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Questions and Answers

Which planet is the smallest and closest to the Sun?

  • Venus
  • Earth
  • Mars
  • Mercury (correct)

What unique characteristic does Venus have compared to other planets in terms of rotation?

  • Spins backwards (correct)
  • Spins rapidly
  • Spins with no rotation
  • Spins on a tilted axis

How long does one day last on Mercury in terms of Earth days?

  • 36 Earth days
  • 24 Earth days
  • 59 Earth days (correct)
  • 88 Earth days

Which planet has no moons and features the highest surface temperature due to its thick atmosphere?

<p>Venus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of Mars' atmosphere?

<p>Carbon dioxide (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which mission was the first to orbit Mercury?

<p>MESSENGER (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon is often associated with the formation of the Moon?

<p>The Big Splat (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the length of a Martian year compared to Earth days?

<p>687 Earth days (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis for the nebular hypothesis regarding the origin of the Earth?

<p>Formation from a rotating cloud of materials (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What led to the initial density differences in gravitational forces in the early universe?

<p>Uneven distribution of matter and energy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily initiated the formation of stars within a galaxy?

<p>Accretion of hydrogen gas in a nebula (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis explains the expansion of the universe?

<p>Big bang theory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the process of planet formation occur according to the document?

<p>By accretion, growth through gradual accumulation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the expanding universe hypothesis state about galaxies over time?

<p>They move further apart from each other (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who first proposed the Big bang theory?

<p>Edwin Hubble (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the nebula consist mostly of during the formation of the sun?

<p>Hydrogen and helium (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a divergent boundary?

<p>Tectonic plates move away from each other. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which tectonic plate has the fastest plate movement?

<p>Pacific Plate (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological feature is commonly associated with convergent boundaries?

<p>Subduction trenches (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical thickness range of the lithosphere in continental areas?

<p>200 km (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a major tectonic plate?

<p>Arabian Plate (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of boundary is likely to result in earthquakes?

<p>Both B and C (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of tectonic plates colliding at a convergent boundary?

<p>Folding of the crust occurs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the movement rate of the Arctic Ridge?

<p>It is the slowest at less than 2.5 cm/year. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens during oxidation weathering of rocks?

<p>Iron in rocks reacts with oxygen to form iron oxide. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of frost weathering on rocks?

<p>Water in rock joints freezes and expands, causing breakage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process is associated with the disintegration of rocks due to temperature changes?

<p>Physical weathering (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do organic acids play in decomposition weathering?

<p>They aid in the dissolution of minerals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main effect of carbonation weathering on rocks?

<p>It results in the breakdown of feldspar and carbonate minerals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes mass movement in weathering?

<p>It occurs as material moves slowly down slopes due to gravity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do salts cause weathering in rocks?

<p>Through hydration and crystallization. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most influential in mechanical weathering?

<p>Physical processes like temperature changes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the International Date Line primarily serve as?

<p>A line of demarcation between calendar dates (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which eon comprises about 87% of the geological time scale?

<p>Proterozoic (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which period did the first flowering plants appear?

<p>Cretaceous (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event is associated with the era of Mesozoic?

<p>Dinosaurs dominant (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major development occurred during the Devonian period?

<p>First amphibians (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which eon follows the Hadean eon?

<p>Archean (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred at the end of the Permian period?

<p>Extinction of trilobites (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which era is characterized by large coal swamps and abundance of amphibians?

<p>Paleozoic (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the point within the Earth where an earthquake originates called?

<p>Focus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the point on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's origin?

<p>Epicentre (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a geyser?

<p>A fountain of hot water and steam from below the Earth's surface (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following regions is known for its major geysers?

<p>Yellowstone National Park (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines an isoseismic line?

<p>A line marking areas of similar earthquake intensity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does wave velocity change as it travels through the Earth's crust?

<p>It travels faster with increased depth. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is described as having a dome-shaped upper surface?

<p>Igneous Mound (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between geysers and hot springs?

