Earth and Earth’s Systems Quiz

Earth and Earth’s Systems

• The hydrosphere encompasses all the water on Earth.
• Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, comprising 78%.
• A positive feedback mechanism amplifies changes within a system.
• The biosphere is the global ecological system responsible for supporting life.
• Earth is the only planet in our solar system with liquid water on its surface.
• An example of a negative feedback loop is increased plant growth leading to more oxygen, as increased vegetation can absorb more CO2, potentially reducing the rate of warming, thus stabilizing the system.
• The lithosphere includes the Earth's crust and upper mantle.
• Solar energy is the primary energy source for life on Earth, driving photosynthesis and influencing climate and weather systems.
• Evaporation is a key process within the hydrosphere, playing a crucial role in the water cycle.
• The ozone layer protects life by filtering harmful solar radiation.
• More vegetation leading to higher CO2 absorption is a potential negative feedback mechanism in climate systems.
• Living organisms are the primary component of the biosphere.
• Increased temperatures leading to more ice melting, which decreases reflectivity, causing more solar energy to be absorbed and further increasing temperatures, is an example of a positive feedback mechanism.
• The atmosphere plays a crucial role in the water cycle, facilitating processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
• Earth's proximity to the Sun, the presence of water that moderates temperature, and the atmospheric composition that traps heat and prevents extreme temperature fluctuations, all contribute to maintaining a stable temperature.
• Positive feedback mechanisms are typically not beneficial for stabilizing ecosystems.

Rocks and Minerals

• Granite is a common igneous rock.
• Sedimentary rocks are not formed by the cooling and solidification of magma.
• Diamond is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale, rated a 10, making it the most resistant to scratching.
• Sedimentary rocks are formed through the compression and cementation of sediments like sand, silt, and organic material over time.
• Metamorphic rocks are formed from existing rocks through heat and pressure over long periods of time, altering the mineral composition and texture of the original rock.
• Quartz is a common gemstone.
• Minerals have a defined chemical composition, while rocks are a mixture of minerals.
• Cleavage refers to a mineral's ability to break along specific planes.
• Talc is a very soft mineral, often used in baby powder.
• Gold (native gold) exhibits a metallic luster.
• A mineral with a "definite composition" has a fixed ratio of elements.
• Organic materials are not classified as minerals because they are derived from living organisms.
• "Naturally occurring" in the context of minerals means the mineral forms through geological processes without human intervention.
• Minerals are crystalline solids with a specific geometric arrangement of atoms, indicating a definite structure.
• Minerals are always solid.

Finding and Mining Minerals

• Phosphate is not a common metallic mineral found in the Philippines.
• Hydrothermal mineral deposits are deposited by hot, mineral-rich fluids.
• Metallic ores are the primary raw materials in the production of metals.
• Volcanic processes contribute to the formation of mineral ores by cooling magma that contains dissolved metals.
• Chemical weathering primarily contributes to the concentration of minerals in residual deposits.
• Open-pit mining involves removing large amounts of soil and rock to reach minerals.
• The Republic Act No. 7942 regulates mining activities in the Philippines to ensure environmental protection.
• Sub-surface mining does not require the creation of open pits.
• Strip mining does not involve creating extremely large holes with benches.
• Comminution involves crushing and grinding ores.
• Concentration is the separation of valuable materials from raw materials.
• Ancestral lands refer specifically to lands that are traditionally owned or used by indigenous peoples, based on their historical occupation and cultural heritage.
• Blasting involves using explosives to blast ores out of an ore body underground.
• Sub-surface mining is generally considered safer for the overall environment compared to surface mining because it does not require the large-scale removal of vegetation and soil, preserving habitats, and poses less risk of displacing wildlife because it disturbs a smaller area at the surface.
• Concentration involves using the physical and chemical properties of minerals to separate them from wastes or other minerals.
• The State is responsible for the supervision of mining activities according to the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
• The Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) certifies that a proposed mining project will not have significant negative impacts on the environment.
• An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) outlines the potential environmental effects of the proposed mining project and includes mitigation measures to address these impacts.
• An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) evaluates the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project, ensuring that decision-makers consider the environment before proceeding with the project.
• Mining firms must secure consent from indigenous people to proceed with mining operations.
• Mining firms must provide payment to indigenous people in exchange for the extracted mineral ores.

Test your knowledge of Earth's systems, including the hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. This quiz covers essential concepts such as feedback mechanisms, the water cycle, and the importance of solar energy. Challenge yourself to understand how these elements interact to support life on our planet.