Introduction to Earth Science

Questions and Answers

What is Earth Science?

A field of study concerned with the planet Earth and its parts, including the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and space.

Which of the following is a branch of hydrology?

Volcanology

Geophysics

Hydrometeorology (correct)

Petrology

Weather forecasting is a part of Earth Science.

True

What does glaciology study?

The study of glaciers and ice caps. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a mineral?

A naturally occurring inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Earth's atmosphere is composed of oxygen?

21% Signup and view all the answers

The _______ is the layer of the atmosphere where most weather occurs.

troposphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the ozone layer?

To block harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a branch of geology?

Meteorology Signup and view all the answers

Liquid water can exist on the Earth's surface due to the distance from the sun.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is critical for life to evolve on a planet?

Presence of liquid water Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of the biosphere?

All life forms on Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Mohs Scale used for?

Comparing the hardness of minerals Signup and view all the answers

What is specific gravity?

Weight of the mineral compared to the weight of an equal volume of water. Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral is the hardest according to the Mohs Scale?

Diamond Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are examples of liquid waste? (Select all that apply)

Mechanical oil Signup and view all the answers

Fluorite is soft and can disperse ultraviolet rays to visible light.

True Signup and view all the answers

Acid rain is caused by gas exhausts from automobiles and factories.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the streak of a mineral?

The mineral's color in powdered form. Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock forms from the cooling of magma?

Igneous Signup and view all the answers

What is eutrophication?

Eutrophication is a process caused by excess nutrients like nitrates and phosphorus entering water resources, leading to algal blooms. Signup and view all the answers

Liquid wastes can produce ______ that seep through the soil and water.

leachate Signup and view all the answers

What type of sedimentary rock is formed from the remains of living organisms?

Biological or organic Signup and view all the answers

Metamorphic rocks are formed through cooling of lava.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which chemical wastes increase health risks? (Select all that apply)

Benzene Signup and view all the answers

What effects do solid wastes have on the environment?

Solid wastes can contaminate water resources, lead to pollution, and cause gastrointestinal diseases in humans. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of coal?

It is an important and primary fossil fuel present on Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of respiratory diseases linked to gaseous wastes?

Gaseous wastes in the atmosphere, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, are primary causes of respiratory diseases. Signup and view all the answers

Mining of stones and metal has been a human activity since _____ times.

prehistoric Signup and view all the answers

Match the following minerals to their uses:

Feldspar = Used to make porcelain and enamel Mica = Used for insulation in electrical equipment Talc = Used to make powder for cosmetic products Sulfur = Used in manufacturing sulfuric acid Signup and view all the answers

Weathering by hydration involves water molecules reacting with ______ to form new products.

minerals Signup and view all the answers

Match the types of weathering with their definitions:

Physical Weathering = Involves disintegration of rocks without changing their chemical properties Chemical Weathering = Involves changes in the chemical composition of minerals and rocks Biological Weathering = Caused by living organisms affecting rocks Signup and view all the answers

Which mining method is used to extract ore minerals near the surface of the earth?

Open-pit mining Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of blasting in surface mining?

Controlled use of explosives and gas exposure to break rocks. Signup and view all the answers

What factors affect the rate and extent of weathering?

Rock type, climate, topography, and time are key factors affecting weathering. Signup and view all the answers

What is stress and strain in the context of geology?

Stress refers to the forces applied to rocks, while strain refers to the deformation that results from that stress. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fault involves horizontal movement?

Strike-Slip Fault Signup and view all the answers

Elastic deformation is permanent.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is metamorphism?

Metamorphism is the process through which pre-existing rocks change into metamorphic rocks due to heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids. Signup and view all the answers

What is the yield point?

The point where elastic deformation is surpassed Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of metamorphism:

Contact Metamorphism = Occurs due to nearby molten magma Regional Metamorphism = Large-scale movements causing increased heat and pressure Hydrothermal Metamorphism = Caused by chemically active fluids Signup and view all the answers

Plate tectonics refers to the gradual movement of continents over time.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the main evidence supporting the Continental Drift Theory?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What was Wegener's hypothesis regarding the continents?

Wegener hypothesized that all continents were once part of a supercontinent called Pangaea, which later drifted apart. Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest rank of coal?