<p>Geysers erupt, hot springs do not. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Nebular Hypothesis

Theory explaining the formation of our solar system from a rotating cloud of gas and dust.

Big Bang Theory

Theory proposing the universe originated from a single, extremely hot, dense point and has been expanding ever since.

Solar Nebula

Cloud of gas and dust surrounding a young star, from which planets form.

Accretion

The process of growth by gradual accumulation of matter.

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Origin of Earth

Earth formed from a cloud of gas and dust spinning around the early sun.

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Expanding Universe

The universe is continuously getting bigger, with galaxies moving further apart.

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Star Formation

Stars form from clumps of gas in space due to gravitational forces.

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Planet Formation

Planets form through the process of accretion, growing by gathering more material.

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International Date Line

An imaginary line that runs through the mid-Pacific Ocean, roughly following the 180th meridian. It marks the boundary between two consecutive calendar dates, where the date changes from one day to the next.

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Mercury's Day vs. Year

Mercury's rotation period (one day) is 59 Earth days, but its revolution around the Sun (one year) is only 88 Earth days. This means a day on Mercury is longer than a year.

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Venus's Backwards Spin

Venus rotates in an opposite direction to Earth, with the Sun rising in the west and setting in the east.

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Prime Meridian

An imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole through Greenwich, England. It is the zero degree of longitude and is used as the starting point for measuring longitude.

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Earth's Moon Formation

The Moon is believed to have formed from a massive impact on early Earth, ejecting debris into space that eventually coalesced into the Moon.

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Cenozoic Era

The current geological era, spanning from 65 million years ago to the present. Known for the rise of mammals and the development of modern ecosystems.

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Mars's Color

Mars appears reddish due to the presence of iron oxide (rust) on its surface.

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Mesozoic Era

A geological era spanning from 252 to 65 million years ago, characterized by the dominance of dinosaurs and the emergence of flowering plants and birds.

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Mars's Moons

Mars has two small, irregularly shaped moons named Phobos and Deimos, which are thought to be captured asteroids.

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Paleozoic Era

A geological era spanning from 541 to 252 million years ago, marked by the rise of diverse marine life, including trilobites, and the first appearance of amphibians and insects.

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Jupiter's Size & Composition

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, mainly composed of hydrogen and helium.

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Holocene Epoch

The current geological epoch, starting about 11,700 years ago, characterized by the rise of human civilization and the warming climate after the last glacial period.

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Jupiter's Features

Jupiter has distinctive light and dark bands, rings, and a very cold temperature (-130°C).

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Quaternary Period

The most recent geological period, encompassing the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs. It is characterized by repeated glacial cycles and the rise of humans.

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Precambrian Eon

The earliest geological eon, spanning from the formation of Earth about 4.5 billion years ago to 541 million years ago. It covers the majority of Earth's history, marked by the evolution of single-celled life.

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Venus's Brightness

Venus is the brightest planet in our solar system and the third brightest object in the night sky (after the Sun and Moon).

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Focus (Earthquakes)

The point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.

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Epicenter

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus (where the earthquake originates); maximum damage occurs here.

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Isoseismic Line

A line connecting all points on the Earth's surface where the intensity of an earthquake is the same.

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Geyser

A fountain of hot water and superheated steam from the earth beneath, where water is heated beyond boiling point with explosion.

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Hot Springs

Thermal springs where water rises to the surface without any explosion and consists of dissolved minerals.

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Igneous Mound

A geological structure with a dome-shaped upper surface.

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What causes an earthquake?

It occurs when the surplus accumulated stress in the Earth's interior is relieved through weak zones over the surface as kinetic energy of wave motion, causing vibrations.

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What is wave velocity in an earthquake?

The speed of seismic waves through the Earth, typically 5 to 8 kilometers per second, increasing with depth.

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Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of Earth, composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.

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Tectonic Plates

Large, movable sections of the Earth's lithosphere that interact at their boundaries, causing geological activity.

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Divergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates move apart, creating new crust.

