Questions and Answers
Which type of rock forms from the solidification of lava with fast cooling?
Breccia and conglomerate are classified as intrusive igneous rocks.
False
______ rocks are formed from the accumulation of plant or animal debris.
Organic
What causes the porphyritic texture in rocks?
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Match the following coal types with their descriptions:
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What makes the sun important?
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What are the conditions that make Earth unique? (Select all that apply)
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What are the sources of paper wastes?
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What are the effects of acid rain on the environment?
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Low temperature slows down chemical reactions.
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The __________ barked.
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What is the primary cause of respiratory diseases in humans?
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What is the effect of eutrophication on water resources?
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Match the following minerals classification with their description:
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What is the impact of solid wastes on marine animals?
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What is the effect of liquid wastes on human reproductive systems?
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What is one way to reduce the use of paper?
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What is the effect of methane from decomposing solid wastes on the environment?
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What is the top layer of soil called?
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Overgrazing can contribute to soil erosion.
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What is the process of removing salt from saltwater called?
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A compound made of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen bonded together is called ___.
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Match the type of waste with its description:
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Study Notes
Earth Science
- Earth Science is the scientific study of the Earth and universe.
- The Sun is important for supporting life on Earth by providing warmth and energy.
Importance of Earth Science
- Understanding the forces that shaped the Earth and the universe is crucial for life on Earth.
- Earth Science helps us comprehend the conditions that make Earth unique, including the presence of liquid water, moderate temperature, free oxygen, and adequate sunlight.
Conditions that Make Earth Unique
- Only planet known to sustain life.
- Moderate temperature range.
- Free oxygen in the atmosphere.
- Adequate sunlight.
- Presence of liquid water.
- No toxic substances in the atmosphere.
- Absence of lethal radiation.
Earth's Atmosphere
- Traps heat and shields the surface from harmful radiation.
- Provides nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
- Atmospheric composition: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and 0.1% trace gases.
- Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
Habitability
- A planet is habitable if it has suitable conditions for life to exist.
- Factors affecting habitability: temperature, water, energy, atmosphere, and nutrients.
Temperature
- Influences the speed of chemical reactions and allows liquid water to exist on Earth's surface.
- Low temperature slows down chemical reactions, while high temperature breaks down important biological molecules.
Nutrients
- Used to build and maintain an organism's body.
- Types of nutrients: carbohydrates, protein, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals.
Geosphere
- Consists of the solid and rigid portion of the Earth (lithosphere).
- Includes the crust, mantle, and core.
- Regolith is the loose particles of rock that envelop the surface of the Earth.
Hydrosphere
- Comprises 70% of liquid water on Earth.
- Includes water in all forms (oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and groundwater).
- Heat is absorbed and redistributed through ocean circulation.
Cryosphere
- Includes frozen water part of the Earth's system (snow, glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets).
- Permafrost is permanently frosted soil.
Biosphere
- Consists of all living things on Earth.
- Interacts with the other spheres (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and cryosphere).
Minerals
- Naturally occurring inorganic solids with an orderly crystalline structure.
- Can be represented by a chemical formula.
- Characteristics: hardness, abrasion, Mohs scale, crystal form, color, streak, cleavage, fracture, and magnetism.
Rock Cycle
- The process of transforming rocks from one type to another.
- Types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
Igneous Rocks
- Formed from the solidification of molten rock material.
- Classified into intrusive (plutonic) and extrusive (volcanic) types.
Sedimentary Rocks
- Derived from sediments (remaining particles).
- Formed through lithification (compaction and cementation).
- Types: elastic, chemical, and organic sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphic Rocks
- Formed due to extreme heat and pressure.
- Classified into foliated and non-foliated types.
Weathering and Erosion
- Weathering: disintegration or breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces.
- Erosion: movement of weathered rock from one place to another.
- Types of erosion: water, wind, and glacial erosion.
Mineral Deposits and Resources
- Ore: a natural rock or sediment that contains one or more valuable minerals.
- Mineral deposits: aggregates of minerals present in high concentration.
- Types of mineral deposits: metallic, non-metallic, energy, and industrial mineral resources.
Mining
- Is the extraction of valuable minerals from mineral deposits.
- Types of mining: surface mining, underground mining, and highwall mining.
- Surface mining: used to extract ore minerals near the surface of the Earth.
- Underground mining: used to extract ore minerals from deep under the Earth's surface.### Fossil Fuels
- Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago.
- They are the world's primary energy source, providing most of the energy support in transportation, electricity, and industries.
- Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources, taking millions of years to form.
- Types of fossil fuels include:
- Coal: formed from the remains of plants and animals, with a high carbon content.
- Oil: an organic material, mostly algae, formed from the remains of prehistoric plants and animals.
- Natural Gas: a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas, composed of methane, odorless, and colorless in its natural state.