Anthracite Signup and view all the answers

The theory proposed by Alfred Wegener is known as __________.

Continental Drift Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which process describes the formation of new oceanic crust?

Seafloor Spreading Signup and view all the answers

Which type of coal is known as brown coal?

Lignite Signup and view all the answers

What is the main domestic source of natural gas in the Philippines?

Malampaya natural gas field Signup and view all the answers

Natural gas is odorless and colorless in its natural state.

True Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of U.S. energy needs is supplied by petroleum products?

37% Signup and view all the answers

Coal mining operations wash acid runoff into streams, rivers, and _____

lakes Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which water moves around on Earth's surface called?

hydrologic cycle Signup and view all the answers

Burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a disadvantage of fossil fuels?

Emissions of harmful air pollutants Signup and view all the answers

The chemicals dissolve in rainwater and may end up in _____

water wells Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of wastes with their examples:

Solid wastes = Food leftovers, paper, plastics Gaseous wastes = Plastics, automobile usage Liquid wastes = Wastewater from homes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Earth Science

Enables accurate weather forecasting for future conditions.
Facilitates weather modification techniques like cloud seeding using Dry Ice, Salt, and Potassium Iodide.
Essential for hydrologic science and managing water resources.
Supports earthquake prediction, construction planning, groundwater management, and climate pattern prevention.

Branches of Earth Science

Atmospheric Science: Studies atmospheric layers, weather conditions, air phenomena, and climate.
Geologic Science: Focuses on physical and chemical properties of the Earth; includes Astrogeology, Geochemistry, and Petrology.
Hydrologic Science: Encompasses studying water, including aquatic bodies, groundwater, and processes like precipitation and stream flow.

Earth as a Unique Planet

Earth's unique conditions support liquid water essential for life.
Located at an optimal distance from the sun, allowing for a stable water cycle.
Ozone layer provides protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Ideal temperature range (-15°C to 115°C) facilitates the existence of liquid water.

Earth's Subsystems

Lithosphere: Solid Earth comprising crust and interior layers, influenced by plate tectonics.
Atmosphere: Gaseous layer essential for weather and climate; includes layers like troposphere (weather), stratosphere (ozone layer), mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
Hydrosphere: Comprises water in all forms; around 70% of Earth’s surface is water, with 3% classified as fresh water.
Biosphere: Encompasses all ecosystems supporting life, playing a vital role in the carbon cycle; acts as a significant CO2 sink.

Properties of Minerals

Minerals recognized by specific criteria: naturally occurring, inorganic, solid with a crystalline structure, and definable chemical composition.
Luster: Reflective quality of minerals; can vary from metallic to earthy.
Hardness: Measured using Mohs Hardness Scale, which ranks minerals based on their resistance to scratching.
Cleavage vs. Fracture: Cleavage refers to smooth breaks along weak planes, while fracture indicates irregular breaks with no pattern.
Specific Gravity: Reflects a mineral's density compared to water.

Other Notable Properties

Color and streak (substrate coloring) help distinguish minerals, though appearance can vary due to impurities.
Magnetic properties, distinctive smells, reactivity to acid, and fluorescence serve as identification markers.

Major Oceans

Arctic Ocean, Southern Ocean, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean encompass Earth’s hydrosphere.### Mineral Types
Silicates: Formed from silicon and oxygen; common minerals in Earth's crust.
Oxides: Contain oxygen combined with metal ions.
Sulfates: Composed of sulfate anion (SO4) combined with other ions.
Sulfides: Contain sulfur anion (S2) and are sources for metals like copper, lead, and zinc.
Carbonates: Contain carbonate anion (CO3) combined with other elements.
Native Elements: Found in pure form; includes metals and semi-metals with unique properties.
Halides: Contain halogen elements and other elements.

Rock Types

Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooling magma or lava. Classified into:
- Intrusive: Formed inside the Earth.
- Extrusive: Formed on the surface.
- Felsic: Light-colored and rich in aluminum and silica.
- Mafic: Dark-colored, rich in magnesium and iron.
Sedimentary Rocks: Created from compaction and cementation of sediments; characterized by strata formed in layers.
- Clastic: Formed from fragments of other rocks, e.g., conglomerate, sandstone.
- Non-clastic: Includes chemical (e.g., gypsum) and biological (e.g., limestone) types formed from precipitated materials or organic remains.
Metamorphic Rocks: Formed from igneous or sedimentary rocks under heat and pressure; examples include quartzite and marble.

