Earth Science Semester 1 - Matter Era Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is measured on the Mohs hardness scale?

Density

Resistance to scratching (correct)

Magnetic properties

Reaction to Acid

Which mineral characteristic is described by how light reflects off its surface?

Tenacity

Fracture

Luster (correct)

Cleavage

What term describes a mineral's tendency to break along flat planes?

Fracture

Cleavage (correct)

Hardness

Oxidation

How is solubility in minerals influenced?

Temperature and pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic describes a mineral's ability to glow under ultraviolet light?

Fluorescence Signup and view all the answers

What property do minerals containing iron typically exhibit?

Magnetism Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a mineral's crystal form?

Reflects its internal atomic structure Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a mineral's resistance to breaking, bending, or deformation?

Tenacity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock?

Igneous rock Signup and view all the answers

What process involves pressing sediments over time to reduce the space between grains?

Compaction Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sedimentary rock is formed from fragments of rocks or minerals?

Clastic Signup and view all the answers

Which type of metamorphism occurs when magma contacts a rock?

Contact metamorphism Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that makes the planet Earth habitable?

Correct amount of water and carbon Signup and view all the answers

What type of metamorphic rock shows layers or bands due to regional pressure?

Foliated rock Signup and view all the answers

Which nutrient is essential for building and maintaining an organism's body?

Carbon Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the breakdown of rocks into sediments?

Erosion Signup and view all the answers

What type of atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen?

Nitrogen-rich atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Which process lays down sediments through natural forces like wind or water?

Deposition Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes Edwin Hubble's contribution to astronomy?

He discovered that the universe is expanding. Signup and view all the answers

What major event is described by the Big Bang Theory?

The universe began from a hot, infinitely dense point. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following occurred during the Nuclear Epoch?

Fused protons and neutrons creating helium. Signup and view all the answers

In which layer of the atmosphere does most weather occur?

Troposphere Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the Hydrosphere?

Has 70% of its water in a frozen state. Signup and view all the answers

Which interaction does NOT typically involve the geosphere?

Oxygen production through photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

What is a function of the Stratosphere?

Containing the ozone layer. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Grand Unification Epoch involve?

Separation of strong nuclear force. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Lepton Epoch?

Formation of electrons and other leptons. Signup and view all the answers

Which system is directly involved in the transportation of nutrients and waste products for living organisms?

Hydrosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of minerals related to color?

Color is often influenced by impurities. Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the atmosphere experiences the highest temperatures?

Thermosphere Signup and view all the answers

What role does water play in the geosphere?

Aiding in the formation of soil and mineral reactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a property of minerals?

Flammability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Edwin Hubble and the Expansion of the Universe

Hubble's observations in the 1920s concluded that the universe is expanding.
The recession velocity of objects is proportional to their distance from the observer.
He guided the Hooker telescope from 1923, located in Pasadena, California, atop Mt. Wilson.

Origin of the Universe and the Big Bang Theory

The universe began approximately 13.7 billion years ago from a singularity.
This event is akin to a supercharged black hole, creating all matter, energy, space, and time.

Radiation Era and Early Eons of the Universe

Planck Epoch: Primarily energy with no matter; gravity separated from a superforce.
Grand Unification Epoch: Three forces of nature were unified; strong nuclear force separated.
Inflationary Epoch: Rapid expansion from atom-sized to grapefruit-sized filled with hot particles.
Electroweak Epoch: Electromagnetic and weak forces separated.
Quark Epoch: Quarks existed, but conditions were too hot for particle formation.
Hadron Epoch: Quarks cooled and formed protons and neutrons.
Lepton Epoch: Formation of electrons and other leptons.
Nuclear Epoch: Protons and neutrons fused, creating helium.

Earth's Four Subsystems

Atmosphere: Extends 560 km, comprised mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor; it has five layers.
- Troposphere: Closest layer, supports climate and life.
- Stratosphere: Contains ozone, protects against UV radiation.
- Mesosphere: Cold layer with significantly low temperatures.
- Thermosphere: High temperatures, sparse atmospheric particles.
- Exosphere: Outermost layer with extremely high temperatures.
Hydrosphere: Encompasses all water, with freshwater constituting only 3%; 70% of this is frozen.
Biosphere: Supports life and begins food chains with photosynthesis and respiration.
Geosphere: Composed primarily of oxygen, silicon, and magnesium; minerals are extracted from this layer.

Interactions Among Subsystems

Atmosphere and Hydrosphere: Exchanges gases through evaporation and precipitation.
Biosphere and Hydrosphere: Hydrosphere facilitates nutrient transport for organisms.
Geosphere and Hydrosphere: Water assists in chemical processes, mineral formation, and rock weathering.

Physical Properties of Minerals

Color: Visual characteristic; can be unreliable due to impurities.
Streak: Color of a mineral's powder is more reliable for identification.
Luster: Reflective qualities; may be metallic, glassy, pearly, or dull.
Hardness: Measured on Mohs scale (1 softest - talc; 10 hardest - diamond).
Cleavage and Fracture: Cleavage breaks along flat planes; fracture indicates irregular breaks.
Density: Weight ratio compared to equal water volume.
Crystal Form: External shape determined by atomic structure.
Tenacity: Mineral's resistance to deformation (brittle, malleable, flexible).
Transparency: Degree of light passage categorized as transparent, translucent, or opaque.

Rock Types and Formation

Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooling magma or lava.
- Intrusive: Large crystals formed beneath the surface (e.g., granite).
- Extrusive: Small or no crystals formed on the surface (e.g., basalt).
Sedimentary Rocks: Formed from compacting and cementing sediments.
- Clastic: Formed from rock fragments (e.g., sandstone).
- Non-clastic: Precipitated from solutions or organic material (e.g., limestone).
Metamorphic Rocks: Result from recrystallization under heat and pressure.
- Contact Metamorphism: Occurs near magma.
- Regional Metamorphism: Affects large areas during mountain-building.
- Textures: Foliated (layered) vs. non-foliated (no layers).

Factors for Earth's Habitability

Earth has essential ingredients for life, including water and carbon.
Magnetic field protects against harmful solar radiation.
Nutrients are available for building organisms.
Steady energy supply, either from light or chemical sources, is vital for life processes.
Atmosphere composed mainly of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) supports life.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the Matter Era in Earth's history with this quiz focused on the work of Edwin Hubble and the early universe. Explore concepts such as atomic formation, galaxy creation, and the expansion of space. Perfect for STEM 11 students studying Earth Science.