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Earth and Life Science Reviewer for UPCAT
43 Questions
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Earth and Life Science Reviewer for UPCAT

Created by
@MesmerizingCaricature

Questions and Answers

What are the four main disciplines that Earth science can be condensed into?

  • Botany, zoology, ecology, and palaeontology
  • Anthropology, archaeology, sociology, and psychology
  • Geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy (correct)
  • Physics, chemistry, biology, and geography

    • What is the purpose of the atmosphere in relation to life on Earth?

    The atmosphere shields the Earth from harmful UV radiation, maintains the warmth of the Earth's surface, and contains essential gases needed to support life.

    The __________ refers to the narrow band on the Earth's surface where all biological life resides.

    biosphere

    Match the following Earth layers with their respective descriptions:

    <p>Crust = Thinnest and outermost layer of the Earth Mantle = Comprises most of the Earth's volume and extends to a depth of 2,900 km Core = Innermost layer of the Earth, composed of a solid inner core and liquid outer core</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter of an earthquake called?

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

    What are the two types of body waves that travel through the interior of the Earth during an earthquake?

    <p>Primary waves (P waves) and secondary waves (S waves)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following type of fault with its description:

    <p>Normal Faults = Hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall Reverse Faults = Hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall Strike-Slip Faults = Blocks move horizontally due to shearing forces Oblique-Slip Faults = Combination of shearing and tensional or compressional forces</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who proposed the Continental Drift hypothesis?

    <p>Alfred Wegener</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Continental Drift refers to the actual movement of continents over time.

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

    What was the supercontinent named by Alfred Wegener?

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

    The deepest oceanic trench in the world is the Mariana Trench in the _______ Ocean.

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

    Match the plate boundary types with their corresponding descriptions:

    <p>Divergent Plate Boundaries = Plates move apart relative to each other Convergent Boundaries = Plates move towards each other resulting in collision or subduction Transform Plate Boundaries = Plates slide past each other, not destroying or producing new crustal material</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main vent of a volcano?

    <p>Main vent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Pyroclastic flows usually accompany non-explosive eruptions.

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

    What are cinder cones made up of?

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

    Water vapor is one of the most critical greenhouse gases because it helps absorb heat that radiates from the Earth, heating the __________.

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

    Match the cloud type with its description:

    <p>Cirrus clouds = Thin, wispy, and white clouds that resemble hair Stratus clouds = Thin layers of clouds that cover extensive portions of the sky Cumulus clouds = Big, cotton candy-looking clouds that can stack vertically in a tower-like manner</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Metamorphic rocks are formed due to which of the following processes?

    <p>Change in temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Foliation in rocks is the result of deformation.

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

    What is the original rock called that is altered to form a metamorphic rock?

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

    Metamorphic rocks are divided into two types based on their __________.

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

    Match the following non-foliated rocks with their examples:

    <p>Marble = Metamorphic rock Hornfels = Metamorphic rock Quartzite = Metamorphic rock Metapelite = Metamorphic rock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle of stratigraphy states that if a geologic body cuts across strata, it must be younger than the strata it cuts?

    <p>Law of Cross-cutting Relationships</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the driving force of the wind?

    <p>Pressure Gradient Force</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon deflects the wind from its original path?

    <p>Coriolis Effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which weather phenomena is associated with cumulonimbus clouds, thunder, lightning, and sometimes tornadoes?

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

    Hipparchus is known for accurately estimating the distance between the Moon and Earth.

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

    Match the astronomer/scientist with their contribution:

    1. Nicolaus Copernicus
    2. Johannes Kepler
    3. Galileo Galilei
    4. Sir Isaac Newton

    <p>A = Heliocentric universe model (Copernican system) B = Fundamental laws of planetary motion C = Observation of Jupiter's moons and sunspots D = Law of Universal Gravitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the Big Bang Theory, what event led to the generation of all matter and energy, including space and time?

    <p>Explosion resulting from rapid expansion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Before the universe existed, all matter and energy were evenly spread out.

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

    What is the primary source of heavier elements such as nickel and iron in the universe?

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

    The four inner planets of the solar system are also known as the ______ planets.

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

    Match the following planets with their descriptions:

    <p>Mars = Called the 'red planet' due to iron oxide in its rocks Jupiter = Largest planet, mostly composed of gas, with a small solid inner core Uranus = Known as the 'sideways planet' due to the orientation of its axis Neptune = Farthest planet from the Sun, 'windiest planet' with dark spots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the distinctive shape of Haumea attributed to?

    <p>Its fast spin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Makemake's designation before being classified as a dwarf planet?

    <p>2005 FY9</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the core accretion model, how did Earth start to form?

    <p>Through planetesimals that formed through accretion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process allowed the Earth to produce layers during its formation?

    <p>Chemical differentiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the hypothesis that explains the formation of the Moon?

    <p>Giant Impact Hypothesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the boundary between the crust and mantle called?

    <p>Mohorovičić discontinuity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What rock type comprises the dominant rock in the mesosphere?