Mining and Processing

Mining extracts minerals from various rock types.
Surface Mining: Extracts minerals near the surface; includes:
- Open-pit Mining: Extracts minerals from large open pits.
- Strip Mining: Involves removing overburden in strips to access deposits.
- Dredging: Mining from underwater bodies, removing sediments.
Underground Mining: Involves creating tunnels to reach deposits; more dangerous and expensive than surface mining.
Mineral Processing Steps:
- Sampling: Collecting representative material for analysis.
- Comminution: Crushing and grinding ores to extract valuable minerals.
- Concentration: Separating valuable minerals from raw materials.
- Dewatering: Converting concentrated minerals into usable forms.

Fossil Fuels

Formed from the remains of ancient organisms buried millions of years ago; major energy sources include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Coal: Four ranks—anthracite (highest), bituminous, subbituminous, lignite (lowest); used for energy and electricity.
Oil: Organic material mostly from algae; mainly used for transportation fuels and petroleum products.
Natural Gas: Mainly composed of methane; a key energy source.

Environmental Impact

Fossil fuel extraction leads to land degradation, affecting landscapes and ecosystems.
Surface mining practices like strip mining destroy large areas of terrain.### Natural Gas and Its Impact
Natural gas is the Earth’s cleanest fossil fuel, odorless, and colorless in its natural state.
Produced from sedimentary rock by injecting chemicals, water, and sand under high pressure.
The Malampaya natural gas field in the Philippines is a main domestic energy source.

Environmental Consequences of Fossil Fuels

Mining operations can lead to land degradation that remains permanently damaged; critical wildlife habitats are often destroyed.
Water pollution from fossil fuel development, including coal mining, leads to acid runoff affecting waterways.
Oil spills can contaminate drinking water sources, jeopardizing freshwater and ocean ecosystems.

Emissions and Health Concerns

Burning fossil fuels generates harmful air pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde, linked to serious health risks.
Approximately 12.6 million Americans face exposure to toxic pollution from oil and gas operations.
The fracking industry raises health concerns due to increased pollution near residential areas.

Water Resources

Earth's water, crucial for sustaining life, exists in three forms: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (water vapor).
Only 3% of Earth's water is freshwater, primarily stored in glaciers, groundwater, and surface water.
The hydrologic cycle, powered by solar energy, describes the movement and transformation of water on Earth.

Water Pollution Sources

Agricultural runoff introduces fertilizers that cause eutrophication and dead zones in water bodies.
Urban runoff, septic tank leaks, and treated wastewater can contaminate rivers and lakes.
Waste disposal practices frequently lead to contamination of groundwater and surface water sources.

Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Wastes

Solid wastes, including food refuse, plastics, and paper, contribute to environmental pollution and health hazards.
Liquid wastes arise from household activities and industrial processes, contaminating water sources if not managed properly.
Gaseous wastes from combustion (e.g., carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides) pose risks to air quality and human health.

Eutrophication and Its Effects

Eutrophication from nutrient runoff leads to algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water, causing aquatic life deaths.
Contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal diseases and other health issues for humans and wildlife.

Climate Change and Carbon Emissions

Fossil fuel combustion releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, significantly contributing to global warming.
Energy use in the transportation and power sectors is responsible for about three-quarters of U.S. carbon emissions.

Strategies to Mitigate Water Pollution

Proper waste disposal entails avoiding pouring chemicals into drains and ensuring septic tanks are sealed.
Encourage the use of organic fertilizers and compost to reduce chemical runoff into waterways.
Implement practices like reducing plastic use, composting, and recycling to mitigate waste generation.

Effects of Waste on Health and Environment

Solid wastes can leach harmful substances into water supplies, leading to various health problems.
Gaseous emissions contribute to respiratory illnesses and environmental issues like acid rain.
Proper waste management practices are essential to protect both public health and the environment.

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Description

Explore the unique characteristics of Earth as a planet and understand the importance of weather forecasting and modification. This quiz covers foundational concepts of Earth Science, including the significance of accurate predictions for future weather conditions.