Geology 1121-Quiz 1 (CH1)

What is geology?

study of the earth (composition, behavior, and history)

What is a geologist?

scientist who studied the earth

What is the universe?

all of space, matter, and energy

When was the universe born?

13.4 billion years old

What caused the universe to be “born”?

the big bang

What was the big bang?

an explosion of all matter and energy packed into a small point that formed the universe

Explain nebular theory

the theory of the formation of the solar system; planets grew out of rings of gas, dust, and ice

What is the process of solar system formation (nebular theory)

1. rotating H2 and He

2. proto-star forms

3. sun forms

4. planetesimals form (tiny planets, think pluto)

5. planets form

What is differentiation?

transformation into a layered planet by gravity and spin of the earth

What are the two types of planets we’ve discusses in class?

terrestrial and gassy

When did the collision of earth and mars occur?

4.5 billion years ago

What happened to the earth as a result of the mars and earth collision? (4 things)

1. earth heats and melts

2. moon forms

3. speeds earths rotation

4. earth is tilted

What is the cause of earths magnetic field?

raid movement in the outer core stirring up the electrical flow in inner core; powered by internal heat

What is the term for earths north and south pole?

dipolar

What drives earths external engine?

the sun

What does the suns energy give us on earth?

weather and climate

What is earths internal energy powered by?

trapped heat and radioactive decay

What is our climate system driven by?

solar radiation

____sphere (air)

atmo

____sphere (water)

hydro

____sphere (life)

bio

____sphere (ice)

cryo

____sphere (solid earth)

geo

What is plate tectonics driven by?

internal heat

Solid or Liquid? Mantle

solid but putty like

Solid or Liquid? Outer Core

liquid

Solid or Liquid? Inner Core

solid

Continental crust is (thicker, thinner) than oceanic crust.

thicker

Continental crust is (more, less) dense than oceanic crust.

less

Continental and oceanic crust are (more, less) dense than the mantle.

less (this is why they float)

What is the Moho discontinuity?

the boundary between the crust and mantle

What is the thickest layer of the earth?

mantle

What is the most abundant thing in the core?

iron

What is the lithosphere?

earths rigid outer shell including both oceanic and continental crust

What is the asthenosphere?

weak layer of earth that deforms to accommodate tectonic movement

What caused the change in density between layers of the earth?

the chemical composition of the layers

What is the crust mainly composed of?

O and Si

What is the inner core composed of?

Fe and Ni