Energy on Earth
Name three methods in which energy can move through Earth's systems.
1. Radiation: Movement of energy as visible light (sun)
2. Conduction: Transfer of heat energy through direct contact of solid objects (walking on hot sand)
3. Convection: Transfer of heat through a gas or liquid (like water in a tea kettle)
How does Albedo impact the climate?
By how much energy is being reflected. Albedo impacts global climates due to areas covered in glaciers and the amount of ice melt.
Explain density
The density of a substance is its mass per unit volume.
What are the three types of rocks and how are each formed?
Igneous - Melting, Cooling and Crystalization
Sedimentary - Compaction and cementation
Metamorphic - Heat and Pressure
Explain the correlation between metamorphic grade and heat / pressure.
High heat + High pressure = High Grade
Low heat + Low pressure = Low Grade
Where do we see convection currents taking place within Earth's systems?
1. Convection currents move the Earth's mantle, which drives the movement of tectonic plates.
2. In the atmosphere, influencing weather patterns.
3. And in the Ocean currents.
True or False: Negative feedback helps maintain stability
True
What is the difference between a Mineral, an element and a compound?
Mineral: Substance that has specific characteristics.
Element: Substance that cannot be broken down any further by chemical means.
Compound: Substance composed of atoms of 2 or more elements held together by chemical bonds.
Rocks that are found along plate boundaries or mantle hot spots, like obsidian, granite, and basalt, are examples of this type of rock.
Igneous
This cycle is all about getting an element that makes up 78% of the atmosphere into forms that organisms can use. This cycle helps support the creation of DNA, RNA, and Protein.
Nitrogen Cycle
This needs to be balanced in order for Earth's surface temperature to remain balanced.
The amount of energy ENTERING the Earth's atmosphere and the amount of energy LEAVING.
How is latitude and radiation correlated?
The amount of radiation that any specific region of the Earth recieves depends on the angle of the sun in the sky. The higher the angle, the more radiation that reaches the earth.
Explain the 5 characteristics and object MUST have to be classified as a mineral.
Hint: Now I Can Define mineralS
N - occurs Naturally
I - Inorganic (not alive, never was)
C - Crystalline (atoms are arranged in an orderly pattern)
D - Definite chemical composition
S - Solid
Explain the difference between mafic and silicic rocks.
Mafic are DARK colored igneous rocks that contain lots of magnesium and iron (which makes them dark). They form from very HOT lava. (1000ºC)
Silicic are LIGHT colored igneous rocks formed from silica. They form from COOLER lava (lower than 850ºC)
What occurs during the Nitrogen Cycle? Why is it important?
The nitrogen cycle circulates Nitrogen among the air, soil, water, and organisms in an ecosystem. Organisms need Nitrogen, but most organisms cannot use nitrogen gas, so this cycle is essential to deliver nitrogen to organisms in different ways.
This is the percentage of light that a particular surface will reflect.
Albedo
Ice has a high albedo / Forests have a low albedo
Explain the correlation between convection currents and ocean temperatures.
Water at the equator is warmer than water at the poles. As warm water circulates, it warms cooler areas.
Name the 6 categories of physical properties of minerals.
1. Color
2. Streak
3. Hardness
4. Cleavage
5. Fracture
6. Luster
These rocks are formed by weathering, erosion, compaction, sedimentation, or lithification around places like rivers, beaches, glaciers, and sand dunes. Examples include sandstone, shale, limestone and gypsum.
Sedimentary
What process is happening when Sedimentary, Igneous, or Metamorphic rock becomes SEDIMENT?
Weathering & Erosion
Explain the difference between positive feedback loops and negative feedback loops.
Positive=change leads to further change of the same type (higher temps cause ice to melt and decreasing the earth albedo, which leads to further warming.)
Negative: A process couteracts change, slowing the change.
True or False: The amount of incoming and outgoing energy is the exact same no matter where you are on Earth.
False: The amount of incoming and outgoing energy can differ from place to place.
What are some additional identification tests we can do on minerals?
Hardness
Streak (True Color)
Acid test (tests for carbonate)
Rocks like slate, marble, and quartz are formed near plate subduction zones and in deep mountains are classified as THIS type of rock.
Metamorphic
The rock cycle shows us how rocks change through various processes. For each process, name what type of rock is formed as a result:
1. Compacting and Cementing
2. Cooling
3. Melting
4. Heat & Pressure
5. Weathering and Erosion
1. Compacting and Cementing results in Sedimentary Rocks
2. Cooling results in Igneous Rock
3. Melting results in Magma
4. Heat & Pressure results in Metamorphic Rock
5. Weathering and Erosion results in Sediments