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Convergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates collide, resulting in mountain formation, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

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Mid-oceanic Ridge

An underwater mountain range formed at a divergent boundary where new oceanic crust is generated.

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Subduction

The process where one tectonic plate slides beneath another, typically at a convergent boundary.

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Trench

A deep valley in the ocean floor, often formed at a subduction zone.

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Plate Movement Rates

The speed at which tectonic plates move, which can vary significantly depending on the specific boundary.

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Oxidation Weathering

Chemical reaction where oxygen interacts with minerals in rocks, causing breakdown. Think of rust forming on iron.

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Decomposition by Organic Acids

Breakdown of rocks by acids produced by organisms like bacteria or lichens.

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Carbonation Weathering

Chemical breakdown of rocks by reactions with carbonate and bicarbonate.

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Hydration Weathering

When water molecules are absorbed into minerals causing them to expand and break apart.

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Physical Weathering

The breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.

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Temperature Changes Weathering

Breakdown of rocks due to expansion and contraction caused by fluctuating temperatures, typical in desert regions.

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Frost Weathering

Rock breakdown caused by repeated freezing and thawing of water in cracks.

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Biotic Weathering

Rock breakdown caused by the actions of living organisms, like plants growing in cracks.

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Study Notes

Smallest Planet and Closest to the Sun

  • Mercury is the smallest planet and closest to the Sun in our solar system.

Venus' Unique Rotation

  • Venus rotates in the opposite direction compared to most other planets, a phenomenon known as retrograde rotation. This means Venus rotates from east to west, while most planets rotate from west to east.

Mercury's Day Length

  • One day on Mercury lasts approximately 59 Earth days.

Mercury's Characteristics

  • Mercury has no moons and features the highest surface temperature in our solar system, reaching up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme temperature is due to its thick atmosphere.

Mars' Atmospheric Composition

  • The primary component of Mars' atmosphere is carbon dioxide.

First Mission to Orbit Mercury

  • The Mariner 10 spacecraft, launched in 1974, was the first mission to orbit Mercury.

Moon Formation

  • The giant impact hypothesis is often associated with the formation of the Moon. This theory suggests that a Mars-sized object collided with the early Earth, ejecting debris that eventually coalesced into the Moon.

Length of a Martian Year

  • One year on Mars takes approximately 687 Earth days to complete.

Nebular Hypothesis

  • The nebular hypothesis proposes that the solar system formed from a large cloud of gas and dust called a nebula. This cloud eventually collapsed under its own gravity, forming the Sun at the center and the planets around it.

Early Universe Density Differences

  • The initial density differences in gravitational forces in the early universe can be attributed to the uneven distribution of matter. Regions denser than the surrounding space attracted more matter due to gravity, leading to the formation of galaxies and star clusters.

Star Formation

  • The formation of stars within a galaxy is primarily initiated by the gravitational collapse of massive clouds of gas and dust, known as nebulae. As these clouds contract, pressure and temperature increase, eventually triggering nuclear fusion in their core, marking the birth of a star.

Expansion of the Universe

  • The Big Bang theory explains the expansion of the universe, suggesting that it began from a hot and dense state about 13.8 billion years ago.

Planet Formation

  • The process of planet formation is believed to occur through accretion, a process where smaller particles in a swirling disk of gas and dust clump together, eventually forming larger bodies like planets.

Expanding Universe Hypothesis

  • According to the expanding universe hypothesis, galaxies are continuously moving further apart as the universe expands. This expansion can be observed by the redshift of light from distant galaxies.

Big Bang Theory Proposer

  • Edwin Hubble, an American astronomer, is credited with proposing the Big Bang theory.

Nebula Composition

  • During the formation of the Sun, a nebula consists mostly of hydrogen and helium.

Divergent Boundary Characteristics

  • A divergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where plates are moving apart from each other, resulting in the formation of new crust.

Fastest Plate Movement

  • The Pacific Plate is known for having the fastest plate movement among major tectonic plates.

