Earth Science

Hurricanes and tornados are natural disasters. What branch of the Earth sciences studies the origin of these phenomena? A. Meteorology B. Geology C. Oceanography D. Astronomy

A. Meteorology

Atomic number represents? A. Number of protons B. Number of Nuetrons C. Number of Electron

A. Number of protons

How are metamorphic rocks formed? A. Preexisting rock is altered through heat and pressure. B. Preexisting sediment is altered through melting and pressure. C. Preexisting sediment is altered through heat and pressure. D. Preexisting rock is altered through melting and pressure.

A. Preexisting rock is altered through heat and pressure.

What is the chemical formula of the silica tetrahedron? A. SiO4 B. CaCO3 C. SiO D. Fe2O3 E. SO4

A. SiO4

What does the tendency of micas to produce thin cleavage flakes suggest about its crystal structure? A. The atoms are arranged in orderly arrangements that form strongly bonded sheets separated by weak bonds between the sheets. B. The structure is characterized by rings that form an interlocking network, forming planar sheets. C. The crystal structure is characterized by complex polymerized mats that form a sheetlike structure. D. The structure is produced by flow in the igneous rock, aligning glass layers within the crystal structure.

A. The atoms are arranged in orderly arrangements that form strongly bonded sheets separated by weak bonds between the sheets.

Which of the following best describes the term streak? A. The color of a powdered form of a mineral produced by rubbing it across a hard surface. B. When both light and an image are visible through a mineral sample. C. The arrangement of atoms in an orderly, repetitive structure. D. The amount or quality of light reflected from a mineral surface. E. When no light is transmitted through a mineral sample.

A. The color of a powdered form of a mineral produced by rubbing it across a hard surface.

In the late 20th century most metal prices were very low but metal prices increased dramatically in the early 21st century. Simultaneously, the early 21st century saw extensive "brown fields exploration" in which companies went to old mining areas and extracted old mine wastes or reopened old mine workings. What is the primary explanation for this activity? A. The increase of metal prices made mineral resources that were previously uneconomic into ores that could potentially be extracted profitably. B. The old miners were wasteful and left large amounts of ore in the ground. C. Environmental regulations make it impossible to explore anywhere but old mining areas, so this was the only place the companies could look for deposits. D. The companies were only interested acquiring properties through a sleazy land grab, and had no intention of doing anything with the deposits assuming no one cared about brown fields.

A. The increase of metal prices made mineral resources that were previously uneconomic into ores that could potentially be extracted profitably.

Which one of the following is not true for minerals? A. They can be a liquid, solid, or gas. B. They have a specific, internal, crystalline structure. C. Many have a specific, predictable chemical composition. D. They can be identified by characteristic physical properties.

A. They can be a liquid, solid, or gas.

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory? A. an explanation that best explains observable facts and has been rigorously tested B. a proposed scenario for which data must be collected to test C. an untested explanation for observed phenomena D. an explanation that explains the facts noted by the investigation E. an educated guess

A. an explanation that best explains observable facts and has been rigorously tested

Minerals must be solid, have an orderly atomic structure, have a recognized chemical composition, be naturally occurring, and __________. A. be generally inorganic in origin B. made by organisms C. be a highly valued natural resource D. be reproducible in a laboratory setting E. found only in igneous rocks

A. be generally inorganic in origin

Limestone is formed primarily through ________. A. biochemical sediments secreted by marine organisms B. chemical interactions between ocean bottom sediments and ions in sea water C. evaporation of calcite rich seawater D. direct precipitation from seawater

A. biochemical sediments secreted by marine organisms

The strong tendency of certain minerals to break along smooth, parallel planes is known as ________. A. cleavage B. streak C. habit D. cracking luster

A. cleavage

Which of the following is NOT one of Earth's four major "spheres"? A. cryosphere B. geosphere C. atmosphere D. biosphere E. hydrosphere

A. cryosphere

Which of the following tools is NOT commonly used to determine the hardness of a mineral on Mohs' scale? A. diamond B. wire nail C. copper penny D. glass plate E. fingernail

