Earth & Space
What is the name of the science that studies Earth?
Geology
What is the outermost solid layer of Earth called?
Crust
What are the large moving divisions of Earth's lithosphere called?
Tectonic plates.
Which of these is a biological natural resource: shrimp, sunlight, or seawater?
Shrimp
What happens to Earth's surface water if Earth moves too far from the Sun's habitable zone?
Much of Earth's surface water would freeze.
What cause's Earth's seasons?
The tilt of Earth's axis.
Is Earth's crust thicker beneath continents or oceans?
Continents
What is the rigid layer made up of Earth's crust and uppermost mantle?
The lithosphere.
What is a renewable natural resource?
A resource that can be naturally replaced within a useful time period.
How can we conserve a nonrenewable resource while continuing to use it?
Recycle it.
What important liquid is found naturally on Earth's surface and is necessary for life?
Water
What layer lies directly beneath Earth's crust?
The mantle.
What is the softer, slowly flowing layer beneath the lithosphere?
The asthenosphere.
What do we call a resource that has been identified but is not currently being used?
A potential resource.
Why is it important to manage natural resources wisely?
To prevent depletion, protect the environment, and preserve resources for future generations.
What protects Earth from harmful charged particles traveling through space?
Earth's magnetic field.
What is the boundary between the crust and mantle called?
The Moho (Mohorovičić discontinuity).
How do scientists use earthquakes to study Earth's interior?
They study how seismic waves travel through Earth's layers.
Name two factors that determine the value of a natural resource.
Demand and accessibility.
If Earth moved beyond the Sun's habitable zone, what are two possible consequences for life on Earth?
Much of Earth's surface water could freeze, and reduced sunlight could limit plant growth, making survival difficult for living organisms.
What would Earth's climate be like if its axis had no tilt?
There would be much less seasonal variation, with a consistently hot equatorial region and cold polar regions.
Why is Earth's core denser than its mantle?
The core is made mainly of dense metals, including iron and nickel.
Which part of Earth's core is liquid, and which part is solid?
The outer core is liquid, and the inner core is solid.
Why must we know the replacement rate of a renewable resource?
To avoid using it faster than nature can replace it.
How could a natural resource become more valuable even if the amount available stays the same?
If demand increases or the resource becomes harder to access, its value may increase.