Earth Sci

Biosphere

• part of Earth in which life exists including land, water, and air or atmosphere. • consists of all living things • intimately connected with and dependent on the other spheres • continuously exchanges gases with the atmosphere • modifies the other components of the Earth system

atmosphere

• the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet. • blanket of gas that surrounds Earth • protects us from harmful solar radiation • plays a role in driving ocean currents • troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere

Litosphere

• the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. • supports billions of plants, animals, and microorganisms • filters water and it facilitates the decomposition of wastes • holds air, water, heat, and nutrients • medium in which we grow food • fiber responsible for the formation of many landforms

sedimentary processes

• weathering of rocks • sediment transport and deposition • compaction and cementation

Sedimentary rocks are classified to:

■ Clastic sedimentary rocks ■ Non-clastic sedimentary rocks

Extrusive rocks, or volcanic rocks

■ Examples: rhyolite, andesite, basalt

Strata

❖ >1cm is called bedding and anything less is called lamination

Classification of rocks

1. Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling or solidification of magma or lava. 2. Metamorphic rocks are formed by preexisting rocks that are exposed to extreme heat and pressure 3. Sedimentary rocks are formed by the compaction and cementation of sediments

metamorphic rock

A type of rock that forms from an existing rock that is changed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.

sedimentary rock

A type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together. formed through the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of sediments

Felsic

Describes magma or igneous rock that is rich in feldspars and silica and that is generally light in color. Also called as granitic

Intrusive rocks, or plutonic rocks

Examples: granite, diorite, gabbro

We use minerals in school, on the farm, and in the kitchen

Graphite Clay Lignite Phosphorus Modern technologies Gypsum Titanium oxide Silica Copper Faucets

clastic sedimentary rock

Sedimentary rock that forms when fragments of preexisting rocks are compacted or cemented together.

MINERAL CLASSES AND THE ROCKS-FORMING MINERALS

Silicates Carbonates Sulfides Native Elements

Common sedimentary features

Strata Fossils

Energy

With a steady input of either light or chemical energy, cells can run the chemical reactions necessary for life.

ingeous rock

a type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock at or below the surface.

intermediate

between a more medial and a more lateral structure Also called as andesitic

non-clastic sedimentary rocks

composed of biologically/chemically precipitated minerals

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

crystalline habit, cleavage, fracture, hardness, specific gravity, color, streak, luster

Malfic

describes magma or igneous rock that is rich in magnesium and iron and that is generally dark in color also called basaltic

Non-Foliated Metamorphic Rock

metamorphic rock that does not exhibit a banded or layered appearance EXAMPLES: marble, quartzite, and anthracite.

energy transfer

the transfer of energy from one organism to another through a food chain or web; or the transfer of energy from one object to another, such as heat energy

Hydrosphere

• All the water at and near the surface of the earth, 97% of which is in oceans • covers about 75% of Earth's surface • almost 1% of the water is drinkable • help regulate climate • Water constantly circulates between the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, and the atmosphere

What makes Earth habitable?

• Magnetic field that protects it from harmful solar radiation. • right distance from the sun. • right chemical ingridients for life including water and carbon. • insulating atmosphere that keeps the planet warm. • processes that shape the earth and its environment and constantly cycle elements.

What are minerals made of?

• Minerals and all other Earth materials are composed of chemical elements • Most common minerals consist of a small number of different chemical elements

Minerals and the environment

■ Many of the minerals that our bodies require for good health ■ vital for the construction, manufacturing and energy industries. ■ help maintain biodiversity

Interesting Facts about Minerals

■ Scientists who study minerals are called mineralogists. ■ Around 99% of the minerals in the Earth's crust are made up of eight elements. ■ Common minerals include quartz, feldspar, bauxite, cobalt, talc, and pyrite. ■ Some minerals have a different colored streak than the color of their body. ■ A gem is a piece of rare mineral ■ Certain minerals are needed by our bodies so we can grow healthy and strong.

Rocks

■ any solid mass of mineral or mineral-like matter occurring naturally ■ may be made up of minerals, other rock pieces, and fossil materials ■ result of various geological processes

Minerals

✔ the basic and essential raw materials in our daily lives ✔ vital for economic and social technological development.

Nutrients

❑ used to build and maintain an organism's body ❑ All solid planets and moons have the same general chemical makeup, so nutrients are present. ❑ Those with a water cycle or volcanic activity can transport and replenish the chemicals required by living organisms.

atmosphere

❖ Earth's atmosphere is about 100 miles thick. ❖ It keeps the surface warm and protects it from radiation and small- to medium- sized meteorites.

Temperature

❖ Life seems to be limited to a temperature range of -15 0C to 115 0C. ❖ In this range, liquid water can still exist under certain condition.

foliated metamorphic rock

❖ layered or banded appearance produced by Regional metamorphism ❖ EXAMPLES: slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.

Ore Minerals

❖ minerals that are valuable and economical to extract. ❖ Minerals from which metals or other elements can be profitably recovered ❖ Most of these metals are chemically bonded to other elements

Fossils

❖ remains and traces of plants and animals

industrial minerals

❖ rocks or minerals that have economic value, exclusive of metal ores, fuels, and gems ❖ are not ores, fuels or gems but have economic value nonetheless ❖ they are mined for purposes other than the extraction of metals