Earth & Life Science Quiz 2 Reviewer PDF

Earth & Life Science Quiz 2 Reviewer Overview I.​ Subsystems of the Earth I.​ Subsystems of the Earth ​ Atmosphere ○​ Envelops the lithosphere ○​ Consists of a relatively thin layer of gases that surround the Earth ○​ Composition: N2 (78%), O2 (21%), and other ga...

Earth & Life Science Quiz 2 Reviewer Overview I.​ Subsystems of the Earth I.​ Subsystems of the Earth ​ Atmosphere ○​ Envelops the lithosphere ○​ Consists of a relatively thin layer of gases that surround the Earth ○​ Composition: N2 (78%), O2 (21%), and other gases (1%) ○​ Layers of the atmosphere: 1.)​ Troposphere a.)​ Lowest and densest layer of the atmosphere (has 80% mass) b.)​ The temperature goes lower as you go up c.)​ Has weather clouds 2.)​ Stratosphere a.)​ Second lowest layer of the atmosphere b.)​ Has little to no weather c.)​ The temperature goes higher due to ozone (O3), which absorbs and blocks UVC 3.)​ Mesosphere a.)​ Middle layer of the atmosphere that blocks space rocks b.)​ The temperature goes lower as you go up 4.)​ Thermosphere a.)​ Second highest layer of the atmosphere b.)​ High temperatures due to ionically charged particles c.)​ Contains nitrogen and oxygen d.)​ Causes the aurora borealis 5.)​ Exosphere a.)​ Highest layer of the atmosphere b.)​ Generally cold unless there is the presence of solar winds ○​ Atmospheric evolution ​ Solar wind blew the initial atmosphere of the earth ​ Volcanic outgassing released water vapor, CO2 and other volcanic gases ​ The earth cooled and condensed water vapor into clouds, forming gases ​ Oxygen was created through photosynthesis ​ Geosphere ○​ “Geo” - ground (Greek) ○​ All the geologic landforms and processes shaping the Earth’s surface ​ Includes minerals, organic materials, rocks, and regolith (loose rock particles)  ○​ The temperature gets higher as you go deeper ○​ It is dynamic or ever changing ○​ Layers of the Geosphere: 1.)​ Lithosphere a.)​ The solid outer section of the Earth that is made up of silicon and aluminum b.)​ The asthenosphere is the layer underneath the lithosphere which is semi-solid and flows like molten plastic c.)​ Includes the crust and mantle i.)​ Crust (1)​ Oceanic - denser and sinks below the continental crust (2)​ Continental - less dense ii.)​ Mantle (1)​ Composed of the upper and lower mantle (2)​ Composed of ferromagnesium-silicate rocks (3)​ About 2,900 km thick 2.)​ Outer Core a.)​ Molten metal b.)​ Located about 1,800 miles underground 3.)​ Inner Core a.)​ Composed mostly of iron b.)​ Solid because of pressure c.)​ Possibly has radioactive decay ​ Anthroposphere ○​ Part of the environment made or modified by humans and used for their activities Additional Notes: ​ Weather Clouds ○​ Cumulus - pleasant weather ○​ Cumulonimbus - thunderstorms ○​ Stratus - rain, drizzle, and snow ○​ Cirrus - impending storm ​ Space Rocks ○​ Comet - with ice ○​ Asteroid - largest, more than 100 meters ○​ Meteoroid - in space ○​ Meteor - in the atmosphere ○​ Meteorite - in the soil ​ Discontinuities ○​ Mohorovicic Discontinuity - between the lower crust and upper mantle ○​ Gutenberg Discontinuity (by Beno Gutenberg, 1931) - between the lower mantle and outer core ○​ Lehmann Discontinuity (by Inge Lehman) - between the outer and inner core