Earth and Life Science: Four Subsystems
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Questions and Answers

Which theory suggests that the universe will eventually reverse and contract?

  • Oscillating Universe Theory (correct)
  • Accretion Hypothesis
  • Steady State Theory
  • Big Bang Theory
  • What characteristic describes a closed system in the context of Earth's systems?

  • Both energy and matter are transferred
  • Matter is transferred but energy is not
  • No transfer of any kind occurs
  • Only energy is transferred (correct)
  • In which layer of the atmosphere do clouds typically form?

  • Thermosphere
  • Stratosphere
  • Mesosphere
  • Troposphere (correct)
  • The process of accretion in the context of Earth's formation refers to what?

    <p>Gradual size increase from matter buildup</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens during the Big Crunch theory according to cosmological predictions?

    <p>The universe contracts back into singularity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological feature is formed at a divergent boundary?

    <p>Mid-oceanic ridges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What typically occurs when two continental plates converge?

    <p>Uplift of mountain ranges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes superposition in geology?

    <p>Younger rocks lie over older rocks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the subduction zone in oceanic-continental convergence?

    <p>The denser oceanic plate is pushed under the continental plate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'half-life' refer to in geology?

    <p>The time taken for half of a radioactive isotope to decay</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process involves the breakdown of rocks by the impact and friction caused by other materials?

    <p>Abrasion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the movement of soil and rock down a slope due to gravity?

    <p>Mass Waisting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process involves the response of oxygen with minerals, often resulting in rusting?

    <p>Oxidation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of fault occurs when the hanging wall moves downward with respect to the foot wall?

    <p>Normal Fault</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which melting process occurs when rock is near its melting temperature due to the presence of water and carbon dioxide?

    <p>Flux Melting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Plate Tectonic Theory explain regarding Earth's landforms?

    <p>It elucidates how major landforms are created by subterranean movements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of stress on rocks is characterized by pushing rocks together?

    <p>Compressional Stress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the name of the supercontinent that existed approximately 200 million years ago?

    <p>Pangea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main factor that determines the classification of rocks as igneous?

    <p>The cooling of magma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes sedimentary rocks?

    <p>Preserve records of environmental conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of minerals is described by luster?

    <p>Reflective quality of light</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which property indicates how a mineral can break along specific planes of weakness?

    <p>Cleavage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main chemical composition of silicate minerals?

    <p>Silicon and oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of metamorphic process involves the application of extreme heat and pressure?

    <p>Metamorphism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The presence of which element would classify a mineral as a native element?

    <p>Uncombined elements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which classification would you place a rock formed from the accumulation of organic materials?

    <p>Organic sedimentary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of weathering involves breaking rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition?

    <p>Physical weathering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feature of the thermosphere is associated with electrically charged atoms and molecules?

    <p>Ionosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of disconformity in geological terms?

    <p>It occurs when rock layers are mislaid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the point inside the Earth where an earthquake originates?

    <p>Focus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the magnitude of an earthquake primarily measured?

    <p>Using a seismograph.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the wave types when swash is stronger than backwash?

    <p>Constructive wave</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of flooding occurs far from the coast?

    <p>Inland flood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What leads to coastal erosion according to the content?

    <p>Storm surges.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which erosion process involves rock fragments colliding and eroding each other?

    <p>Attrition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is often a byproduct of earthquakes that occurs due to infrastructural damage?

    <p>Fires</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option best defines the term 'tsunami'?

    <p>Giant waves caused by quakes and volcanic eruptions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the intensity of an earthquake as the distance from the epicenter increases?

    <p>It decreases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Four Subsystems of the Earth

    • Earth consists of interconnected systems that facilitate movement and transfer of matter and energy.
    • Main subsystems: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

    Theories about the Origin of the Universe

    • Big Bang Theory: Suggests the universe is expanding and galaxies are moving away from each other.
    • Singularity: Denotes a dense core predicted to exist in black holes.
    • Steady State Theory: Proposes the universe has always been expanding.
    • Oscillating Universe Theory: Describes a cyclic universe that contracts and expands, possibly leading to new universes (Big Crunch).

    Accretion Hypothesis

    • Accretion: Process of gradual size increase of celestial bodies through matter accumulation due to gravity.
    • Homogeneous Accretion: Involves accumulation from materials of similar composition.
    • Heterogeneous Accretion: Results in a differentiated planet during formation.

    Layers of the Atmosphere

    • Troposphere: Contains clouds; closest to Earth’s surface.
    • Stratosphere: Home to the ozone layer, which converts UV radiation to heat.
    • Mesosphere: Coldest atmospheric layer; meteors burn up here.
    • Thermosphere: Northern and Southern Lights occur; ionosphere comprised of charged particles.
    • Exosphere: Very thin atmosphere; where satellites orbit.

    Physical Properties of Minerals and Rocks

    • Luster: Reflectivity of a mineral; categorized as metallic or non-metallic.
    • Hardness: Resistance to abrasion, measured by Moh's scale.
    • Color: Useful for identifying minerals; streak can differ from the mineral’s visible color.
    • Crystal Form: Describes internal structure; bonding types include covalent, ionic, and metallic.
    • Cleavage and Fracture: Cleavage refers to breaking along planes of weakness; fracture refers to irregular breakage.

    Three Classifications of Rocks

    • Igneous: Formed from solidified magma; further divided into extrusive (volcanic) and intrusive (plutonic).
    • Sedimentary: Preserve environmental records; types include clastic (broken material), chemical (precipitated materials), and organic (plant/animal debris).
    • Metamorphic: Formed from existing rocks through heat and pressure; exhibit bonding or stripes.

    Weathering Processes

    • Physical Weathering: Mechanical breakdown of rocks; includes frost wedging and abrasion.
    • Chemical Weathering: Breakdown through chemical reactions; oxidation is a common example.
    • Mass Wasting: Movement of rock and soil under gravity’s influence.

    Plate Tectonic Theory

    • Explains geological formations due to Earth's subterranean movements.
    • Major plate boundaries include:
      • Divergent: Plates spread apart, forming rift valleys or mid-ocean ridges.
      • Convergent (oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental, continental-continental): Plates collide, leading to subduction or mountain range formation (e.g., Himalayas).

    Geological Processes and Hazards

    • Earthquakes: Sudden ground movements caused by lithospheric shifts; measured by magnitude and intensity.
    • Tsunamis: Giant waves triggered by seismic activity; coastal areas are most at risk.
    • Landslides: Down-slope earth material movement; often related to weathering or seismic activity.

    Unconformities in Geological Layers

    • Disconformities: Parallel rock layers that are misaligned.
    • Nonconformities: Occur when older rocks are exposed to erosion before the deposition of younger layers.
    • Angular Unconformities: Horizontal layers over tilt/fold layers.

    Hydrometeorological Hazards

    • Floods: Water overflows onto dry land; includes inland, flash, river, and coastal floods.
    • Storm Surge: Rise in seawater due to storms, indicating potential flooding threats.

    Types of Erosion

    • Abrasion: Erosion caused by rock fragments against cliffs.
    • Hydraulic Pressure: Air trapped in cracks leading to erosion.
    • Attrition: Erosion from collisions of rocks during transportation.

    This topic overview provides comprehensive insights into Earth's systems, geological processes, and the dynamics of our planet and its formation.

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    Description

    Explore the interconnected components of Earth's four subsystems and their roles in the planet's functioning. This quiz also examines theories about the origin of the universe, including the Big Bang Theory, and delves into how matter and energy are transferred within Earth's system.

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