The Rock Cycle
What are the three main types of rock?
(Hint- they start with Ign, Sed and Met)
Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic
Name any landform on Earth created by weathering and erosion.
Answers could include- Grand Canyon, Twelve Apostles, Uluru, The Three Sisters (Blue Mountains), Wave Rock, etc.
A community of living things (plants, animals, and microorganisms) that interact with each other and with the non-living parts of their environment (like air, water, soil, and sunlight) is known as an e______.
OR An e________ is where living things and non-living things work together in a shared environment.
Ecosystem
Which of Earths spheres includes all the water on the planet?
Hydrosphere
True or false... the oldest rocks will always lie at the top and the youngest rocks lie on the bottom of an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rock.
False- the oldest rock lies at the bottom, as it is the first layer to be deposited. Younger rock than layers on top of it.
The compaction and cementation of sediments over time forms which type of rock?
Sedimentary Rock
Name one agent of erosion besides liquid water.
Wind/ Gravity / Ice
What are two conclusions that you can draw from the food web projected on the board?
*100 points for one correct response*
*200 points for two correct responses*
The part of the Earth where life exists, encompassing all living organisms and their interactions with the environment is known as the __________.
Biosphere
True or false- Rocks are made up of one or more minerals
True
A sedimentary rock can be buried deep underground where it is subjected to intense heat and pressure, causing it to change into a __________ rock.
metamorphic
a) What is the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces called?
b) What is the movement of weathered material from one place to another called?
a) Weathering
b) Erosion
Must get both correct for full marks.
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Hawk
In this food chain, the 'Frog' could best be described as a _______________.
Secondary Consumer
*(200 points if you just said 'consumer')*
Name the four spheres of the Earth
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Lithosphere (Geosphere)
Atmosphere
*150 points if you can identify 2-3*
1. An organism dies and its body is buried in sediment.
2. Over time, the organism decays, leaving a mold (an empty space shaped like the organism).
3. Minerals or sediment fill the mold to form a _______
Cast fossil
What is the difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks?
Intrusive rocks form below the Earth's surface and have large crystals; extrusive rocks form on the surface and have small or no crystals.
How does plant growth cause weathering of rocks?
Plant roots grow into cracks in rocks and as they grow, they force the cracks wider, breaking the rock apart (physical weathering).
What is the role of a producer in a food chain?
A producer, like a plant, makes its own food using sunlight and provides energy to herbivores.
Name the four main layers of the earth from outermost to innermost.
The crust --> the mantle --> the outer core --> the inner core
Name three human impacts on ecosystems
Answers could include- introduced species, deforestation, overfishing, pollution, climate change, etc.
*Any less than 3 answers will receive no points*
Describe how a metamorphic rock can become an igneous rock in the rock cycle
A metamorphic rock can melt into magma, and if the magma cools and solidifies, it becomes an igneous rock.
A coastal town is experiencing rapid cliff erosion. Suggest two strategies that could reduce erosion and explain how they work
Building sea walls to absorb wave energy, or planting vegetation to stabilize the soil with roots. Both help slow the removal of material by water and wind.
How do abiotic factors affect living things in an ecosystem?
A range of possible answers could be mentioned.
Some examples include;
1. Sunlight affects plant growth, which impacts food availability for animals.
2. Temperature controls where animals and plants can survive.
3. Water availability influences which organisms can live in an area.
Give an example of an interaction between the hydrosphere and atmosphere
Multiple possible answers.
Eg. Evaporation of ocean water into the air.
The Sun heats the ocean (hydrosphere), causing water to evaporate into water vapor, which enters the atmosphere. This process is part of the water cycle and can lead to cloud formation and precipitation.
What is the difference between physical and chemical weathering
Physical = changes shape/size only
Chemical = changes the substance itself