Geology Exam 1

The best estimate of when the Universe formed is

13.8 Ga.

Which of the following meets the definition of a rock?

a collection of crystals that fit together like puzzle pieces

Crystalline rocks

are rocks whose grains grew to interlock.

The great abundance of heavy elements on Planet Earth tells us that the Sun must be _______.

at least a third-generation star

The nebular theory explains

how the Solar System formed

What is the basis for classification of rocks into igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary?

how the rocks formed

The earliest nebulae to form in the Universe were made almost entirely of

hydrogen and helium.

Glass is not considered a mineral because

it does not have a crystal structure

Which of these describes an outcrop of bedrock?

rock that is exposed where a road cuts through a mountain

Which type(s) of rock(s) may display layering?

sedimentary, metamorphic

The most abundant mineral group on Earth is the

silicates

The mantle is composed almost entirely of the mineral class

silicates.

(Q010) Geologists call the interconnected web of interacting processes and materials on (and in) the Earth

the Earth System.

The leading hypothesis for the formation of our Moon states that it

was formed by the collision of Earth with a Mars-sized protoplanet.

When did the Earth form?

4.56 Ga.

Which of the following is MOST true of hypotheses in science?

A hypothesis is a scientific idea supported by an abundance of evidence. Maybe incorrect...

Which of the following statements is the best explanation of a scientific theory?

A scientific theory is an idea that has undergone significant testing by multiple independent researchers that best explains certain scientific observations and is yet to be disproven.

Which of the following is NOT true about minerals?

All minerals are compounds of more than one element.

A mineral has the following properties: low hardness (can't scratch a penny), red color and streak, low specific gravity (density), nonmetallic luster, and non-toxic. For what do you think this mineral might be used?

As a coloring (pigment) in makeup or paint.

Why would brick not be considered a rock?

Bricks are manmade.

An atom's mass number is 14 and it has 6 protons. What element is this atom?

Carbon

(Q003) Which type of chemical bond occurs when atoms share electrons, as shown in this diagram?

Covalent Bond

From earliest to latest, which of the following is the correct order of events in the formation of Earth?

Formation of accretionary disk, formation of planetesimals, differentiation, formation of Moon

What does the statement "geology is a synthesis of many sciences" mean?

Geology applies many of the basic concepts of the physical sciences.

The type of rock formed by the solidification of molten rock is

Igneous rock

(Q004) Identify the statement that is true about the Big Bang.

It began with all matter and energy concentrated in an infinitesimally small point.

___________ rocks form when existing rocks are subjected to high temperatures and pressures that cause changes in mineralogy and texture but do not melt.

Metamorphic

Besides residual heat which of the following is the ultimate source for most of the internal heat within our subsurface?

Radioactive decay of heavy elements

An atom's mass number is 14 and it has 6 protons. How many electrons and neutrons does the atom have?

Six electrons and eight neutrons

Which of the following is a characteristic of all rocks?

They are a collection of minerals or a body of glass

Which of the following is NOT a way for minerals to crystallize?

bonding carbon to oxygen atoms to form organic compounds

(Q011) Which of the following accurately lists the layers of the Earth, based on chemical differentiation, from the surface to center?

crust, mantle, core

A scientific law

describes a specific relationship or set of observations (often describes an equation).

Atoms that are heavier than iron are generally produced by

explosions of supernovas.

Earth's core

generates Earth's magnetic field

Which of the following are good conductors due to the ability of the electrons in the atoms to move around freely?

metals

The atomic number of an element corresponds to the __________

number of protons.

When a solution becomes oversaturated, new solid particles are said to _______

precipitate from the solution

The atomic mass of an element approximately equals the number of

protons plus neutrons