Coal
- Coal is a primary fossil fuel, with a high carbon content.
- There are four major ranks of coal:
- Anthracite: the highest rank of coal, with a high percentage of fixed carbon and a low percentage of volatile matter.
- Bituminous Coal: the most common type of coal used in electricity generation, with a high heating value.
- Subbituminous Coal: black in color and dull, with a higher heating value than lignite.
- Lignite: also known as brown coal, with the lowest grade and least concentration of carbon.
Soil Resources
- Soil is the thin top layer of the Earth's crust, composed of minerals, organic material, organisms, water, and air.
- Layers of soil include:
- Horizon O: a dark layer of decaying plant matter and humus.
- Horizon A: a dark layer of topsoil, composed of more humus and small pieces of rock.
- Horizon B: a layer of clay and small rocks, called subsoil, where dissolved minerals from Horizon A collect.
- Horizon C: a layer of weathered rock pieces and minerals.
- Horizon D: solid rock, called bedrock, which formed over time and cannot support plant life.
Soil Degradation
- Soil degradation is a change in soil health, resulting in a decreased capacity to support organisms.
- Causes of soil degradation include:
- Agricultural depletion: rotating crops can help return nutrients to the soil and prevent degradation.
- Overgrazing: grazing animals can reduce nutrients or increase the amount of toxins in the soil.
- Deforestation: exposes soil and affects water retention.
- Mining and industrial activities: can alter the composition of soil and organisms.
Renewable Energy
- Renewable energy sources are replenished naturally at an anthropogenic time scale.
- Types of renewable energy sources include:
- Geothermal Energy: harnesses the heat energy from the Earth's core.
- Hydroelectric Energy: generates electricity using the energy from flowing water.
- Solar Energy: harnesses radiant light and heat from the sun.
- Wind Energy: caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere and the irregularities of the Earth's surface.
Energy Sources
- Non-renewable energy sources: fossil fuels, which will eventually run out or will not replenish within a time scale.
- Renewable energy sources: replenished naturally at an anthropogenic time scale.
Water Resources
- Water is a compound made up of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
- Types of water resources include:
- Rivers: water sources that usually come from larger freshwater sources.
- Reservoirs or Lakes: water sources that collect water from surface run-offs, groundwater seepage, or rainfall.
- Groundwater: water found below the Earth's surface.
Water Pollution
- Water pollution occurs when excessive nutrients are introduced into water, causing harm to organisms.
- Causes of water pollution include:
- Agricultural activities: tilling and clear-cutting affects groundwater and adjacent bodies of water.
- Industrial activities: production of chemicals and pesticides contributes to water pollution.
- Human activities: poor water quality can cause diseases and affect organisms.
Wastes
- Types of wastes include:
- Solid Wastes: generated from different human activities, comprising food refuse, paper, plastics, wood, ashes, rubber, and metals.
- Liquid Wastes: usually generated from wastewater, fats, oil, and grease, household fluids, and mechanical oil.
- Gaseous Wastes: produced from the combustion of different materials, including carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, methane, sulfur oxides, and aerosols.
Effects of Wastes
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Effects of wastes on health and the environment:
- Solid wastes: contaminate water resources, cause eutrophication, and harm organisms.
- Liquid wastes: cause eutrophication, fish kills, and death of organisms.
- Gaseous wastes: contribute to acid rain, greenhouse gases, and depletion of the ozone layer.### Effects of Solid Wastes to Environment
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Solid wastes can end up in waterways, polluting water resources and causing floods by blocking drainages
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Non-biodegradable wastes can reach oceans and be ingested by marine animals, affecting their growth
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Biodegradable wastes can attract rodents and flies, bringing diseases to people living near landfills
Effects of Solid Wastes to Health
- Contaminated water from solid wastes can cause gastrointestinal diseases
- People living near landfills can experience skin diseases due to continuous contact with solid wastes
Effects of Liquid Wastes to Health
- Liquid wastes, such as mercury from mines and hospitals, can cause poisoning in humans
- Shellfish contamination from algal blooms due to liquid wastes can cause poisoning in humans when consumed
- Strong chemicals in liquid wastes can distress the reproductive systems of humans, especially males
- Liquid wastes in water resources can also threaten humans with water poisoning
Effects of Gaseous Wastes to Health
- Gaseous wastes in the atmosphere are a primary cause of respiratory diseases in humans
- Some gaseous wastes can increase cancer risks and lung weakening
- Carbon monoxide, generated from exhausts, can cause neurological dysfunctions and even death
Simple Waste Management Practices
- Avoid using plastics
- Buy food with minimal packaging
- Compost kitchen wastes
- Perform transactions electronically to reduce paper usage
- Consider making soaps and detergents at home
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Explore the significance of Earth Science in understanding our planet and universe. Learn about the sun's role in supporting life on Earth and the importance of Earth Science in our daily lives.