A. diamond

When rocks experience high temperatures and differential stresses deep in the Earth, their grains tend to ________. A. flatten and elongate B. form new minerals C. break in small fragments like a piece of fine crystal D. fracture along planes of weakness

A. flatten and elongate

The largest of Earth's spheres is the ________. A. geosphere B. biosphere C. hydrosphere D. atmosphere

A. geosphere

The primary agent of contact metamorphism is ________. A. heat B. strain C. stress D. folding

A. heat

Which of the following energy sources is thought to drive the lateral motions of Earth's lithospheric plates? A. heat transfer between the earth's interior and the surface of the earth B. gravitational attractive forces of the Sun and Moon C. electrical and magnetic fields localized in the inner core D. swirling movements of the molten iron particles in the outer core

A. heat transfer between the earth's interior and the surface of the earth

The ________ is thought to be a liquid, metallic region in the earth's interior. A. outer core B. inner core C. mantle D. lithosphere

A. outer core

Which common mineral is composed entirely of silicon and oxygen? A. quartz B. olivine C. diamond D. calcite

A. quartz

Which of the following is a mineral as defined by a geologist? A. salt B. water C. sugar D. boulder E. concrete

A. salt

The composition of the earth's inner core is thought to be ________. A. solid iron-nickel alloy B. peridotite C. basalt D. granite

A. solid iron-nickel alloy

Which of the following is not a system? A. the study of minerals B. soil, plants, rock, soil organisms, and animals C. the Pacific Ocean and the west coast of North America D. the biosphere

A. the study of minerals

Oceanography is the study of the oceans and geology is the study of the earth, so what is meteorology? A. the study of the atmosphere B. the study of the Sun's impact on the upper atmosphere C. the study of meteors D. the study of how to be a TV newscaster

A. the study of the atmosphere

Why do scientists collect data? A. to prove or disprove a hypothesis B. to formulate a method C. to observe a theory D. to discover a hypothesis

A. to prove or disprove a hypothesis

The first step in turning a rock into a sediment is ________. A. weathering alters the rock B. compaction C. rock is broken into small pieces during the transportation phase D. gravity and erosional agents (wind, water, etc.) remove material from the parent rock

A. weathering alters the rock

Igneous rocks are composed primarily of sulfate-type minerals. A. True B. False

B. False

Which of the following is not a criterion for defining something as a mineral? A. Naturally occurring B. Hard C. Orderly crystalline structure D. Generally inorganic

B. Hard

An igneous rock becomes buried, is subject to high heat and pressure, and recrystallizes. This rock then is eroded, transported, deposited and subsequently lithified. Which rock types—in order—did the original igneous rock develop into? A. Metamorphic and igneous B. Metamorphic and sedimentary C. Sedimentary and metamorphic D. Igneous and sedimentary

B. Metamorphic and sedimentary

The ________ is the thinnest layer of the earth. A. outer core B. crust C. inner core D. mantle

B. crust

Which of the following conditions is necessary to create a metamorphic rock? A. cooling of lava and/or magma B. elevated temperatures and/or pressures C. compaction and/or cementation D. weathering and/or erosion E. precipitation and/or dissolution of minerals

B. elevated temperatures and/or pressures

List the fluids commonly found in traps, from the least to most dense. A. gas, water, oil B. gas, oil, water C. oil, water, gas D. water, oil, gas E. oil, gas, water

B. gas, oil, water

The asthenosphere is actually a part of the ________ of the earth. A. outer core B. mantle C. crust D. inner core

B. mantle

Regardless of their size, most rocks are made up of __________. A. synthetic minerals B. minerals C. grains D. magma

B. minerals

Use the choices below to fill in the blanks. Minerals are _________ inorganic _________ that usually possess a crystalline structure and can be represented by a chemical formula. A. synthetic; solids B. naturally occurring; solids C. naturally occurring; liquids D. both naturally occurring and synthetic; solids E. synthetic; liquids

B. naturally occurring; solids

How will foliation in continental metamorphic rocks formed during subduction be oriented? A. oblique to the direction of plate movement B. perpendicular to the direction of plate movement C. parallel to the direction of plate movement

B. perpendicular to the direction of plate movement

What are the two important processes involved in lithification of sedimentary rocks? A. Crystallization and uplift B. Cooling and reorganization C. Cementation and compaction D. Transportation and accumulation

C. Cementation and compaction

Which of the following statements is related to chemical sedimentary rocks? A. Chemical sedimentary rocks are classified based on mineral color. B. Chemical sedimentary rocks are classified according to the particle size and shape. C. Chemical sedimentary rocks form from the precipitation of minerals from dissolved substances. D. Chemical sedimentary rocks form from broken pieces derived from other rocks.

