Earth Science Final Study Guide PDF

A List of Items to Remember for the Cumulative Portion of Your Earth Science Final This list constitutes a general reminder of the primary topics covered throughout the semester. This list is NOT intended to be a definite set of notes that covers the entire exam. Items may appear on the cumulative...

A List of Items to Remember for the Cumulative Portion of Your Earth Science Final This list constitutes a general reminder of the primary topics covered throughout the semester. This list is NOT intended to be a definite set of notes that covers the entire exam. Items may appear on the cumulative final that are not on this list. Some items on this list may NOT appear on the exam. *An asterisk beside a topic indicates a high probability of being on the final T Atomic number vs. atomic mass* T Parts of the atom T What is a mineral?* T The types of silicates (e.g., sheets, double-chains, etc.)* T The rock cycle and all its parts* T Bowens reaction series* T All six primary igneous rocks* T The categories of sedimentary rocks* T The two types of metamorphic rocks T The “idealized” soil profile and all the horizons on it* T The primary controls on soil formation T The categories of mass wasting and how each is characterized* T The three types of faults and their varieties (handout!)* T The four types of seismic waves and their characteristics* T Hypocenter vs. Epicenter T What’s the difference: seismometer, seismograph, seismogram T Earthquake preparedness (see Prepare-A-Thon document) T The mechanical model of Earth’s interior (five layers)* T The three types of volcanoes and their characteristics* T How does each type of volcano erupt? T Paleomagnetism and rocks T Continental drift and A. Wegener T Hot spots T PLATE TECTONICS (three page handout) ***..many questions on final! T The geologic time scale, including periods, eras, and dates between eras* T Significant events in Earth’s history (e.g., first plants, Pangea forms, etc.) T Energy resources (main points)* T The hydrologic cycle T Stream gradients T The mechanisms of meandering rivers T River deposition vs. river erosion (e.g., point bars, cutoffs, etc.)* T The groundwater system and water tables* T The basics of glaciers, deserts, and wind erosion (from study guide and text!) The following items are commonly on the final, but only if covered in class: The comment above applies for this section also...A specific topic may or may not be on the final exam. < How are surface ocean currents different from deep water ocean currents?* < Ocean upwelling* < How do tides form? < Neap tides and spring tides < The composition of the atmosphere* < The layers of the atmosphere* < How does pressure change going up through the atmosphere? < How does relative humidity work? < What is latent heat and how much is there in the phase changes of water?* < Adiabatic temperature changes* < ENSO and how it works* < The types of clouds < The four types of lift in the atmosphere < Isobars and measuring air pressure < The three driving forces of winds* < How does a cyclone operate in the northern hemisphere?* < How does an anticyclone operate in the northern hemisphere?* < The warm fronts and cold fronts and their characteristics* < Air masses and their characteristics < The basics about tornadoes and hurricanes Please note that the “Course Outline” (also on Blackboard) is a good study guide for the final exam in addition to this document!