Earth Science Review Quiz

Nebular Hypothesis

• Solar Nebular Disk Model describes the early formation of the solar system from a rotating disk of gas and dust.

Crust

• Earth's outermost layer consisting of diverse igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.

Solar System

• Comprises eight planets and their moons, all orbiting the Sun.

Aquatic Biomes

• Divided into freshwater biomes (ponds, lakes, rivers) and marine biomes (oceans, estuaries).

Hydrosphere

• Contains 97% saltwater and 3% freshwater.

Biosphere

• Encompasses all life forms on Earth.

Mormon Cosmology

• Proposes the existence of pre-mortal life and that human spirits are children of heavenly parents.

Planetary Distance from a Star

• A planet's habitable conditions depend on its distance from a star, affecting temperature extremes.

Vortex Theory

• Suggests the solar system formed from swirl-like motions of pre-solar materials, leading to circular orbits.

Steady State Theory

• Claims the universe is eternally unchanging and uniform; proponents include Fred Hoyle, Thomas Gold, and Hermann Bondi.

Universe

• Defined as the entirety of space, time, and all matter and energy within it.

Religious Cosmology

• Based on specific creation myths and acts of creation by a deity.

Big Bang Theory

• Proposes the universe originated from a singular point and expanded after a massive collision.

Sedimentary Rocks

• Formed through lithification of weathered particles from pre-existing rocks.

Crystal Structure

• Characterizes minerals by a specific, ordered internal arrangement.

Petroleum

• Derives from Latin words meaning "rock" (petra) and "oil" (oleum).

Minerals

• Naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a defined chemical composition and crystalline structure.

Coal

• A combustible rock primarily composed of carbon, with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.

Planetary Rotation Effects

• Short rotation leads to high atmospheric wind velocities; long rotation results in excessive temperature variations unsuitable for life.

Igneous Rocks

• Created through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.

Buddhist Cosmology

• Attributes the universe's existence to the actions and karma of its inhabitants.

Salinity

• Measures the amount of dissolved salts in water.

Troposphere

• The atmosphere's lowest layer, containing about 80% of its total mass and most water vapor.

Abundant Gases

• Hydrogen is the most prevalent gas in the universe; nitrogen is the most common gas in Earth's atmosphere.

Habitable Planet Criteria

• Key factors for habitability include distance from a star, terrestrial conditions, orbital eccentricity, axial tilt, rotation speed, and geochemistry.

Rock Categories

• Three main rock types: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic.

Atmospheric Layers

• Composed of the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.