C. Chemical sedimentary rocks form from the precipitation of minerals from dissolved substances.

Which of the following is a mineral? A. Charcoal B. Granite C. Ice D. Water E. Plastic

C. Ice

________ igneous rocks are those that cool below the surface. A. Basaltic B. Extrusive C. Intrusive D. Volcanic E. Vesicular

C. Intrusive

Since color is not a very useful way to identify a mineral, what other optical property or properties can be used? A. Opacity B. Internal structure and transparency C. Luster and streak D. Chemical composition E. Strength

C. Luster and streak

Which of the following characteristics describes silicate minerals? A. Silicate minerals contain calcite and dolomite. B. Silicate minerals make up 8 percent of Earth's crust. C. Silicate minerals contain silicon and oxygen. D. Silicate minerals contain halite and gypsum. E. Silicate minerals contain only silicon.

C. Silicate minerals contain silicon and oxygen.

Which of the following must be true for hydrocarbons to be trapped by salt diapirs? A. No cap rocks are necessary because the salt acts as an impermeable seal. B. Fracturing has compromised the reservoir ability to hold hydrocarbons. C. The salt must be impermeable. D. The strata must be bent upward in an anticline for hydrocarbons to be trapped. E. Reservoir and cap rock units must naturally occur laterally to one another.

C. The salt must be impermeable.

What kind of geologist studies fossils? A. a stratigrapher B. a hydrologist C. a paleontologist D. a structural geologist E. a geomorphologist

C. a paleontologist

What is the definition of a proton? A. negatively charged particle in the nucleus B. negatively charged particle orbiting the nucleus C. a positively charged particle in the nucleus D. a neutral particle in the nucleus E. positively charged particle orbiting the nucleus

C. a positively charged particle in the nucleus

Which of the following resources are ALL considered nonrenewable? A. wind energy, solar energy, and natural gas B. natural fibers and forest products C. coal, oil, and natural gas D. plants and animals E. rivers and waves

C. coal, oil, and natural gas

Slate is ________ than shale. A. more planar B. lighter C. denser D. darker

C. denser

Which of the following minerals is a silicate? A. hematite B. halite C. feldspar D. calcite

C. feldspar

A cubic centimeter of quartz, olivine, and gold weighs 2.5, 3.0, and 19.8 grams, respectively. This indicates that ________. A. olivine and quartz powders are harder than metallic gold B. gold and olivine are silicates, whereas quartz is elemental silicon C. gold has a higher density and specific gravity than quartz and olivine D. gold is 6 to 7 times harder than olivine and quartz

C. gold has a higher density and specific gravity than quartz and olivine

Which igneous texture is characterized by two distinctively different crystal sizes? A. coarse-grained B. glassy C. porphyritic D. fine-grained

C. porphyritic

The texture of an igneous rock ________. A. is controlled by the composition of magma B. is caused by leaching C. records the rock's cooling history D. determines the color of the rock

C. records the rock's cooling history

Which one of the following is an igneous rock? A. limestone B. shale C. rhyolite D. slate

C. rhyolite

A(n) __________ is not associated with structural deformation. A. salt dome B. anticline C. stratigraphic (pinchout) trap D. fold E. fault trap

C. stratigraphic (pinchout) trap

What kind of time span is required to produce most mineral deposits? A. 1-100 years, or about a human life span B. billions of years C. tens of thousands to millions of years D. We have no way of knowing this, but most were formed at the same time as the Earth.

