Earth Science Midterm Reviewer PDF

EARTH and EARTH’S SYSTEMS 1. The hydrosphere includes all the water on Earth. TRUE 2. Which gas is most abundant in Earth’s atmosphere? NITROGEN, 78% 3. A positive feedback mechanism amplifies changes in a system. TRUE 4. What subsystem is primarily responsible for supporting life? BIOS...

EARTH and EARTH’S SYSTEMS 1. The hydrosphere includes all the water on Earth. TRUE 2. Which gas is most abundant in Earth’s atmosphere? NITROGEN, 78% 3. A positive feedback mechanism amplifies changes in a system. TRUE 4. What subsystem is primarily responsible for supporting life? BIOSPHERE is the global ecological system that supports life. 5. Earth is the only planet in our solar system that has liquid water on its surface. TRUE 6. An example of a negative feedback loop is: Increased plant growth leading to more oxygen. This is a negative feedback loop because increased plant growth can help absorb more CO2, potentially reducing the rate of warming, thus stabilizing the system. 7. The lithosphere includes the Earth's crust and upper mantle. TRUE 8. What is the primary source of energy for life on Earth? SOLAR ENERGY, driving photosynthesis and influencing the Earth's climate and weather systems. 9. Which of the following processes is part of the hydrosphere? EVAPORATION is part of the water cycle, which is a key process within the hydrosphere. 10. The ozone layer protects life on Earth by filtering harmful solar radiation. TRUE 11. Which of the following is potential negative feedback in climate systems? More vegetation leading to higher CO2 absorption 12. What is the primary component of the biosphere? LIVING ORGANISMS 13. In which scenario would a feedback mechanism be considered positive? Increased temperatures lead to more ice melting, which decreases reflectivity, causing more solar energy to be absorbed, which further increases temperatures. 14. The atmosphere plays a crucial role in the water cycle. TRUE – The atmosphere is essential in the water cycle, facilitating processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. 15. Which characteristic of Earth helps maintain a stable temperature? Earth's proximity to the Sun, the presence of water (which moderates temperature), and the atmospheric composition (which traps heat and prevents extreme temperature fluctuations) all contribute to maintaining a stable temperature. 16. Positive feedback mechanisms are typically beneficial for stabilizing ecosystems. FALSE ROCKS and MINERALS 1. Which of the following is a common igneous rock? GRANITE 2. Sedimentary rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of magma. FALSE 3. What is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale? DIAMOND is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale, rated a 10, making it the most resistant to scratching. 4. Which type of rock forms from the compression of sediments? SEDIMENTARY, form from the compression and cementation of sediments, such as sand, silt, and organic material, over time. 5. Metamorphic rocks are formed from existing rocks through heat and pressure. TRUE, Metamorphic rocks are formed from existing rocks (either igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks) through the application of heat and pressure over long  periods of time. This process alters the mineral composition and texture of the original rock, resulting in metamorphic rock. 6. Which mineral is commonly used as a gemstone? QUARTZ A) Quartz: widely used as a gemstone. B) Feldspar: not as commonly used in jewelry. C) Calcite: Soft Mineral: Not commonly used in jewelry because it’s softer (3 on the Mohs scale) and scratches easily. D) Halite: Salt: Halite is salt (NaCl) and isn’t used as a gemstone. 7. What is the primary difference between a mineral and a rock? Minerals have a defined chemical composition; rocks are a mixture of minerals. 8. What characteristic of minerals refers to their ability to break along specific planes? CLEVAGE Scenario: As a student in a geology class, you are tasked with identifying different minerals based on their properties. You need to select minerals for a class presentation that demonstrate specific characteristics such as hardness, luster, cleavage, and streak. 9. Which of the following minerals is considered very soft, often used in baby powder? TALC 10. What type of luster does gold (native gold) exhibit? METALLIC 11. What does it mean when a mineral is described as having a "definite composition"? The mineral has a fixed ratio of elements. 12. Why are organic materials not classified as minerals? They are derived from living organisms. 13. What does "naturally occurring" mean in the context of minerals? The mineral forms through geological processes without human intervention. 14. What characteristic indicates that minerals have a definite structure? They are crystalline solids with a specific geometric arrangement of atoms. 15. Which of the following statements correctly describes a mineral's state of matter? Minerals are always solid. FINDING and MINING MINERALS 1. Which of the following is NOT a common type of metallic mineral found in the Philippines? PHOSPHATE 2. Which of the following is a characteristic of hydrothermal mineral deposits? Deposited by hot, mineral-rich fluids 3. What is the term for the minerals that are the primary raw materials in the production of metals? METALLIC ORES 4. How do volcanic processes contribute to the formation of mineral ores? By cooling magma that contains dissolved metals 5. Which type of weathering primarily contributes to the concentration of minerals in residual deposits? CHEMICAL WEATHERING 6. What type of mining involves removing large amounts of soil and rock to reach minerals? OPEN PIT MINING 7. In the Philippines, which law regulates mining activities to ensure environmental protection? Republic Act No. 7942 8. Sub-surface mining requires the creation of open pits. FALSE Sub-surface mining (also known as underground mining) involves accessing minerals beneath the earth's surface without creating open pits. Instead, it typically includes tunnels or shafts dug into the ground to extract minerals. 9. Strip mining involves creating extremely large holes with benches. FALSE The term "benches" is more commonly associated with open-pit mining, where steps or ledges are created for easier extraction. 10. Comminution involves the crushing and grinding of ores. TRUE 11. Concentration is the separation of valuable materials from raw materials. TRUE 12. Ancestral lands are any public and private lands owned by the State. FALSE Ancestral lands refer specifically to lands that are traditionally owned or used by indigenous peoples, based on their historical occupation and cultural heritage. They are not simply any public or private lands owned by the State; rather, they are areas recognized by law as belonging to indigenous communities. 13. Which type of mining involves the use of explosives to blast ores out of an ore body underground? BLASTHOLE STOPING 14. Why is sub-surface mining considered safer for the overall environment when compared to surface mining? Degradation of Habitats: It does not require the large-scale removal of vegetation and soil, preserving habitats. Displacement of Animals: It poses a lesser risk of displacing wildlife because it disturbs a smaller area at the surface. Removal of Trees: Sub-surface mining typically does not necessitate deforestation 15. Which part of mineral processing involves the use of the physical and chemical properties of minerals to separate them from wastes or other minerals? CONCENTRATION 16. According to the declaration of policy of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, who is responsible for the supervision of mining activities? STATE 17. Which type of document certifies that the mining corporation will not have severe negative impacts on the environment? Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)- a document issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) that certifies that a proposed mining project will not have significant negative impacts on the environment. 18. Which type of document is needed by the mining corporation during the application of an ECC? Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)- a comprehensive document required when applying for an ECC. It outlines the potential environmental effects of the proposed mining project and includes mitigation measures to address these impacts. 19. What needs to be conducted to create an EIS? Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- process that evaluates the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project, ensuring that decision-makers consider the environment before proceeding with the project. 20. What must the mining firm secure from the indigenous people in order to proceed with the mining operation? CONSENT 21. What must the mining firm provide to the indigenous people in exchange for the extracted mineral ores? PAYMENT