

did not explain the fir b/n south america and africa

provides a credible driving force.

d

#tectonic plates are composed of the

lithosphere and asthenosphere crust and mantle lithosphere crust

c

#is seafloor spreading creates new lithosphere does the size of earth change?

no older crust is recycled back into the asthenosphere.

yes earth gets bigger

yes earth shrinks

no extra crust is crumpled into mountains

a

#in a folded sequence of rocks we find older rocks at the axis of the fold and younger rocks away from the fold axis.the fold is

titled plunging called syncline called anticline

d

#the richter magnitude scale measures an earthquakes

damage frequency all of above energy in terms of ground shaking

d

#anticline is a fold in which limbs bend

downward upward

a

#divergent boudaries the dominatn rock type is

basalt andesite granite basalt, granite, and andesite

a

#Earthquake activity is associated with

divergent, convergent, and transform plate bound

divergent and convergent bound

tranform plate bound

convergent and transform plate bound

a

#The driving force of our planet's hydrologic cycle comes from

precipitation of waters over the oceans

solar energy

wind

balance b/n precipitation and evaportation

b

#evaporation and preciptation are in balance over the

continents

equator

polar ice caps

oceans

d

#where does most rainfall on earth finally end up before becoming rain again?

underground on ground surface in lakes in oceans

d

#rain or snow that falls on the continents is Earth's only

source of evap and conden

hydrologic cycle

supply of water

supply of fresh water

d

#Water in a confined aquifer is

recharge discharge under pressure freely flowing

c

#in a well in an unconfined aquifer the highest level that water can rise to is

just below the level of the water table.

dependent on how deep the well is.

to the top of the well.

the level of the water table.

d

#flow of groundwater is

from where the water table is low to where it is high.

insignificant.

from where the water table is high to where it is low.

as fast as water in streams.

c

#flow of groundwater depends on

permeability and gravity permeability and porosity. porosity and hydraulic gradient. porosity only.

a

#Water that does not infiltrate into the ground or evaporate becomes

soil moisture hydrologic cycle groundwater runoff

d

#formation of rock hanging from the roofs of caves are called

stalactites moraines stalagmites dikes

a

#land subsidence is caused by

over pumping of ground water and the compactino of clay layers.

gophers.

groundwater pumping.

clay layers that shrink

a

#in general, sinkholes are found in areas

in which groundwater is being pumped out of the ground too quickly.

dominated by limestone

where the dominant rock is shale.

with extensive irrigation systems.

b

#In general, a stream with a high discharge tends to have A) increased laminar flow. B) increased turbulent flow. C) a high velocity. D) a narrow stream channel.

c

#Stream velocity is dependent on

gradient and stream dimension

size and shape of the streams channel

gradient and friction

gradient, channel geometry and discharge.

d

#Riding down a river in an old canoe, if the discharge of the river does not increase and the river gets very wide and deep, the speed of the river will

become unpredictable decrease stay the same increase

d

#the cross sectional area and shape of a stream is called

discharge channel dimension channel geometry hydraulic gradient

c

#Water from streams in northern Utah flow to

gulf of mexico colordo atlantic ocean pacific ocean

d

#Flowing surface water alters the landscape in what ways?

weathering erosion deposition of sediments weathers and erodes sediments, and then it deposits sediment

d

#on a floodplain, stream flow is generally

turbulent channeled laminar meandering

d

#The headwater flow of a mountain stream is generally characterized as

turbulent meandering laminar all of these

a

#flowing water erodes steam channels by

hydraulic action and abrasion

chemical weathering

channel erosion and abrasion

chemical weathering, hydraulic action, and abrasion

d

#Snow converts to glacial ice when subjected to

basal slilding decreasing temperature plastic deformation pressure

d

#The flow of a glacier begins

after it has reached a critical mass

when the accumulating snow begins to melt

in the spring

as pressure is exerted from behind

a

#glacial deposits are characteristically

well sorted and well rounded

called outwash

composed of unsorted, angular rock fragments

asymmetrical rock debris

c

#of the three agents of erosion water and ice the one with the ability to move only the smallest particle is

wind water turbulent water ice

a

#deposition of sediment with each new layer younger than the layer below illustrates the principle of

superposition nonconformity orginial horizontality horizontality and nonconformity

a

#In a sequence of rock layers we find trilobite fossils at the bottom of rock layer 1 and dinosaur fossils directly above the fossil trilobites in layer 2. There are inclusions of trilobites in layer 2. We conclude that

the beds are overturned. the beds are folded. trilobites survived the age of the dinosaurs. dinosaurs are older than trilobites.

