Geol122 Quiz 1

Temperature and pressure decrease within the interior of Earth as you progress from the crust to the core A. True B. False

B. False

According to the Big Bang Theory, our universe is A. periodically contracting and expanding B. expanding C. contracting D. static

B. expanding

Presently, Earth's atmosphere is dominated by which two gases? A. oxygen and carbon dioxide B. nitrogen and oxygen C. carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide D. hydrogen and helium

B. nitrogen and oxygen

Olivine, quartz, and hornblende are all silicate minerals. Olivine is an independent tetrahedra; quartz is a framework silicate; and hornblende is a double-chain silicate. Rank these three minerals from lowest to highest % silicon. A. quartz, hornblende, olivine B. olivine, hornblende, quartz C. hornblende, olivine, quartz D. hornblende, quartz, olivine

B. olivine, hornblende, quartz

Where is Earth's magnetic field produced? A. inner core B. outer core C. mantle D. magnetosphere

B. outer core

Most continental topography lies within a range of elevation between ____. A. 2 to 5 km above sea level B. sea level and 1 km above sea level C. sea level and 1 km below sea level D. 3 to 6 km above sea level

B. sea level and 1 km above sea level

The most common minerals on the Earth's surface are _____. A. carbonates B. silicates C. oxides D. hydroxides

B. silicates

The distinction between the crust and the mantle is primarily on the basis of a difference in ____; the distinction between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere is primarily on the basis of a difference in _____. A. chemical composition; chemical composition as well B. color; chemical composition C. chemical composition; how it deforms D. how it deforms; chemical composition

C. chemical composition; how it deforms

On what basis was Pluto excluded from being classified as a planet? A. is a large celestial body orbiting a star B. has a nearly spherical shape C. has cleared its neighborhood for other objects

C. has cleared its neighborhood for other objects

The metal alloy that makes up the Earth's core is ___ than the mantle. A. less dense B. distinct in chemistry but of very similar density C. more dense D. very similar in chemistry and density

C. more dense

The silica tetrahedron that forms the backbone of all the silicate minerals is composed of silicon and what other element? A. iron B. carbon C. oxygen D. magnesium

C. oxygen

What process is responsible for producing elements with atomic numbers greater than #26? A. stellar nucleosynthesis B. Big Bang nucleosynthesis C. supernova

C. supernova

Interplanetary space is more dense than interstellar space A. True B. False

A. True

The single property that can be used to identify any mineral is ___. A. multiple properties must be used to identify a mineral B. luster C. color D. cleavage

A. multiple properties must be used to identify a mineral

The most recently formed portion of any crystal is always found ___. A. on the outer edges B. on whichever side is currently facing upward C. deep within the interior D. there is no consistent pattern for crystal formation

A. on the outer edges

The primary evidence that our sun is a third, fourth, or fifth generation star comes from the fact that our ___. A. solar system contains too many heavy elements to have been formed from a first generation nebula B. Sun is too large to be a first generation star C. sun is too hot to be a first generation star D. solar system is too large to be first generation

A. solar system contains too many heavy elements to have been formed from a first generation nebula

What is the approximate age of the Universe? A. 2.5 billion years B. 4.5 billion years C. 66 million years D. 13.8 billion years

D. 13.8 billion years

Earth's surface is protected from solar wind and cosmic radiation by A. a large, metallic shield launched into orbit by NASA in the 1960s B. Earth's gravitational fiend C. a powerful stream of ions emitted by the sun D. Earth's magnetic field

D. Earth's magnetic field

Minerals are all naturally occurring solid substances with a definable chemical composition. They must also possess ____. A. metallic luster B. an ability to be synthesized in the laboratory as well as be found in nature C. metallic elements; such as iron, calcium, or magnesium D. a fixed orderly crystalline structure

D. a fixed orderly crystalline structure

SiO4(4-), and CO3(-2) are all examples of: A. cations B. organic compounds C. silicate minerals D. anions

D. anions

Glass is different from a mineral because it _____. A. is not naturally occurring B. contains carbon and is therefore organic C. is not a solid D. does not have atoms arranged in an orderly pattern

D. does not have atoms arranged in an orderly pattern