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

    Water is considered a mineral, True or False?

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

    Minerals should be ___ solids.

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

    Match the following mineral properties with their descriptions:

    <p>Color = Refers to the wavelengths of light reflected Hardness = Refers to resistance to scratching Cleavage or Fracture = Describes how a mineral breaks Density or Specific Gravity = Ratio of mineral's weight to volume of water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Earth and Life Science Reviewer

    Earth's Vital Statistics and Earth Systems

    • Age: 4.543 billion years old
    • Equatorial circumference: 40,075 km
    • Equatorial radius: 6,378 km
    • Polar radius: 6,356 km
    • Total mass: 5.972 x 10²⁴ kg
    • Total volume: 1.08 x 10¹² km³
    • Total surface area: 5.10 x 10⁸ km²
    • Average density: 5.513 g/cm³

    The Four Spheres of the Earth

    • Atmosphere: a collective layer of gas that envelops the Earth, essential for life on Earth
    • Hydrosphere: bodies of water, covering 71% of the Earth's surface, composed of saline and freshwater
    • Biosphere: the narrow band on the Earth's surface where all biological life resides
    • Geosphere: the largest sphere, extending from the surface to the center of the Earth, comprising external and internal processes

    The Layers of the Earth and Its Composition

    • Based on compositional differences:
      • Crust: the outermost layer, divided into continental and oceanic crust
      • Mantle: begins where the crust ends, comprising more than 80% of the Earth's volume
      • Core: begins at the mantle-core boundary, composed of a Fe-Ni alloy
    • Based on physical properties:
      • Lithosphere: a thick and brittle layer, comprising the entire crust and uppermost layer of the upper mantle
      • Asthenosphere: a mechanically weak layer, consisting of the lower portion of the upper mantle
      • Mesosphere: comprised of the lower mantle, reaching the 2,900 km depth
      • Outer Core: a liquid layer, made of melted Fe-Ni alloy, responsible for the Earth's magnetic field
      • Inner Core: a solid ball, composed mostly of Fe, with temperatures similar to the surface of the Sun

    Minerals

    • Definition: naturally occurring, inorganic, homogeneous solids with a definite chemical composition and ordered crystalline structure
    • Properties:
      • Color
      • Luster
      • Crystal Habit or Shape
      • Streak
      • Hardness
      • Cleavage or Fracture
      • Density or Specific Gravity
      • Tenacity
      • Diaphaneity
      • Magnetism
      • Effervescence
      • Odor and Taste### Minerals
    • Halite, also known as rock salt, is a mineral that gives off a salty taste
    • Other examples of minerals with unique tastes include borax (sweet), epsomite (bitter), and chalcanthite (sweet but slightly poisonous)
    • Minerals can have distinct smells, such as sulfur and pyrite, which have a "rotten egg" smell
    • There are thousands of identified minerals, with new ones being discovered every year
    • Only a few minerals are abundant on the Earth's crust, known as rock-forming minerals
    • Oxygen and silicon are the two most abundant elements in rock-forming minerals, which are used as "building blocks" in the mineral group silicates

    Rocks

    • Rocks are naturally-occurring aggregates of minerals and mineraloids
    • There are three main classifications of rocks based on their formation:
      • Igneous rocks (formed from molten material that cools and solidifies)
      • Sedimentary rocks (formed from loose material that has been eroded, transported, and deposited)
      • Metamorphic rocks (formed when rocks are subjected to high temperatures and pressures that alter their chemical composition and texture)

    Igneous Rocks

    • Igneous rocks can form below the surface of the Earth (intrusive igneous rocks or plutonic rocks) or on the surface (extrusive igneous rocks or volcanic rocks)
    • Intrusive rocks have larger mineral grains due to slower cooling rates, while extrusive rocks have smaller mineral grains due to faster cooling rates
    • The composition of igneous rocks depends on the type of magma or lava they form from, which is influenced by the amount of silica and temperature

    Sedimentary Rocks

    • Sedimentary rocks are formed from loose material that has been eroded, transported, and deposited
    • There are two main classifications of sedimentary rocks:
      • Clastic sedimentary rocks (formed from pre-existing rocks and materials)
      • Non-clastic sedimentary rocks (formed from chemical sedimentation or organic matter)
    • Examples of non-clastic sedimentary rocks include halite (rock salt), gypsum, and limestone

    Metamorphic Rocks

    • Metamorphic rocks are formed when rocks are subjected to high temperatures and pressures that alter their chemical composition and texture
    • The original rock that is altered is called the protolith
    • Metamorphic rocks can be classified into two types based on their texture:
      • Foliated rocks (characterized by a planar arrangement of mineral grains)
      • Non-foliated rocks (characterized by a lack of foliation)

    Depositional Environments

    • Depositional environments are areas where sediments are deposited and rocks are formed
    • There are three main types of depositional environments:
      • Terrestrial environments (land-based environments, such as rivers, deserts, and glaciers)
      • Transitional environments (interface between land and sea, such as beaches and deltas)
      • Marine environments (open ocean environments, such as shallow marine and deep marine)

