Science 102 Exam 2

What are the three primary classes of rocks?

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

How are igneous rocks formed?

From the solidification of molten material (magma or lava).

Give two examples of igneous rocks.

Granite (intrusive) and basalt (extrusive).

What process forms sedimentary rocks?

Accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles.

Name three common sedimentary rocks.

Sandstone, limestone, and shale.

How are metamorphic rocks formed?

From the alteration of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids.

What are two examples of metamorphic rocks?

Schist and gneiss.

What is phaneritic texture in igneous rocks?

A coarse-grained texture where crystals are visible to the naked eye, typical of intrusive rocks.

Describe aphanitic texture.

A fine-grained texture where crystals are too small to see, characteristic of extrusive rocks.

What is porphyritic texture?

Contains larger crystals (phenocrysts) embedded in a finer-grained matrix, indicating a complex cooling history.

What is the rock cycle?

A continuous process that describes the transformation of rocks through various geological processes.

How do igneous rocks transform into sedimentary rocks?

Through weathering and erosion that breaks down igneous rocks into sediments, which can be compacted and cemented.

What is weathering?

The breakdown of rocks at the Earth's surface due to atmospheric conditions.

What is erosion?

The process of transporting weathered materials from one location to another.

What is the difference between physical and chemical weathering?

Physical weathering involves mechanical breakdown without changing chemical composition, while chemical weathering alters minerals through chemical reactions.

What is foliation in metamorphic rocks?

A planar arrangement of mineral grains or structural features within a rock, indicating directional pressure.

What is a non-foliated texture?

Metamorphic rocks like marble and quartzite that lack foliation and are formed under uniform pressure conditions.

What defines a mineral?

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure.

What are the primary rock-forming minerals?

Quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, and olivine.

What is the significance of mineral reserves?

They refer to the known quantities of a resource that can be economically extracted, highlighting the importance of sustainable management.

What is the role of air masses in weather?

Air masses significantly affect local weather patterns and climate.

What is a maritime tropical (mT) air mass?

Warm, moist air formed over oceans that influences humid, warm climates.

Describe a continental polar (cP) air mass.

Cold, dry air formed over land that influences cold, dry conditions in northern regions.

What is the impact of Arctic (A) air masses?

They bring extremely cold air from polar regions, leading to severe cold spells in winter.

How do air masses affect local weather patterns?

Air masses significantly influence local weather, with mT air masses causing increased precipitation and cP air masses leading to temperature drops and clear skies.

What is a cold front and what weather does it typically bring?

A cold front is represented by blue lines with triangles and typically brings cooler temperatures and thunderstorms.

How is a warm front depicted on weather maps and what weather does it usually lead to?

A warm front is shown as red lines with semicircles and usually leads to warmer temperatures and steady rain.

What characterizes a stationary front?

A stationary front is depicted by alternating blue and red lines and can cause prolonged periods of precipitation.

What air masses are associated with cold fronts?

Cold fronts are often preceded by warm, moist air (mT) and followed by cooler, drier air (cP).

What is the life cycle of a mid-latitude cyclone?

The life cycle includes initial formation with low pressure, maturity with defined cold and warm fronts, and occlusion when the cold front overtakes the warm front, leading to weakening.

Where do mid-latitude cyclones typically track in North America?

Mid-latitude cyclones typically track from west to east across North America, influenced by prevailing westerlies.

What factors influence thunderstorm frequency in the U.S.?

Factors include warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, orographic lifting from the Rocky Mountains, and seasonal patterns showing increased frequency in summer.

How does hail form in cumulonimbus clouds?

Hail forms within strong updrafts where water droplets freeze and are lifted repeatedly, requiring supercooled water and strong updrafts.

What are the primary characteristics of tropical cyclones?

Tropical cyclones are characterized by low pressure, strong winds, and heavy rain, originating over warm ocean waters.

What is the Köppen climate classification system?

The Köppen climate classification system categorizes climates into five main groups: Tropical, Dry, Temperate, Continental, and Polar, based on temperature and precipitation patterns.

Where are tropical climates predominantly located?

Tropical climates are found between 23.5°N and 23.5°S latitude, including regions like the Amazon rainforest.

What are common forms of air pollution?

Common forms include particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

What factors can increase air pollution severity?

Factors include temperature inversions, urbanization, geographic features that trap pollutants, and seasonal variations.

What is an urban heat island (UHI)?

An urban heat island is a metropolitan area significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities.

What are some mitigation strategies for urban heat islands?

Mitigation strategies include increasing green spaces, using reflective building materials, and implementing urban planning policies.

What is climate change?

Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time, primarily driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels.

What evidence supports global warming?

Evidence includes rising average temperatures, shrinking ice sheets, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.

What are potential consequences of climate change?

Potential consequences include rising sea levels, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of natural disasters.