Earth Science: Maps, Topography and Energy

Earth Representations and Coordinate Systems

• Globes provide the most accurate representation of Earth's distances and shapes.
• The Prime Meridian is a line of longitude at 0° that runs through Point A.
• Concentric circles on a topographic map represent a hill.
• Magnetic compass needles point toward the Earth's magnetic pole.
• A point located at 30°S, 60°E corresponds to Point E.

Topography and Maps

• High relief and high elevation describe a mountain.
• Widely spaced contour lines on a topographic map indicate a gradual slope.
• A legend on a map explains specific symbols used on the map.
• Contour intervals indicate elevation changes. In this case, each contour interval represents 100m.

Earth Systems and Energy Resources

• The hydrosphere is the Earth system primarily composed of water.
• Geostationary orbits are used by communication satellites like those for satellite TV.
• Burning wood in a fireplace uses biomass as an energy resource.
• During energy transformation, some energy is lost.

Earth's Structure and Composition

• The outer core of the Earth is known to be liquid based on the behavior of seismic waves.
• The core is a layer of Earth made of metal.
• The Earth is mostly covered with water.

Energy and Sustainability

• A disadvantage of burning fossil fuels is that they pollute the air.
• A disadvantage of using wind energy is that it produces less energy when winds are weak.
• A substance that releases energy in a chemical change is best described as a fuel.
• Matter and energy are exchanged when Earth's systems interact.
• Net energy ratio is the amount of usable energy in a resource divided by the energy needed to obtain it.
• Recycling is a human activity that preserves nonrenewable resources.

Gravitation

• The Law of Gravitation states that a force of attraction exists between all objects in the universe.

Mineral Properties and Classification

• The streak of a mineral remains the same even when the mineral is found in various colors.
• Native elements are minerals containing atoms of only one type of element.
• Corundum is a mineral that will scratch quartz.
• The tendency of a mineral to break along certain planes determines its cleavage.
• Galena and gold are minerals likely to have a shiny appearance.

Rock Formation and Classification

• Rocks are classified by the processes that form them.
• Crystallization occurs when magma cools or lava hardens.
• Melting is the process involved when a sedimentary rock changes to an igneous rock.
• Igneous rock with large crystals cooled slowly from magma.

Mining and Mineral Deposits

• Underground mining is used to obtain ores deep within Earth's surface.
• A mineral deposit containing enough minerals to be mined for profit is called an ore.

Weathering and Soil Formation

• Water can be an agent of both mechanical and chemical weathering.
• Chemical weathering occurs if a mineral changes to a different type of mineral.
• Climate is the most important factor that influences soil formation.
• Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water are important agents of chemical weathering.
• The O soil horizon is usually darkest in color.
• Humus is the name for dead material that living organisms leave behind.

Waves and Erosion

• The highest part of a wave is called the wave crest.
• Cliffs, sea stacks, and arches are all produced by erosion from waves.
• Hydrosphere and lithosphere connects as rain erodes and weathers land, creating rivers and landforms

Engineering Design Process

• Identifying the need is demonstrated when students recognize they need a device to keep ice pops from melting for 3 hours.
• Communicating is when an engineer shares their design ideas with someone.

Resource Management, Sustainability and Conservation

• Trees would become a non-renewable resource if they are cut down faster than they can regrow.
• Using cover crops in the winter is a method to reduce soil erosion.
• Sustainable development goals include protecting the environment, helping people out of poverty, and using resources only as quickly as they are replaced.
• People in developed countries use more resources than other people, therefore, per capita natural resource use is higher.
• The distribution of resources is affected by politics and economics.
• Soil erosion has been accelerated by human activities.

Other Geological Processes

• Mass movement is exemplified by a landslide.
• Trenches are the deepest places in the ocean.
• The crust is the thinnest layer of Earth.
• A mineral's crystal shape shows how the atoms are arranged.
• Carrying capacity describes the largest number of individuals of a population that the environment can support.