C. tens of thousands to millions of years

What causes the same mineral to occur in varieties that are different colors? A. The ability to transmit light varies in the same mineral. B. The crystalline structure often exhibits differences in shape. C. Chemical bonds are rearranged in the same mineral. D. A small amount of impurities in the crystal structure. E. The amount and quality of light reflected off the surface differs in the same mineral.

D. A small amount of impurities in the crystal structure.

Why glass is not considered a mineral? A. Glass has an unknown chemical composition. B. Glass is made by organisms. C. Glass is solid. D. Glass has a disorderly atomic structure. E. Glass is not naturally occurring.

D. Glass has a disorderly atomic structure.

What is the basic foundation of Moh's hardness scale? A. Mineral hardness is comparable to mineral strength. B. Crystal hardness is directly proportional to crystal size. C. Hardness is related to the amount of time a mineral takes to precipitate. D. If a mineral scratches an object, then the mineral is harder than the object. E. Mineral hardness can be measured in absolute terms.

D. If a mineral scratches an object, then the mineral is harder than the object.

How does cooling rate affect the crystal size of minerals in igneous rocks? A. Slow cooling produces smaller crystals; quick cooling produces larger crystals. B. Crystal size is independent of cooling rate. C. Quick cooling produces smaller crystals, but only in magma and not in lava. D. Slow cooling produces larger crystals; quick cooling produces smaller crystals. E. Slow cooling produces larger crystals, but only in lava and not in magma.

D. Slow cooling produces larger crystals; quick cooling produces smaller crystals.

Which of the following must be true for hydrocarbons to be collected by a fault trap? A. The reservoir must be in contact with poorly cemented, surficial sediments. B. The cap rock must be permeable. C. There must be folds associated with the fault. D. The fault must be sealed. E. The fault must be open to allow fluid flow.

D. The fault must be sealed.

Which of the following do all oil traps have in common? A. faults B. anticlines C. structural deformation D. a reservoir rock with a cap rock above it E. salt columns

D. a reservoir rock with a cap rock above it

Which of the following changes may occur during metamorphism? A. Crystals may grow larger. B. Certain minerals may recrystallize. C. The rock becomes more compact. D. all of the above

D. all of the above

What is foliation? A. banding in sedimentary rocks that results from the reorientation of minerals B. fracturing in metamorphic rocks that results from the reorientation of minerals C. fracturing in sedimentary rocks that results from the reorientation of minerals D. banding in metamorphic rocks that results from the reorientation of minerals

D. banding in metamorphic rocks that results from the reorientation of minerals

Which mineral reacts readily with cool, dilute hydrochloric acid to produce visible bubbles of carbon dioxide gas? A. quartz B. plagioclase C. gypsum D. calcite

D. calcite

Which of the following is an economically important sedimentary rock? A. marble B. pumice C. calcite D. coal

D. coal

What would you call a granite that has undergone metamorphism and now exhibits foliation? A. lava B. basalt C. granite D. gneiss E. limestone

D. gneiss

The resistance of a mineral to abrasion is known as ________. A. streak B. cleavage C. luster D. hardness

D. hardness

The ________ refers to the water-dominated parts of the earth. A. biosphere B. geosphere C. atmosphere D. hydrosphere

D. hydrosphere

The minerals gold, silver and mercury are often found in ________. A. alteration of limestone B. disseminated deposits C. the lower parts of an intrusion D. hydrothermal veins

D. hydrothermal veins

When electrons are shared amongst all atoms, the resulting bond is a(n) ________ bond. A. partial B. covalent C. ionic D. metallic

D. metallic

If magma or lava cools quickly, the resulting igneous rock will have ________. A. more variations in mineral types B. very large crystals C. more silicate minerals D. very small crystals

D. very small crystals

The exchange of energy between the surface of the earth, the atmosphere, and space causes ________. A. glaciers B. topography C. temperature D. weather

D. weather

Soil belongs to the ________. A. hydrosphere B. biosphere C. geosphere D. atmosphere E. All of the above

