Earth and Habitable Conditions

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Questions and Answers

Which subsystem of Earth includes all living things?

Biosphere (correct)

Hydrosphere

Atmosphere

Lithosphere

What is the range of temperatures in which life can exist on Earth?

0 degrees C to 50 degrees C

-20 degrees C to 120 degrees C

-10 degrees C to 100 degrees C

-15 degrees C to 115 degrees C (correct)

What is the main component of Earth's atmosphere?

Oxygen

Nitrogen (correct)

Hydrogen

Carbon Dioxide

Which property of minerals is measured using the Mohs scale?

Hardness Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT essential for making a planet habitable?

Mineral deposits Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'luster' refer to in minerals?

Quality and intensity of reflected light Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that makes a planet habitable?

Mineral density Signup and view all the answers

What role does Earth's atmosphere play in supporting life?

It regulates temperature and protects from meteoroids. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary result of hydrolysis in rock-forming minerals?

Creation of clay minerals Signup and view all the answers

Which process is primarily responsible for the rusting of iron in rocks?

Oxidation Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is true for all minerals?

They possess a crystalline structure. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes intrusive igneous rocks from extrusive igneous rocks?

They have coarse grains due to slow cooling. Signup and view all the answers

What causes convection in the Earth's interior?

Movement of the mantle due to heat Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a condition that leads to partial melting?

Decrease in temperature Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves sediments settling to form sedimentary rocks?

Deposition Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock is formed as a result of contact metamorphism?

Non-foliated rocks Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of igneous rocks?

They form from the cooling of molten rock. Signup and view all the answers

How do minerals typically differ in color?

Impurities and geologic processes can affect colors. Signup and view all the answers

What geological feature is formed at a convergent plate boundary?

Volcanic arcs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes includes erosion and folding?

Angular unconformity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of sedimentary rocks?

Particles of sediments Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of erosion in geological processes?

Transportation of materials Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about minerals is false?

Minerals can be formed from biological processes. Signup and view all the answers

What type of igneous rock forms when lava cools quickly?

Obsidian Signup and view all the answers

What does absolute dating refer to?

Estimating a year or range of years based on radioactive isotopes Signup and view all the answers

Which era is known as 'the age of fish'?

Paleozoic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes refers to the sinking of buildings due to ground shaking?

Liquefaction Signup and view all the answers

What is the principle of horizontality in geology?

Sediments accumulate in horizontal layers Signup and view all the answers

Which region in the Philippines is most exposed to tropical cyclones?

Region III Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of a coastal process?

Storm surge Signup and view all the answers

Which natural hazard is associated with the movement and weakening of ground materials?

Liquefaction Signup and view all the answers

What causes sea level rise?

Gravitational pull of the moon and Earth Signup and view all the answers

What are metamorphic rocks formed from?

Pre-existing rocks of any type Signup and view all the answers

Which process is NOT considered an exogenic process?

Metamorphism Signup and view all the answers

How does physical weathering occur due to temperature changes?

Rocks expand when heated and fracture when cooled Signup and view all the answers

What is frost wedging?

Breakage of rock due to frozen water in crevices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of physical weathering?

Dissolution Signup and view all the answers

How can human activity contribute to physical weathering?

By plowing fields Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes abrasion in rocks?

Impact and friction between rocks and sediments Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about chemical weathering is true?

It includes processes like dissolution of minerals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth

Estimated 8.7 million different life forms exist, making Earth the only living planet in the solar system.
Contains about 70% liquid water, crucial for life.
Classified as a rocky, terrestrial planet with a solid, active surface.
Earth and Venus maintain sufficient atmospheres due to their size.

Factors That Make a Planet Habitable

Temperature: Life requires a temperature range from -15°C to 115°C, where liquid water can exist.
Atmosphere: Earth’s atmosphere is 10 miles thick, keeping surface temperatures warm and shielding from radiation.
Energy: Cells need a steady supply of light or chemical energy for vital chemical reactions.
Nutrients: Water cycles and volcanic activity help transport essential chemicals for organisms.

Subsystems of Earth

Biosphere: Comprises all living entities, including humans and wildlife.
Hydrosphere: All water, including oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Lithosphere/Geosphere: Solid components of Earth, including rocks, soils, and minerals.
Atmosphere: The gaseous layer that insulates and protects the Earth while influencing weather and climate.

Minerals

Defined as naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a crystalline structure and specific chemical composition.

Properties of Minerals

Cleavage: Ability to break along specific planes, resulting in smooth surfaces.
Hardness: Resistance to abrasion measured on the Mohs scale from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest).
Luster: Quality of reflected light from the mineral's surface.
Streak: Color of a mineral powder, which can vary due to impurities.
Crystal Form: The external shape that reflects the internal atomic structure of the mineral.

Characteristics of Minerals

Inorganic, with never having been alive.
Consistent chemical composition unique to the mineral.
Naturally occurring in the environment.
Consist of a crystalline structure.
Solid, not liquid or gas.

Rocks

Composed of one or more minerals, typically found in mixtures.

Types of Rocks

Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooled lava or magma.
- Extrusive (fine-grained, quick cooling from lava).
- Intrusive (coarse-grained, slow cooling beneath the surface).
Sedimentary Rocks: Formed from layers of sediments, providing geological history.
Metamorphic Rocks: Arise from existing rocks altered by heat and pressure.

Exogenic Processes

Weathering: Breakdown and alteration of rocks through:
- Physical Weathering: Caused by temperature changes, frost wedging, organic activity, human activities, and abrasion.
- Chemical Weathering: Includes dissolution, hydrolysis, and oxidation processes.
Erosion: Involves transportation of materials by agents like wind, water, or ice.

Endogenic Processes

Heat Transfer:
- Conduction: Transfer of heat via collisions of atoms.
- Convection: Movement of heat in fluids, such as the mantle.
Melting Processes:
- Decompression Melting: Pressure reduction leads to melting of mantle rocks.
- Partial Melting: Involves addition of volatiles, increased temperature, or decreased pressure to generate magma.

Metamorphism

Examples include slate and gneiss as foliated rocks, while non-foliated rocks result from contact metamorphism.

Geological Concepts

Convergent Boundaries: Create landforms like volcanic arcs.
Divergent Boundaries: Lead to oceanic lithosphere formation.
Angular Unconformity: Involves erosion, folding, and marine regression.

Dating Techniques

Absolute Dating: Determines the year or range of years using radioactive isotopes.
Relative Dating: Establishes chronological order through rock positioning.
Principle of Horizontality: Sediments layer in horizontal formations, which aids dating.

Geological Time Scale

Divisions include periods, epochs, and eras.
Paleozoic Era: Known as "the age of fish."
Mesozoic Era: Fossils of dinosaurs and early mammals found from this period.

Natural Hazards

Include earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis.
Liquefaction: A hazard that can lead to structural failures in buildings and infrastructure.

Risk and Mitigation

Regions like Camiguin are high-risk for volcanic eruptions; landslides prone areas include Cebu, La Union, and Mountain Province.
The Ring of Fire indicates high seismic and volcanic activity.
Coastal processes such as storm surges and tides contribute to sea-level rise influenced by lunar gravity.
Mitigation: Actions to reduce long-term risks and hazards in coastal areas.

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Description

Explore the unique characteristics that make Earth a suitable planet for life. This quiz covers Earth's biological diversity, crucial environmental factors, and the subsystems essential for supporting life. Test your understanding of what enables our planet to thrive among other celestial bodies.