Geological Feature of Convergent Boundaries

  • Mountains are commonly associated with convergent boundaries, where tectonic plates collide.

Lithosphere Thickness

  • The typical thickness range of the lithosphere in continental areas is about 100 to 200 kilometers.

Major Tectonic Plate Example

  • The Eurasian Plate is an example of a major tectonic plate.

Earthquake Boundary

  • Transform boundaries are likely to result in earthquakes.

Plate Collision Results

  • When tectonic plates collide at a convergent boundary, various geological features can form, such as mountain ranges, volcanic arcs, and deep ocean trenches.

Arctic Ridge Movement Rate

  • The Arctic Ridge, a mid-oceanic ridge, moves at a rate of about 2 centimeters per year.

Oxidation Weathering

  • Oxidation weathering involves the reaction of minerals with oxygen, often resulting in the formation of oxides, such as rust (iron oxide).

Frost Weathering Consequence

  • Frost weathering can cause the disintegration of rocks due to the expansion of water as it freezes and thaws.

Temperature Change Weathering

  • Thermal weathering, also known as temperature weathering, is associated with the disintegration of rocks due to repeated temperature changes, such as heating and cooling.

Organic Acids in Decomposition Weathering

  • Organic acids produced by the decomposition of plants and animals can contribute to chemical weathering, breaking down minerals in rocks.

Carbonation Weathering Effect

  • Carbonation weathering is a chemical weathering process where carbonic acid, formed from carbon dioxide and water, reacts with minerals like limestone, causing their dissolution.

Mass Movement in Weathering

  • Mass movement is a form of weathering involving the downward movement of rock, soil, and debris due to the influence of gravity, often triggered by factors like water saturation and slope instability.

Salt Weathering

  • Salts can cause weathering by crystallizing within rock pores. As these crystals grow, they exert pressure on the surrounding rock, leading to its breakdown.

Most Influential Factor in Mechanical Weathering

  • Temperature fluctuation is the most influential factor in mechanical weathering because repeated temperature changes can cause rocks to expand and contract, ultimately leading to their breakdown.

International Date Line Purpose

  • The International Date Line primarily serves as a boundary that separates different calendar days.

Eon Comprising Most of the Geological Time Scale

  • The Precambrian eon comprises about 87% of the geological time scale.

First Flowering Plants Period

  • The first flowering plants appeared during the Cretaceous period.

Mesozoic Event

  • The Mesozoic era, often referred to as the Age of Reptiles, saw the dominance of dinosaurs.

Devonian Period Development

  • The Devonian period saw the significant development of fish.

Eon Following the Hadean

  • The Archean eon followed the Hadean, characterized by the formation of early oceans and the development of the Earth's crust.

Permian Ending Event

  • The end of the Permian period was marked by the largest mass extinction in Earth's history, wiping out over 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species.

Paleozoic Era Characteristics

  • The Paleozoic era, also known as the "Age of Fishes," is characterized by large coal swamps and an abundance of amphibians.

Earthquake Origin Point

  • The point within the Earth where an earthquake originates is called the focus (also known as hypocenter).

Earthquake Surface Point

  • The point on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's origin is called the epicenter.

Geyser Definition

  • A geyser is a type of hot spring that periodically erupts, ejecting a column of hot water and steam into the air.

Region Known for Geysers

  • Yellowstone National Park in the United States is known for its major geysers.

Isoseismic Line Definition

  • An isoseismic line is a contour line on a map that connects points of equal seismic intensity.

Wave Velocity Change

  • As a wave travels through the Earth's crust, its velocity changes depending on the density and composition of the rock layers it encounters.

Dome-Shaped Structure

  • A laccolith is a dome-shaped igneous intrusion formed when magma pushes its way upward between layers of rock.

Geyser vs. Hot Spring Distinction

  • The primary distinction between geysers and hot springs is the presence of a constricted channel or conduit in geysers, which traps water pressure and causes intermittent eruptions. Hot springs, on the other hand, have open channels and release water continuously.

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