E. All of the above

Name the hardest and softest mineral on the Moh's scale. A. Topaz (hardest) and calcite (softest) B. Diamond (hardest) and gypsum (softest) C. Quartz (hardest) and calcite (softest) D. Corundum (hardest) and talc (softest) E. Diamond (hardest) and talc (softest)

E. Diamond (hardest) and talc (softest)

What are the two most important driving forces of metamorphism? A. Weathering and accumulation B. Magma and lava C. Deposition and lithification D. Melting and crystallization E. High heat and pressure

E. High heat and pressure

What is the difference between magma and lava? A. Magma is generally granitic in composition; lava is dominantly basaltic in composition. B. Magma is molten rock located above the surface; lava is molten rock below ground. C. Magma cools to produce extrusive igneous rocks; lava cools to produce intrusive igneous rocks. D. Magma is lower in temperature; lava is higher in temperature. E. Magma is molten rock located below the surface; lava is molten rock erupted above ground.

E. Magma is molten rock located below the surface; lava is molten rock erupted above ground.

A scientist creates diamonds using high-pressure laboratory experiments. These diamonds are not considered minerals because which of the following requirements has been violated? A. Minerals must have a known chemical composition. B. Minerals must be inorganic in origin. C. Minerals must have an orderly crystalline structure. D. Minerals must be solid. E. Minerals must occur naturally.

E. Minerals must occur naturally.

Which science is not used within the Earth sciences? A. Biology B. Mathematics C. Physics D. Chemistry E. None of the above; Earth Science makes use of all of these sciences.

E. None of the above; Earth Science makes use of all of these sciences.

The amount or quality of light that is reflected from a mineral surface is known as __________. A. crystallization B. transparency C. streak D. color E. luster

E. luster

Which of the following statements does NOT describe a connection between people and Earth science? A. A hydroelectric dam is constructed on a river. B. People are injured and their homes destroyed by an earthquake. C. Construction workers build cities and roads. D.Car exhaust and industrial pollution release substances into the atmosphere and water supply. E. none of the above

E. none of the above

Hardness describes a mineral's __________. A. powdered form when rubbed on a streak plate B. strength C. crystalline structure D. quality of reflectivity E. resistance to being scratched

E. resistance to being scratched

Do metamorphic rocks look like the preexisting rock from which they form? A. never B. rarely C. almost always D. often E. sometimes, but not always

E. sometimes, but not always

What does the Great Unconformity represent? A. the thickest rock layer in the Grand Canyon B. deformed rocks from an ancient mountain building event C. millions of years of continuous deposition D. the oldest rock in the Grand Canyon E. the billion years of Earth history from which there are no evidential rocks at the Grand Canyon

E. the billion years of Earth history from which there are no evidential rocks at the Grand Canyon

A brown mineral specimen and a green mineral specimen have identical hardness; therefore, they are the same mineral, but just happen to be different color True False

False

All minerals exhibit cleavage. True False

False

An element is defined by the number of electrons the orbit the nucleus. True False

False

Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom much like planets around the Sun, with inner orbitals fixed and outer orbitals subject to exchange with other atoms to make compounds. True False

False

Evaporites have a biochemical origin. True False

False

Metamorphism can affect only sedimentary rocks. True False

False

Most of the energy and mineral resources we use are renewable. True False

False

In the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron, there are more silicon atoms than oxygen atoms. True False

False, there are 4 oxygen to 1 silicon

The study of Earth's atmosphere is known as?

Metereology

In the list below, indicate which of the items are minerals. Select the two that apply. Granite Amber Synthetic diamonds Seawater Quartz Charcoal Gold nugget

Quartz / Gold Nugget

A mineral can be composed entirely of one element. True False

True

All atoms of the same element have the same atomic number. True False

True

Most limestone has a biochemical origin. True False

True

Most substances are electrically neutral. True False

True

Particle size is the primary basis for distinguishing among various detrital sedimentary rocks. True False

True

Rocks are aggregates of minerals. True False

True

Under the right circumstances, any rock can be transformed into another type of rock in the rock cycle. True False

True

Which the following denotes the positively charged particles in an atom's nucleus? A. electrons B. neutrons C. protons D. isotrons

protons