a

#The theory that different forms of animals throughout Earth's past occurred in a definite order is called the principle of

faunal succession fossil determination fossil assemblage conformable fossils

a

#in any sequence of sedimentary rock layers that have not been subjected to stress you would expect to find

horizontal layers

older horizontal layers at the bottom with younger horizontal layers at the top

older layers at the bottom and younger at the top

b

#To date relatively young rocks and materials, we use the decay of

uranium 235 to lead 207 carbon 14 to nitrogen 14

b

#radiometric dating assumes that once a mineral has crystallized any daughter product results only from the decay of the orginal unstable parent. some complications are

time clock setting due to metamorphism, and product leakeage that yields false age estimation.

poorly maintained teleometer

failure to take samples too close together.

a

#radiocarbon dating is limited to the remains of plants and animals that died no longer than about

5700 years ago 1,000,000 years ago 40,000 years ago 100 years ago

a

#on the geologic time scale the unit representing the largest span of time is the

precambrian phanerozoic proterozoic megaanum

a

#The fundamental time unit representing a major change in life forms is the

period subdivision epoch subdivision era subdivision eon subdivision

a

#Devonian period is most noted for the

great diversification of fishes - some developed lungs, some moved to land, and some became amphibians

first amphians

ability of certain fishes to breath air

a

#The Paleozoic era begins with the Cambrian and concludes with the

permian period triassic period ordovician period silurian period

a

#The formation of the early Appalachian Mountains began as a result of tectonic activity during the

triassic era paleozoic era mesozoic era cenozioc era

b

#Rocks from the Carboniferous period are significant because they

provide gold and silver deposits

contain diamonds

have large deposits of coal and oil

c

#during the cretaceous period earth experienced a worldwide rise in

therman expansion of the crustal surface and the breakup of pangaea.

melting glacial ice

subduction of seafloor

a

#during the mesozoic the supercontinent of gondwanaland fragmented into the continents of

south america, africa, antartica, australia, and india madagascar

north america, europe, africa

south america, africa, europe, asia

a

#the breakup of pangea began in the mesozoic era

at the end of the ordovician

with the rifting apart of north america and africa

with the collision of north america and africa

with the formation of himalyan mountains

b

#during the mesozoic the super continent of pangea fragmented into

four quadrants laurasia and gondwanaland present day continents we see today. rift zone between africa and europe.

b

#Uplift of the Rocky Mountains was a result of

crustal extenstion compressional forces tensional forces none

b

#during the cenozoic animals grew to great sizes and proportions. the wolly mammoth and saber tooth tiger were much larger than animals we see today. some of the causes for their extinction may be

buring of the grasslands, servere cliimatic change, and mans emergence.

extensive ice sheets that covered the land surface

emergence of man and competition for food.

dwindling food supplies, extreme climatic variation, and mans emergence.

d

#The birth of the San Andreas Fault corresponds to the collision of

movement of the pacific plate over a turbulent zone.

pacific ridge system and north america

pacific plate and the hawaiian islands

india and eurasia

b

#the san andreas was created

during the cenozoic

by the collision of the eastward moving north america plate and the pacific ridge.

by cenozoic tectonic activity that also formed the gulf of california as the north american plate collided with the pacific ridge.

c

#the san andreas fault is still active today as the northwest moving

north american plate grinds against the southwest moving pacific plate.

pacific plate grinds against the south west moving north american plate.

b

#changes in earths history are recorded

in magnetic tape at the bottom of the oceans. in the rock record. moon rocks. by rocks at the library of congress.

b

#the most noteworthy highlight of the mesozoic era was the

emergence of humans

ice age

break up of pangaea

pleistocene extinction

c

#the most important highlight of precambrian time was the

emergence of reptiles

asteroid impact that resulted in the formation of our moon.

accumulation of free oxygen in the atmosphere.

explosion of life.

c#