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Geophysical Final
N/A
63
Geology
10th Grade
06/15/2011

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Cards

Term
what is the geology?
Definition
the study of the earth's composition, structure and history
Term
forces that can shape the earth's surface can be divided into what two categories?
Definition
chemical and physical
Term
what are the two layers that make up the lithosphere?
Definition
crust & upper mantle
Term
what are the 3 main layers of the earths interior?
Definition
crust, mantle, and core
Term
what is the definition of a mineral?
Definition
a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition
Term
what is a mineral's cleavage?
Definition
a type of fracture in which a mineral breaks along regular, well defined planes
Term
how are rocks classified?
Definition
igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary
Term
how is a metamorphic rock formed?
Definition
intense heat, pressure, or reactions with hot water
Term
what is the rock cycle?
Definition
a series of processes in which rocks are changed from one type to another
Term
What is continental drift?
Definition
the theory that the continents were once joined into one super continent
Term
why was Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift originally rejected by geologists?
Definition
he did not have any data to support his hypothesis
Term
where is new ocean crust formed along?
Definition
mid-ocean ridges
Term
when an oceanic plate is subducting what happens?
Definition
it is less dense and is able to go under the other plate
Term
Where does mantle convection come from?
Definition
the cooling of the earths interior and the decay of radioactive isotopes
Term
What is a fault?
Definition
a break in rock mass where movement occurs
Term
What is stress in the earth's crust caused by?
Definition
plate movements
Term
Where does a earthquake begin?
Definition
in the epicenter
Term
What wave causes the earth to vibrate at a right angle to the direction of a wave?
Definition
p-waves
Term
What measures the amount of energy released by an earthquake?
Definition
Richter Scale
Term
What can s-waves not pass through?
Definition
the earth's core because it is liquid
Term
Where does magma collect before an eruption?
Definition
the magma chamber
Term
what causes the magma inside a volcano to rise towards the surface?
Definition
it is a thick liquid, denser than the surrounding rock
Term
What determines whether a volcano erupts quietly or explosively?
Definition
the characteristics of the magma
Term
What type of magma is in volcanoes that erupt quietly?
Definition
hot, low silica magma
Term
how are shield volcanoes produced?
Definition
by explosive eruptions of lava and ash
Term
what is a cinder cone volcano made of?
Definition
ash and cinders
Term
what is the largest type of intrusive igneous feature?
Definition
batholith
Term
What igneous feature is horizontal?
Definition
a dike
Term
What igneous feature is vertical?
Definition
a sill
Term
what gas makes up 78% of dry air
Definition
nitrogen
Term
What happens as altitude increases?
Definition
air pressure and density decrease
Term
Where does most weather take place in?
Definition
the troposphere
Term
Where is the ozone layer located?
Definition
the upper stratosphere
Term
what are day and night caused by?
Definition
the earth's rotation
Term
When the earth completes one orbit around the sun, what has it completed?
Definition
a revolution
Term
what is the earth mainly heated by?
Definition
energy re-radiated by the earth's surface
Term
what forms of precipitation fall as liquids?
Definition
freezing rain and rain
Term
What air mass forms over land north of 50* north latitude?
Definition
continental polar
Term
what are lines on a weather map that connect points of temperature called?
Definition
isotherms
Term
what s the si unit of force?
Definition
newton
Term
what is inertia?
Definition
the property of matter that resists changes in motion
Term
what does newtons second law of motion state?
Definition
the acceleration of an object equals the net force acting on the object divided by the objects mass
Term
what does newtons third law of motion describe?
Definition
action and reaction forces
Term
What are igneous rocks that form at the earths surface?
Definition
extrusive rocks
Term
what is the type of sedimentary rock that forms from pre existing rocks
Definition
clastic rocks
Term
where are the youngest rocks in the ocean floor found near?
Definition
mid ocean ridge
Term
what three factors determine magma viscosity?
Definition
temperature and amount of silica
Term
how does an igneous dike form?
Definition
magma cools and solidifies beneath the surface
Term
what theory explains how earths plates form and move?
Definition
plate tectonics
Term
what are the three ways metamorphic rocks form?
Definition
from coming into contact with molten igneous rock. being stressed and contorted by tectonic processes or having hot water interact with the rock.
Term
what feature is formed when rocks bend under stress but do not break?
Definition
folds
Term
what is the difference between speed and velocity?
Definition
speed is distance traveled while velocity is distance traveled in a given direction
Term
If the forces acting on an object produces a net force of zero the force is called?
Definition
equilibrium
Term
the force that opposes the motion of objects as they move pass eachother is called?
Definition
friction
Term
the drag force acting on a falling skydiver is also known as?
Definition
terminal velocity
Term
What are the three layers of the mantle?
Definition
lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere
Term
how do calderas form?
Definition
the volcano collapses from magma pressure
Term
Name the four layers of the atmosphere lowest to highest?
Definition
Troposphere

Stratosphere

Mesosphere

Thermosphere
Term
what is the greenhouse effect?
Definition
regulates our climate by trapping heat and holding it in a warm-air blanket
Term
why do sea breezes occur during the day?
Definition
because the ocean is cooler than the land
Term
What is the difference between sleet and freezing rain?
Definition
freezing rain freezes once it hits the ground and sleet comes out of the cloud already frozen
Term
What are the different types of fronts?
Definition
cold, warm, stationary, and occluded front
Term
Why are the seasons in the northern and southern hemisphere 6 months apart?
Definition
the earth's tilt
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