Geology Chapter 1 - Understanding Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology

Describe the origin of our solar system.

1) Nebula condensing under own gravity 2) Contracting & rotating 3) Flattening into disk, forming sun 4) Solar radiation blew away gas/dust 5) Sun began to burn, planets formed.

What steps do scientists use to form a theory, including formation of hypotheses?

1) Observations lead to questions 2) Form Hypotheses 3) Make Predictions 4) Test hypotheses 5) Becomes a theory

What is a system?

A combination of related parts that interact.

What is the scientific method?

A sequence of steps including gathering data, forming & testing hypotheses, proposing theories and is a logical, orderly approach.

What is the lithosphere?

All of the rocks that make up the solid Earth.

What is the biosphere?

All the living things of the Earth

Define rocks.

An aggregate of minerals.

What is a theory?

An explanation for some natural phenomenon that has a large body of supporting evidence. To be scientific, a theory must be testable.

Define tectonic plates. What causes their movement?

An individual segment of the lithosphere that moves over the asthenosphere. Movement occurs because of convection cells in mantle.

How does the world's greatest environmental concern relate to global warming?

Burning of organic materials (such as gas in our cars) and deforestation.

Briefly describe the basis for the geologic time scale.

Calendar of Earth's geoloic history, based on changes in Earth's life through time.

Define the core.

Center, Fe & lesser Ni, Most dense.

What is the basic idea behind plate tectonic theory?

Lithosphere is divided into plates, move over asthenosphere, boundaries (volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain building).

Indicate the influences that plate tectonics has on the Earth.

Major surface features of Earth, formation of natural resources, distribution & evolution of life.

How does geology affect our everyday lives?

Natural disasters, geologic resources & economics, sustainability, environmental issues & politics, engineering geology, academic interest.

Define minerals.

Naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solids that have definite physical and chemical properties.

Define the crust.

Outer layer, Oceanic(Thin, basalt), Continental (Thick, granite)

What is the world's greatest environmental concern and why?

Overpopulation. The more people there are, the more we're in the way of processes that are dangerous and threatening to our health and lives, need more resources, we produce more wastes & pollution.

Define asthenosphere.

Plastic (soft) portion of the mantle. (between the upper and lower mantle which are solids).

What is a divergent plate boundary?

Plates move apart.

What is a convergent plate boundary?

Plates move together - Subduction: one plate sings beneath another.

What is a transform plate boundary?

Plates slide sideways.

What is a hypothesis?

Possible explanations to the initial questions that have been posed.

Describe in detail all important processes and rock types of the rock cycle, including its relationship to plate tectonics.

Shows changes from one rock type to another; Igneous rocks form from magma, lava, or pyroclastic material ;Sedimentary rocks form from sediments; Metamorphic change by heat and/or pressure.

What is physical geology?

Study of minerals and rocks, the Earth's internal processes(volcanism), and surface processes(glacial).

Define the mantle.

Surrounds core, composed of Fe-Mg-rich rock.

What is the atmosphere?

The atmosphere is the gasses that surround the Earth forming an envelope around the earth's surface.

What is uniformitarianism?

The idea that processes of today have operated throughout geologic time, does not exclude catastrophic events, rates or intensities may vary through time, laws of nature have remained the same.

What is Geology?

The scientific study of Earth, planet & moons.

What is the difference between the scientific use and common use of the term theory?

The scientific use is supported by evidence and testable and the common use is a guess.

What is the hydrosphere?

The water that surrounds the Earth that is present in the oceans, frozen in glaciers, and froze lakes and streams, and is found underground.

Define lithosphere.

Upper mantle + crust Broken into tectonic plates

Discuss the differentiation of the early Earth.

a) Uniform composition & density b) Fe &Ni settles to center c) differentiated Earth formed 4.6 Ga