    Stratigraphy

    • Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers, beds, or strata
    • The principles of stratigraphy include:
      • Law of Superposition (layers on the bottom are the oldest, while layers above are younger)
      • Law of Lateral Continuity (each stratum extends laterally until it encounters a barrier or obstacle)
      • Law of Original Horizontality (strata are deposited horizontally)
      • Law of Cross-cutting Relationships (if a geologic body cuts across strata, it must be younger than the strata it cuts)
    • Unconformities are gaps in a rock sequence that can be used to identify the age of strata in relation to other strata
    • Techniques such as relative dating and absolute dating can be used to determine the age of rocks and fossils

    Fossils and Geologic Time Scale

    • Fossils are the remains of life that are preserved within sediments and sedimentary rocks
    • Fossils can be preserved in different ways, including permineralization, molds and casts, amber, carbonization, freezing, and trace fossils
    • The geologic time scale is a tool used to classify and date rocks and fossils
    • The geologic time scale is divided into eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages, with the oldest rocks being around 4.534 billion years old
    • The geologic time scale is constantly being refined and updated based on new findings and discoveries### Fossils and Continental Drift
    • Similar fossil remains of plants and animals were found on continents separated by large bodies of water
    • Paleontologists concluded that these organisms couldn't have crossed these oceans due to inherent characteristics (e.g., Mesosaurus lived only in freshwater, Glossopteris seeds were too heavy to be carried by wind)
    • This evidence supports continental drift

    Similar Rock Types and Geologic Features

    • Large mountain belts of similar ages and rock types can be matched across continents
    • Example: Appalachian Mountains in North America match Caledonian Mountains in Scandinavia

    Ancient Climates

    • Evidence of glaciers in present-day continents near the equator (e.g., Africa, South America, Australia) suggests continental drift
    • Wegener argued that large tropical swamps co-existed with glaciers, contradicting the idea of extreme global cooling

    Plate Tectonics Theory

    • After World War II, ocean exploration led to the discovery of the global oceanic ridge system (80,000 km long)
    • New oceanic crust forms at the axis of this ridge system, making rocks progressively older and thicker with sediment away from the axis
    • This phenomenon is termed seafloor spreading
    • The plate tectonics model states that the lithosphere is broken into rigid slabs called tectonic plates or simply plates

    Tectonic Plates

    • 7 major plates cover 94% of the Earth's surface area:
      • African plate
      • Antarctic plate
      • Eurasian plate
      • Indo-Australian plate
      • North American plate
      • Pacific Plate
      • South American plate
    • There are also minor plates, such as the Philippine Sea plate, Juan de Fuca plate, Cocos plate, Nazca plate, Scotia plate, and Arabian plate
    • Plates are always in constant motion, and their margins interact with each other at plate boundaries

    Plate Boundaries

    • 3 main types of plate boundaries: a. Divergent Plate Boundaries (Constructive Margins) - Formed when two plates move apart relative to each other - Results in the migration of molten material from the mantle to the surface, generating new crust - Examples: oceanic ridge system, continental rifts b. Convergent Boundaries (Destructive Margins) - Formed when plates move towards each other, resulting in collision or subduction - Results in the consumption of crust - Examples: oceanic-continental convergence, oceanic-oceanic convergence, continental-continental convergence c. Transform Plate Boundaries (Conservative Margins) - Formed when two plates slide past each other, not destroying or producing new crustal material - Examples: transform faults, fracture zones

    Earthquakes

    • Earthquakes occur when one block of earth slips past another block along faults or fault planes, generating ground shaking
    • The area under the earth where the slippage originates is called the hypocenter or focus
    • The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter

    Seismic Waves

    • 2 types of seismic waves: a. Body Waves - Travel through the interior of the Earth - 2 types: primary waves (P waves) and secondary waves (S waves) b. Surface Waves - Travel on the surface of the Earth - 2 types: Love Waves and Rayleigh Waves

    Seismology

    • Seismology is the study of earthquakes
    • Seismologists use seismographs or seismometers to record earthquakes
    • To describe and classify earthquakes, intensity and magnitude are determined
    • Intensity refers to the qualitative measurement of ground shaking at a particular location
    • Magnitude refers to the quantitative measurement of energy released at the earthquake's source

    Faults

    • Faults are the rupture surfaces where earthquakes occur
    • 4 main types of faults: a. Normal Faults - Hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall - Result from tensional forces b. Reverse Faults - Hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall - Result from compressional forces c. Strike-Slip Faults - Blocks move horizontally to one another due to shearing forces d. Oblique-Slip Faults - Combine shearing and tensional or compressional forces
    • Landslides and ground subsidence
    • Flooding and water-related hazards
    • Damage to man-made structures

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    Review Earth and Life Science for the UPCAT college entrance exam with free practice tests. Learn simple science concepts in English.

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