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Questions and Answers
What is the process by which planetesimals accumulate to form larger bodies called?
What is the process by which planetesimals accumulate to form larger bodies called?
- Gravitation
- Attraction
- Accretion (correct)
- Expansion
Which of the following terrestrial planets formed through the process described in the principles of geology?
Which of the following terrestrial planets formed through the process described in the principles of geology?
- Uranus
- Earth (correct)
- Saturn
- Jupiter
What significant effect does the gravity of growing protoplanets have during their formation?
What significant effect does the gravity of growing protoplanets have during their formation?
- It causes them to lose mass.
- It slows down their rotation.
- It prevents collisions.
- It attracts more planetesimals. (correct)
What does the term 'geo' in geology refer to?
What does the term 'geo' in geology refer to?
In which section of geology is the study of the Earth’s past life forms included?
In which section of geology is the study of the Earth’s past life forms included?
What is the primary focus of the field of geology?
What is the primary focus of the field of geology?
What phenomenon occurs due to the energy impacts during the formation of protoplanets?
What phenomenon occurs due to the energy impacts during the formation of protoplanets?
Which of the following pairs correctly describes the roots of the word 'geology'?
Which of the following pairs correctly describes the roots of the word 'geology'?
What does the Law of Constancy of Interfacial Angles state about minerals?
What does the Law of Constancy of Interfacial Angles state about minerals?
What is polymorphism in the context of minerals?
What is polymorphism in the context of minerals?
Which of the following describes the physical property of cleavage in minerals?
Which of the following describes the physical property of cleavage in minerals?
Which of the following features is NOT associated with transform boundaries?
Which of the following features is NOT associated with transform boundaries?
Which example best illustrates polymorphism in minerals?
Which example best illustrates polymorphism in minerals?
What is the main characteristic of a mineral's crystal form?
What is the main characteristic of a mineral's crystal form?
What occurs along transform boundaries?
What occurs along transform boundaries?
Which characteristic is an indicator of a mineral's crystal form?
Which characteristic is an indicator of a mineral's crystal form?
What are planetesimals primarily composed of?
What are planetesimals primarily composed of?
What process leads to the formation of distinct layers within a planet?
What process leads to the formation of distinct layers within a planet?
How do planetesimals contribute to the formation of planets?
How do planetesimals contribute to the formation of planets?
What is primarily responsible for the heat required for partial melting during planetary differentiation?
What is primarily responsible for the heat required for partial melting during planetary differentiation?
What size range do planetesimals typically fall within?
What size range do planetesimals typically fall within?
What occurs during the formation of a solar system from a solar nebula?
What occurs during the formation of a solar system from a solar nebula?
Which element is NOT typically found in the continental crust?
Which element is NOT typically found in the continental crust?
Which component of the Earth consists of light, granitic rock and includes the oldest rocks?
Which component of the Earth consists of light, granitic rock and includes the oldest rocks?
What is the main characteristic of oceanic ridges?
What is the main characteristic of oceanic ridges?
Which feature is described as the lowest area on Earth's surface?
Which feature is described as the lowest area on Earth's surface?
What does the term 'plate tectonics' refer to?
What does the term 'plate tectonics' refer to?
What makes up the majority of the ocean basins?
What makes up the majority of the ocean basins?
Which of the following best defines a seamount?
Which of the following best defines a seamount?
Which component of the Earth is described as a thin, rigid outer shell?
Which component of the Earth is described as a thin, rigid outer shell?
What defines an abyssal plain?
What defines an abyssal plain?
What is a stable platform or craton characterized by?
What is a stable platform or craton characterized by?
What describes converging plate boundaries?
What describes converging plate boundaries?
Which continent is noted for having the largest shield areas?
Which continent is noted for having the largest shield areas?
What is included in a continental margin?
What is included in a continental margin?
What type of geological features do folded mountain belts represent?
What type of geological features do folded mountain belts represent?
Which of the following best describes trenches in the ocean?
Which of the following best describes trenches in the ocean?
In terms of geological age, how old are most ocean floor rocks?
In terms of geological age, how old are most ocean floor rocks?
Which of the following features is NOT associated with the ocean floor?
Which of the following features is NOT associated with the ocean floor?
What does the term 'tectonics' refer to in geology?
What does the term 'tectonics' refer to in geology?
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Study Notes
Principles of Geology
- Geology derives from Greek, meaning "the study of the Earth’s composition, structure, history, past life forms, and processes."
- Terrestrial planets, including Earth, formed through the accretion of planetesimals in the solar nebula over millions of years.
- The structure of minerals is defined by the Law of Constancy of Interfacial Angles, where each mineral exhibits a characteristic crystal form.
- Polymorphism refers to a single chemical substance's ability to crystallize in different structures, seen in diamonds and graphite.
Physical Properties of Minerals
- Crystal Form: Minerals possess natural crystal faces with specific geometric shapes.
- Cleavage: Minerals may split along smooth planes due to weak bonding in their crystal structure, highlighting their geometric properties.
Planetary Differentiation
- This process involves the interior layers of a planet separating based on density and chemical properties, influenced by heat from radioactive decay and accretion.
- Differentiation occurs through partial melting and convection, impacting how heat transfers from the Earth's interior to the surface.
Earth’s Structural Units
- The crust consists of continental and oceanic layers:
- Continental crust: Granitic rock composition, 30-80 km thick, often older rocks.
- Ocean basins cover about two-thirds of Earth's surface, characterized by varied topography.
- Major components of the continents include:
- Shields: Regions with highly deformed igneous and metamorphic rocks.
- Stable platforms: Flat, stable areas with crystalline rocks.
- Folded mountain belts: Uplifted ranges formed at tectonic convergence sites.
Major Features of the Ocean Floor
- The oceanic crust primarily consists of basalt, with features closely related to volcanic activity.
- Ocean floor rocks are generally young, less than 150 million years old, and exhibit minimal deformation.
- Major features include oceanic ridges, abyssal plains, and trenches, each characterized by unique geological properties.
Tectonics
- Tectonics explores the origins and arrangements of Earth’s structural features, including continents, mountain belts, and faults.
- Plates are large, movable slabs of rock that make up Earth's surface, forming the basis of plate tectonics.
- The theory of plate tectonics describes the movement and interactions of these plates, influencing geological activity along boundaries:
- Diverging plate boundaries: Plates move apart, either in oceanic or continental settings.
- Transform boundaries: Plates slide past each other horizontally along faults.
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